National:

Koch-Backed Political Coalition, Designed to Shield Donors, Raised $400 Million in 2012

Washington Post – Matea Gold | Published: 1/6/2014

An analysis of tax returns and other documents shows the network of politically active nonprofits backed by billionaires Charles and David Koch and fellow donors in the 2012 elections raised at least $407 million. Its funders remain largely unknown; the coalition was carefully constructed with extensive legal barriers to shield its donors.

Federal:

Political Donors Chase Funding Alternative

Wall Street Journal – Thomas Catan | Published: 1/5/2014

Lawyers are scouring the tax code for financial vehicles that would allow donors to continue to spend money on elections while remaining anonymous. The search for new ways to collect and distribute campaign cash comes because the IRS proposed rules to restrict political activity by social-welfare groups. Their use in campaigns has soared in the last two years, in part because they can accept contributions of unlimited size and do not have to disclose the names of their donors.

Tangled Role in G.O.P. War over Tea Party

New York Times – Eric Lipton | Published: 1/3/2014

Former U.S. Rep. Steven LaTourette has emerged as one of the leaders of the Republican establishment’s battle against the tea party. While he says he is protecting the GOP from extremists, some maintain LaTourette is profiting from his continued presence in the Washington spotlight. His activities have raised questions about whether, in his dual roles, LaTourette violated the federal statute that prohibits lawmakers from lobbying on Capitol Hill for a year after leaving office.

From the States and Municipalities:

Colorado – Colorado GOP Wants to Skirt Campaign Contribution Limits

Washington Post – Reid Wilson | Published: 1/8/2014

Taking the lead of outside political groups who benefit from laws that allow them to receive unlimited political contributions, the Colorado Republican Party is trying to form its own special spending arm. In a petition filed with Secretary of State Scott Gessler, the state GOP asks permission to create an independent expenditure unit to raise and spend money on campaigns. The party is asking Gessler to allow them to accept unlimited contributions, just as super PACs and other outside groups are allowed to do.

Maryland – Md. Lawmakers Conduct Fundraising Frenzy on Eve of Legislative Session

Washington Post – Jenna Johnson and John Wagner | Published: 1/7/2014

When Maryland’s legislative session convened on January 8, so did a ban on collecting campaign donations for lawmakers and statewide elected officials. Although each January is marked by a last-minute cash grab, this year is different. All statewide posts and all 188 seats in the General Assembly will be on the ballot in November, and the primary election has been moved up to June from September, shortening the fundraising window and intensifying the pleas.

Missouri – Missouri’s No-Limit Legislature Stokes Debate over Ethics Reform

Kansas City Star – Jason Hancock | Published: 1/4/2014

Missouri lawmakers returned to the Capitol recently, 12 years after term limits kicked in and six years since caps on political donations officially ended. The combination of those two factors, critics argue, has tipped the legislative scale, with all the experience – and the money – to the lobbying side. Interviews with lawmakers, lobbyists, and political observers reveal a legislative process where outright corruption is rare, but money talks.

Nevada – Judge Allows Ex-Lobbyist Whittemore to Delay Prison

Las Vegas Sun – Sandra Chereb (Associated Press) | Published: 1/3/2014

A judge granted Harvey Whittemore’s motion to postpone prison. Whittemore was sentenced to two years in prison for violating campaign finance laws by using family and friends as “straw donors” to pump more than $130,000 into the campaign of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.  Whittemore’s lawyers asked the judge to delay the sentence, arguing the U.S. Supreme Court’s pending ruling in a case challenging individual campaign limits could ultimately have bearing on his appeal.

New Jersey – Christie Fires Aide in Bridge Scandal as U.S. Opens Inquiry

New York Times – Marc Santora and William Rashbaum | Published: 1/9/2014

Gov. Chris Christie fired a top aide at the center of a brewing scandal that officials in his administration orchestrated lane closures on the George Washington Bridge to settle a political score. The governor told a news conference he was stunned by revelations that senior staff members were behind the massive traffic jams in Ft. Lee, designed to punish the town’s mayor, who did not endorse Christie for re-election. The office of the U.S. attorney in New Jersey said it had launched an investigation.

