September 17, 2015 •
Special Election Called for Iowa House District 5
A special election for state House District 5 has been scheduled for November 3, 2015 to coincide with the regular municipal general elections. The seat was held for more than 10 years by Rep. Chuck Soderberg, who resigned to take […]
A special election for state House District 5 has been scheduled for November 3, 2015 to coincide with the regular municipal general elections.
The seat was held for more than 10 years by Rep. Chuck Soderberg, who resigned to take a vice president position with the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives.
The Office of the Secretary of State is currently working on setting the deadline for candidates to submit their nomination papers.
September 17, 2015 •
Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission to Amend Lobbying Rules
The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission has provided notice of a public hearing to amend Title 4, Chapter 6, Rules and Regulations for Lobbying. The proposed amendments will bring the rules and regulations in line with the provisions of Laws […]
The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission has provided notice of a public hearing to amend Title 4, Chapter 6, Rules and Regulations for Lobbying. The proposed amendments will bring the rules and regulations in line with the provisions of Laws 2012, LB 782 providing for electronic registration and reporting by lobbyists.
The public hearing will be held by the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission on October 16, 2015.
September 17, 2015 •
San Diego, CA Raises Lobbyist Fees
On September 15, the San Diego, California City Council voted unanimously to raise the registration fees for lobbyists. The new ordinance, which was approved by the Budget Committee in July, increases the annual registration from $40 to $150. Annual registration […]
On September 15, the San Diego, California City Council voted unanimously to raise the registration fees for lobbyists. The new ordinance, which was approved by the Budget Committee in July, increases the annual registration from $40 to $150. Annual registration fees paid by clients who hire lobbyists also increases from $15 to $30. These increases are the first since the enactment of lobbyist registration fees in 2008. The changes take effect January 1, 2016.
September 17, 2015 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying Kansas: “Lobbyist Lunches Rankle KanCare Critics” by Andy Marso for KCUR South Carolina: “Ethics Board: It’s legal for Haley to get season tickets” by Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) for Kitsap Sun Campaign Finance “Can Anything Be Done About All […]
Lobbying
Kansas: “Lobbyist Lunches Rankle KanCare Critics” by Andy Marso for KCUR
South Carolina: “Ethics Board: It’s legal for Haley to get season tickets” by Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) for Kitsap Sun
Campaign Finance
“Can Anything Be Done About All the Money in Politics?” by Thomas Edsall for New York Times
“Why Clinton’s Big Campaign Finance Proposal Could Lead to More Partisan Gridlock” by Max Ehrenfreund for Washington Post
“Donald Trump Is Target of Conservative Ad Campaign” by Nicholas Confessore and Alan Rappeport for New York Times
Ethics
“Across the Globe, a Growing Disillusionment with Democracy” by Roberto Foa and Yascha Mounk for New York Times
Alabama: “Legal Defense Bill Draws Alabama Ethics Commission Fire” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser
California: “Sacramento City Council Approves Ethics Package” by Cathy Locke for Sacramento Bee
Maryland: “County Ethics Commission to Grow, Get More Power under Proposed Bill” by Jen Fifield for Frederick News Post
Pennsylvania: “‘This Is Just Aggressive Government,’ Lawyer Says as Ex-Mayor Reed’s Corruption Case Goes to County Court” by Matt Miller for Harrisburg Patriot-News
September 16, 2015 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying Arizona: “Second Arizona Corporation Commissioner Regulator Found to Be Lobbyist” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic California: “San Diego Lobbyist Fee Nearly Quadruples” by David Garrick for San Diego Union-Tribune Campaign Finance “Twitter Offers New Cash Stream for Presidential […]
Lobbying
Arizona: “Second Arizona Corporation Commissioner Regulator Found to Be Lobbyist” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic
California: “San Diego Lobbyist Fee Nearly Quadruples” by David Garrick for San Diego Union-Tribune
Campaign Finance
“Twitter Offers New Cash Stream for Presidential Candidates” by Julie Bykowicz (Associated Press) for Philadelphia Inquirer
“Democrats Seek to Expand Use of ‘Super PACs’” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times
Ethics
“Statehouse Sex Scandals Carry Public Costs, Consequences” by David Lieb (Associated Press) for Charlotte Observer
