May 30, 2013 •
Thursday News Roundup
Here are some great articles for today’s government relations news summary:
Lobbying
Washington: “Olympia lobbyists pamper lawmakers with free meals” by Mike Baker (Associated Press) in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Campaign Finance
“How The IRS Scandal Could Help Drain The Dark Money Out Of Politics” by Steve Almond in Cognoscenti in WBUR/NPR News.
“John Thune Doesn’t Like Super PACs” by Meredith Shiner in Roll Call.
Florida: “Critics fret over doubling of campaign-cash cap” by David Damron in Orlando Sentinel.
New York: “Hundreds rally for stalled public campaign finance bill” by Karen DeWitt in North Country Public Radio.
Ethics
Iowa: “Trial date set in Iowa court case against Michele Bachmann” by Jeff Ekhoff in the Des Moines Register.
Nevada: “Harvey Whittemore, former Nevada powerbroker, guilty in contribution case” by The Associated Press in Politico.
From the States
“Popular Governors, and Prospects for 2016” by Micah Cohen in The New York Times.
Texas: “Senate holds first hearing on redistricting” by Chris Tomlinson in the Houston Chronicle.
Open Government
Pennsylvania: “PAC records request angers more than 1,000 state employees” by The Associated Press in the Patriot News.
May 30, 2013 •
WKSU Invites Elizabeth Bartz to Its Akron Studio
May 21, 2013
WKSU 89.7 FM invited Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, to record a radio spot congratulating the station for awards it has received this year. She had a great time doing it and brought along five of her interns so they could see the magical inner workings of WKSU’s Akron studio.
State and Federal Communications is a proud sponsor of WKSU. It is a great radio station and a treasure for Northeast Ohio. Their motto is “NPR. Classical. Other smart stuff.” Elizabeth’s testimonial falls under the category of “Other smart stuff.”
Take a look!
May 29, 2013 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Here is our roundup of the latest articles on lobbying, campaign finance, ethics, and more!
Lobbying
“Lobbying World” in The Hill.
Nebraska: “Special interests spent $13 million last year to influence state government” by Kevin O’Hanlon in the Lincoln Journal Star.
Campaign Finance
New Jersey: “State campaign finance agency lifts political contribution caps for independent groups” by Matt Friedman in the Star-Ledger.
Ethics
Alabama: “State officials disagree over alleged threats, conflict of interest” by Sebastian Kitchen in the Montgomery Advertiser.
Texas: “Texas passes ethics bill, but many proposed reforms are left on the cutting room floor” by Nicholas Kusnetz in The Center for Public Integrity.
Texas: “Texas Governor Vetoes Bill That Would Have Expanded Political Reporting” by Kurt Hyde in the New American.
Texas: “Searchable database of CY 2012 Texas officials’ financial statements” by David Rauf in the Houston Chronicle.
From the State Legislatures
Nevada: “Amended annual sessions bill clears Nevada Assembly panel” by Sean Whaley in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Texas: “House begins work on redistricting” by Tim Eaton and Jonathan Tilove in the Austin American-Statesman.
Government Tech and Social Media
California: “Top 5 California Agencies Advancing Transparency on Twitter” by Jane Susskind in The Independent Voter Network.
May 28, 2013 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Keep up with the latest government relations news with these articles:
Lobbying
“How Does Lobbying Buy Votes” by Karl Smith in Forbes.
Nebraska: “Is $27 million enough to buy influence in Nebraska?” by Paul Hammel in the Omaha World Herald.
Campaign Finance
“Campaign Finance Reform by a ‘Stroke-of-the-Pen’” by Paul Abrams in the Huffington Post.
Connecticut: “Despite corruption, campaign reform in jeopardy” by Brian Lockhart in the Connecticut Post.
Nevada: “Campaign transparency bill passes, albeit a watered-down version” by Conor Shine in the Las Vegas Sun.
