Akron, Ohio, 2015—For the seventh time, State and Federal Communications, Inc., under the leadership of President and CEO Elizabeth Z. Bartz, has been selected as one of the top 30 women-owned businesses in Ohio, and is the only company recognized in the city of Akron.

The “Top Businesses in America” program award from DiversityBusiness.com, a web-based publisher and business site, selected the Akron Company due to its overall leadership and economic achievements, ranking it as #17 in women-owned business and #37 in diversity-owned businesses in Ohio.

This is a considerable accomplishment given the current business climate in Ohio. The state currently ranks 46^th in the country in combined economic clout for women-owned companies – a measurement averaging the rankings in growth in number according to the State of Women-Owned Businesses report, sponsored by American Express OPEN.

Bartz recognizes the trend and sees this award as an opportunity. “As a successful small business owner and a woman, I believe it is important to be an example to other women, to demonstrate to the community what women can achieve and the impact we can have.”

Bartz says hard work in both business and community, is how rising above the trend is possible. She has witnessed disparity firsthand throughout her professional career, and uses these experiences as a motivator to grow not only her company and mentor her staff, but to also mentor other women and interns in the community. State and Federal Communications’ Intern Program is second to none in giving students experience working in the community, at the office, and providing solid compensation for the work performed.

Bartz believes the best advice she can give to other women is to encourage them to take on leadership roles and immerse themselves in the community. United Way of Summit County, Go Red for Women, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve, Susan G. Komen – Race for a Cure, the WKSU/Kent State University Foundation, and the Akron Urban League’s Speakers Series Platinum sponsorship only begin to chronicle the array of local organizations Bartz and her company support. She serves in a leadership role on multiple local and national boards, including Kent State University’s National Alumni Association Board, the State Government Affairs Council (SGAC), National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Foundation, Council of State Governments (CSG), Public Affairs Council, and the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL).

“Keep growing and keep leading. This is how we create a trend in Ohio,” said Bartz, who also encourages her staff to get involved. “My staff gets all the credit for our achievements, but their dedication to the company is surpassed by their dedication to the community.”

This month, State and Federal Communications will also receive the NEO Success Award. This program annually recognizes the top-performing companies in Northeast Ohio and reflects the determination to expand and revitalize its economic status. Bartz believes the demonstration of their core values sets the company apart from other similar small businesses and are the ingredients needed to shift the direction Ohio is heading with diversity in the workplace.

The “Top Businesses in America” program is sponsored by major brands, including Apple, AT&T, Wal-Mart, Coca-Cola, Office Depot, Toyota, Cisco, and Verizon. The program offers one of the nation’s most coveted awards. More than 3,000 award recipients have been honored since the program’s inception. Bartz and the company also won the award since 2007.

The Utah Legislature adjourned its 2015 session sine die on March 12, 2015. Governor Gary Herbert has until April 1 to veto or sign legislation. The Governor does not possess a pocket veto. The normal effective date for bills passed this year is May 12.

Photo of the Utah State Capitol by Robert Cutts on Wikimedia Commons.

Lobbying

New Mexico: “Stripped-Down Lobbying Disclosure Goes to Senate” by Gwyneth Doland for New Mexico In Depth

Washington: “Lawmakers Kill Proposed Lobbyist ‘Cooling Off’ Period for State Officials” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times

Campaign Finance

Arkansas: “Campaign E-Filing Bill Falls Short in 1st Vote” by Lisa Hammersly and Claudia Lauer for Arkansas Online

Arkansas: “Paul Bookout, Former Arkansas State Senator from Jonesboro, Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud Charge” by Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) for Daily Journal

New Mexico: “Senate Panel Passes Bill to End Campaign Donation Limits” by Steve Terrell (Santa Fe New Mexican) for Las Cruces Sun-News

Ethics

“Drugmakers Turn Heat on Insurers by Backing Copay Limits” by Alex Wayne for Bloomberg News

“Big Costs to See Public Documents Hider Access” by Michael Felberbaum (Associated Press) for USA Today

“Lawmaker Facing Spending Probe Benefited from Donor Projects” by Jeff Horwitz and Stephen Braun (Associated Press) for Philadelphia Inquirer

“Jeb Bush’s Emails Detail Communications with Top Donors” by Ronnie Green and Steve Peoples (Associated Press) for Raleigh News & Observer

“Committee Says No to Ethics Commission” by Nick Smith for Bismarck Tribune

Elections

“Absence of 2016 Competition for Clinton Raises Stakes for Democrats” by Dan Balz for Washington Post

Gov. Phil Bryant has announced a special election to fill an opening in the state House of Representatives. The election, for the House District 45 seat, will be May 5, with a runoff held on May 26 if needed.