Florida: “Florida Ethics Commission Balks at Forcing Spouses of Elected Officials to Reveal Finances” by Steve Bousquet for Tampa Bay Times
Minnesota:”Lawmakers Accused of ‘Making Out’ in Park Apologize for Calling Ranger a Liar” by David Montgomery and Rachel Stassen-Berger for St. Paul Pioneer Press
New York: “Leaders of Moreland Commission Panel Felt Cuomo Intervened, Prosecutors Say” by Benjamin Weiser, Thomas Kaplan, and Susanne Craig for New York Times
New York: “William Scarborough, Ex-New York Assemblyman, Is Sentenced to 13 Months” by The Associated Press for New York Times
Wisconsin: “Knudson on GAB: ‘We need to take this thing apart’” by M.D. Kittle for Wisconsin Watchdog
September 15, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “Lobbyist Finds a Quiet Place to Work, as a Six-Figure U.S. Government Contractor” by Eric Lipton for New York Times California: “Number of California Lobbyists Grows over Past Decade” by Jim Miller for Sacramento Bee Florida: “Lobbyist Miscues Laid […]
Lobbying
“Lobbyist Finds a Quiet Place to Work, as a Six-Figure U.S. Government Contractor” by Eric Lipton for New York Times
California: “Number of California Lobbyists Grows over Past Decade” by Jim Miller for Sacramento Bee
Florida: “Lobbyist Miscues Laid Out in Legislative Report” by Brandon Larrabee (News Service of Florida) for Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Missouri: “Man Fined for Not Registering as Lobbyist” by Summer Ballentine (Associated Press) for Waynesville Daily Guide
Ethics
Alabama: “Mike Hubbard Says Alabama Ethics Law He Fought For Is Unconstitutionally Vague” by The Associated Press for AL.com
Illinois: “Jury Finds Lake Station Mayor, Wife Guilty in Federal Trial” by Teresa Auch Schultz for Chicago Tribune
New York: “Who’s Paying Assemblyman’s Auto Bills?” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
Elections
“Perry Suspends Campaign after Hopes for a ‘Second Chance’ Were Dashed” by David Weigel, Philip Rucker, and Dan Balz for Washington Post
Procurement
“Federal Contractors Tell Obama: Stop picking on us” by Lydia Wheeler for The Hill
Redistricting
“New Political Map-Making Push Gains Ground, Concerns” by Rick Pearson for Chicago Tribune
September 14, 2015 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying Hawaii: “Lawsuit Seeks New City Council Votes on Honolulu Rail” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat Missouri: “Report: Lobbyist goodies for Missouri lawmakers topped $10M over past decade” by Kevin McDermott for St. Louis Post-Dispatch Campaign Finance California: […]
Lobbying
Hawaii: “Lawsuit Seeks New City Council Votes on Honolulu Rail” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat
Missouri: “Report: Lobbyist goodies for Missouri lawmakers topped $10M over past decade” by Kevin McDermott for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Campaign Finance
California: “San Jose Commission Will Investigate Nearly the Entire City Council” by Ramona Giwargis for San Jose Mercury News
Montana: “Group Suing over Election Laws Seeks to Avoid Disclosures” by Matt Volz (Associated Press) for The Missoulian
Pennsylvania: “Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski Implicated in FBI Probe” by Emily Opilo and Scott Kraus for Allentown Morning Call
Ethics
“GOP Consultant Admits Lying to Ethics Investigators” by Paul Singer for USA Today
California: “Carson Mayor under Investigation for Not Filing Disclosure Reports with the State” by Nathan Fenno, Paul Pringle, and Richard Winton for Los Angeles Times
Indiana: “BMV Vendor Fires 2 Employees amid Ethics Probe” by Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star
Michigan: “House Expels Gamrat; Courser Resigns Before Vote” by Chad Livengood for Detroit News
New Mexico: “Impeachment Is ‘As Heavy As It Gets’” by Deborah Baker for Albuquerque Journal
Legislative Issues
“Boehner’s Future as Speaker in Doubt” by Jake Sherman and John Bresnahan for Politico
September 14, 2015 •
California Legislature Adjourns Regular Session
On September 11, the California State Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die. Before adjourning, the legislature sent several ethics bills to the Gov. Jerry Brown, including Assembly Bill 10, which contains provisions affecting elected officials’ disclosure of financial investments […]
On September 11, the California State Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die.
Before adjourning, the legislature sent several ethics bills to the Gov. Jerry Brown, including Assembly Bill 10, which contains provisions affecting elected officials’ disclosure of financial investments and conflicts of interest. Another bill, Assembly Bill 990, will require political advertisements to carry larger statements clearly stating information about who is paying for the advertisement. Brown has until October 11 to sign or veto legislation. The governor does not have a pocket veto.