New York: “Campaign Finance Reform Unlikely to Proceed in Albany” by Karen DeWitt in WNYC News.
Wisconsin: “Wisconsin GOP proposes far-ranging election, campaign finance reforms” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Ethics
Texas: “Tougher ethics bill passes Texas House” by Marty Schladen in the El Paso Times.
Government Tech and Social Media
Rhode Island: “Assembly website now allows bill updates via email, live-streaming of sessions” by Randal Edgar in the Providence Journal.
August 13 and September 10
A special election for the Massachusetts 16th Worcester Representative District has been called to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative John P. Fresolo.
The office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin announced the special primary election will be held on August 13. The special general election will follow on September 10.
Fresolo resigned from the House of Representatives on May 22 after a House ethics investigation. The nature of the investigation has not been made public, according to the Boston Globe.
May 28, 2013 •
Maine Governor Signs Lobbying Bill Into Law
Legislators no longer allowed to lobby immediately after term is over
Last week the Maine State Legislature passed Legislative Document 184 and over the weekend Governor Paul LePage signed it into law. Legislative Document 184 requires legislators to wait one year after their term ends before engaging in activities that would require registration as a lobbyist or lobbyist associate.
Exempted from this prohibition are those former legislators who wish to engage in lobbying activities but do not receive compensation. If a legislator does engage in compensated lobbying activities during the restricted period, he or she is subject to a $1,000 civil penalty.
The law will not take effect until the start of the 127th Legislature, which will begin in December 2014.
May 28, 2013 •
Texas Legislature Adjourns and Special Session Called
May 27
The Texas Legislature adjourned sine die yesterday on May 27.
However, the Legislature was immediately called into special session by Governor Rick Perry. The special session began in the evening, but cannot last longer than 30 days.
The initial call for the special session will focus on approving redistricting maps drawn for the 2012 election by federal judges, according to KRISTV.com. Other items are expected to be added to the special session’s agenda.
Photo of the Texas State Capitol by Kumar Appaiah on Wikipedia.
May 28, 2013 •
Oklahoma Legislature Adjourns
May 24
The Oklahoma Legislature adjourned sine die one week early on May 24. Adjourning a week early saved $140,000 in expenses for the Legislature, according to The Times Record News.
Governor Mary Fallin, who has pocket veto power, has until June 8 to sign or veto any bills presented to her.
America’s New Landmark
It’s that time again! This week we bring you a site about a new presidential library.
The George W. Bush Presidential Library is a great learning experience for the whole family. The library is located in Dallas, Texas and opened on May 1st of 2013.
One of the exhibits is a piece of metal from the World Trade Center’s after 9-11. In most museums you are discouraged from touching exhibits, but in for this exhibit you are encouraged to touch this piece of the towers.
Other exhibits are shelves of files from the Bush presidency for those who wish to research such matters. There is an exhibit featuring the gifts given to President Bush while in office. There are quite a few interesting ones in there like saddles from Kazakhstan and a dress for the First Lady for a White House Dinner with the Queen of England.
It’s a new landmark with a part of history in it. If you’re in Dallas, Texas on a trip or vacation, set some time aside to go to the library. Those of you with presidential library passports, this would be a great place to go to fill in one of your pages.
Thanks for reading and we’ll see you next time!
Photo of the George W. Bush Library and Museum by J. P. Fagerback on Wikipedia.
May 24, 2013 •
News You Can Use Digest – May 24, 2013
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
NRA Tactics: Take no prisoners
Federal:
IRS Mess Adds to Campaign Finance Free-for-All
IRS Official Lois Lerner Placed on Leave amid Scandal
From the States and Municipalities:
Arkansas – Arkansas Treasurer Steps Down amid Calls to Resign after Charges She Took Payments from Broker
California – California to Post Raw Campaign Filings Online Daily
Connecticut – Jury Convicts Aide to Former Connecticut House Speaker
Kansas – Kansas Lawmakers Pass Bill on Gun Lobbying
Kentucky – Richie Farmer’s Sister Resigns Post at Kentucky Registry of Election Finance
Montana – Bullock Picks New Political Practices Chief
North Carolina – Shanahan to Stop Practicing Law While He’s in Office
North Dakota – Feds Argue Coal Industry Can Legally Give to ND Regulators’ Campaigns
Texas – An Expensive Celebration, Courtesy of the Lobby
Texas – Texas House Adds Some Teeth to Political Disclosure Law
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.