The vacancy is a result of Rep. Bennett Malone resigning earlier this month and the winner will serve the last few months of his four-year term.

With the election occurring a month after the legislature adjourns, it is unlikely the new lawmaker will vote on bills.

Gov. Matt Mead has signed two campaign finance bills repealing aggregate contribution limits and recently instituted political action committee (PAC) limits.

House Bill 38 was originally filed to remove all contribution limits for PACs, but amendments to the bill keep a $5,000 limit from a PAC to any candidate who is not a statewide candidate.

House Bill 39 repeals the state’s aggregate contribution limits, which conflict with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission. Both bills are effective immediately.

Photo of Gov. Matt Mead by Gage on Wikimedia Commons.

A House committee has failed to pass a resolution proposing to let voters decide whether to create a state ethics commission. House Concurrent Resolution 3060 would amend the state Constitution to provide for a commission with the authority to address unethical behavior of officials and to oversee campaign finance and lobbying activities.

The House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee heard testimony before a 10-4 vote against the resolution.

North Dakota is one of eight states without an ethics commission. The other seven are Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Wyoming.

Photo of the North Dakota Capitol by MatthewUND in Wikimedia Commons.

Federal:

Clinton: It ‘might have been smarter’ to use a State Dept. e-mail account
Washington Post – Anne Gearan and Philip Rucker | Published: 3/10/2015

Hillary Clinton revealed she had deleted about half her emails from her years as secretary of state, saying she had turned over to the Obama administration all correspondence about government business but had erased records of communications about private matters, like yoga routines and her daughter’s wedding. In a news conference about her exclusive use of a private email account while secretary, Clinton sought to squelch the furor about those communications. She acknowledged it would have been wiser to use a government email for official business, but said she had “fully complied with every rule” and was going “above and beyond” what was required of her in asking the State Department to make public much of her email correspondence. Clinton said she had only convenience in mind in choosing to use just a personal email account.

K Street Aims for Global Expansion
The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 3/12/2015

After dropping the word “lobbyist” from its name in 2013, the Association for Government Relations Professionals (AGRP) has added hundreds of new members as the group looks to boost its clout and extend its reach, both geographically and in terms of the professionals it represents. Leading the makeover of the organization formerly known as the American League of Lobbyists is Jim Hickey, who was elected as AGRP’s president in December. Hickey wants to break out of Washington and establish an industrywide database that would connect government affairs professionals at the state, federal, and international levels. If a corporation or grassroots firm, for example, needs to find an advocate with a certain policy expertise within a specific state capital, Hickey wants to be able to provide that resource.

Lindsey Graham One of Several in Senate Luddite Caucus
Politico – Lauren French | Published: 3/10/2015

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said on “Meet the Press” that he has never sent a single email in his life. Graham’s complete aversion to email might be an extreme case even in the technologically antiquated Senate, where lawmakers still file their campaign finance reports on paper, but he certainly has plenty of company in the Luddite Caucus. The email habits of lawmakers are suddenly in the spotlight after it was reported that Hillary Clinton used a personal email account as her official correspondence while serving as secretary of state and stored the emails on a private server in her home.

Menendez Is to Face Corruption Charges, U.S. Official Says
New York Times – Kate Zernike and Matt Apuzzo | Published: 3/6/2015

The Justice Department is likely to file criminal charges against U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) for allegedly accepting gifts and lavish vacations in exchange for political favors for a longtime friend and political benefactor. Menendez has been the subject of an investigation for two years centering on his relationship with Dr. Salomon Melgen, a South Florida ophthalmologist. According to court papers that were mistakenly and briefly unsealed, prosecutors have been examining whether Menendez improperly tried to persuade Medicare officials in recent years to change reimbursement policies in a way that would make millions of dollars for Melgen, one of the country’s biggest recipients of Medicare funds.

Pope Weighs in on Campaign Finance, but Will He Go Before the FEC?
Washington Post – Al Kamen and Colby Itkowitz | Published: 3/11/2015

Pope Francis warned that campaign donations lead elected officials to act against the interests of the people. “In the financing of electoral campaigns, many interests get into the mix, and then they send you the bill,” said .Francis. He also called for transparency in fundraising for political campaigns. His comments caught the attention of Ellen Weintraub of the FEC, who mentioned it before the panel’s most recent meeting. They joked that maybe the pope would like to testify at an FEC hearing when he visits Washington this fall. “I am happy for anyone to recognize campaign finance; this might be even better than Stephen Colbert,” said Weintraub.