New York – Will Public Financing Push Ever Come to Shove in State

Albany Times Union – Jordan Carleo-Evangelist | Published: 1/5/2014

The decision on whether New York adopts some kind of public campaign finance system will fall largely to the power brokers in the state Legislature, a body so riven with scandal in recent years that some public finance advocates see movement on the question as all but inevitable in the coming months. The push for public financing was at once a centerpiece and the most divisive recommendation in the preliminary report by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s anti-corruption Moreland Commission.

Virginia – Virginia Lawmakers Detail Ethics Reform Plans

Washington Post – Rachel Weiner | Published: 1/7/2014

Virginia House leaders have spent the past few months hammering out a bipartisan ethics reform proposal, focused on a few key areas. The plan includes a $250 cap on “tangible” gifts from lobbyists and individuals with business before the state. It also would increase financial disclosure reporting requirements from once to twice per year for lobbyists and lawmakers.

Washington – Lobbyist Freebies on Legislative Agenda

The Olympian – Brad Shannon | Published: 1/6/2014

Lawmakers say the divided Washington Legislature might act on the issue of lobbyists buying meals for politicians when they convene for the session that starts on January 13. One bill would give the state Public Disclosure Commission new technology so electronically filed lobbyist reports can be searched and cross-referenced. House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan has complained that lobbyists often report spending for meals for lawmakers at levels much higher than the actual value.

Wyoming – Conservative Wyoming Group Battles Federal Election Commission over Election Law

Casper Star Tribune – Kyle Roerink | Published: 1/3/2014

A conservative Wyoming-based group hopes to take its fight against the FEC to the U.S. Supreme Court. Free Speech is trying to avoid forming a PAC, and disclosing the names of its donors and being limited in how it can solicit funds and spend money. By requiring groups to register, Free Speech claims the FEC imposes a burden on First Amendment rights.

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

News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.

The Cornwall, Ontario city government’s website has been updated with a section dedicated to the 2014 Municipal Elections.

Information on the Canadian municipality’s website includes a list of the nominated candidates, candidate nomination forms, and other resources. Additional material will be added to the website, such as include voter registration information, election employment opportunities, and key election dates. City clerk Helen Finn, as quoted the Cornwall Seaway News, said, “The website will be updated weekly, or as required.”

The next municipal election is scheduled for Monday, October 27, 2014.

Lobbying

“Lobbying World” in The Hill.

“K Street pushes to shape $1T omnibus spending legislation” by Bernie Becker and Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

“Chamber chief promises midterm blitz” by Ben Goad and Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

“GOP leadership aide heads to K Street” by Peter Schroeder in The Hill.

“Yelp seeks DC clout after rapid rise” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.

Kauai County, Hawaii: “Lobbying bill gets green light” by Darin Moriki in The Garden Island.

Maryland: “Report: Top Md. Lobbyists Bring In More Than $37M” by The Associated Press in CBS Baltimore News.

Campaign Finance

Colorado: “Colorado GOP wants to skirt campaign contribution limits” by Reid Wilson in The Washington Post.

Missouri: “Court To Hear Challenge To Campaign Finance Limits” by Rachel Lippmann in St. Louis Public Radio.

Vermont: “Vt. lawmakers reach deal on campaign finance reform” on WCAX News.

Ethics

Arkansas: “Plenty of unknowns in how to impeach Ark. lt. gov.” by Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) in the San Jose Mercury News.

California: “FPPC heads to court over money laundering allegations against Roger Hernandez” by Rebecca Kimitch in the Daily Bulletin.

Florida: “Palm Beach County Ethics Commission slowdown raises questions” by Andy Reid in the Sun Sentinel.

New York: “Ethics reformers call on Cuomo to use ʹmaximum leverageʹ” by Jessica Alaimo in Capital New York.

Virginia: “Virginia Governor Apologizes for Scandal During His Final State of the State” by Olympia Meola in Governing.

From the State Legislatures

Iowa: “Governor, lawmakers set modest goals for 2014” by Catherine Lucey in the Quad-City Times.

Maine: “ʹLow expectationsʹ for legislative session as election-year politics loom” by Christopher Cousins in the Bangor Daily News.

Missouri: “5 things to know about Missouri’s legislative session” by Chris Blank (Associated Press) in the Missourian.

Lobbying

“The State of K Street” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“Bitcoin Woos Washington to Ensure Lawmakers Don’t Kill It” by Julie Bykowicz and Carter Dougherty in Bloomberg Politics.

New York City, NY: “New York City Imposes New Rules To Increase Registration of, and Reporting by, Lobbyists” by Laurence A. Levy in the National Law Review.

Campaign Finance

“Does Bitcoin Have a Future in Politics?” by Tom Moroney and Peter Robison in Bloomberg Businessweek.

“Facebook PAC Corrects Excessive Contributions to Senators” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

Arkansas: “Darr says he won’t resign; legislative leaders say impeachment likely” in Arkansas News.

California: “Current, former lawmakers cited for alleged campaign violations” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.

Minnesota: “More errors turn up in Minnesota political campaign finance data” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger and Glenn Howatt in the Star Tribune.

Minnesota: “Minn. campaign board finalizes Senate DFL case” by Brian Bakst (Associated Press) in The Kansas City Star.

Utah: “Flagged Bill: HB 235 – Campaign Contributions Amendments, Rep. Powell” by Curtis Haring in Utah Political Watch.

Vermont: “State Revising, Raising Campaign Finance Limits” by Taylor Dobbs in Vermont Public Radio.

Vermont: “VPIRG: Higher contribution limits weaken campaign finance bill” by Anne Galloway in VTDigger.org.

Ethics

Knoxville County, TN: “Ethics Committee chairwoman looking to expand role of panel” by Gerald Witt in the Knoxville News.

State Legislatures

Mississippi: “Lawmakers back in session” by Emily Wagster Pettus (Associated Press) in the Clarion Ledger.

Missouri: “Missouri Legislature to convene amid election-year pressures” by Virginia Young in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

New Hampshire: “N.H. Legislature to convene 2014 session today” by Norma Love (Associated Press) in the Concord Monitor.

Vermont: “Vermont Legislature jumps right in to start session” by Terri Hallenbeck and Nancy Remsen in the Burlington Free Press.

Virginia: “General Assembly returns to divided government” by Jim Nolan in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Redistricting

Montana: “New battle lines drawn for legislative races” by Tom Lutey in the Billings Gazette.

Government Tech and Social Media

Alaska: “Juneau developing social media policy” by The Associated Press in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

Massachusetts: “Mass. big data centralized on a new website” by Callum Borchers in The Boston Globe.

Today, the LobbyTracker system used for Rhode Island lobbyist and employer registrations and reports has been updated at the state’s Secretary of State’s online lobbyist information portal.

Among the updates is the allowance for authorized users. An authorized user is someone who is given permission by the primary contact to file reports and register lobbyists on his or her behalf. This person may also serve as the authorized user for more than one entity, firm, or lobbyist.

Additionally, email addresses will now be used for login names. Only one email address is allowed per lobbyist, firm, or entity with the exception of one email address for either a firm and lobbyist, or an entity and lobbyist. An entity and firm may not share an email, nor may several lobbyists share one email address.

All 2013 reports will continue to be filed in the previous LobbyTracker system.

Have you tried to call State and Federal Communications today? We have had weather issues in Akron and many people are getting a busy signal. Really, it is 2014, who gets a busy signal anymore? Even my parents have call waiting.

Anyway, call again. The weather is warming up. It is up to 2 degrees!

The inauguration for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will be held Tuesday, January 21, 2014. The day will begin with a morning prayer service in Newark followed by a swearing-in ceremony and inaugural address in Trenton. Evening festivities include an inaugural celebration at the Great Hall on Historic Ellis Island.

