March 10, 2014 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Roscoe Bartlett, defense lobbyist” by Austin Wright in Politico. “Lobbying Firm Patton Boggs Fights for Itself” by Jennifer Smith and Elizabeth Williamson in The Wall Street Journal. Canada: “Lawmakers top lobbyists in annual hockey game” by JulieAnn McKellogg and […]
Lobbying
“Roscoe Bartlett, defense lobbyist” by Austin Wright in Politico.
“Lobbying Firm Patton Boggs Fights for Itself” by Jennifer Smith and Elizabeth Williamson in The Wall Street Journal.
Canada: “Lawmakers top lobbyists in annual hockey game” by JulieAnn McKellogg and Emily Heil in The Washington Post.
New Jersey: “Hospitals were top spenders on lobbying in 2013, report says” by Susan K. Livio in The Star-Ledger.
Wyoming: “Editorial board: Wyoming lobbyists laws too weak, unenforced” in the Casper Star-Tribune.
Campaign Finance
“Comcast spreads cash wide on Capitol Hill” by Tony Romm in Politico.
Illinois: “Lawsuit challenging campaign financing limits won’t affect 2014” by Kurt Erikson in the Herald & Review.
Iowa: “Is anonymous donating the next big thing in Iowa politics?” by Mike Wiser in the Globe Gazette.
Louisiana: “Campaign finance bills filed for legislative session that begins March 10: List” by Dan Swenson in The Times-Picayune.
North Carolina: “Dark money comes to light” by Mark Binker in WRAL News.
Utah: “Senate panel endorses campaign finance reform bills” by Dennis Romboy in the Deseret News.
Ethics
California: “California Legislature considers ethics reform bills” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.
New York: “Assemb. William Boyland guilty on all counts” by John Riley and Anthony M. Destefano in Newsday.
South Carolina: “Book’s sale at park shops needles Sheheen campaign” by Rudolph Bell in The Greenville News.
West Virginia: “Bill would change ethics commission” by Phil Kabler in the Charleston Gazette.
Wisconsin: “Controversial election bills find little support in state Senate” by Matthew DaFour in the Wisconsin State Journal.
Legislative Sessions
Virginia: “Bills of note that passed in the 2014 General Assembly session” by The Associated Press in The Loudoun Times.
Government Tech and Social Media
Minnesota: “Minnesota Announces Civic Tech Legislation” by Sam Roudman in TechPresident.
West Virginia: “Onlookers often rely on social media for session updates” by Mandi Cardosi in The State Journal.
March 10, 2014 •
Oregon Legislature Adjourned
The Oregon Legislative Assembly adjourned sine die on Friday, March 7. The 2014 session lasted 33 days, 2 days short of the maximum allowed under the Oregon Constitution. Lawmakers will now turn their attention to campaigning, as all 60 […]
The Oregon Legislative Assembly adjourned sine die on Friday, March 7. The 2014 session lasted 33 days, 2 days short of the maximum allowed under the Oregon Constitution.
Lawmakers will now turn their attention to campaigning, as all 60 House seats and half of the 30 Senate seats will be up in November.
March 10, 2014 •
Virginia General Assembly Adjourns After Passing Ethics Reform
The Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die on Saturday, March 8, 2014. The session ended without a state budget, the result of a standoff on whether to expand the state’s Medicaid program. Governor Terry McAuliffe announced he would call legislators […]
The Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die on Saturday, March 8, 2014. The session ended without a state budget, the result of a standoff on whether to expand the state’s Medicaid program. Governor Terry McAuliffe announced he would call legislators back for a special session to begin March 24.
Before adjourning, the General Assembly passed significant ethics reform, limiting gifts from lobbyists, principals, and persons seeking to do business with the state to $250. The legislation also created the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council, tasked with receiving disclosure forms from legislators and lobbyists and enforcing the newly-created ethics laws.
A new semiannual lobbyist reporting schedule will take effect July 1, 2015, with the first report filed under the new framework due December 15, 2015. The new filing schedule does not affect the annual report due July 1, 2014. The final bill awaits signature by Gov. McAuliffe.
Photo of the Virginia State Capitol by Varmin on Wikimedia Commons.
March 10, 2014 •
Canada RCMP Investigating Illegal Lobbying
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is investigating allegations of illegal lobbying by a former senior adviser to Prime Minister Stephen Harper in connection with work for an energy advocacy group in Calgary. The RCMP says after Bruce Carson left […]
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is investigating allegations of illegal lobbying by a former senior adviser to Prime Minister Stephen Harper in connection with work for an energy advocacy group in Calgary. The RCMP says after Bruce Carson left the Office of the Prime Minister (PMO) he was paid for his top level involvement with federal contacts and to influence a new national energy strategy.