From the States and Municipalities:

Idaho – Chastened, IACI Now Looks Inward
Idaho Statesman – Bill Dentzer | Published: 3/5/2015

The head of Idaho’s pro-business lobby has been placed on temporary leave after sending a profanity-laden email criticizing a state senator and suggesting the group introduce retaliation legislation. The board of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry made the decision regarding President Alex LaBeau. “The president of the organization said some very inappropriate things about impacting the process over here just to spite a specific senator, which is completely and absolutely inappropriate,” said Sen. John Tippets.

Indiana – Ethical Dilemma? House Speaker Brian Bosma Has Ties to Indy Eleven
Indianapolis Star – Tony Cook and Mark Alesia | Published: 3/5/2015

Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma revealed he has done legal work for the Indy Eleven soccer team for the past two years. But he did not publicly disclose that work until after the House voted in favor of the $82 million stadium funding proposal for the team, and even then, he did so only after being pressed by reporters to comment on the measure. House Ethics Committee Chairperson Greg Steuerwald said he has done legal work for Keystone Construction Corp., which is owned by Ersal Ozdemir, who also owns Indy Eleven. The revelations come as Bosma and Steuerwald lead a push for ethics reforms in the wake of several high-profile scandals involving state officials.

Kentucky – Anthony Wilhoit to Retire as Head of the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission
Lexington Herald-Leader – Jack Brammer | Published: 3/10/2015

Anthony Wilhoit is stepping down as executive director of the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission, a post he has held since November 1997. Wilhoit, who will turn 80 this year, said “it’s time for new blood” for the agency that enforces ethics laws and regulates conduct by legislators, lobbyists, and employers of lobbyists. He will remain on the job until the commission finds a replacement. It is taking applications for the job until April 1.

New Jersey – N.J. lobbyists may soon have to pay more to lobby: The Auditor
Newark Star-Ledger – NJ Advance Media | Published: 3/5/2015

The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), which oversees the state’s 984 registered lobbyists, is proposing to increase the fee they have to pay to register each year from $425 to $575. The fee for lobbyists has not been increased since 2004. The proposed amendment was published in the latest New Jersey Register. The 60-day comment period now begins, and ELEC will hold a public hearing on May 19.

Pennsylvania – 3 More Philly Pols Charged in Revived Sting Probe
Philadelphia Inquirer – Craig McCoy | Published: 3/10/2015

Two state lawmakers from Philadelphia and an ex-legislator have been charged with pocketing cash in an influence-peddling case taken up by District Attorney Seth Williams after being dropped by Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane. Reps. Louise Williams Bishop and Michelle Brownlee, and former Rep. Harold James, who last served in 2012, face conspiracy, bribery, and other counts. The arrests raised to six the number charged in the case. They are all accused of improperly accepting cash or gifts from informant Tyrone Ali, a lobbyist working undercover for prosecutors. Kane rejected the case in 2013, saying it was flawed by witness credibility problems, entrapment issues, and allegations of racial targeting.

Rhode Island – New Task Force Formed by the Secretary of State Seeks to Overhaul Rhode Island’s Lobbying Laws
Greenfield Daily Reporter – Jennifer McDermott (Associated Press) | Published: 3/5/2015

A task force formed by Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea working to clarify and strengthen Rhode Island’s lobbying laws met for the first time recently. Gorbea said the executive and legislative lobbying statutes are unnecessarily complicated. Her transition committee recommended raising registration fees for lobbyists and increasing fines for those who do not register. Although the Department of State oversees lobbyists, it cannot independently oversee and enforce the laws and charge offenders, said Gorbea. The secretary of state is not granted subpoena powers for administrative hearings, and the penalties for breaking the lobbying laws are minimal. “Stronger laws discourage bad behavior and penalize those who willfully break the law, and renew people’s faith and trust in government,” said Gorbea.

Virginia – McDonnell Appeal Gains High-Profile Supporters
Washington Post – Matt Zapotosky and Laura Vozzella | Published: 3/9/2015

A group of 44 former state attorneys general filed an amicus brief supporting ex-Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s appeal of his conviction on federal corruption charges. The brief argues the charges filed against McDonnell set dangerous precedents surrounding corruption law. In particular, the attorneys general argued the case federalized what should be state public corruption charges and sought to criminalize what they believe should be considered innocuous behavior. A jury determined McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, used the governor’s office to help businessperson Jonnie Williams Sr. promote his dietary supplement company in exchange for $177,000 in loans, personal gifts, and luxury goods. McDonnell was sentenced to two years in prison, his wife to a year and a day.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

The State Ethics Commission has a new attorney following the departure of Cathy Hazelwood to the Department of Education at the end of 2014.

Michael Burchstead is the commission’s new general counsel after leaving his post as an assistant attorney general under Attorney General Alan Wilson.

Hazelwood’s exit put on hold all hearings requiring an attorney, including a hearing regarding whether Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster accepted $72,200 in improper campaign contributions.

