Campaign Finance

“Political money back on court’s agenda” by Albert R. Hunt in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Maryland: “Campaign finance: Behind scenes of elections” by Jennifer Shutt in the Daily Times.

Tennessee: “Registry will review campaign finance complaints against Gov. Haslam, Sen. Campfield” by The Associated Press in the Daily Journal.

Ethics

“Judge Rules Public Interest Outweighs Former Sen. John Ensign’s Privacy Interest” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

“Bachmann’s Former Aide Sentenced to Community Service” by Jason Dick in Roll Call.

Florida: “Former mayors charged in Miami-Dade bribery scandal seek to delay indictments” by Jay Weaver in the Miami Herald.

Hawaii: “Hawaii governor appoints 2 to ethics commission” by The Associated Press in The State.

North Carolina: “Ethics Commission fines 2, gives 24 political appointees a pass” by John Frank in the News & Observer.

Ohio: “Ohio lawmakers ask watchdog to probe JobsOhio” by The Associated Press in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Virginia: “Web site backing McDonnell seeks funds for his legal costs” by Laura Vozzella in The Washington Post.

Political Advertising

“Keeping ‘tabs’ on campaign emails” by Hadas Gold in Politico.

From the States

“Snowden elected to NCSL executive committee” by The Associated Press in the Sun Herald.

North Carolina: “McCrory signs regulatory overhaul plan, 32 more bills” by Rob Christensen and David Bracken in the Charlotte Observer.

Oregon: “Special session still is uncertain” by Anna Staver in the Statesman Journal.

Redistricting

Kentucky: “Redistricting bill signed, judges to review” in the Morehead News.

A special election will be held November 5, 2013, for the Texas State House of Representatives District No. 50 seat.

State Rep. Mark Strama announced his resignation on June 26, 2013, in order to work for Google Fiber. The winner of the election will serve out the unexpired term of Strama, who was last elected to the seat on May 29, 2012.

The Kentucky Legislature adjourned its special session on Friday, August 23, 2013, after passing a new redistricting plan.

Governor Beshear quickly signed the bill after its passage.

Lobbying

“Former Rep. Jo Bonner Doubles Salary Outside Washington” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

“Prepaid card industry searching for first lobbyist” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

Connecticut: “Connecticut Ethics office to audit 10 random lobbyists” by The Associated Press in the Norwich Bulletin.

Connecticut: “Lobbying tab for 2012: $51.7 million” by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas in the Connecticut Mirror.

New York: “Private lobbying groups for cities, counties get public pensions in at least 20 states” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.

Campaign Finance

“Will High Court Widen Flood of Money in Politics?” by Albert R. Hunt in Bloomberg.

“20-somethings jump into super PACs” by Andrea Drusch in Politico.

Alaska: “Campaign finance training in Fairbanks” in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

Ethics

“FEC Commissioners Battle To Partisan Inaction” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Ohio: “Gov. John Kasich and Ohio Ethics Commission linked by political contributions, records show” by Henry J. Gomez in The Plain Dealer.

Oklahoma: “Panel in charge of clean elections invites comment on ethics laws” in the Enid News and Eagle.

Wyoming: “Group urges Wyoming to toughen anti-corruption laws” by Joan Barron in the Casper Star-Tribune.

Elections

“Fall Filled With Special Elections for House, Senate” by Abby Livingston and Emily Cahn in Roll Call.

Redistricting

“Governor quickly signs redistricting bill into law” by Roger Alford (Associated Press) in the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Governor Pat McCrory has issued a proclamation calling for a special session to convene at noon on September 3, 2013.

However, if a majority of legislators write declaring they do not want to meet, no session will occur.

The purpose of the session is to consider overriding the governor’s vetoes.

