Team State and Federal Communications is on its way to the National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit in Atlanta, Georgia! We are looking forward to a full schedule of NCSL and SGAC events.

If you are attending the exciting conference, be sure to say hello at our NCSL headquarters, Booth 921. If you are not attending, keep an eye on our NCSL page for our live webcam.

A special election for the Massachusetts Second Hampden and Hampshire Senate District has been called to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of state Senator Michael R. Knapik.

The office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin announced the special primary election will be held on October 8, 2013. The special general election will follow on November 5.

Knapik resigned from the Senate to work as executive director of University Admissions at Westfield State University.

A special election for the Louisiana 5th U.S. Congressional District has been called to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Rodney Alexander.

The special election will be held on October 19, 2013. If necessary, a runoff election will be held on November 16, 2013.

Alexander’s resignation, effective September 26, will allow him to become Louisiana secretary of veterans affairs.

Federal:

All the D.C. Donors, Now Put Your Checks Up

Politico – Byron Tau | Published: 8/3/2013

Campaign fundraising in Washington, D.C. has moved from staid receptions to high-profile concerts and sporting events. Most often, these events take place in a rented skybox at the Verizon Center paid for by a corporate PAC or a congressional campaign. Fundraising professionals say pairing a campaign fundraiser with a big event like a Beyoncé concert helps attract more attention from potential donors and ultimately brings in bigger contributions.

Republican Says E-mails Could Mean FEC-IRS Collusion

CNN – Dana Bash and Alan Silverleib | Published: 8/6/2013

FEC Vice Chairperson Donald McGahn said an investigator from his agency contacted Lois Lerner, the IRS employee at the center of the controversy over the alleged targeting of conservative groups. He said the contact was made to discuss the status of one such political advocacy group. Shortly after Lerner was contacted, the IRS sent a questionnaire to the American Future Fund, said McGahn. He said such contact was “probably out of the ordinary” and FEC members had not given staff permission to reach out to the IRS.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – L.A. County Won’t Sell Bonds to School Bond Campaign Donors

Los Angeles Times – Dan Weikel | Published: 8/6/2013

Los Angeles County Treasurer Mark Saladino said his office will no longer do business with securities brokers that make political contributions to school bond campaigns. The restriction applies to monetary donations, non-monetary contributions, and pre-election services, such as polling, voter outreach, and consulting.

Connecticut – Bills May Die, but Concepts Don’t

CTNewsJunkie.com – Hugh McQuaid | Published: 8/7/2013

Connecticut’s Legislative Research Office found at least 89 provisions that began this year in one bill, only to be signed into law under another. The number comes from an annual bill tracking report the office puts together after each legislative session. It documents instances when a concept became law in a manner other than the traditional legislative process.

Florida – Miami Lakes and Sweetwater Mayors ‘Stung’ by FBI for Taking Alleged Kickbacks

Miami Herald – Jay Weaver, Christina Veiga, and Joey Flecha | Published: 8/6/2013

The FBI arrested Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi and Sweetwater Mayor Manuel Maroño on bribery-related charges. Prosecutors said Pizzi and lobbyist Richard Candia were involved in a kickback and bribery scheme over federal grants in Miami Lakes and Medley, where Pizzi is town attorney. An indictment claims Maroño and lobbyist Jorge Forte were involved in a kickback and bribery scheme over grants for Sweetwater, where Maroño has been mayor since 2003.

Massachusetts – Galvin Faulted on Rules for Lobbyists

Boston Globe – Michael Levenson | Published: 8/7/2013

Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin was ordered to cover more than $100,000 in legal fees for a group of lobbyists who challenged his interpretation of the state’s revamped ethics laws. A judge found Galvin overstepped his authority by trying to force lobbyists to report every time they spoke to a legislator or state official, even casual, chance meetings.

New Hampshire – Ethics Committee: Special E-ZPasses don’t violate gift limits for N.H. lawmakers

Concord Monitor – Ben Leubsdorf | Published: 8/5/2013

E-ZPasses given to New Hampshire lawmakers do not violate ethics rules. Rep. Frank Sapareto had asked the Legislative Ethics Committee if they counted as a perk with a value in excess of the $25 limit on gifts to legislators.

New York – Citing Irregularities, City Board Rejects Public Money for Liu’s Campaign

New York Times – David Chen | Published: 8/5/2013

New York City Comptroller John Liu was denied about $3 million in public matching funds in his bid for the Democratic mayoral nomination after the Campaign Finance Board said it found evidence of possible “serious and pervasive” violations. In May, Liu’s former campaign treasurer and a fundraiser were convicted of trying to subvert the city’s campaign finance system with straw donors to obtain matching funds.

North Carolina – Video Shows Lawmakers Dancing on NC House Floor

WCNC – Ben Thompson | Published: 7/31/2013

A video shows a Republican lawmaker and an aide dancing on the North Carolina House floor near the end of the legislative session. One headline reads “NC House Dances with Joy over its Accomplishments,” and is accompanied by an editorial criticizing lawmakers.” The video shows a man and woman dancing, while another woman plays a fiddle. But some say the headlines and descriptions of the clip are misleading.

Oklahoma – Outdated Software Plagues Oklahoma Ethics Commission

The Oklahoman – Michael McNutt | Published: 8/3/2013

Financial information about campaigns and lobbyist spending posted on the Oklahoma Ethics Commission’s Web site is not accurate because of software glitches. Commission Executive Director Lee Slater said he will be ask lawmakers for funds next year to buy a new software system but until then, visitors to the site will have to put up with a system in which data posted by some candidates and lobbyists randomly does not show up.

South Carolina – Lobbyists Wined, Dined Lawmakers 95 Times

The State – Amanda Coyne | Published: 8/4/2013

During the 2013 legislative session, special interests hosted 95 breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, or receptions for South Carolina legislators and others. The meals and receptions regularly cost nearly $6,000 apiece. At least two held during the last legislative session cost far more, one almost $17,000 and another $20,000.

Tennessee – Nashville Lobbyist Murphy and Associates Faces Ethics Audit

The Tennessean – Chas Sisk | Published: 8/6/2013

An audit said a lobbyist receiving 10 percent of the state funding provided to the Tennessee Disability Coalition – more than $64,000 in one year – may violate a law banning lobbyist contingency fees. An attorney for lobbyist Jennifer Murphy disputes the contention and said even if the contractual arrangement was a contingency fee, it dates from 2002, four years before the prohibition was enacted as part of an ethics reform package.

Virginia – Donor Jonnie Williams, Star Scientific Are Cooperating in Probe of Gov. Robert McDonnell

Washington Post – Carol Leonnig and Rosalind Helderman | Published: 8/5/2013

Sources said Star Scientific Chief Executive Officer Jonnie Williams, Sr. has turned over personal financial records and sat for interviews in which he provided firsthand accounts of gifts and more than $120,000 given to Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell and his family members since 2011. The cooperation is an ominous sign for McDonnell, suggesting federal prosecutors are focused on trying to build a potential criminal case against him.

West Virginia – Judge Ends Cap on Contributions to Indie PACs

Charleston Gazette – Kate White | Published: 8/7/2013

U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Johnston signed an order that strikes down struck down state laws limiting contributions to independent PACs. The $1,000 limit still applies to donations made directly to candidates and their campaign committees, PACs that contribute directly to candidates, and political parties.

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.

A federal judge approved an order proposed by Secretary of State Natalie Tennant and a state PAC in which Tennant agreed not to enforce a law capping contributions to independent expenditure committees at $1,000.

The PAC had filed suit contesting the law, and the judge granted a preliminary injunction preventing enforcement of the law.

Tennant decided it was not in the best interests of the state to continue to fight the issue in light of the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United.

Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications, spoke today at a luncheon hosted by the Akron Area Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. The event was held at The Tangier in Akron. The title of her talk was, “Is Good Government Possible In This Environment?”

In light of the latest political scandals, Bartz covered a wide range of topics such as the dynamic between politics and journalism, the realm of political communications in the age of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, and even local politics.

Is good government possible? Bartz insisted that it is and challenged the audience to think about the importance of the simple but very powerful act of voting.

You can read a full transcript of the speech here: PRSA August 2013

Lobbying

“K Street shop on lookout for new senior Democratic lobbyist” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Illinois: “More Illinois public bodies hiring lobbyists” by The Associated Press in the Quincy Journal.

Massachusetts: “Galvin faulted on rules for lobbyists” by Michael Levinson in The Boston Globe.

Campaign Finance

Massachusetts: “Election Commission seminar set for Aug. 12” in South Coast Today.

Ohio: “Cleveland Heights campaign finance measure part of trend, group says” by Ray Jablonski in The Plain Dealer.

Virginia: “Candidates Make Honor Roll for Campaign-Filing Transparency” in the Sun Gazette.

Ethics

Florida: “Miami Lakes and Sweetwater mayors ‘stung’ by FBI for taking alleged kickbacks” by Jay Weaver, Christina Veiga and Joey Flechas in the Miami Herald.

Massachusetts: “Dan Wolf still running for governor despite ethics ruling” by Frank Phillips in The Boston Globe.

New York: “State Ethics Panel Opens an Inquiry Into a Sexual Harassment Cover-Up” by Danny Hakim in The New York Times.

New York: “Subpoenas Sent to City’s Big Landlords” by Eliot Brown and Erica Orden in The Wall Street Journal.

From Capitol Hill

“House Chamber Closed for Renovations” by Hannah Hess in Roll Call.

From the State Legislatures

Connecticut: “How a bill becomes a law in Connecticut can be a circuitous journey” by Hugh McQuaid in the New Haven Register.

Kansas: “Committee to make ‘Hard 50’ recommendations for special session” by John Hanna in the Topeka Capital-Journal.

Redistricting

“Redistricting trial set to begin” by Brian Lyman in the Montgomery Advertiser.

Treasurer Mark J. Saladino announced his office will no longer do business with securities brokers making political contributions to school bond campaigns. The pay-to-play policy is an attempt to prevent campaign donations from influencing the hiring of underwriters by school districts. The policy is also expected to increase competition between dealers and save taxpayer dollars.

Under the new policy, underwriters must not donate to school bond measures if they want to qualify for the treasurer’s list of investment banks and securities dealers eligible to sell county bonds. The restriction applies to monetary donations, non-monetary contributions, and pre-election services.

In statewide surveys, virtually every securities broker hired by a school district contributed to the district’s bond campaign and was retained without competitive bidding. A recent study focusing on California school bond issues found post-election fees paid to underwriters making contributions were on average $27,576 more than those paid to brokers not contributing.

Lobbying

“100 People to Watch This Fall” in The Hill.

“Legislators head to Chicago for ALEC retreat” by Elizabeth Crisp in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Campaign Finance

New York: “Moreland panel issues its first subpoenas” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Albany Times Union.

Ethics

Public Corruption Convictions: State Totals, 2001-2010 in Governing.

New York: “Bruno trial is a go” by Brendan J. Lyons in the Albany Times Union.

New York: “Court Rules Bruno May Face Fraud Charges” by The Associated Press in The New York Times.

Virginia: “Support lacking for Cuccinelli’s quick ethics reform” by Julian Walker in The Virginian-Pilot.

Virginia: “Virginia Lt. Gov. Bolling calls for gift and ethics reform” by Rosalind S. Helderman in The Washington Post.

From the State Legislatures

Kansas: “Brownback signs resolution for special session” by Tim Carpenter in the Topeka Capital-Journal.

NCSL 2013 Legislative Summit Online Resources

Government Tech and Social Media

“Analysis: How Twitter Is Revolutionizing Washington Relationships” by Matthew Cooper in NextGov.

Massachusetts: “MA Democratic Primary Candidates To Participate In Crowdsourced Online Debate” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.

New York: “Elections to Be Easier for Voters With an App” by Nick Corasaniti in The New York Times.

Redistricting

Congressional District Compactness, Gerrymandering By State in Governing.

Yesterday, the Texas Legislature adjourned its third special session sine die.