Lobbying

New York: “Emails Reveal Lobbyist Had Undisclosed Role in Cuomo Financial Crisis Investigation” by Justin Elliot for ProPublica

Campaign Finance

“Likely 2016 Presidential Candidates Put Money to Work Through Their PACs” by Kurtis Lee for Los Angeles Times

West Virginia: “House Committee Removes Financial Disclosure from Campaign Bill” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette

Ethics

“Clinton: It ‘might have been smarter’ to use a State Dept. e-mail account” by Anne Gearan and Philip Rucker for Washington Post

Kentucky: “Anthony Wilhoit to Retire as Head of the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission” by Jack Brammer for Lexington Herald-Leader

Oregon: “Ex-Governor Scandal Prompts Ore. Ethics Overhaul Effort” by Tracy Loew (Salem Statesman Journal) for USA Today

Rhode Island: “Rhode Island Ethics Commission Endorses Bill on Expanding Jurisdiction over Lawmakers” by Jennifer McDermott (Associated Press) for Greenfield Daily Reporter

South Carolina: “S.C. Senate Panel Revives Ethics Reform bill, but for How Long is Uncertain” by Jamie Self for The State

Legislative Issues

“Cotton Storms the Senate” by Burgess Everett for Politico

Procurement

Texas: “Senate Leaders Want to Tighten Ethics Laws on State Contracts” by Robert Garrett for Dallas Morning News

In response to former Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox’s political scandal involving campaign funds, Rep. Robert Craven has introduced House Bill 5840.The bill requires political committees and candidates to create bank accounts for campaign funds separate from business and personal accounts.

“We need to eliminate the fuzzy areas surrounding campaign funds and campaign expenses to ensure that money collected for or donated to a candidate is used for campaign, [not] personal, purposes,” Craven said in his press release.

Photo of the Rhode Island State Capitol courtesy of Garrett A. Wollman on Wikimedia Commons.

Anthony Wilhoit, Executive Director of the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission, announced he will retire from the post this spring. Wilhoit, who has held the position since 1997, will step down once the nine-member independent commission selects a new director.

In his announcement, the former Court of Appeals judge stated it is time for new leadership at the commission and he wants to take on new community matters in Woodford County.

Lobbying

“Inside the Powerful Lobby Fighting for Your Right to Eat Pizza” by Andrew Martin for Bloomberg News

“Why Congress Relies on Lobbyists Instead of Thinking for Itself” by Lee Drutman and Steven Teles for The Atlantic

Campaign Finance

California: “State Panel Considers Raising Thresholds for Campaign Reporting” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times

Kentucky: “In An Election Year, Kentucky Senate Votes to Double Campaign Contribution Limits” by Adam Beam (Associated Press) for The Daily Journal

Montana: “House Sends Campaign Finance Bill to Panel Seen as More Favorable” by Charles Johnson for Helena Independent Record

Ethics

New York: “Mayor de Blasio Is Quietly Soliciting Donations for Future Policy Battles” by Michael Grynbaum for New York Times

Pennsylvania: “3 More Philly Pols Charged in Revived Sting Probe” by Craig McCoy for Philadelphia Inquirer

Virginia: “McDonnell Appeal Gains High-Profile Supporters” by Matt Zapotosky and Laura Vozzella for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

“Lindsey Graham One of Several in Senate Luddite Caucus” by Lauren French for Politico

Lobbying

Arkansas: “Lawmakers List Lobby-Paid Trips” by Michael Wickline for The Democrat-Gazette

North Carolina: “City of Charlotte to Study Rules for Lobbyists” by Steve Harrison for Charlotte Observer

Campaign Finance

“How You (And a Few Thousand of Your Friends) Can Become the Biggest Donors in American Politics” by Philip Bump for Washington Post

Florida: “Judge Recommends $58,000 in Ethics Fines for David Rivera” by Patricia Mazzei for Miami Herald

Rhode Island: “Lawmakers Say They’ll Reform the Campaign Finance System Because Ex-Speaker Exploited It” by Jennifer McDermott (Associated Press) for Columbus Republic

Ethics

“Menendez Is to Face Corruption Charges, U.S. Official Says” by Kate Zernike and Matt Apuzzo for New York Times

New Jersey: “Reporter Defies Subpoena Ordering Him to Keep Recording of Public Meetings Private” by Brian Amoral (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star-Ledger

North Carolina: “Gov. McCrory Amends Ethics Report to Show Others Paid for Seven Trips” by J. Andrew Curliss for Raleigh News & Observer

Texas: “Senate Renews Effort to Move Corruption Unit Out of Travis County” by Brian Rosenthal for Houston Chronicle

Texas: “High Hopes for Ethics Reform, but It’s Early” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune