National/Federal

Chief Justice John Roberts Defends Supreme Court’s ‘Highest Standards of Conduct,’ Offers No New Rules

ABC News – Devin Dwyer | Published: 5/24/2023

Chief Justice John Roberts defended the integrity of the Supreme Court in the face of slumping public approval and growing political pressure after a recent barrage of misconduct allegations. It was the first time Roberts directly addressed growing concern about how the justices handle potential conflicts-of-interest with their personal lives, a topic that has gotten renewed attention amid a series of alleged ethical infringements by Justice Clarence Thomas.

Rioter Pictured with Foot on Desk in Speaker’s Offices Gets 4½ Years

MSN – Tom Jackman (Washington Post) | Published: 5/24/2023

The U.S. Capitol rioter who was photographed with his foot propped on a desk in then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s offices and then tried to make money with the image was sentenced to four-and-one-half years in prison. The photograph of Richard Barnett in Pelosi’s suite of offices in 2021 became one of the defining images of the insurrection. Barnett carried a walking stick with a 950,000-volt stun device into the Capitol along with a 10-pound metal flagpole and menaced police with them, prosecutors said, but he did not assault any officers.

Stewart Rhodes, Oath Keepers Leader, Sentenced to 18 Years in Jan. 6 Case

MSN – Alan Feuer (New York Times) | Published: 5/25/2023

Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the far-right Oath Keepers militia, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his conviction on seditious conspiracy charges for the role he played in helping to mobilize the pro-Trump attack on the U. S. Capitol. The sentence was the most severe penalty so far in any of the more than 1,000 criminal cases stemming from the insurrection and the first to be increased for fitting the legal definition of terrorism. It was also the first to have been given to any of the 10 members of the Oath Keepers and another far-right group, the Proud Boys, who were convicted of sedition.

Tim Scott Begins Presidential Campaign, Adding to List of Trump Challengers

MSN – Jonathan Weisman and Maya King (New York Times) | Published: 5/22/2023

Tim Scott, the first Black Republican elected to the U.S. Senate from the South since Reconstruction, announced his campaign for president, bringing an aspirational message to a growing field of Republicans running as alternatives to Donald Trump. Scott enters the primary field having amassed $22 million in fundraising and having attracted veteran political operatives to work on his behalf. But his message of hope and inclusion may not resonate among base Republican voters steeped in Trump’s demands for vengeance, and the field of Republicans is about to grow far more crowded.

Crow Sidesteps Panel’s Questions About Gifts to Clarence Thomas

MSN – Michael Macagnone (Roll Call) | Published: 5/23/2023

A billionaire Republican donor brushed off questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee about his relationship with Justice Clarence Thomas, in a letter that argues the panel did not have the authority to investigate the lavish gifts he provided to the member of the U.S. Supreme Court. An attorney for Harlan Crow told the committee Crow did not have to answer questions about reports Thomas did not disclose that Crow had provided luxury vacations for the justice, bought property from him and paid for a relative’s private education.

Ron DeSantis’s 2024 Kickoff on Twitter Is Plagued by Technical Issues

MSN – Hannah Knowles and Faiz Siddiqui (Washington Post) | Published: 5/24/2023

Ron DeSantis and his allies worked to build momentum ahead of a long-expected presidential campaign launch, rolling out endorsements, sleek videos, and the image of an alligator lurking just beneath the water on his campaign website. But the novel Twitter Spaces announcement with Elon Musk that the Florida governor’s team had hyped as the culmination of his big day was plagued by glitches. The live chat came to a halt after roughly 20 minutes of mostly silence; by the time it restarted and DeSantis began his remarks, hundreds of thousands of listeners had peeled off. It was an awkward start to a campaign that had already hit numerous roadblocks.

House Votes to Refer Santos Matter to Ethics Panel

MSN – Lindsay McPherson (Roll Call) | Published: 5/17/2023

The House voted to refer a resolution from Democrats that would expel U.S. Rep. George Santos to the Committee on Ethics. Speaker Kevin McCarthy defended the move as providing Santos with “due process.” Santos was indicted on 13 federal criminal charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds, and making false statements to the House. Expelling Santos would put a dent in the GOP’s narrow four-seat majority until a special election can be held. Another Republican victory there would not be guaranteed.

School Librarians Face a New Penalty in the Banned-Book Wars: Prison

MSN – Hannah Natanson (Washington Post) | Published: 5/18/2023

Librarians could face years of imprisonment and tens of thousands in fines for providing sexually explicit, obscene, or “harmful” books to children under new state laws that permit criminal prosecution of school and library personnel. At least seven states have passed such laws in the last two years. Another dozen states considered more than 20 similar bills this year. Some educators and activists say the laws will forge a climate of fear among school librarians, spurring the censorship of books by and about LGBTQ individuals even as the nation already faces a historic onslaught of challenges to books in those categories.

Sen. Feinstein’s Health Complications from Shingles More Severe Than Disclosed

MSN – Liz Goodwin and Carolyn Johnson (Washington Post) | Published: 5/18/2023

Sen. Dianne Feinstein returned to Washington after having suffered more severe health complications from her shingles diagnosis than were previously disclosed. Feinstein’s shingles triggered encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain, as well as Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which causes facial paralysis. She returned to the Senate after facing pressure to resign from a few members of Congress and California progressive groups, who complained her months-long absence was slowing judicial confirmations and imperiling the Democratic agenda.

Meet the Influential New Player on Transgender Health Bills

Yahoo News – Jeff McMillan and Kimberlee Kruesi (Associated Press) | Published: 5/20/2023

Do No Harm, a nonprofit that launched last year to oppose diversity initiatives in medicine, has evolved into a significant leader in statehouses seeking to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youths, producing model legislation that has been used in at least three states. Do No Harm organized as a charitable organization whose tax-exempt status would be endangered by substantial lobbying. In March, after the group had already made significant inroads in Legislatures with its model bill, lobbyists, and hearing witnesses, it incorporated Do No Harm Action as a separate nonprofit with a tax status that allows for more lobbying,

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Groups Settle Arizona Lawsuit Over Voter Intimidation at Ballot Boxes

MSN – Daniel Gilbert (Washington Post) | Published: 5/21/2023

An Arizona group that monitored ballot drop boxes for signs of fraud during the midterm elections settled a lawsuit and agreed to “publicly condemn intimidation of any kind in connection with the exercise of the right to vote,” according to the League of Women Voters of Arizona, which had filed the suit. The drop boxes, intended to provide a secure, convenient place to submit ballots, have become a symbol of mistrust in elections among many supporters of Donald Trump.

Arizona – Judge Dismisses Kari Lake’s Final Claim in Election Loss for Arizona Governor

Yahoo News – Associated Press | Published: 5/21/2023

A judge dismissed the only remaining legal claim in Kari Lake’s challenge of her loss in last year’s race for Arizona governor, affirming the election of Katie Hobbs. Superior Court Judge Peter Thompson said Lake failed to prove her claim that Maricopa County did not verify signatures on mail ballots as required by law. Lake faced a high bar in proving not only her allegation over signature verification efforts but also that it affected the outcome of her race.