Federal:

Campaign Finance Advocates Sue IRS

The Hill – Bernie Becker | Published: 8/21/2013

U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and watchdog groups filed a lawsuit challenging the IRS’ interpretation of a law that governs whether groups qualify for tax-exempt status as so-called social welfare organizations. The suit addresses one of the main concerns that surfaced with the recent IRS targeting controversy: differences between federal law and IRS rules on eligibility for 501(c)(4) candidates.

U.S. Lawmakers Travel the World on Lobbyists’ Tab

Reuters – Richard Cowen | Published: 8/19/2013

Lately, the number of privately financed trips for federal lawmakers offered by corporate interests, lobbyists, universities, and foreign governments have been rising. Trips this year total 1,363, at a cost to the hosts of $3.2 million. Congress clamped down on such travel in 2007 after disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s influence-peddling scandal.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arkansas – After Ethics Fine, Paul Bookout Resigns from Legislature

Arkansas Business Journal; Associated Press –   | Published: 8/21/2013

Sen. Paul Bookout resigned his seat in the Arkansas Legislature on the same day a special prosecutor was assigned to investigate his campaign finances. His resignation came days after the state Ethics Commission fined and reprimanded the veteran lawmaker for converting thousands of dollars in political contributions to his personal use.

California – Filner Could Be Out by Friday

San Diego Union Tribune – Craig Gustafson and Mark Walker | Published: 8/21/2013

A tentative deal has been reached in the sexual harassment lawsuit against San Diego Mayor Bob Filner that is likely to oust him from office. City Attorney Jan Goldsmith announced the plan after three days of settlement talks, but said he could not divulge any details until the proposed resolution is approved by the city council, which could happen on August 23. Filner has been under siege for weeks amid allegations he repeatedly sexually harassed women.

California – Hansen Revealed as Arena Petition Backer

Sacramento Bee – Dale Kasler and Tony Bizjak | Published: 8/17/2013

Weeks after billionaire Chris Hansen lost a bid to move the Sacramento Kings to Seattle, he made an undisclosed donation to a group trying to defeat plans to build a new facility for the National Basketball Association team in California. The Fair Political Practices Commission said the money was used to gather signatures for a ballot initiative designed to put to a citywide vote the council’s planned $258 million subsidy for a downtown arena.

Maine – For Maine Governor, Issue Is What They Said He Said

New York Times – Katharine Seelye and Jess Bidgood | Published: 8/20/2013

Maine Gov. Paul LePage denied he said President Barak Obama “hates white people.” Two Republican lawmakers said they heard the governor make the comment during a state Republican Party fundraiser. The problem for LePage, as even some of his allies acknowledge, is whether or not he made this particular comment, he has made so many other blunt assertions that while one more may not matter, the accumulation of such comments could.

Massachusetts – In Mass., Political Lobbying a $100M-a-Year Industry

Lowell Sun – Steve LeBlanc (Associated Press) | Published: 8/19/2013

In 2005, there were just over 800 lobbyists registered in Massachusetts. By 2012, that number had soared to more than 1,600. In part, the increase is due to a change in the definition of a lobbyist. The broadened definition, prompted by a 2009 ethics law, forced many individuals who had avoided the label to officially register.

New York – Nonprofits Are Balking at Law on Disclosing Political Donors

New York Times – Thomas Kaplan | Published: 8/20/2013

New York has emerged as a central battleground for efforts to mandate greater disclosure. Two years after a law was enacted that required tax-exempt groups lobbying state government to reveal where they got their money, a growing number of nonprofit organizations are seeking exemptions, arguing their donors could be endangered if their names were released to the public.

New York – Utility Officials Fined on Freebies

Albany Times Union – James Odato | Published: 8/15/2013

A year after national grid paid the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) $1.67 million to settle charges of providing illegal gifts to state regulators, the utility has agreed to pay $25,000 to settle the same charges with the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE). The PSC fined National Grid for violating the public service law; JCOPE penalized the utility for violating state lobbying law.