As a past senior adviser to Harper, Carson is subject to a five-year ban on lobbying under the Lobbying Act.
Lobbying Commissioner Karen Shepherd initiated a probe of Carson’s lobbying activities for the Canada School of Energy and Environment and a business-funded group called the Energy Policy Institute of Canada (EPIC). Shepherd referred the allegations to the RCMP in July 2012.
EPIC’s lawyers assumed the group would be in compliance if Carson’s job description was to communicate “for the purpose of information exchange and not to represent EPIC’s view, opinion, or to ask for a decision from government.”
March 7, 2014 •
Quebec Premier Calls Election for April 7
Pauline Marois, the premier of Quebec, has called a general election to be held on April 7. Currently, elections in Quebec only take place upon a decree by the premier. Beginning in 2016, elections will have set dates. When […]
Pauline Marois, the premier of Quebec, has called a general election to be held on April 7. Currently, elections in Quebec only take place upon a decree by the premier. Beginning in 2016, elections will have set dates.
When an election is called in Quebec, the legislative assembly dissolves (adjourns) and voters chose an entirely new one. Candidates have 33 days to campaign for the upcoming election.
Since Quebec has a parliamentary system of government, the leader of the party who garners the most assembly seats becomes the premier.
March 7, 2014 •
One Week Remains for Tarrant County Elections Administrator
Steve Raborn, the Tarrant County, Texas Elections Administrator since 2006, will be leaving office on March 14. Raborn will next be working for Votec Corporation, a private company dealing with public election-related products and services. According to the Fort Worth […]
Steve Raborn, the Tarrant County, Texas Elections Administrator since 2006, will be leaving office on March 14. Raborn will next be working for Votec Corporation, a private company dealing with public election-related products and services. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Tarrant County Elections Commission intends to hire Raborn’s replacement before he leaves office.
March 7, 2014 •
Wyoming Legislature Adjourns Budget Session
The Legislature adjourned sine die a day early on Thursday, March 6, 2014. Gov. Matt Mead signed the state budget bill on Wednesday and thanked lawmakers for approving his requested $175 million for cities, towns, and counties. Photo of the […]
The Legislature adjourned sine die a day early on Thursday, March 6, 2014.
Gov. Matt Mead signed the state budget bill on Wednesday and thanked lawmakers for approving his requested $175 million for cities, towns, and counties.
Photo of the Wyoming State Capitol by Matthew Trump on Wikimedia Commons.
March 7, 2014 •
South Carolina Ethics Bill Passes Senate
The Senate has approved a new version of a bill to overhaul ethics. The Senate version of House Bill 3945 requires public officials to report sources of private income, but not the amounts paid. The bill creates educational ethics seminars […]
The Senate has approved a new version of a bill to overhaul ethics. The Senate version of House Bill 3945 requires public officials to report sources of private income, but not the amounts paid. The bill creates educational ethics seminars for public officials and requires anonymous political groups to register and report if more than half of their activity goes toward influencing elections.
The bill as passed would make no changes to who would enforce the new ethics laws or to the practice of lawmakers policing themselves. An earlier version of the bill extended state lobbying regulations to the local level, but the Senate has removed this provision.
The bill now moves back to the House for approval. If the House does not approve the Senate version as is, the bill will go to conference committee.
March 7, 2014 •
News You Can Use Digest – March 7, 2014
National: Outrage Over Sexist Remarks Turns Into a Political Fund-Raising Tool New York Times – Amy Choziak | Published: 2/27/2014 With a record number of women in Congress and dozens more on the ballot, gender-charged attacks – […]
National:
Outrage Over Sexist Remarks Turns Into a Political Fund-Raising Tool
New York Times – Amy Choziak | Published: 2/27/2014
With a record number of women in Congress and dozens more on the ballot, gender-charged attacks – stoked by the growth of social media and small-dollar Internet donations – can generate campaign contributions in an instant. In the past few months, Republicans have likened Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes to an “empty dress” and referred to a pregnant woman as a “host.” Democrats blast these comments out to supporters to build voter lists and drum up donations.
Federal:
Democrats Embrace Super PACs, but Some Fear Lack of Focus on Midterm Elections
Washington Post – Matea Gold | Published: 2/28/2014
There is now a near-universal view among top donors and strategists that the Democratic Party needs its own super PACs to compete with the growing role such groups are playing on the right. But there are disagreements over how to use the independent organizations. Some say Priorities USA Action and other groups that can accept unlimited contributions are too focused on the 2016 presidential race and a potential Hillary Clinton candidacy, even as Democrats face a costly, uphill fight this year to retain a thin Senate majority and gain seats in the House.