California – 49ers’ Former Lobbyist Emerges as Key Witness in Anthony Becker Perjury Case

MSN – Lance Williams and Ron Kroichick (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 5/19/2023

The former chief lobbyist for the San Francisco 49ers testified Santa Clara City Councilperson Anthony Becker illegally leaked a confidential report criticizing the team’s political influence. Rahul Chandhok told a grand jury that Becker gave him a confidential copy of a watchdog agency’s report accusing the 49ers of having undue influence over government in Santa Clara, home of publicly owned Levi’s Stadium. Becker is charged with one felony count of perjury and one misdemeanor count of failing to perform his official duty.

Connecticut – Consultant on New London Pier Project Fined for Ethics Violations – Again

WSHU – Brian Scott-Smith | Published: 5/19/2023

The Connecticut Office of State Ethics fined Seabury Maritime $10,000 for violating the state’s lobbying law. It lobbied from 2017 to 2019 to gain contracts and other business from the Connecticut Port Authority, a quasi-public agency. Seabury spent over $3,000 in lobbying each year, which triggered a requirement for them to register their activity, which they failed to do. The company also did not complete any financial disclosures as required.

Florida – Developer Paid Miami’s Mayor $170K to Push His Project, Company Records State

MSN – Joey Flechas, Jay Weaver, and Sarah Blaskey (Miami Herald) | Published: 5/23/2023

Internal company records provide details, for the first time, of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s private work for the development firm Location Ventures while he held public office. The company paid Suarez at least $170,000 over the past two years to help secure permits for a stalled real estate project, raising legal and ethical questions about the relationship between his role as mayor and his job as a developer’s consultant.

Florida – DeSantis Signs Bill That Makes His Presidential Run Easier

MSN – Gary Fineout (Politico) | Published: 5/24/2023

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis removed a threat to his campaign for president by signing into law a measure that makes it clear he does not have to resign his current position as governor. The change to Florida’s resign-to-run law was part of a larger overall elections bill that has drawn the scorn of Democrats and voting rights groups who have labeled it “voter suppression.” Two lawsuits were immediately filed in federal court challenging the law.

Florida – Florida Senator Sued by His Family Business for ‘Embezzling’ Money

Yahoo News – Lawrence Mower (Tampa Bay Times) | Published: 5/22/2023

State Sen. Nick DiCeglie is being sued by his cousins and his family trash collection business for allegedly spending tens of thousands of the company’s dollars on political expenses, travel, and a personal loan. In two lawsuits, DiCeglie is accused of “embezzling” money while he was president of Solar Sanitation. DiCeglie has agreed to pay back some of the money, including $120,000 in loans from the company. But he said the political spending was to further the company’s business, which relies on contracts with local governments in Pinellas County.

Georgia – Book Removals May Have Violated Student Civil Rights, Education Dept. Says

MSN – Hannah Natanson and Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff (Washington Post) | Published: 5/22/2023

In a move that could affect how schools handle book challenges, the federal government has concluded a Georgia school district’s removal of titles with Black and LGBTQ characters may have created a “hostile environment” for students, potentially violating their civil rights. The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights investigated Forsyth County Schools’ 2022 decision to pull nearly a dozen books from shelves after parents complained of titles’ sexual and LGBTQ content. To resolve the investigation, the district agreed to offer “supportive measures” to students affected by the book removals and to administer a school climate survey.

Illinois – Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin’s Girlfriend, Ex-Business Partners and City Employee’s Husband Awarded Thousands in Taxpayer-Funded Grants

WTTW – Nick Blumberg | Published: 5/18/2023

The Aurora City Council has awarded dozens of taxpayer-funded business grants to local businesses in recent months. The owners of two of the companies are in personal relationships with top city officials. A majority of recent donations to Mayor Richard Irvin’s campaign fund are from people doing business with or getting incentives from the city, The council approved a $10,000 grant to Laura’s Furniture, owned by Laura Ayala-Clarke. Sources have described her as Irvin’s girlfriend.

Illinois – Under Pressure on Ethics, Illinois Lawmakers Consider Tightened Rules on Red-Light Camera Industry

Yahoo News – Dan Petrella (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 5/24/2023

Facing pressure to bolster state ethics laws following the recent bribery convictions of former Commonwealth Edison executives and lobbyists, Illinois lawmakers have turned their attention to another branch of a corruption investigation: the red-light camera industry. A bill approved in the Senate seeks to place new guardrails around an industry that has been at the center of multiple federal probes that have ensnared a host of state, county, and local officials, including two state senators.

Kansas – Kansas Ethics Commission to Evaluate Factors Influencing Waiver of Campaign Finance Penalties

KPVI – Tim Carpenter | Published: 5/25/2023

At a recent meeting, the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission voted to waive fines against the Geary County Republican Central Committee’s treasurer along with penalties against the treasurer of the defunct Prairie Roots PAC and a lobbyist with Kansans for Life. Others appealing campaign finance penalties had their fines upheld. The hit-or-miss voting on appeals led to discussion of how commission members placed their fingers on the scale to either enforce or waive penalties.

Kentucky – Agency Fines Alison Grimes $10,000 for Handling of Voter Data as KY Secretary of State

Yahoo News – John Cheves (Lexington Herald-Leader) | Published: 5/19/2023

Alison Lundergan Grimes must pay $10,000 in fines for improperly ordering the downloading and distribution of voter registration data from her office while she was Kentucky’s secretary of state. The Lexington Herald-Leader and ProPublica published a series of stories on her improper use of the Voter Registration System. They also showed how Grimes pushed through a no-bid contract with a company owned by a campaign donor.

Louisiana – New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s Office Sought to Avoid Public Disclosure Rules for Anti-Recall Mailer

NOLA.com – John Stanton | Published: 5/23/2023

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration circumvented city public bidding rules to hire a public relations firm with apparent ties to one of her top advisors to defend her record as mayor in the waning days of a failed recall effort. Documents turned over to the city council under a subpoena, provide the clearest picture yet into the development of a potentially illegal taxpayer-funded mailer sent to likely voters in the week before the recall petition deadline, and the lengths to which top Cantrell officials went to obscure their work on it.

Maryland – Treasurer for Baltimore County Campaign Committees Pleads Guilty to Stealing Funds

Maryland Daily Record – Madeline O’Neill | Published: 5/25/2023

William McCollum, the treasurer for a powerful Baltimore County political slate, pleaded guilty Thursday to theft and perjury charges, admitting to stealing campaign funds from the group and from a former county councilperson’s finance committee. The charges alleged McCollum embezzled nearly $100,000 from the Friends of Cathy Bevins fund for his personal benefit. Prosecutors said McCollum used campaign money to travel with a romantic partner while in Puerto Rico and for flights to Palm Beach, Florida, and Iceland. He did not disclose those expenditures on campaign finance reports.

Massachusetts – Calls for Arroyo to Step Down from Boston City Council after Rollins Investigation

WBUR – Walter Wuthmann | Published: 5/19/2023

At least one Boston city councilor and a conservative advocacy group are calling for Councilor Ricardo Arroyo to resign following the release of two federal investigations tying him to alleged election meddling by former U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins. The reports found Rollins attempted to influence the race for Suffolk County district attorney in 2022 by leaking negative information about interim District Attorney Kevin Hayden to help Arroyo, her preferred successor to the office. The Department of Justice report contains 299 mentions of Arroyo and includes portions of 380 private texts and encrypted chats between him and Rollins over two months.

Mississippi – Chris McDaniel’s Reports Deny Accurate Public Accounting of Campaign Money

Mississippi Today – Geoff Pender | Published: 5/18/2023

After six campaign finance filings – including amended, termination-amended, and even one the-computer-temporarily-ate-it reports – it is still unclear exactly how much money longtime Mississippi Sen. Chris McDaniel has raised or now has for his lieutenant governor campaign. McDaniel’s reports for his campaign and a PAC he created last year have been confusing and confounding, at times leaving voters in the dark on the sources of hundreds of thousands of dollars and continuing to contain double-reported donations and amounts and dates that do not add up.

Nebraska – A Year After Scandal, Nebraska Legislature Revises Its Workplace Harassment Policy

Omaha World-Herald – Erin Bamer | Published: 5/17/2023

Over a year after a scandal rocked the Nebraska Legislature, lawmakers adopted a handful of changes to its workplace harassment policy, although some say there is still more work to be done. The changes were developed after the revelation that ex-Sen. Mike Groene took photos of a former female staff member without her knowledge. Soon after, Groene resigned from the Legislature, and a later investigation found his conduct was “boorish, brainless and bizarre,” although not unlawful.

New York – Trump Makes Video Appearance in New York Criminal Case, Trial Date Tentatively Set for Late March

Associated Press News – Michael Sisak | Published: 5/23/2023

Donald Trump threw up his hands in frustration as a judge scheduled his criminal trial for March 25, putting the former president and current candidate in a Manhattan courtroom in the heat of next year’s presidential primary season. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records at his family company, the Trump Organization. Trump often discusses the cases at his rallies and in other speeches and has repeatedly attacked prosecutors and judges by name. At the hearing, the judge reviewed an order barring Trump from publicly disseminating certain evidence turned over by prosecutors.

New York – Supreme Court Tosses Convictions of Cor Development Executives Steve Aiello and Joe Gerardi

MSN – Tim Knauss (Syracuse Post-Standard) | Published: 5/22/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the convictions of business executives Steven Aiello and Joseph Gerardi, who were accused of bid-rigging and other crimes related to state development projects. The ruling was expected due to the court’s rulings in two related cases. Alain Kaloyeros, a former economic development official in the administration of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, also had his conviction formally set aside. Aiello and Gerardi, executives at Cor Development Co., were convicted of conspiring with Kaloyeros, the former president of SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

New York – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano’s Brothers Run Lobbying Firm with Biz Before City

MSN – Carl Campanile (New York Post) | Published: 5/22/2023

Two brothers of Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano run a lobbying firm with clients that have had business before the city during the mayor’s tenure, including with the agency that doles out tax breaks and is chaired by him, records show. Empire Strategic Planning (ESP) was founded by Nick Spano, a former state senator. John Spano is on ESP’s executive team. Mayor Spano and his siblings-led firm said it lobbies on these clients’ behalf in Albany, not Yonkers City Hall.

New York – Lobbyists Fundraise for Adams 2021 Campaign

NY1 – Courtney Gross | Published: 5/23/2023

Documents show lobbyists raised money for Eric Adams in his 2021 race to be New York City mayor, fundraising that has not been reported previously. Adams’ campaign never reported any of these lobbyists as bundlers or intermediaries with the city’s campaign finance board. By law, campaigns must report who collects donations for their campaigns.

North Dakota – Lame-Duck North Dakota Lawmakers Roamed to Faraway Conferences on the Taxpayers’ Dime

Bismarck Tribune – Jeremy Turley (Forum News Service) | Published: 5/23/2023

Since 2014, the North Dakota Legislature has spent more than $45,000 to send a dozen retiring and defeated lawmakers to out-of-state conferences. Some of the departing lawmakers served on interstate policy boards and were expected to show up to faraway meetings, but others went to conferences that could have been attended by any of their colleagues who planned to remain in the Legislature. Sen. Ray Holmberg, Holmberg, who attended more out-of-state trips than any of his peers since 2013, also signed off on his own travel during the time he served as chairperson of Legislative Management, an interim panel of top lawmakers.

Oregon – Before Oregon Elections Officials Slashed Democratic Party’s Fine, State Lawyer Blasted Party’s ‘Lackluster’ Efforts to Find True Source of $500K Donation

Portland Oregonian – Hillary Borrud | Published: 5/23/2023

Two weeks before Oregon elections officials greatly reduced a fine against the state Democratic Party for falsely reporting the source of its largest ever campaign donation, Assistant Attorney General Kevin Gleim criticized the party, calling its efforts to correctly identify the donor “lackluster.” Gleim also said the Elections Division had no authority to reduce a resulting $35,000 fine on the party, which was determined solely on the size of the contribution donation and the number of days the party was tardy in reporting the donor.

Pennsylvania – Allegheny County Council Approves Campaign Finance Regulations

WESA – Julia Zenkevich | Published: 5/24/2023

The Allegheny County Council passed a bill that would impose FEC contribution guidelines on candidates for county offices. Those guidelines are adjusted for inflation every two years, but individual contributions are currently capped at $3,300, while PACs can give $5,000 per election cycle. County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has said he would likely veto the bill. He said campaign finance limits should come from the state Legislature.

Texas – Texas Pushes Church into State with Bills on School Chaplains, Ten Commandments

MSN – Michelle Boorstein (Washington Post) | Published: 5/23/2023

Texas lawmakers were scheduled to vote on whether to require the Ten Commandments be posted in every classroom in the state, part of a newly energized national effort to insert religion into public life. Supporters believe the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of a high school football coach who prayed with players essentially removed any guardrails between religion and government. The legislation is one of about a half-dozen religion bills approved this session by the state Senate.

Texas – Investigators Detail Years of Alleged Misconduct by Texas AG Ken Paxton in Stunning House Committee Hearing

MSN – Zach Despart and James Barragán (Texas Tribune) | Published: 5/24/2023

A Texas House committee heard testimony that state Attorney General Ken Paxton may have violated multiple state laws and ethics rules during a hearing that summarized its months-long investigation. The testimony came a day after Paxton called for Speaker Dade Phelan to resign, accusing him of being “intoxicated” while presiding over the House recently. One area of the inquiry focused on a proposed $3.3 million agreement to settle a whistleblower lawsuit filed by four high-ranking deputies who were fired after accusing Paxton of accepting bribes and other misconduct.

Virginia – In N. Virginia, Endorsement Primaries Point to Increasingly Politicized School Boards

MSN – Karina Elwood (Washington Post) | Published: 5/21/2023

As Harold Sims Jr. knocked on doors for his school board campaign, many of the Northern Virginia residents on the other side did not know there was an election in May. Sims was not campaigning for the general election or primary that most voters are familiar with. He was door knocking, along with fundraising and debating other candidates to win the local Democratic Party’s endorsement. School board races in Virginia, like most of the country, are nonpartisan. But for years, local political parties around the state have endorsed school board candidates to signal to voters which candidates match their political ideology.

Virginia – A Republican Lawmaker Delivered Doughnuts to Teachers. Then Came a Political Food Fight

Virginia Mercury – Graham Moomaw | Published: 5/23/2023

Virginia Del. Amanda Batten bought almost 1,000 doughnuts to give to public school teachers in her Williamsburg-area district. The doughnut deliveries to 19 schools were accepted. But in a sign of the intensity of Virginia’s political debates over K-12 public schools, some in the system saw an ulterior motive in the gifts. A photo showed a doughnut-box label with a line in smaller print: “Paid for and Authorized by Friends of Amanda Batten.” That phrase signals an activity was funded by money from a political campaign. The pushback was so strong school officials told Batten similar doughnut drop offs would be declined due to their “political nature.”

Virginia – Though Critiques Persist, Many Agree Virginia’s New Political Maps Are ‘Quite Balanced’

Virginia Mercury – Graham Moomaw | Published: 5/17/2023

As Virginia enters a high-stakes General Assembly election year, the first playing out on electoral maps drawn by outside experts rather than incumbent legislators, many lawmakers, advocates, and experts agree it looks like a fair fight, with neither party getting an undue advantage based on political geography alone. Despite fears that the new redistricting process could lead to backsliding in minority representation, a look at the field of candidates running this year indicates the Legislature elected on the new maps will be more diverse, not less.

West Virginia – Democrats Sue W.Va. Gov. Justice Over Refusal to Disclose Work Schedule

MSN – John Wagner (Washington Post) | Published: 5/23/2023

Democrats sued West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, who is running for a U.S. Senate seat, for refusing to release his work schedule as governor in response to public records request seeking to show a continued pattern of absenteeism. The move by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee follows months of back and forth with Justice’s office over whether disclosure of the records is required under West Virginia law. Such requests are a typical part of opposition research conducted by campaigns and political parties.

Campaign Finance

New York: “Lobbyists Fundraise for Adams 2021 Campaign” by Courtney Gross for NY1

Oregon: “Before Oregon Elections Officials Slashed Democratic Party’s Fine, State Lawyer Blasted Part’’s ‘Lackluster’ Efforts to Find True Source of $500K Donation” by Hillary Borrud for Portland Oregonian

Pennsylvania: “Allegheny County Council Approves Campaign Finance Regulations” by Julia Zenkevich for WESA

Elections

Arizona: “Groups Settle Arizona Lawsuit Over Voter Intimidation at Ballot Boxes” by Daniel Gilbert (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Ron DeSantis’s 2024 Kickoff on Twitter Is Plagued by Technical Issues” by Hannah Knowles and Faiz Siddiqui (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

Illinois: “Under Pressure on Ethics, Illinois Lawmakers Consider Tightened Rules on Red-Light Camera Industry” by Dan Petrella (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News

Louisiana: “New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s Office Sought to Avoid Public Disclosure Rules for Anti-Recall Mailer” by John Stanton for NOLA.com

North Dakota: “Lame-Duck North Dakota Lawmakers Roamed to Faraway Conferences on the Taxpayers’ Dime” by Jeremy Turley (Forum News Service) for Bismarck Tribune

Legislative Issues

Texas: “G.O.P. Split in Texas Breaks Wide Open with Drunkenness Accusation” by J. David Goodman (New York Times) for DNyuz

On June 19, federal by-elections will be held in the electoral districts of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce–Westmount (Quebec), Oxford (Ontario), Winnipeg South Centre (Manitoba) and Portage–Lisgar (Manitoba) to fill vacancies in the House of Commons.

From December 2022 until March of this year, the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Stéphane Perrault, received four separate official notices from the Speaker of the House of Commons that the seats were vacant. However, the dates for the election were not announced until May 14, when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a single election date for all four of the vacant seats in the House of Commons.

Three of the seats became vacant by retirement, and the fourth, for Winnipeg South Centre, became vacant upon the death of MP Jim Carr. The announcement date of the by-elections signals the start of the by-election period.

Do you remember that old saying “April Showers Bring May Flowers?” Well, some of the most beautiful flowers that I’ve ever seen can be found blossoming in the month of May! Flowers are so extraordinary, each one with its own beauty and uniqueness — this is also how the staff here at State and Federal Communications feel about the clients that we work with each and every day!

We love and respect the fact that we have a variety of different clients that we serve – all different sizes, industries, focuses — made up of diverse groups of lobbyists and other government affairs professionals whom trust us every day with their compliance needs.

No two clients are alike, and we pride ourselves on making sure that here are State and Federal Communications, we are adaptable to each of our client’s needs.

We ensure that we are responsive, knowledgeable and thorough, all while not being afraid to offer some “tough love” in the name of keeping our clients fully abreast of continuous changes in the lobbying laws, and compliant with all of their registrations and filings!

We embrace uniqueness at State and Federal Communications, so to all of our wonderful clients, we say never stop being you – we love you for it!

Campaign Finance Virginia: “A Republican Lawmaker Delivered Doughnuts to Teachers. Then Came a Political Food Fight” by Graham Moomaw for Virginia Mercury Elections Arizona: “Judge Dismisses Kari Lake’s Final Claim in Election Loss for Arizona Governor” by Associated Press for Yahoo News Ethics National: “Crow Sidesteps Panel’s Questions About Gifts to Clarence Thomas” by Michael Macagnone (Roll Call) for MSN Florida: “Florida Senator Sued by His Family Business for ‘Embezzling’ Money” by Lawrence Mower (Tampa Bay Times) for Yahoo News New York: “Supreme Court Tosses Convictions of Cor Development Executives Steve Aiello and Joe Gerardi” by Tim Knauss (Syracuse Post-Standard) for MSN New York: “Trump Makes Video Appearance in New York Criminal Case, Trial Date Tentatively Set for Late March” by Michael Sisak for Associated Press News Texas: “Texas Pushes Church into State with Bills on School Chaplains, Ten Commandments” by Michelle Boorstein (Washington Post) for MSN West Virginia: “Democrats Sue W.Va. Gov. Justice Over Refusal to Disclose Work Schedule” by John Wagner (Washington Post) for MSN

The Fair Political Practices Commission has passed multiple regulations clarifying Senate Bill 1439 and Political Advertising.

The regulations dealing with Senate Bill 1439 focus on who is disqualified and how an officer would know a donor has a financial interest in a proceeding before the officer.

Regulations revising political advertising add additional disclosures and adds regulations to less-used methods of communication.

Campaign Finance Mississippi: “Chris McDaniel’s Reports Deny Accurate Public Accounting of Campaign Money” by Geoff Pender for Mississippi Today Elections National: “Tim Scott Begins Presidential Campaign, Adding to List of Trump Challengers” by Jonathan Weisman and Maya King (New York Times) for MSN Virginia: “In N. Virginia, Endorsement Primaries Point to Increasingly Politicized School Boards” by Karina Elwood (Washington Post) for MSN Ethics Georgia: “Book Removals May Have Violated Student Civil Rights, Education Dept. Says” by Hannah Natanson and Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff (Washington Post) for MSN Massachusetts: “Calls for Arroyo to Step Down from Boston City Council after Rollins Investigation” by Walter Wuthmann for WBUR Lobbying California: “49ers’ Former Lobbyist Emerges as Key Witness in Anthony Becker Perjury Case” by Lance Williams and Ron Kroichick (San Francisco Chronicle) for MSN National: “Meet the Influential New Player on Transgender Health Bills” by Jeff McMillan and Kimberlee Kruesi (Associated Press) for Yahoo News New York: “Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano’s Brothers Run Lobbying Firm with Biz Before City” by Carl Campanile (New York Post) for MSN

On June 19, federal by-elections will be held in the electoral districts of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce–Westmount (Quebec), Oxford (Ontario), Winnipeg South Centre (Manitoba), and Portage–Lisgar (Manitoba) to fill vacancies in the House of Commons.

From December 2022 until March of this year, the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Stéphane Perrault, received four separate official notices from the Speaker of the House of Commons that the seats were vacant. However, the dates for the election were not announced until May 14, when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a single election date for all four of the vacant seats in the House of Commons.

Three of the seats became vacant by retirement, and the fourth, for Winnipeg South Centre, became vacant upon the death of MP Jim Carr. The announcement date of the by-elections signals the start of the by-election period.

Elections Kentucky: “Agency Fines Alison Grimes $10,000 for Handling of Voter Data as KY Secretary of State” by John Cheves (Lexington Herald-Leader) for Yahoo News Ethics National: “House Votes to Refer Santos Matter to Ethics Panel” by Lindsay McPherson (Roll Call) for MSN Florida: “Lawsuit Against Developer Reveals Undisclosed Side Job for Miami Mayor Francis Suarez” by Joey Flechas and Jay Weaver (Miami Herald) for MSN Illinois: “Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin’s Girlfriend, Ex-Business Partners and City Employee’s Husband Awarded Thousands in Taxpayer-Funded Grants” by Nick Blumberg for WTTW National: “School Librarians Face a New Penalty in the Banned-Book Wars: Prison” by Hannah Natanson (Washington Post) for MSN Legislative Issues National: “Sen. Feinstein’s Health Complications from Shingles More Severe Than Disclosed” by Liz Goodwin and Carolyn Johnson (Washington Post) for MSN Nebraska: “A Year After Scandal, Nebraska Legislature Revises Its Workplace Harassment Policy” by Erin Bamer for Omaha World-Herald Lobbying Connecticut: “Consultant on New London Pier Project Fined for Ethics Violations – Again” by Brian Scott-Smith for WSHU

The Alaska Legislature adjourned sin die on May 17 after a dispute between the House and Senate over the state budget. The main division between the two chambers is the size of the Permanent Fund dividend. The lack of a budget has forced Gov. Mike Dunleavy to announce a special session, starting the following day, May 18. The special session can last up to 30 days. This will affect lobbying reporting if the special session lasts until June.

National/Federal

Durham Finds Fault with F.B.I. Over Russia Inquiry

DNyuz – Charlie Savage, Glenn Thrush, Adam Goldman, and Katie Benner (New York Times) | Published: 5/15/2023

John Durham, the Trump-era special counsel who has pursued a politically fraught investigation into the Russia inquiry, accused the FBI of having “discounted or willfully ignored material information” that countered the narrative of collusion between Donald Trump and Russia. Durham’s final report revealed little substantial new information about the inquiry, known as Crossfire Hurricane, and it failed to produce the kinds of revelations accusing the bureau of politically motivated misconduct that Trump and his allies suggested Durham would uncover.

Former Hawaii Executives Plead Guilty to Sending Illegal Donations to US Sen. Susan Collins

Honolulu Civil Beat – Nick Grube | Published: 5/15/2023

Clifford Chen and Lawrence Lum Kee. two former executives of a Hawaii-based defense contractor, recently pleaded guilty to taking part in a scheme to funnel tens of thousands of dollars in illegal campaign contributions to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins during her 2020 bid for reelection. Chen and Lum Kee used company funds to donate large sums of money to Collins’ reelection, including through a shell company meant to mask their identity when sending $150,000 to a pro-Collins super PAC. They also recruited family members to donate thousands of dollars directly to Collins’ campaign.

How Kyrsten Sinema Uses Campaign Cash for Her Marathon Habit

MSN – Sam Brodey (Daily Beast) | Published: 5/14/2023

When U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an avid marathoner and triathlete, ran the Boston Marathon last year, it was a proud moment she wanted to publicize. “It’s been a long road to get here,: Sinema tweeted, along with photos of her running and celebrating the finish. Far less publicized, however, was another aspect to Sinema’s long-awaited journey to Boston: she appears to have turned it into a fundraising junket, allowing her campaign to cover the thousands of dollars in expenses she would have incurred herself by traveling to the race.

Supreme Court to Review House Oversight Lawsuit from 2017

MSN – Michael Macagnone and Ryan Tarinelli (Roll Call) | Published: 5/15/2023

The Supreme Court will decide whether lawmakers can turn to the courts when the federal government denies them documents, as members of an oversight committee did when they sought information about the former Trump International Hotel in Washington. The case centers on a law that gives any seven members of what was then called the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee the right to request information from the federal government, which is separate from the typical authority of the panel’s majority to do so. A decision could reshape the ability of the minority party in Congress to oversee the federal government.

CNN Leadership Under Fire After ‘Disastrous’ Trump Town Hall

MSN – Paul Farhi and Jeremy Barr (Washington Post) | Published: 5/11/2023

CNN’s prime-time broadcast of a raucous town hall with Donald Trump propelled a tsunami of criticism from inside and outside the network and renewed questions about how the news media will handle the challenge of covering the serial falsehoods of the Republican Party’s leading candidate going into the 2024 election. The main impact may be the damage done to the reputation of the network. It also raised questions about the future prospects of chief executive Chris Licht, who is charged with striking a more neutral tone at a cable channel that exploded with impassioned commentary during the Trump years.

George Santos Confesses to Theft in Brazil to Avoid Prosecution

MSN – Terrence McCoy, Marina Dias, and Isaac Stanley-Becker (Washington Post) | Published: 5/11/2023

Rep. George Santos signed a deal with Brazilian prosecutors in which he confessed to theft and agreed to pay restitution and fines if prosecutors agree to drop the criminal case against him, bringing a likely resolution in a case that has tailed the embattled politician for more than a decade.  Santos was given 30 days to pay around $2,000 in fines and $2,800 to the victim. The deal means Santos will not have to fight criminal prosecution in two countries.

Did Jan. 6 Defendants Act ‘Corruptly’? An Appeals Court Weighs the Question.

MSN – Tom Jackman and Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 5/11/2023

When analyzing the prosecutions of rioters at the U.S. Capitol, some defense lawyers have zeroed in on a key word in the law used to charge many defendants: “corruptly.” The law requires proof that the defendants acted corruptly in obstructing the electoral vote certification. But the exact definition of what it means to be corrupt was at question as judges for an appeals court weighing whether a law used to secure felony convictions against more than 100 participants in the attack is being appropriately applied.

How to Raise $89 Million in Small Donations – and Make It Disappear

Seattle Times – David Fahrenthold and Tiff Fehr (New York Times) | Published: 5/16/2023

A group of five linked nonprofits have exploited thousands of donors in ways that have been hidden until now by a blizzard of filings, lax oversight, and a blind spot in the campaign finance system. Since 2014, the groups have pulled in $89 million from small-dollar donors who were pitched on building political support for police officers, veterans, and firefighters. But just one percent of the money they raised was used to help candidates via donations, ads, or targeted get-out-the-vote messages, according to an analysis by The New York Times.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Ford Government Defeats Attempt to Get Tough on Gift-Giving After Controversial Party and Wedding

Toronto Star – Bob Fergiuson | Published: 5/11/2023

A bill that would have changed Ontario’s conflict-of-interest rules after developers attended a stag-and-doe party and wedding for one of Premier Doug Ford’s daughters has been blocked. The bill would have amended the Members’ Integrity Act to make it clear members of the legislative assembly should not take gifts that could lead to the appearance of a conflict.

California – Should Nonprofits Have to Register as Lobbyists in Long Beach? Ethics Commission Still Debating

Long Beach Post – Jason Ruiz | Published: 5/12/2023

As the Long Beach Ethics Commission continues to tweak its recommendations to tighten the city’s lobbying laws, nonprofits are arguing they should remain exempt from registering as lobbyists to avoid a chilling effect on their advocacy. The commission met recently to discuss some new changes it is considering to a proposal from earlier this year when they signaled that they may do away with rules that exempted nonprofits from the lobbying ordinance. The proposal now includes “advocacy” as a form of lobbying, but a rule to make groups like business improvement districts and neighborhood associations register has been dropped for now.

California – Developer Fined $4 Million for Bribing Former L.A. Councilmember Jose Huizar

MSN – Michael Finnegan (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 5/12/2023

A Chinese real estate company was fined $4 million for the bribes its owner paid former Los Angeles City Councilperson Jose Huizar as it sought approval to build a downtown skyscraper. U.S. District Court Judge John Walter, who has presided over a series of City Hall graft cases, bemoaned “the crushing weight of corruption” as he imposed the sentence on Shen Zhen New World I. At the company’s criminal trial, witnesses detailed more than $1 million in bribes paid to Huizar, much of it through all-expense-paid trips to Las Vegas.

California – Oakland Ethics Commission Reckons with ‘Devastating’ Budget Proposal

Oaklandside – Eli Wolfe | Published: 5/11/2023

The Oakland Public Ethics Commission has laid out in stark terms how the proposed city budget will affect its operations. Commission staff said the budget would remove funding for the Democracy Dollars program, which aims to level the city’s campaign finance landscape by giving vouchers to voters to support candidates. With only a modest budget increase, the commission also will not be able to hire additional staff for its overburdened enforcement program. Due to a prolonged staffing shortage, the enforcement chief said he must put half the city’s existing ethics cases on hold indefinitely.

Connecticut – Sullivan Sentenced to 6 Months in Prison for Lavish 2015 Kentucky Derby, Golf Trips

Yahoo News – Claire Bessette (New London Day) | Published: 5/17/2023

James Sullivan, a former chairperson of the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative, was sentenced to six months in prison for using the utilities’ money to pay for lavish trips in 2015 to the Kentucky Derby and a West Virginia golf resort. The jury convicted Sullivan, former cooperative executive Drew Rankin, and former Norwich Public Utilities General Manager John Bilda on theft from a program receiving federal funds for the trips.

Florida – Miami Mayor Suarez’s Big VIP Weekend Was Worth $30K. And He Still Won’t Say Who Paid

MSN – Sarah Blaskey (Miami Herald) | Published: 5/17/2023

For the second year in a row, Mayor Francis Suarez made the rounds to lavish parties during the recent Formula One race in Miami, where hosts tied to local lobbying efforts waived cover charges for elected officials. If Suarez paid the cover for each event he and his wife attended, their Grand Prix weekend would have cost well over $30,000. Suarez would not say who paid for his weekend, nor did he file a quarterly report disclosing sponsors behind a similar tour of the party circuit he made last year, as is legally required when an elected official receives complimentary admissions or free tickets from anyone outside of their immediate family.

Georgia – Republican Tapped to Lead Fulton Elections Board Withdraws Under Pressure

MSN – Amy Gardner, Matthew Brown, and Michael Scherer (Washington Post) | Published: 5/17/2023

An Atlanta Republican withdrew his nomination to lead the elections board of Georgia’s most populous county after voting-rights activists and national Democrats, including the state’s two U.S. senators, lobbied to block the appointment. Lee Morris’s appointment would have given Republicans a majority on the Board of Registrations and Elections in a county that forms the core of metropolitan Atlanta and is governed by a majority-Democrat commission.

Illinois – Exelon Is Paying the Legal Tab for Two Former Executives Convicted in ComEd Bribery Scheme

WBEZ – Doug McKinney | Published: 5/15/2023

Exelon has been paying the legal fees for two now-convicted former Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) executives who were part of a conspiracy to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. ComEd spokesperson Shannon Breymaier noted a section of Exelon’s bylaws that specifies current and former directors and officers of the company and its affiliates qualify to have their legal costs covered in criminal cases so long as the charged were acting in “good faith” and did not believe they were engaging in criminal behavior.

Kansas – What’s in the Bag? Kansas Lobbying Expenditure

KSNT – Colter Robinson | Published: 5/17/2023

Last year, 165 “gift bags” were given to Kansas lawmakers. In Kansas, expenses related to lobbying must be reported. In 2022, a total of $287,252.76 in spending was reported. Of the total amount, only $75,209.63 was itemized. The annual lobbyist expenditure report must include the costs for items such as food and beverages, gifts, and entertainment. The purpose of the items must be documented.

Kentucky – Trump-Backed Daniel Cameron to Face Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear in November

Associated Press News – Bruce Schreiner | Published: 5/17/2023

Daniel Cameron won the Republican primary for Kentucky governor, becoming the first major-party Black nominee for governor in the state’s history and setting up a November showdown with Democratic incumbent Andy Beshear. Cameron, the state’s attorney general, claimed a convincing victory over a 12-candidate field. Beshear easily dispatched two challengers in his own primary. The race now shifts to the general election, which will be one of November’s most closely watched contests and could provide clues heading into next year’s presidential election.