The Governor selected three charities to benefit from the proceeds raised during his second inauguration. Contribution limits do apply for inaugural fundraising events. No person, candidate, candidate committee, joint candidates committee, political committee or continuing political committee may contribute more than $500 in the aggregate to any gubernatorial inaugural fundraising event or events, notwithstanding any contribution made to any candidate for the gubernatorial election. Any contribution given in excess of the $500 aggregate limit will be returned to the contributor.

Similarly, a corporation, association, or labor organization may also contribute to a gubernatorial fundraising event, provided its contribution –  when added to that of any related or affiliated corporation, association, or labor organization – does not exceed $500. Partnerships, LLPs, and LLCs may not make contributions as an entity; any contribution made by check or other written instrument drawn on such an account will be considered a contribution from the individual who signed the check or written instrument.

Tickets to gubernatorial fundraising events may be given to legislators and public officials provided there is no intent to influence the official in any matter related to his or her official duties. Lobbyists may provide gifts of entertainment, food, beverages, or tickets to events as long as the aggregate value of all gifts does not exceed $250 per calendar year.

Photo of Governor Chris Christie courtesy of the Bob Jagendorf on Wikimedia Commons.

The Virginia General Assembly may be taking steps toward substantive ethics reform in its upcoming session. Ethics bills have already been prefiled in anticipation of the session’s start on January 8, most notably Senate Bill 274, limiting gifts to officers and employees of the state and local governments to $100 per calendar year, and requiring disclosure of gifts to immediate family members.

Virginia does not currently limit the amount of gifts officials and employees may receive, and many called for reform after Gov. Bob McDonnell became embroiled in scandal after accepting thousands of dollars worth of gifts from Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams. Williams had also made gifts to McDonnell’s wife and daughters, prompting the addition of disclosure requirements to immediate family members.

Photo of the Virginia Capitol courtesy of Varmin on Wikimedia Commons.

Lobbying

“Bottom Line” in The Hill.

“Snapchat hires lobbyists for the first time” by Kate Tummarello in The Hill.

Washington: “Bill would make it easier to track lobbyist giving” by Ralph Schwartz in the Bellingham Herald.

Campaign Finance

“Caution – Creative Campaign Bookkeeping in Progress” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

Arizona: “Lawmaker wants voters to repeal public campaign funding” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Daily Star.

Colorado: “Colorado GOP looks to establish expenditure committee free of limits” by Kurtis Lee in the Denver Post.

Minnesota: “Minn. campaign board taking new look at Senate DFL” by The Associated Press in the Sun Herald.

Ethics

California: “California campaign ethics watchdog marks record year” by Christopher Cadelago in the Sacramento Bee.

Hawaii: “A New Era in Ethics in Honolulu? Time Will Tell” by Nick Grube in the Honolulu Civil Beat.

Missouri: “Rowden bill would limit lobbyist gifts to legislators” by Rudi Keller in the Columbia Daily Tribune.

Virginia: “Va. House members broker ethics reform deal” by Julian Walker in The Virginian-Pilot.

Virginia: “Virginia lawmakers detail ethics reform plans” by Rachel Weiner in The Washington Post.

Elections

Arkansas: “Early voting to begin in special election for state Senate seat” in the Arkansas News Bureau.

State Legislatures

California: “California 2014 legislative session kicks off with new faces, old scandal” by Jeremy B. White and Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee.

Enjoy these fun photos from recent events!

 

 

 

At any given time, more than 1,000 legislative bills, which can affect how you do business as a government affairs professional, are being discussed in federal, state, and local jurisdictions. These bills are summarized in State and Federal Communications’ digital encyclopedias for lobbying laws, political contributions, and procurement lobbying and can be found in the client portion of our website.

Summaries of major bills are also included in monthly email updates sent to all clients. The chart below shows the number of bills we are tracking in regard to lobbying laws, political contributions, and procurement lobbying.