Ohio – Ohio Ethics Chief: Kasich made clean company break

Miami Herald – Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) | Published: 8/15/2013

Ohio Ethics Commission Chairperson Merom Brachman said there is no need for an ethics probe of Gov. John Kasich’s relationship to a company that received hundreds of thousands of dollars in state development tax credits. Brachman, noting the commission is “anxious to not become a political theater,” said data provided by the governor shows conclusively there is no conflict-of-interest to investigate.

Pennsylvania – State Officials’ Free Gala Tickets Lead To Discrepancies in Ethics Reports

WITF – Mary Wilson | Published: 8/19/2013

The way Gov. Tom Corbett and a few state lawmakers treated free tickets to a Philadelphia soiree shows a wide variety of interpretations of Pennsylvania’s ethics law. Last year, the Barnes Foundation threw a gala celebrating its new museum and gave some legislators and members of the administration free entry. For other patrons, tickets were $5,000 each. State law requires gifts of such a value to be publicly disclosed.

South Carolina – Haley’s Attorneys Tried to Get Ethics Charges Dropped

The State – Adam Beam | Published: 8/15/2013

Emails between the South Carolina Ethics Commission and Gov. Nikki Haley’s attorney show she agreed to pay a fine and end allegations over campaign donors’ missing addresses only after irritated commissioners nearly took an agreement off the table and called a public hearing. Haley agreed to pay $3,500, reimburse the ethics agency $2,000, and forward money from eight donors, totaling nearly $4,200, to the Children’s Trust Fund.

Tennessee – Democrats Missing from Panels to Rule on Ethics Complaints against Haslam

Knoxville News Sentinel – Tom Humphrey | Published: 8/17/2013

A former state Democratic Party chairperson filed complaints with the Tennessee Ethics Commission and the Registry of Election Finance, contending Gov. Bill Haslam violated the law by not disclosing his personal payments to lobbyist and political operative Tom Ingram. The commission and registry currently have Republican majority membership because of unfilled vacancies in one case, because Haslam has left a seat designated for a Democrat empty since March.

Virginia – Attorneys for McDonnells to Meet with Prosecutors as Key Phase Opens in Gifts Probe

Washington Post – Rosalind Helderman and Carol Leonnig | Published: 8/19/2013

Attorneys for Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell and his wife met with federal prosecutors over the gifts scandal that has dominated state politics. The meetings open a critical phase of the investigation, timed to help prosecutors decide over the next few weeks whether to file charges, according to two people with knowledge of the investigation.

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.

On August 21, 2013, the British Columbia Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development announced the province will be making changes to the rules regarding local government elections starting in 2014. The rules apply to candidates, elector organizations, and third party advertisers in elections held for municipalities, regional districts, parks boards, the Islands Trust, and boards of education.

According to the press release, this new set of laws include requiring disclosure and registration by third-party advertisers, requiring sponsorship information be displayed on all election advertising, requiring all campaign finance disclosure statements to be filed 90 days after the election, and banning anonymous contributions. Additional changes will allow Elections BC to play a greater role in the enforcement of campaign finance rules in local elections.

The changes are based upon the recommendations of the joint Provincial and Union of BC Municipalities Local Government Elections Task Force.

In September a white paper outlining the government’s intention will be released. Public comment on the white paper will be open until October 23. Once consolidated, the rules for the November 2014 local elections will be introduced as a new campaign finance act in the spring of 2014.

Consultation with key stakeholders will begin in November to consider further legislative changes for the 2017 elections.

Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, states in the press release, “These changes are about enhancing transparency and accountability.”

Governor Mark Dayton and legislative leaders have agreed to a special session in September.

The one-day session, scheduled for September 9, 2013, will address financial relief for damages caused by June storms.

The Ethics Commission has announced a scheduled maintenance for the lobbying and campaign finance electronic filing systems.

The filing systems and public access websites will be down between 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2013 and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 25, 2013.