Louisiana – LNG Lobbyists Ghost Wrote Louisiana Officials’ Letters Supporting Gas Storage Project

Louisiana Illuminator – Sara Sneath | Published: 5/17/2023

In an effort to gain federal approval for a natural gas storage project, Sempra LNG lobbyists crafted letters for Louisiana elected officials to send to federal regulators in support of the project. Last fall, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission greenlit the Hackenberry gas storage project, which involves converting underground domes constructed in the 1970s to mine for salt into storage space for natural gas. Sempra LNG has been trying to build the project in Cameron Parish since 2006.

Massachusetts – Dana Pullman Sentenced to Prison in State Police Union Kickback Case

MassLive – Tréa Lavery | Published: 5/11/2023

Dana Pullman, the former president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts (SPAM), was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in a kickback scheme during his time heading the union. Anne Lynch, a lobbyist who worked with him in the scheme, will serve 24 months in prison. Lynch’s lobbying firm represented SPAM in exchange for monthly retainer payments. Prosecutors say that for six years, the two used Pullman’s position to defraud members of the union, the state, and vendors seeking to do business with the state police.

Massachusetts – Federal Watchdogs Issue Scathing Reports on U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts

Politico – Lisa Kashinsky, Josh Gerstein, and Kyle Cheney | Published: 5/17/2023

Massachusetts’ top federal prosecutor leaked sensitive Department of Justice information to a reporter as part of an effort to help an ally in a political campaign and then lied about it to investigators, a watchdog found. The finding was the most damaging in a pair of reports issued by DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz and another federal watchdog agency against U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins, who announced she would resign her position.

Massachusetts – SJC Upholds AG’s Ruling Striking Ballot Question

The Eagle-Tribune – Christian Wade | Published: 5/16/2023

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld a decision by then-state Attorney General Maura Healey to reject a ballot question calling for limits on campaign spending by PACs. The justices said the case is “moot” because the proponents of the referendum did not follow the state’s timelines for gathering the required number of signatures from voters to qualify for the ballot. As such, the justices said they are showing “judicial restraint” by not resolving the matter.

Michigan – Michigan Democrats’ Early Campaign Finance Bills Bolster Union Influence

Detroit News – Craig Mauger | Published: 5/16/2023

A committee in the Democrat-controlled Michigan House advanced bills that would help labor unions, which frequently support Democratic lawmakers’ campaigns, raise money for political contributions. Democrats won control of both the state House and Senate for the first time in 40 years in November. The new proposals would remove a ban on government bodies administering payroll deductions for political committees and would broadly allow automatic deductions to be set up for giving to labor union committees.

Michigan – 2nd Lobbyist Pleads Guilty in Medical Marijuana Corruption Scheme

MSN – Arpan Lobo (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 5/12/2023

Federal prosecutors secured the fourth guilty plea in a bribery scheme involving Michigan’s former medical cannabis licensing board. Brian Pierce said he conspired to give $42,000 and other benefits to former House Speaker Rick Johnson to help clients with license applications before the board was disbanded in 2019.

New Hampshire – Bill to Boost Political Finance Transparency Heads to Sununu’s Desk

New Hampshire Bulletin – Ethan DeWitt | Published: 5/15/2023

A bill to increase campaign finance transparency in New Hampshire is headed to Gov. Chris Sununu’s desk. House Bill 195 would expand which groups would count as political advocacy organizations, a designation that requires them to register with the secretary of state’s office and report receipts and expenditures. Currently, the label applies only to organizations that spend $5,000 toward advocacy for or against a candidate or party in an election cycle. The bill would lower that threshold to $2,500 or more.

New York – ‘Lobbying Loophole’ Bill After LaSalle Fight Advances Through Senate

Albany Times Union – Joshua Solomon | Published: 5/16/2023

State Senate Democrats advanced legislation to close a “lobbying loophole” on judicial nominations and other state offices that followed undisclosed efforts earlier this year to influence votes on the selection of New York’s chief judge. The bill was introduced after an Albany Times Union story highlighted the lack of public reporting requirements for outside groups seeking to buttress or oppose a judicial nomination.

New York – U.S. Supreme Court Tosses Convictions of Percoco, Kaloyeros, Developers

Albany Times Union – Robert Gavin | Published: 5/11/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court threw out two fraud convictions during New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration, dealing prosecutors the latest in a series of setbacks in their efforts to pursue federal charges of public corruption in state government. The court unanimously overturned the bid-rigging convictions of SUNY Polytechnic Institute founder Alain Kaloyeros and three businesspeople while also reversing the fraud-related conviction of Joseph Percoco, the once powerful top aide to Cuomo.

New York – Head of NYC Campaign Finance Board Resigns Six Months After Taking Job

Gothamist – Brigid Bergin | Published: 5/16/2023

The head of the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) is stepping down from her post just six months after taking the job. Beth Rotman became the agency’s third executive director when she took the position in October. She cited personal reasons for departing her new role so soon. The former executive director, Amy LoPrest, will serve as the interim director of the program until the CFB completes its search for a new executive director.

New York – Eric Adams’ Transition Fined Nearly $20K by Campaign Finance Board

The City – Katie Honan | Published: 5/15/2023

The Campaign Finance Board hit New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ transition team with nearly $20,000 in penalties for violations related to the weeks in between 2021’s election and his January 2022 inauguration. The board voted to approve $19,600 in fines for three violations, finding the account for Adams transition and inauguration committee accepted prohibited donations, failed to respond or responded late to requests for information or documentation, and failed to properly wind down “transition and inauguration expense” activities.

Ohio – Ohio Lawmakers Vote to Set Aug. 8 Election for Controversial 60% Constitutional Amendment Proposal

MSN – Andrew Tobias and Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 5/10/2023

Ohio lawmakers passed a resolution asking voters to raise the threshold for approving constitutional amendments. The vote caps off nearly six months of legislative wrangling largely meant to hobble an abortion rights amendment. Lawmakers are entering questionable legal territory, however, as they set the vote in August through the resolution itself. Legislation approved last December places strict limits on such special elections, and a measure aimed at loosening those restrictions faltered in the House.

Oklahoma – Ethics Commission Settles Conservative Alliance PAC Lawsuit, Kannady Mum

NonDoc – Michael McNutt | Published: 5/17/2023

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission settled a lawsuit against a PAC that spent more than $150,000 in multiple Republican legislative races in 2018 as part of an electoral effort participated in by a top GOP House leader to defeat several hardline members of his own caucus. The Conservative Alliance PAC and its treasurer, Chris Marston, admitted targeting specific candidates and failed to follow the disclosure requirements in Oklahoma law. The PAC and Marston will pay $45,000 to the state.

Oregon – Oregon Lawmakers May Consider Boosting Elected Officials’ Pay, Passing Ethics Reforms in Wake of Shemia Fagan’s Resignation

MSN – Grant Stringer (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 5/10/2023

Oregon lawmakers are mulling whether to boost pay for statewide officeholders and pass ethics reforms following the resignation of former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, who stepped down after it was reported she had taken a $10,000 a month side job with a cannabis company. Fagan said she took the lucrative side job in part because she struggled to pay her bills as secretary of state. The post pays $77,000 per year.

