April 15, 2013 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics news articles:
Lobbying
“Former Rep. Connie Mack joins lobby firm” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Washington: “66 Wash. lobbyists get warning letters for lack of transparency” by Austin Jenkins on KPLU.org.
Campaign Finance
“Proposal could drag political funding into the light” by Michael Kirkland in the United Press International.
“Influence of big-money ‘SuperPACs’ not so clear” by Aaron Delatte in the Orlando Sentinel.
“Members of Congress Fill War Chests for Next Campaign” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
California: “Universities Join Effort to Overturn Citizens United Decision” by Anjuli Sastry on ABC News.
Florida: “Lawmakers raking in contributions even as they debate campaign law changes” by Jim Saunders in the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Maryland: “Massive Campaign Finance Revamping Awaits Gov. O’Malley’s Pen” by The Associated Press on WNEW.
Missouri: “Ethics rules changes considered for KC leaders, employees” by Mike Hendricks in the Kansas City Star.
Missouri: “Time running short for Mo. campaign finance issues” by The Associated Press in the San Francisco Chronicle.
New York: “Public financing of campaigns could be a key issue in Albany” by Tom Wrobleski in the Staten Island Advance.
New York: “Senator Carlucci Unveils New Campaign Finance Reform Proposal” by Michael Riconda in the Rockland County Times.
Texas: “$27 Million Republican Political Donor Dies” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
Vermont: “Vt. Senate passes campaign finance law” by The Associated Press in the Boston Globe.
Ethics
Connecticut: “Donovan Campaign Manager Pleads Guilty” by Dave Altimari in the Hartford Courant.
Pennsylvania: “Latest Pa. scandal has some eyeing pay-to-play law” by Marc Levy in the Beaver County Times.
Texas: “Ethics commission up for review at Legislature” by Chris Tomlinson (Associated Press) in the Houston Chronicle.
Texas: “Exotic Trips, Luxury Gifts Are Perks of Elective Office” by Emily Ramshaw in the Texas Tribune.
Texas: “A Slim Chance for Lawmakers to Self-Regulate” by Ross Ramsey in the Texas Tribune.
From the State Legislatures
Nevada: “It’s roundup time for Nevada legislators, bills” by Sandra Chereb (Associated Press) in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Ohio: “Former Rep. Charlie Wilson of Ohio dies at 70 after suffering stroke” by Jonathan Easley in The Hill.
Elections
“Alaska Legislature passes elections bill” by Joshua Berlinger (Associated Press) in the Anchorage Daily News.
Social Media and Government Technology
“Top Phoenix lobbyists sound off on the impact of social media” by Dale Brown in the Phoenix Business Journal.
“TechPresident Podcast: ‘Open Government’” by Nick Judd on TechPresident.
April 15, 2013 •
We’re at NASPO 2013!
April 14-16
Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, is attending the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The NASPO 2013 – How to Market to State Governments Meeting runs from April 14-16, 2013.
NASPO’s Twitter handle is @NASPOnews and they are using the hashtag #naspomm2013 so you can follow the conversations from the sessions and events!
April 15, 2013 •
Mississippi Governor Reschedules Special Election
Changed to avoid voter confusion
The special election for House District 95 has been rescheduled from May 14, 2013 to May 28, 2013.
A runoff election will be held June 18, 2013, if needed.
The election date was changed because the original runoff date coincided with municipal elections, and election officials were concerned it could lead to voter confusion.
April 15, 2013 •
Arizona Raises Political Contribution Limits
Removes Aggregate Contribution Limitations
A bill raising the limits of political contributions to candidates in Arizona has been signed into law.
On April 11, Governor Janice K. Brewer signed House Bill 2593, allowing increases in contribution amounts individuals and some political committees may make to candidates.
Individuals and noncertified political committees will be able to give $2,500 to candidates running for Arizona local, legislative, and statewide offices. Committees certified by the secretary of state to give at the upper limit can contribute up to $5,000 to a statewide candidate.
The bill removes the aggregate contribution limitations for individuals and some political committees. The law will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die.
April 12, 2013 •
Highlighted Site of the Week – JFK at the Newseum
An amazing experience opening today!
It’s Friday, everyone, and time for another Highlighted Site of the Week. This week we will be visiting JFK, an exhibit opening today at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.
In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, the Newseum this year is featuring two exhibits and a film about his life and presidency.
You’ll find three different presentations – both at the Newseum and on their website. They are Creating Camelot: The Kennedy Photography of Jacques Lowe, Three Shots Were Fired, and A Thousand Days.
The JFK exhibit is an amazing and educational experience. Enjoy the Creating Camelot video:
You can take a virtual tour of the Newseum and find out about its other exhibits here.
Thanks for reading and we’ll see you next time.
April 10, 2013 •
David Adkins is Coming to the Akron Roundtable!
With a warm Akron reception directly following the Akron Roundtable Luncheon
State and Federal Communications is a big fan of the Akron Roundtable and we attend their speaker series luncheon each month. “Bringing the World to Akron” is the Roundtable’s motto, and for us this is especially true this month.
We are very proud to sponsor this month’s speaker, David Adkins, who is the Executive Director and CEO of the Council of State Governments (CSG). Mr. Adkins will be speaking on “The State of the States” with insight and perspectives you can find nowhere else!
CSG is the only nonpartisan, nonprofit organization serving all three branches of government.
Following the Akron Roundtable luncheon, State and Federal Communications will be offering a warm Akron reception honoring Mr. Adkins. The reception will take place from 1:15 to 3:30 at our office located across the street from the Quaker Station at 80 South Summit Street, Suite 100, Akron.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Alexis Pope at 330-761-9960.
April 10, 2013 •
Ohio House Eliminates Governor’s Proposed Sales Tax Changes on Lobbying Services
Substitute bill includes only services currently taxed
House Speaker William G. Batchelder and Representative Ron Amstutz introduced a substitute for House Bill 59, Governor Kasich’s budget bill.
Governor Kasich’s version of the bill would have overhauled the state sales tax by subjecting most services, including lobbying and consulting services, to the tax.
The substitute version of the bill eliminates those changes, leaving the current sales tax on services unchanged. If the substitute bill passes, lobbying and consulting services will remain untaxed in Ohio.
April 10, 2013 •
Our Reception for Rochelle Behrens
The intern perspective
Getting dressed in the morning for a fashion designer is one of the harder things I’ve done. I did know one thing: I couldn’t wear a button-up shirt.
On March 21, Rochelle Behrens, Founder and CEO of The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens, flew in from Washington, D.C. to pay the city of Akron, and State and Federal Communications, a visit.
Our Founder and CEO, Elizabeth Bartz, met Rochelle while in Washington and, impressed with her story, invited Ms. Behrens to speak at Akron Roundtable—the city’s formative speaker series, held downtown at Quaker Square.
So she came. Rochelle spoke to a full room dining on beef tips and tofu and discussed how she utilized one particular struggle she faced as a lobbyist in Washington, and turned it into her new career: a designer and an innovator in the fashion world. “I wore every day what I thought was the perfect uniform: a button-down shirt. Turns out, that one item was undermining my credibility and doing everything but promoting me as a young professional,” she said. In other words, the old standby: “was gaping open in all the wrong places.”
From here, Rochelle created The Shirt. And it won’t gap, or gape, at all. Her patented Dual Button Technology™ got her to Oprah, who named this product her “Must Have Fashion Item of the Year.” The Shirt was featured on The Today Show and in The New York Times, and Rochelle was listed as one of Inc. magazine’s “30 under 30: America’s Coolest Entrepreneurs.” That’s pretty cool.
After Roundtable, Ms. Behrens joined us at our offices across the street for a reception where she spoke to our staff, our guests, and fashion students from Kent State University and the University of Akron. She offered insight and tips about her successful plight as a young woman into the world of business. “It’s not just about fashion,” she said, citing confidence in clothing as key to self-assurance in the workplace. “It really is about female empowerment.”
Video created by Maria Varonis.
April 10, 2013 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Here is our roundup of the latest articles on campaign finance, ethics, and more!
Campaign Finance
“DOJ, IRS tight-lipped on campaign finance probes” by Tarini Parti and Byron Tau in Politico.
Arizona: “Ariz. proposal would flood money into politics” by The Associated Press in the Arizona Daily Sun.
Ethics
Arkansas: “House approves proposed amendment on ethics, term limits, salaries” by John Lyon in the Arkansas News Bureau.
New York: “Cuomo Offers Plan to Fight Corruption After Arrests” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times.
New York: “Albany Riveted by Double Life of an Assemblyman and Informer” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times.
Virginia: “New documents raise more questions about financing of McDonnell’s daughter’s wedding” by Rosalind S. Helderman in The Washington Post.
Virginia: “McEachin calls for closing Virginia gift loophole” by Laura Vozella in The Washington Post.
Elections
Illinois: “Ex-Ill. lawmaker elected to succeed Jackson Jr.” by The Associated Press in the Quad City Times.
From the State Legislatures
Missouri: “Term limit change suggested for Missouri lawmakers” by Virginia Young in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Washington: “The next question: Special session?” by Lucas Wiseman in The Columbian.
April 10, 2013 •
New Hampshire Special Election for State Representative Announced
July 23, 2013
A special election for the state representative for Sullivan County District 4 (Claremont Ward 2) will be held on July 23, 2013.
A special primary election for the office is scheduled for June 4, 2013. The elections are being held to fill the seat of Representative Tom Donovan, who resigned earlier this year.
Photo of the New Hampshire State House by AlexiusHoratius on Wikipedia.
April 9, 2013 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Keep up with the latest government relations news with these articles:
Lobbying
“Lobby Reports Expected To Show $750+ Million in First Quarter Lobbying” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
Indiana: “9-year-old lobbyist weighs in on school safety” by Maureen Hayden in the Tribune-Star News.