A special legislative session, which began on June 26, 2015 and has been running concurrently with the regular session, remains in session.
Photo of the California State Assembly chamber by David.Monniaux on Wikimedia Commons.
September 11, 2015 •
California Bill Requires New Disclaimer Rules for Political Ads
The Legislature has passed a bill requiring new political advertising standards. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, Assembly Bill 990 will require political advertisements to carry larger statements clearly stating information about who is paying for the advertisement. Bonilla introduced the […]
The Legislature has passed a bill requiring new political advertising standards.
Sponsored by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, Assembly Bill 990 will require political advertisements to carry larger statements clearly stating information about who is paying for the advertisement.
Bonilla introduced the legislation to ensure voters will be able to easily identify the sponsors behind any political advertising.
September 11, 2015 •
Bill Changes Disclosure Thresholds for California Public Officials
The State Assembly has passed Assembly Bill 10 and sent it to the governor. This bill contains provisions affecting elected officials’ disclosure of financial investments and conflicts of interest. It requires public officials to provide more detailed information about their […]
The State Assembly has passed Assembly Bill 10 and sent it to the governor.
This bill contains provisions affecting elected officials’ disclosure of financial investments and conflicts of interest. It requires public officials to provide more detailed information about their business dealings and investments.
It also raises the thresholds used to decide if an official’s investments create a conflict of interest.
AB 10 is linked to Senate Bill 21, which also passed and has been sent to the governor. In order for these bills to become law, both must be signed.
Photo of the California State Capitol by Nikopoley on Wikimedia Commons.
September 11, 2015 •
Recall Campaign to Continue in Oregon
The Oregon Office of the Secretary of State has ruled a recall campaign against state Sen. Floyd Prozanski did not violate election law to collect the signatures it turned in. This ruling means the recall effort will be able to […]
The Oregon Office of the Secretary of State has ruled a recall campaign against state Sen. Floyd Prozanski did not violate election law to collect the signatures it turned in.
This ruling means the recall effort will be able to continue.
The secretary of state has until Monday to check the 10,027 signatures collected. In order for a recall election to be called, there need to be 8,415 valid signatures from voters in the senator’s district.
If there are enough valid signatures, the election would have to be held before October 23.
September 11, 2015 •
New York State Rep. Under Investigation by Ethics Panel
State Rep. Angela Wozniak is being investigated by the Assembly Ethics Commission following claims of sexual harassment. A male member of her staff made the complaint against her. Wozniak’s attorney, Steven Cohen, would make no comment beyond stating the representative […]
State Rep. Angela Wozniak is being investigated by the Assembly Ethics Commission following claims of sexual harassment.
A male member of her staff made the complaint against her.
Wozniak’s attorney, Steven Cohen, would make no comment beyond stating the representative is cooperating with the ethics panel and fully expects her to be exonerated.
Photo of Rep. Angela Wozniak by KittyHawk2015 on Wikimedia Commons.
September 11, 2015 •
Sacramento, CA City Council to Vote on Ethics Proposals
On September 15, the Sacramento, California City Council will vote to determine whether to create an ethics commission with a new ethics code. An office of compliance would also be created for city employee training of local and state ethics […]
On September 15, the Sacramento, California City Council will vote to determine whether to create an ethics commission with a new ethics code. An office of compliance would also be created for city employee training of local and state ethics laws. Additionally, if the legislation is passed, a redistricting commission would be created to draw new boundaries for City Council districts.
Mayor Kevin Johnson said the proposals are “a breakthrough that provides an unprecedented level of accountability and transparency to Sacramento city government,” according to the Sacramento Bee.
September 11, 2015 •
California Bill Requiring Disclosure of Government Officials’ Travel Sent to Governor
On September 10, a bill requiring disclosure of funding for California government officials’ travel was sent by the Legislature to the Governor. Senate Bill 21 requires a nonprofit organization paying for the actual costs of travel for an elected state […]
On September 10, a bill requiring disclosure of funding for California government officials’ travel was sent by the Legislature to the Governor. Senate Bill 21 requires a nonprofit organization paying for the actual costs of travel for an elected state officer or local elected officeholder to disclose the names of donors responsible for funding the payments. The legislation also requires a person who receives a gift of a travel payment from any source to report the travel destination on his or her statement of economic interests.
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