The commission has advised campaign finance entities to plan accordingly if required to file 24-hour expenditure or contribution reports.

On August 19, 2013, the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) issued a Legal Advisory to Designated Agency Ethics Officials stating it “now interprets the terms ‘marriage’ and ‘spouse’ to include a same-sex marriage and a same-sex spouse where those terms appear in federal ethics provisions, regardless of the employee’s state of residency.”

The OGE will also interpret the term “relative” to include same-sex spouses.

The directive was created as a result of United States v. Windsor, a U.S. Supreme Court decision made earlier this summer striking down section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional. The OGE consulted with the U.S. Department of Justice before making the Legal Advisory, which took effect on the date of the directive, August 19, 2013.

Lobbying

Pennsylvania: “University Reminds Employees of Lobbying Laws” in Gant Daily.

Campaign Finance

“Van Hollen to join lawsuit against IRS” by Bernie Becker in The Hill.

California: “Fundraisers abound as California legislative session nears end” by Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee.

Illinois: “DuPage considers ethics revisions allowing bigger campaign donations” by Robert Sanchez in the Daily Herald.

Illinois: “Rauner forms PAC to push term limits” by Rick Pearson in the Chicago Tribune.

Michigan: “Director of campaign finance watchdog group examines the money in judicial politics” on MLive.com.

New York: “Nonprofits Are Balking at Law on Disclosing Political Donors” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times.

Ethics

Arkansas: “Bookout resigns, special prosecutor named for ethics probe” by the Arkansas News Bureau.

Ohio: “Reps. Ronald Gerberry, Nicholas Celebrezze propose barring statewide officeholders from accepting outside compensation while in office” by Robert Higgs in the Plain Dealer.

Ohio: “Ex-Ohio treasurer ‘stunned’ by deputy’s indictment” by Ann Sanner on Cincinnati.com.

Virginia: “McDonnell tries to govern, trailed by scandal” by Olympia Meola in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Redistricting

“Kentucky House panel advances redistricting plan” by Beth Musgrave in the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Open Government

Virginia: “State employees shoot down VA open records access bill” by Kathryn Watson on Watchdog.org.

On August 8, 2013, the Texas Ethics Commission adopted a new rule concerning political and legislative advertising related to redistricting and amended its definition of political advertising.

The new commission rule allows candidates campaigning in districts altered by redistricting to use the term re-elect “only if the candidate is the elected incumbent of an office that represented any part of the new or renumbered district prior to the redistricting”.

The definition of political advertising was amended to contrast an individual communication made by email versus “mass e-mails involving an expenditure of funds beyond the basic cost of hardware messaging software and bandwidth”. Currently the rule’s language in the definition of political advertising reads only that it “does not include communication made by email”.

The changes take effect on September 1, 2013.

Lobbying

“The Scent Industry Expands Lobbying Efforts” by JM Rieger in Roll Call.

Campaign Finance

“3 easy steps to avoid the threat of FEC penalties” by Emily Tadlock in Campaigns & Elections.

Ethics

Arkansas: “Special prosecutor sought in senator’s ethics case” by the Arkansas News Bureau.

Connecticut: “Mayor to toughen ethics code” by Brian Lockhart in the Connecticut Post.

Ohio: “Ohio Dem leader: Kasich ethics question unresolved” by Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) on Cincinnati.com.

Virginia: “Prosecuting Bob McDonnell no slam dunk” by James Hohmann and Elizabeth Titus in Politico.

From the State Legislatures

Pennsylvania: “Another Push Begins to Shrink Pennsylvania Legislature” by Karen Langley in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Redistricting

Kentucky: “Kentucky House panel to take up redistricting bill” by The Associated Press in WPSD News.

Voters in House District 36 will head to the polls this fall to select a successor to Rep. Mike Fasano, who resigned to take a position as Pasco County’s tax collector.

The special primary will be held September 17, 2013, with the special general election following on October 15.