Kentucky: “Lawmakers treated to lavish parties in Frankfort” by The Associated Press in Kentucky New Era.
Missouri: “Loophole hides trail of lobbyists’ largesse” by Jason Hancock in the Kansas City Star.
Campaign Finance
“James Bopp Jr. among 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America” news release in the Tribune-Star News.
Florida: “Lights grow dim for campaign finance, ethics bills” by The Associated Press in WPEC News.
Maryland: “Maryland lawmakers approve campaign finance reform bill” by The Associated Press in the Washington Post.
New Jersey: “Group raising money for NJ races contests political donation limits” by Herb Jackson in the Bergen Record.
New Jersey: “Contributions from government contractors to New Jersey pols dropped to $7.5 million in 2012” by Anthony Campisi in the Bergen Record.
New York: “Eye on NY Spotlight: Bill Samuels on campaign finance reform and latest Albany scandals” by Robert Harding in the Auburn Citizen.
Texas: “Austin rep proposes restrictions for leftover campaign cash” by Tim Eaton in the Austin American-Statesman.
West Virginia: “House and Senate differ on campaign financing” by Phil Kabler in the Charleston Gazette.
Ethics
Colorado: “Scott Gessler’s discretionary spending not unique, investigator says” by Joey Bunch in the Denver Post.
Florida: “Lawmakers eye ‘blind trust’ in ethics reform bill” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.
New York: “Criticism of Cuomo Grows as the Problems in Albany Endure” by Danny Hakim in The New York Times.
New York: “Cuomo addresses ethics package” by Casey Seiler in the Albany Times Union.
Pennsylvania: “Bipartisan group of Pennsylvania state senators to introduce ethics bills” by Kate Giammarise in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Utah: “No Ethics Complaints Against Utah Legislators in Two Years” by Bob Bernick on UtahPolicy.com.
Elections
“Which Governors Are Most Vulnerable in 2014?” by Micah Cohen in the New York Times’ Five Thirty Eight blog.
Government Tech and Social Media
“Majority of Senate Standing Committees Still Aren’t Tweeting” by Joseph Marks in NextGov.
“New Tactics in Fight Against Corruption Include Crowdsourcing, Mobile Games and SMS” by Jessica McKenzie in TechPresident.
April 9, 2013 •
Maryland Passes Campaign Finance Bill Before Adjourning
New contribution limits to take effect in 2015
The General Assembly passed a campaign finance reform bill before adjourning on Monday, April 8, 2013.
House Bill 1499 increases contribution limits to any one campaign committee from $4,000 to $6,000 and from $10,000 to $24,000 for total contributions to all campaign committees within a four-year election cycle. The bill also curbs giving through multiple corporate entities for the purpose of evading contribution limits, increases reporting requirements, and gives the State Board of Elections new enforcement powers.
Unless vetoed by Governor O’Malley, the new limits will be effective for the election cycle beginning January 1, 2015.
Photo of the Maryland State House by Thisisbossi on Wikipedia.
April 9, 2013 •
Chicago Voters to Choose Jesse Jackson Jr.’s Replacement
Former Chicago Bear also running for Romeoville mayor
Voters in the Chicago area are heading to the polls this morning to choose a new representative to the United States Congress, as well as other local offices. Voters on the south side of the city must pick a successor to former Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. Jackson resigned from Congress earlier this year for personal reasons and has since pleaded guilty to illegally using campaign funds for personal expenses.
The Democratic nominee, Robin Kelly, is the favorite in the heavily Democratic district. Kelly is a former state lawmaker who hails from Matteson, a village in the south suburbs.
Her opponent is the Republican nominee, Paul McKinley. McKinley, who served almost 20 years in prison for armed robbery, burglary, and aggravated battery, is running on a promise to stop the Chicago political machine and put ex-offenders back to work to help turn their lives around.
In another high profile race, former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Steve McMichael will take on incumbent John Noak for Romeoville mayor. Romeoville is about 30 miles southwest of Chicago and has a population of almost 40,000.
Towns throughout the area will also be deciding whether to allow video poker machines and whether to approve multiple bond requests. Polls close at 7 p.m. local time and the weather looks promising for a good turnout.
April 8, 2013 •
See Us in Person!
Here is our April and May 2013 calendar. Say hello at future events where State and Federal Communications will be attending and/or speaking regarding compliance issues.
April 14-16, 2013 NASPO Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana
April 22-25, 2013 BIO International Convention, Chicago, Illinois
April 25, 2013 Washington Program in National Issues 40th Anniversary, Washington, D.C.
May 8-10, 2013 OSBA Annual Convention, Booth 24, Cleveland, Ohio
May 16, 2013 Women in Government Relations Spring Reception, Washington D.C.
May 30-Jun 2, 2013 NCSL Executive Committee Spring Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts
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.