The inauguration for Virginia Governor-Elect Terry McAuliffe will be held Saturday, January 11, 2014 in Capitol Square in Richmond Virginia. The day will begin with a prayer breakfast, followed by the inauguration ceremony, parade, executive mansion open house, and the Richmond Inaugural Ball. More information is available at http://www.inauguration2014.com/.

Virginia does not place any limits on the source or amount of political contributions or gifts, including to inaugural committees. Contributions to inaugural committees are not required to be reported on lobbying reports.

Photo of Virginia Governor-Elect Terry McAuliffe courtesy of Edward Kimmel on Wikimedia Commons.

The Iowa Ethics and Campaign Finance Disclosure Board has proposed a requirement for all campaign finance reports to be filed electronically. Currently, the only reports required to be filed electronically are those of legislative and statewide campaigns.

In order for the proposal to become law, it must be approved by the Iowa Legislature. An amendment to the bill allowing waiver by the state ethics board of the e-filing requirement for extenuating circumstances is likely to be considered by the House State Government Committee.

Lobbying

“Lobbyists cash in on do-nothing Congress” by Anna Palmer and Byron Tau in Politico.

“9 websites you use regularly that are lobbying Congress” by Amber Phillips in the San Jose Mercury News.

“Yelp Inc. Registers For Lobbying and Forms PAC” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

Idaho: “Business lobbyists ready legislative wish lists” by Zach Kyle in the Idaho Statesman.

Washington: “Lobbyist freebies on legislative agenda” by Brad Shannon in The Olympian.

Campaign Finance

“Congressman Accepts Bitcoins While FEC Doesnʹt” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

“New Super PAC Registers With Bitcoin Receiving Addresses” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

Arkansas: “Ethics chief says Darr skipped campaign finance training” by John Lyon in KATV News.

Ethics

Missouri: “Missouri’s no-limit legislature stokes debate over ethics reform” by Jason Hancock in the Kansas City Star.

North Carolina: “Ethics Commission appointments made” by Craig Jarvis in the News & Observer.

Wyoming: “Conservative Wyoming group battles Federal Election Commission over election law” by Kyle Roerink in the Casper Star-Tribune.

Congress

“3 Reasons Congressʹ Year Might Start Unexpectedly Strong” by David Hawkings in Roll Call.

In the State Legislatures

“Nearly 2,400 state lawmakers return to work this week” by Niraj Cokshi in The Washington Post.

“Interactive: State of the States 2014” by Melissa Maynard in Governing.

“Governors, Lawmakers Return to Capitols With an Eye on November” by Daniel C. Vock in Governing.

Indiana: “State lawmakers face packed agenda” by Dan Carden in Northwest Indiana Times.

Iowa: “Iowa Legislature’s 2014 session to be shaped by epic political year” by Jason Noble and William Petroski in the Des Moines Register.

Kentucky: “Kentucky legislative session comes with political, fiscal shackles” by Tom Loftus in the Courier Journal.

Maryland: “Md. legislative session overshadowed by election year politics” by John Wagner in The Washington Post.

Mississippi: “What do lawmakers see as top issues for 2014 session?” by Ed Kemp in the Hattiesburg American.

Mississipi: “Analysis: US Senate race will impact Miss. Session” by Emily Wagster Pettus (Associated Press) in the Hattiesburg American.

Missouri: “Mid-Missouri legislators preparing for new session” by Bob Watson in the News Tribune.

North Carolina: “Lawmakers ponder how to fill midterm N.C., U.S. legislative openings” by Gary D. Robertson in the Charlotte Observer.

Rhode Island: “R.I. General Assembly: A look ahead at the key issues of 2014” by Katherine Gregg, Philip Marcelo, and Randal Edgar in the Providence Journal.

South Carolina: “SC politicsʹ welcome back starts this week” by Andrew Shain in The State.

Government Tech and Social Media

Rhode Island: “Political Scene: High tech comes to R.I. General Assembly” by Philip Marcelo, Katherine Gregg and Randal Edgar in the Providence Journal.

Washington: “Access Washington Website Dealing With Outages” in Government Technology.