Group Close to Obama Says It Erred on Donation
New York Times – Nicholas Confessore | Published: 3/4/2014
Organizing for Action, a political advocacy group backed by President Barack Obama, said its executive director set up a White House meeting for a businessperson entangled in a lawsuit with a federal agency, who then pledged to raise $100,000 for the group one day after the meeting. The organization also said on three occasions its fundraisers or other employees had tried to steer potentially controversial donations to allied liberal groups that did not disclose their donors.
From the States and Municipalities:
California – Senate Dems to Propose New Limits on Gifts, Fundraising
Sacramento Bee – Laurel Rosenhall | Published: 3/5/2014
Countering a series of scandals, California Senate Democrats plan to propose sweeping changes to the Political Reform Act, including stricter limits on accepting gifts and campaign contributions. Sources said the legislation will cut roughly in half the $440 annual limit on gifts to elected state officials, and prohibit candidates from holding political fundraisers at the homes of lobbyists.
Colorado – Critics See Proposed Ethics Commission Cue as Bad Medicine
Colorado Independent – John Tomasic and Tessa Cheek | Published: 3/2/2014
A bill that aims to fix the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission comes as the number of complaints filed with the panel continues to grow. House Bill 1258 seeks to bolster protections for state employees who are brought before the commission. It would ensure they are provided with tax-paid legal counsel and have the right to sue individual members of the commission for damages. Critics say the measure would do more harm than good.
Colorado – First and Only Director of Colorado Ethics Commission Steps Down
Denver Post – Lynn Bartels | Published: 3/1/2014
Colorado Independent Ethics Commission Executive Director Jane Feldman has submitted her resignation, effective at the end of March. Complaints about the commission have led to legislation being introduced this session. That would affect its operations.
Florida – Special Interests Pay Their Way onto Florida’s Legislative Agenda
Bradenton Herald – Mary Ellen Klas (Miami Herald) | Published: 3/3/2014
Many of the decisions about what issues make the agenda of Florida’s 2014 legislative session have already been made, in large part due to special interest groups and a torrent of money flowing into the coffers of legislative political committees. Longtime lobbyist Bob Levy said money has always been a major part of what happens in Tallahassee, but the difference is the number of zeroes. “It existed then, but it was $50,000; today it’s $500,000,” said Levy.
Missouri – Small Number of Donations Fuel Missouri Political Spending
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Walker Moskup | Published: 3/3/2014
From 2011 to 2013, more than half of the money raised by Missouri campaign committees – about $67 million – came from donations of $5,000 or more. Those larger donations represent about three percent of the total number of contributions. The absence of contribution limits in the state exacerbates the reliance on mega-donors, said Missouri State University professor George Connor.
Pennsylvania – D.C.-Based Democratic ‘Super PAC’ Sues to Remove Pa. Law Blocking it from Getting Corporate and Union Money
Harrisburg Patriot-News – Matt Miller | Published: 3/3/2014
A Washington, D.C.-based super PAC filed a lawsuit asking a federal judge to void a Pennsylvania law that is blocking its efforts to raise funds from corporations, associations, and unions in the state. The General Majority PAC contends the U.S. Constitution and a Supreme Court ruling grant it the right to solicit money from those sources to finance its political message during Pennsylvania’s legislative races this year.
Utah – Free Lunches, Receptions Abound for Utah Legislature
Salt Lake Tribune – Lee Davidson | Published: 3/3/2014
While events featuring free food remain a popular way to attract Utah lawmakers to hear lobbying pitches, they appear to be changing. The number of free lunches, which are expensive for sponsors, dropped by nearly half this year. Less-costly receptions nearly doubled. Still, special interests do not see free “wining and dining” disappearing any time soon. That is too bad, say groups who cannot afford that style of lobbying.
Virginia – Va. Moves to Tighten Ethics Rules, But Not Too Much
Washington Post – Michael Laris | Published: 3/1/2014
The Virginia House and Senate have passed different bills that address ethics reform. They will work on a compromise as the legislative session draws to a close, but neither bill addresses key loopholes. Lawmakers said it was more difficult than they expected to make far-reaching changes, in part because as they got into the details, they became concerned that imposing tough provisions could end up inadvertently criminalizing their own honest mistakes.
Wisconsin – Wisconsin Senator Seeks to Allow In-Session Lobbyist Checks
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Patrick Marley | Published: 3/4/2014
Recently introduced bills in Wisconsin would exempt political groups behind issue ads from disclosing donors and allow lobbyists to funnel donations to candidates. Senate Bill 655 would allow lobbyists to provide contributions on behalf of others to elected officials at any time. The bill also would move up the date on which lobbyists can personally give campaign contributions from June 1 to April 15 of election years.
