April 2, 2014 •
Pennsylvania House Committee Bans Cash Gifts
The Pennsylvania House Bipartisan Management Committee has adopted an ethics rule banning cash gifts. The rule was imposed in response to the highly publicized sting operation involving four House members who allegedly took cash from a lobbyist. The rule permits […]
The Pennsylvania House Bipartisan Management Committee has adopted an ethics rule banning cash gifts.
The rule was imposed in response to the highly publicized sting operation involving four House members who allegedly took cash from a lobbyist.
The rule permits house members to receive cash from family members and non-lobbyist friends.
Photo of the Pennsylvania State Capitol courtesy of Michael180 on Wikimedia Commons.
April 2, 2014 •
Wisconsin Legislators Adjourn 2014 Regular Session
The state Senate adjourned the last general-business floorperiod of the 2014 regular session on April 1, 2014, after passing more than 50 bills. The Assembly previously adjourned early on March 21, 2014. Gov. Scott Walker has six business days to […]
The state Senate adjourned the last general-business floorperiod of the 2014 regular session on April 1, 2014, after passing more than 50 bills. The Assembly previously adjourned early on March 21, 2014.
Gov. Scott Walker has six business days to sign or veto legislation he receives. While the Legislature has no plans to return this year, Walker may call a special session to pass a bill requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls.
Photo of the Wisconsin State Capitol courtesy of Dori on Wikimedia Commons.
Today the United States Supreme Court ruled that aggregate limits on federal campaign contributions are unconstitutional. In a 5-4 decision, with a separate majority opinion by Justice Thomas, the Court found aggregate limits do not further the permissible government interest […]
Today the United States Supreme Court ruled that aggregate limits on federal campaign contributions are unconstitutional.
In a 5-4 decision, with a separate majority opinion by Justice Thomas, the Court found aggregate limits do not further the permissible government interest in preventing quid pro quo corruption or the appearance of such corruption.
The case, McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, sought to allow Shaun McCutcheon to make political contributions to several federal candidates exceeding the two-year aggregate limit set in 2 U.S.C §441a(a)(3)(A). The plaintiff had argued the limit is unconstitutional because it violates a citizen’s right to speak and to associate with not just any candidate, but every candidate of his choosing. The Supreme Court had decided to grant a review of the case in February 2013 and oral arguments were made on October 8, 2013.
Photo of the United State Supreme Court Building courtesy of Mfield on Wikimedia Commons.
April 2, 2014 •
California Senate Leaders Cancel Golf Following Suspensions
Democratic legislative leaders are reassessing campaign finance practices and have canceled a lucrative golf fundraiser scheduled for the weekend. Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Sen. Kevin de León announced plans to conduct a “vigorous review” of fundraising practices […]
Democratic legislative leaders are reassessing campaign finance practices and have canceled a lucrative golf fundraiser scheduled for the weekend. Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Sen. Kevin de León announced plans to conduct a “vigorous review” of fundraising practices and campaign finance laws following the suspension of Sen.
Leland Yee and two other senators involved in separate criminal investigations.
The senate leaders announced the cancellation of the Pro Tem Cup, an annual golf fundraiser at Torrey Pines in San Diego. Tickets were to benefit the state Democratic Party with a price range from $15,000 to $65,000 per person.
Photo of the California Senate Chamber courtesy of David Monniaux on Wikimedia Commons.
April 2, 2014 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “Lobbying World” in The Hill. “Corporate Lobbyists Assail Tax Overhaul They Once Cheered” by Eric Lipton and Jonathan Weisman in The New York Times. “Revolving door spins for Connecticut delegation” by Ana Radelat in the Connecticut Mirror. California: “Indicted […]
Lobbying
“Lobbying World” in The Hill.
“Corporate Lobbyists Assail Tax Overhaul They Once Cheered” by Eric Lipton and Jonathan Weisman in The New York Times.
“Revolving door spins for Connecticut delegation” by Ana Radelat in the Connecticut Mirror.
California: “Indicted lobbyist keeps clients, political access” by Mitch Blacher in ABC 10 San Diego News.