May 24, 2013 •
South Dakota Governor to Call Special Session
Late June date expected
Governor Dennis Daugaard is preparing to call a special session of the Legislature. The Governor gave notice to state lawmakers of his plans citing developments with the construction of a new State Veterans Home in Hot Springs. Lawmakers approved funding for the project during the regular session, but the lowest bid is more than $10 million more than the appropriated amount.
The special session is expected to be called for late June and last no longer than a day.
Photo of Gov. Dennis Daugaard by Otis 1000 on Wikipedia.
May 23, 2013 •
Anniversary Wishes from Summit County Executive Russ Pry
May 16, 2013
Summit County Executive Russ Pry is such a good friend that I will even endure a little bit of his good-natured ribbing as he congratulates State and Federal Communications.
May 23, 2013 •
Thursday News Roundup
Here are some great articles for today’s government relations news summary:
Lobbying
“K Street looking forward to BRAC fights” by Byron Tau in Politico.
“When Can Federal Employees Legally Lobby Congress?” by John Mahoney on GovLoop.
North Carolina: “Democrats try to send message about moonlighting, lobbying” by Craig Jarvis in the News Observer.
Texas: “An Expensive Celebration, Courtesy of the Lobby” by Ross Ramsey in the Texas Tribune.
Vermont: “Vermont Senate May Probe Publicly Funded Lobbying Organizations” by Anne Galloway in the Valley News.
Campaign Finance
New York: “Donors Urge Cuomo to Press for Public Financing of State Campaigns” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times.
Ethics
“Congressional Campaign Finance Director Guilty of Role in Illegal Contribution Scheme” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political Moneyline.
“Senate Personal Wealth Reports Disclosed to Public” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political Moneyline.
Government Tech and Social Media
“There’s an App for That State Service” by Melissa Maynard in Stateline.
May 22, 2013 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Here is our roundup of the latest articles on lobbying, campaign finance, ethics, and more!
Lobbying
“K Street lobbyists say their near-term priorities are scandal-proof” by Erik Wasson and Russell Berman in The Hill.
“Immigration push is bonanza for lobbyists” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“There is a lobbying organization for Superyachts” by Timothy P. Carney in the Washington Examiner.
Missouri: “Missouri’s lobbying system isn’t as open as you’d think” by Chris McDaniel in KBIA.org.
Texas: “House OKs disclosure, lobbying rules for lawmakers” by The Associated Press in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Campaign Finance
Alabama: “State debuts new electronic, searchable campaign finance filing system” by Kim Chandler in the Birmingham News.
“Calif. to post raw campaign filings online daily” by Judy Lin (Associated Press) in the San Jose Mercury News.
“Common Cause decries ‘soft money’ housekeeping ‘slush funds’” by Jimmy Vielkind in Capitol Confidential.
New Hampshire: “State’s political-spending rules fail to make the grade — again” by Brian Wallstin in NPR’s State Impact.
Ethics
“IRS hearing: Lois Lerner pleads the Fifth” by Lauren French and Kelsey Snell in Politico.
“Alaska: Lawmaker plans bill on conflict of interest rules” by The Associated Press in the Anchorage Daily News.
South Carolina: “Haley urges SC Senate to pass ethics reform” by Adam Beam in the Rock Hill Herald.
From the State Legislatures
“Minnesota Capitol scorecard — what did lawmakers do and leave undone in the 2013 session?” in the Star Tribune.
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.