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March 6, 2014 •
California Lawmakers Proposing Tighter Gift Limits
Lawmakers called a press conference to announce a package of bills to make major upgrades to government accountability rules and practices. Senator Ricardo Lara and Kevin de Leon have filed Senate Bill 1441 through Senate Bill 1444 as spot bills, […]
Lawmakers called a press conference to announce a package of bills to make major upgrades to government accountability rules and practices. Senator Ricardo Lara and Kevin de Leon have filed Senate Bill 1441 through Senate Bill 1444 as spot bills, with the intention to add substantive provisions at a later date.
The bills will include a ban on fundraisers at lobbyists’ homes and a ban on all gifts from lobbyists.
There is also a proposal to lower the current non-lobbyist gift limit of $440 to $200 for state and local officials.
March 6, 2014 •
Wisconsin Senate Considers Campaign Finance Bills
The Senate is considering campaign finance bills to narrow reporting requirements of advocacy groups and widen the ability of lobbyists to provide campaign contributions. Senate Bill 654 would further distinguish non-reportable “issue advocacy” from reportable “candidate advocacy.” Briefly in 2010, […]
The Senate is considering campaign finance bills to narrow reporting requirements of advocacy groups and widen the ability of lobbyists to provide campaign contributions. Senate Bill 654 would further distinguish non-reportable “issue advocacy” from reportable “candidate advocacy.”
Briefly in 2010, the Government Accountability Board (GAB) used its own discretion to classify campaign activity until both liberal and conservative groups filed lawsuits.
Senate Bill 655 allows a lobbyist to deliver political contributions at any time and allows for lobbyists to make personal contributions as early as April 15 of a general election year. Currently, lobbyists are prohibited from delivering contributions during a legislative session and must wait till June 1 to personally make contributions.
March 6, 2014 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “K Street gears up for Hillary” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill. “Groups Try to Mute the Comcast Lobby | K Street Files” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call. Louisiana: “Former Jindal aide Rainwater looks to lobbying, consulting” by […]
Lobbying
“K Street gears up for Hillary” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“Groups Try to Mute the Comcast Lobby | K Street Files” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
Louisiana: “Former Jindal aide Rainwater looks to lobbying, consulting” by Michelle Millhollon in The Advocate.
New Jersey: “Lobbying expenditures climbed over $60 million in 2013, report finds” in PolitickerNJ.
Campaign Finance
“New Challenges to Campaign Finance Regulation” opinion piece by David Friedman in The Stanford Daily.
New York: “Women stump for campaign finance reform” by Casey Seiler in the Capitol Confidential.
Wisconsin: “Walker says he’s not focused on Republican bills affecting campaign donations, spending” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) in The Republic.
Ethics
California: “Senate Democrats proposing revamp of campaign, gift laws” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.
Campaigns and Elections
“Thought the Senate map was set?” by Jessica Taylor in The Hill.
“2014 Governors Races: A Look at the Too-Close-to-Call Contests” by Louis Jacobson in Governing.
South Carolina: “Cheers! SC Bill Aims to Lift Booze Ban on Election Day” by Drew MacKenzie in Newsmax.
Procurement
“Bringing Innovation to Procurement” by Justin Brown in Government Technology.
March 5, 2014 •
Arkansas Governor Signs Bill to Forgo Lieutenant Governor Special Election
Gov. Mike Beebe has signed a bill allowing him not to call a special election to fill the lieutenant governor’s office. Senate Bill 139, now Act 210, allows the governor to forgo a special election to fill a vacancy in […]
Gov. Mike Beebe has signed a bill allowing him not to call a special election to fill the lieutenant governor’s office.
Senate Bill 139, now Act 210, allows the governor to forgo a special election to fill a vacancy in the lieutenant governor’s office when the vacancy occurs within 10 months of a general election, if holding a special election would be impractical or burdensome.
Mark Darr left the lieutenant governor’s office vacant after being fined $11,000 by the state Ethics Commission for misuse of campaign contributions and taxpayer dollars.
March 5, 2014 •
State and Federal Communications Is One of the Fastest Growing Companies in Northeast Ohio
State and Federal Communications, Inc. recently was honored as one of Northeast Ohio’s fastest growing companies in 2013! Weatherhead 100, the organization offering the award, has a mission to be “a venue for encouraging the truest spirit of entrepreneurialism […]
State and Federal Communications, Inc. recently was honored as one of Northeast Ohio’s fastest growing companies in 2013! Weatherhead 100, the organization offering the award, has a mission to be “a venue for encouraging the truest spirit of entrepreneurialism and rewarding those companies that serve as a beacon to all businesses in Northeast Ohio.” This is the second year the company has received the award.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.