Campaign Finance
“$100K in Campaign Funds Given To Charity” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
New Jersey: “Christie’s Contractors: Backers Barred From Donating Found Loophole” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
Pennsylvania: “Stilp alleges in lawsuit that ethics rulings give incumbents a re-election advantage” by Jan Murphy in The Patriot News.
Ethics
“FEC opens case on Ron Paul 2012 presidential campaign” by Kevin Diaz in the Houston Chronicle.
California: “California senator suggests an ethics ombudsman” by Jim Miller in The Sacramento Bee.
District of Columbia: “Scandal-plagued DC mayor ousted in primary” by Rebecca Shabad in The Hill.
Georgia: “Jury hears opening statements in ethics trial” by Kate Brumback in The Telegraph.
Louisiana: “Ethics bill spurred by ‘Louisiana Purchased’ series passes Senate: Snapshot” by Lauren McGaughy in The Times-Picayune.
Missouri: “Missouri bill would require lawmakers to pay lobbyists back for gifts” by The Associated Press in the Kansas City Star.
Pennsylvania: “Pa. lawmaker tells how he declined bizarre cash offer made in Rotunda” by Brad Bumsted in the Tribune-Review.
A bill introduced yesterday in the Louisiana House would require political committees, candidates, and other persons who file campaign disclosure reports to include a detailed explanation of the purpose of each expenditure. The explanation would be required to contain sufficient […]
A bill introduced yesterday in the Louisiana House would require political committees, candidates, and other persons who file campaign disclosure reports to include a detailed explanation of the purpose of each expenditure. The explanation would be required to contain sufficient information to relate the expenditure to an acceptable use.
According to the Times-Picayune, Reps. Tim Burn and Greg Miller, the sponsors of House Bill 1079, want “better, increased disclosure and less ambiguity about the political or campaign purpose of an expenditure.” If passed, the new reporting requirements would take effect on January 1, 2015.
April 1, 2014 •
Federal Court Enjoins Delaware Reporting Requirement
The United States District Court for the District of Delaware granted a preliminary injunction sought by Delaware Strong Families, who challenged a new Delaware campaign finance law requiring sponsors of third-party advertisements to disclose the identities of their donors. Specifically, […]
The United States District Court for the District of Delaware granted a preliminary injunction sought by Delaware Strong Families, who challenged a new Delaware campaign finance law requiring sponsors of third-party advertisements to disclose the identities of their donors.
Specifically, Section 8031 of the Delaware Election Disclosures Act, which became effective January 1, 2012, requires any person who makes an expenditure for a third-party advertisement exceeding $500 during an election period to file a report with the Elections Commission, including the names and addresses of each person who has made contributions to the sponsor of the third-party advertisements exceeding $100.
Delaware Strong Families alleged such donor disclosure requirement was overbroad and therefore unconstitutional. The District Court agreed and enjoined further enforcement of this reporting requirement, noting that the Act is so broadly worded as to include virtually every communication made during an election period, no matter how indirect and unrelated it is to the electoral process.
April 1, 2014 •
Our April Photo Scrapbook
![Enjoying the National Governors Association [NGA] Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. are Elizabeth Z. Bartz and Brian S. Rosen from Purdue Pharma.](http://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/photo-3b.jpg)
![Elizabeth and Katrina Iserman from Sunovion Pharmaceuticals attending the Democratic Governor's Association [DGA] reception at Mayflower Hotel during NGA Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C.](http://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/DGA-Katrina-Iserman-with-EB-1.jpg)
![State and Federal Communications, Inc. attended the UNANET Champion Conference in Tysons Corner, VA. The UNANET software will allow us to reduce the time spent on timesheet processing and will provide us with a quick turn-around for billing. We are always interested in better use of our time. Here [from left to right] are Renold Koozer, Executive Director; Mark Sedmock, Comptroller; and Dave McPeek, IT Business and Operations Analyst.](http://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Unanet-Team.jpg)
![The 2014 Ohio State Bar Association Convention will be held April 30 - May 2 at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus, Ohio. Attorneys attending from State and Federal Communications are: [from left to right] Michael Beckett, Esq.; Jennifer Zona, Esq.; Myra Cottrill, Esq.; and Shamus Williams, Esq.](http://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/DSC_0022_lr-w.png)
April 1, 2014 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “Bottom Line” in The Hill. “K Street firm takes major hit in ruling” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill. Florida: “FPL, three other electric utilities, influence legislature through lobbying and campaign donations, report finds” by Susan Salisbury in […]
Lobbying
“Bottom Line” in The Hill.