Governor Rick Perry had called the special session to consider legislation relating to the funding of transportation infrastructure projects. According to KVIA.com, the Legislature passed a constitutional amendment boosting transportation spending with money coming from oil and gas revenues diverted away from the state’s Rainy Day Fund. The amendment will be voted on next year by the state’s voters.

Lobbying

“K Street powerhouse lobbies for green energy tax bill” by Ben Geman in The Hill.

Campaign Finance

New York: “Reform advocate spends big money” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Times Union.

New York: “Citing Irregularities, City Board Rejects Public Money for Liu’s Campaign” by David W. Chen in The New York Times.

Ethics

“FEC commissioner: New emails could tie agency to IRS targeting” by Blake Neff in The Hill.

Missouri: “Creator of Missouri Ethics Commission nominated for federal bench” by Jo Mannies in the St. Louis Beacon.

New Hampshire: “Ethics committee: Special E-ZPasses don’t violate gift limits for N.H. lawmakers” by Ben Leubsdorf in the Concord Monitor.

New Jersey: “Appeals court affirms dismissal of ethics complaint against assemblyman” by Matt Friedman in the Star-Ledger.

Utah: “Panel investigating Attorney General John Swallow to hold first meeting” by John Swallow in the Deseret News.

Virginia: “Cuccinelli pushes for special session on ethics rules” by Julian Walker in The Virginian-Pilot.

Redistricting

California: “SoCal Rep. Lowenthal takes a big swing at redistricting with new bill” by Kitty Felde on KPCC News.

Lobbying

“August recess now high season for interests lobbying lawmakers” by Matea Gold in The Washington Post.

Massachusetts: “Mass. casino lobbying tapering off on Beacon Hill as firms train money on host communities” by Steve LeBlanc (Associated Press) in The Republic.

Oklahoma: “Freshman Oklahoma lawmaker top recipient of lobbyist attention” by Michael McNutt in The Oklahoman.

Wisconsin: “Lobbying spending by public unions drops sharply” by The Associated Press in the Miami Herald.

Campaign Finance

“Report: Dead donors gave $586K” by Tal Kopan in Politico.

Texas: “New Open-Source Tool Gives Texans Faster Access to Campaign Finance Data” by Miranda Neubauer in TechPresident.

Ethics

“Congressional Pressure on FEC Criticized” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Maryland: “Ethics complaint questions Vallario’s dual roles as legislator and lawyer” by John Wagner in The Washington Post.

Oklahoma: “Outdated software plagues Oklahoma Ethics Commission” by Michael McNutt in The Oklahoman.

Pay-to-Play

New Jersey: “Bill would close loophole in N.J. pay-to-play law” by Claudia Vargas in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Government Tech and Social Media

“Georgia Saving Millions with Open Source Technology” by Brian Heaton in Government Technology.

From the State Legislatures

“The rise of one-party rule in the states” by Craig Gilbert in the Journal Sentinel.

California: “Lawmakers make final push” by Melody Gutierrez in The Sacramento Bee.

California: “Crunch time: Deals loom as clock ticks” by Greg Lucas in Capitol Weekly.

California: “Assembly returns without supermajority” by Christopher Arns in the Sacramento Business Journal.

The first charge and conviction for violating the Lobbying Act resulted in a $7,500 fine for a former federal staffer. Andrew Skaling worked for Tory office holders during the 2004 federal election campaign, while also being retained by the Canadian Network of Respiratory Care to arrange meetings with public officers. Skaling failed to register as a lobbyist, but assured the director of the charity he had.

While there was no evidence Skaling actually met with federal officials to lobby for the charity, the Lobbying Act requires a lobbyist to register within 10 days of being retained. The maximum penalty for failing to register under the Lobbying Act is $50,000 or six months in jail.

The mission of State and Federal Communications is to make sure your organization can say, “I Comply.”

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and political contributions; state, federal, and municipal lobbying; and procurement lobbying.

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Contact us to learn how conveniently our services will allow you to say “I Comply” for your compliance activities. If you have any questions, you can reach us at 330-761-9960, or info@stateandfed.com.