Oregon – State Election Officials Fine Democratic Party of Oregon for Cryptocurrency Donation Flap

Oregon Public Broadcasting – Lauren Dake | Published: 5/12/2023

State election officials issued a $15,000 fine for the Oregon Democratic Party Democratic Party after the party changed the name of the donor of a hefty campaign check. The state also plans to monitor the party’s financial disclosures to ensure campaign finance laws are being followed in the future. The secretary of state’s office initially proposed a fine of $35,000after a three-month investigation but lowered the amount.

Pennsylvania – Cherelle Parker Wins Crowded Democratic Philadelphia Mayoral Primary; Dems Keep Pennsylvania House Majority

CBS News – Caroline Linton | Published: 5/17/2023

Philadelphia Democrats selected Cherelle Parker to be their party’s mayoral nominee. Parker will be favored to win the general election in November when she takes on Republican David Oh. The mayor’s race was the most expensive in the city’s history, with two candidates – Derek Green and Maria Quiñones Sánchez – dropping out because the price of the race was too high. In addition, Democrats narrowly maintained their majority in the Pennsylvania House, thanks to a win in a closely watched special election.

South Carolina – Supreme Court to Consider South Carolina Plan That ‘Exiled’ Black Voters

MSN – Robert Barnes (Washington Post) | Published: 5/15/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court will consider South Carolina’s attempt to reinstate a congressional redistricting plan that a lower court found had “exiled” 30,000 Black voters to create a district winnable for a White Republican candidate. The three-judge panel in January said the plan by the GOP-led Legislature split Black neighborhoods in the Charleston area to create a “stark racial gerrymander.” The judges found that South Carolina’s mapmaker tried to keep the African American population below a certain target in the district, treating Charleston County “in a fundamentally different way than the rest of the state.”

Tennessee – Former State Sen. Brian Kelsey Won’t Be Allowed to Change Guilty Plea; July Sentencing Set

MSN – Melissa Brown (Nashville Tennessean) | Published: 5/16/2023

Philadelphia Democrats selected Cherelle Parker to be their party’s mayoral nominee. Parker will be favored Former Tennessee Sen. Brian Kelsey will not be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea in a federal campaign finance case. Kelsey sought to take his case to trial after what he called a flawed plea deal in November 2022, when he pleaded guilty to charges stemming from his failed 2016 congressional campaign. U.S. Chief District Court Judge Waverly Crenshaw, Jr. criticized Kelsey’s legal argument that he did not fully understand the implications of a criminal felony plea, given his career as a constitutional lawyer and a state lawmaker.

Texas – A TxDOT Commissioner Resigned in 2018. He Continued Drawing Pay for Five Years.

Yahoo News – Tony Plohetski (Austin American-Statesman) | Published: 5/11/2023

In February 2018, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Commissioner Victor Vandergriff resigned from his governor-appointed position. Instead of stopping his payments, the state continued to cut him 62 monthly paychecks totaling nearly $92,000, plus benefits over the next five years. The state took steps to stop the payments after reporters asked why Vandergriff was still getting paid. Vandergriff’s abrupt exit came a month after the Texas Tribune reported Vandergriff had performed work as a private lobbyist during trips to Austin that were paid for by TxDOT.

Virginia – How Redistricting Reform Is Launching the Virginia General Assembly into a New Era

Virginia Mercury – Graham Moomaw | Published: 5/16/2023

The dramatically different electoral maps created after Virginia voters approved a new redistricting process in 2021 have been a clear factor in the ongoing institutional shake-up at the General Assembly, pushing many incumbents out and opening more room for candidates to run in new districts other incumbents cannot fully claim as their own. No matter which party wins control in November, the state Legislature will look very different when it reconvenes. That is fueling both trepidation over the loss of longtime statehouse figures and optimism over the opportunity to build anew.

Washington – Smiley PAC for ‘Political Outsiders’ Actually Pays Campaign Debt

Seattle Times – Jim Brunner | Published: 5/13/2023

A few months after her unsuccessful bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, Republican challenger Tiffany Smiley announced the launch of a new PAC to boost “political outsiders” across the country. Making the rounds of sympathetic conservative TV and radio shows, Smiley promoted Endeavor PAC and appealed for money.  What Smiley did not mention during her media tour is that donations solicited by her PAC are earmarked first to retire a six-figure debt lingering from her Senate campaign.

Washington – Before Rule Change, AG Bob Ferguson Moves $1.2M ‘Surplus’ to Campaign

Seattle Times – Jim Brunner | Published: 5/11/2023

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson shifted more than $1.2 million in surplus campaign money to his 2024 gubernatorial bid, getting ahead of a ruling placing new limits on such transfers. The Public Disclosure Commission voted to close the loophole that allowed such transfers without counting them toward individual contribution limits, agreeing with critics that the loophole violated the spirit of Washington’s campaign finance laws. The new guidance says candidates transferring surplus money should attribute the cash to specific donors.

Campaign Finance Massachusetts: “SJC Upholds AG’s Ruling Striking Ballot Question” by Christian Wade for The Eagle-Tribune National: “How to Raise $89 Million in Small Donations – and Make It Disappear” by David Fahrenthold and Tiff Fehr (New York Times) for Seattle Times Oklahoma: “Ethics Commission Settles Conservative Alliance PAC Lawsuit, Kannady Mum” by Michael McNutt for NonDoc Tennessee: “Former State Sen. Brian Kelsey Won’t Be Allowed to Change Guilty Plea; July Sentencing Set” by Melissa Brown (Nashville Tennessean) for MSN Elections Georgia: “Republican Tapped to Lead Fulton Elections Board Withdraws Under Pressure” by Amy Gardner, Matthew Brown, and Michael Scherer (Washington Post) for MSN Kentucky: “Trump-Backed Daniel Cameron to Face Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear in November” by Bruce Schreiner for Associated Press News Pennsylvania: “Cherelle Parker Wins Crowded Democratic Philadelphia Mayoral Primary; Dems Keep Pennsylvania House Majority” by Caroline Linton for CBS News Ethics Florida: “Miami Mayor Suarez’s Big VIP Weekend Was Worth $30K. And He Still Won’t Say Who Paid” by Sarah Blaskey (Miami Herald) for MSN Massachusetts: “Federal Watchdogs Issue Scathing Reports on U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts” by Lisa Kashinsky, Josh Gerstein, and Kyle Cheney for Politico

The Vermont Legislature adjourned on Friday, May 12 after passing bills including an $8.4 billion state budget, expanded child care, and housing issues. Gov. Scott is expected to veto the budget, which will cause legislators to return to the statehouse and find a compromise. The Legislature is scheduled to return from June 20 to June 22 for a veto session.

San Diego, California’s contribution limits have been adjusted for the 2024 election cycle due to inflation. The maximum donation an individual can make to a candidate in a City Council race has increased from $650 to $750 and the donation limit to candidates for mayor and city attorney has increased from $1,200 to $1,350. This change is one of the largest adjustments in San Diego’s history, following historic inflation of around 7% during the two years since the contribution limits were last increased.