“K Street firm takes major hit in ruling” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
Florida: “FPL, three other electric utilities, influence legislature through lobbying and campaign donations, report finds” by Susan Salisbury in The Palm Beach Post.
Texas: “Six former Patton Boggs partners open Dallas office of McGuireWoods” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post.
Campaign Finance
California: “San Diego County’s system for tracking campaign donations called outdated” by Joe Yerardi on KPBS.
District of Columbia: “D.C. mayor in primary fight as ’10 campaign funds probed” by William Selway (Bloomberg News) in the Chicago Tribune.
Nevada: “Despite Disclosure, Dark Money Stays Dark in Nevada” by Robert Maguire in OpenSecrets.org.
New York: “New York Comptroller DiNapoli: Public Campaign Financing Effort ʹFumbledʹ” by Erica Orden in The Wall Street Journal.
Ethics
“Members of Congress Buying and Selling Stocks” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
Colorado: “Colorado ethics group hears arguments in Gov. Hickenlooper complaint” by Lynn Bartels in The Denver Post.
Georgia: “Trial begins in Ga. ethics commission suit” by Christina A. Cassidy (Associated Press) in The Washington Times.
Georgia: “Judge: Governor doesn’t have to testify in ethics case” by Aaron Gould Sheinin in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
April 1, 2014 •
South Dakota Adjourns Legislative Session
The Legislature adjourned sine die on March 31, 2014, following the veto session. Gov. Dennis Daugaard vetoed only a measure to allow certain municipalities to charge a higher occupational tax. Legislators failed to override the veto on Senate Bill 98. […]
The Legislature adjourned sine die on March 31, 2014, following the veto session.
Gov. Dennis Daugaard vetoed only a measure to allow certain municipalities to charge a higher occupational tax.
Legislators failed to override the veto on Senate Bill 98.
March 31, 2014 •
See Us in Person!
Here is our April-May calendar. State and Federal Communications will be attending these events. If you plan to be there as well, be sure to say hello! April 6-9 Broadcast Education Association 2014 Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada April 7-8 […]
Here is our April-May calendar. State and Federal Communications will be attending these events. If you plan to be there as well, be sure to say hello!
April 6-9 Broadcast Education Association 2014 Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada
April 7-8 PAC Spring Executive Meeting, Washington, D.C.
April 11 YouToo Social Media Conference, Kent, Ohio
April 9-11 SGAC Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California
April 30 – May 2 OSBA Convention, Columbus, Ohio
May 8 Women in Government Relations Spring Reception, Washington, D.C.
Q. I am currently a registered lobbyist who files reports on a monthly basis. I incurred a permissible meal expenditure on a covered official at the end of last month. However, I did not pay for the expenditure until I […]
Q. I am currently a registered lobbyist who files reports on a monthly basis. I incurred a permissible meal expenditure on a covered official at the end of last month. However, I did not pay for the expenditure until I received my credit card bill this month. What date should I use to report the expenditure?
A. A common question concerns what accounting method to use for the reporting of expenses. The accrual basis of accounting reports expenditures according to the time the benefit is given. The cash basis of accounting reports expenditures according to the time it is actually paid.
The exact accounting method used depends on the jurisdiction in question. Both Arizona and Michigan prefer the accrual method of accounting. An expenditure is reported when it occurs or is given, not when it is paid. Indiana provides for activity reports to be filed on a cash basis. South Carolina also follows this method requiring an expenditure to be reported at the time it is paid.
Some states do not have a set accounting method to be used when reporting expenditures or permit either method to be used. In California, an expenditure should be reported at the time the benefit is given; however, if it is reported when the money is paid, the actual date of the expenditure should be noted. Pennsylvania allows a registrant to use any reasonable methods of estimation and allocation. However, once a method of accounting is chosen, filers should be consistent in its use. The filer should also keep an internal record of the accounting method used in case there is an audit by the Pennsylvania Department of State. Texas law indicates an expenditure does not have to be reported until the amount is readily determinable. An expenditure made by a credit card may be reported either according to when the expenditure is made or when the bill is received.
After confirming an expenditure is permissible, you must include it on the proper report. Consult with your jurisdiction’s filing office to determine the accounting method used for the disclosure of expenditures.
You can directly submit questions for this feature, and we will select those most appropriate and answer them here. Send your questions to: experts@stateandfed.com.
(We are always available to answer questions from clients that are specific to your needs, and we encourage you to continue to call or e-mail us with questions about your particular company or organization. As always, we will confidentially and directly provide answers or information you need.) Our replies to your questions are not legal advice. Instead, these replies represent our analysis of laws, rules, and regulations.
March 31, 2014 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “The Source: Tracking The ʹUnlobbyistsʹ” by Paul Flahive on Texas Public Radio. “The Lobbying World for the Rest of Us” by Rebecca Gale in Roll Call. “Congressman retires, shocks Washington by not becoming lobbyist” by Paul Waldman in The […]
Lobbying
“The Source: Tracking The ʹUnlobbyistsʹ” by Paul Flahive on Texas Public Radio.
“The Lobbying World for the Rest of Us” by Rebecca Gale in Roll Call.
“Congressman retires, shocks Washington by not becoming lobbyist” by Paul Waldman in The Washington Post.
Kentucky: “Lobbyists Spend $4.3 Million In Kentucky General Assembly” by Jonathan Meador in WFPL NPR News.
Campaign Finance
New York: “Cuomo, Lawmakers Adopt Limited Public Campaign Finance for State Comptroller’s Race” by Karen DeWitt in WAMC Northeast Public Radio.
“Activists Push Public Financing Of N.Y. Political Campaigns” by Peter Overby (NPR) on WAMC Northeast Public Radio.
Ethics
“Culture of Corruption II: Scandals taint Democratic Party in tough election year” by Valerie Richardson in The Washington Times.
“Privately funded trips common for legislators” by Fredreka Schouten and Deborah Barfield Berry in The Advertiser.
California: “Calif. State Senate Votes To Suspend 3 Embattled Lawmakers” by CBS and The Associated Press on CBS Los Angeles.
Florida: “Florida’s Scott Travels on Corporate Tab as Lobbyists Tag Along” by Toluse Olorunnipa in Bloomberg News.
Missouri: “Jason Kander: Young, In Charge and Taking on Ethics Reform” by J.B. Wogan in Governing.
Missouri: “Pledge asks Missouri lawmakers to refuse gifts from lobbyists” by Rudi Keller in the Columbia Daily Tribune.
Pennsylvania: “Pa. Ethics Law Could Change After Latest Scandal” by Marc Levy on NBC Philadelphia.
March 28, 2014 •
Charlotte Mayor Resigns After Corruption, Bribery Charges Filed
Mayor Patrick Cannon resigned Wednesday amid allegations of federal public corruption and taking bribes. The allegations stem from Cannon, on several occasions, accepting over $48,000 of bribes from federal undercover agents posing as businessmen seeking city contracts. If convicted on […]
Mayor Patrick Cannon resigned Wednesday amid allegations of federal public corruption and taking bribes. The allegations stem from Cannon, on several occasions, accepting over $48,000 of bribes from federal undercover agents posing as businessmen seeking city contracts.
If convicted on all charges, Cannon could face up to 50 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines.
Cannon held the mayoral office only four months; he was elected in November 2013.
Photo of the Charlotte, N.C. skyline by Riction on Wikimedia Commons.
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.