April 18, 2013 •
Virginia Senate Special Election August 6
District 14 Senator to retire
Governor McDonnell announced a special election will be held for Senate District 14 on August 6, 2013. It will fill the seat held by Harry Blevins, who plans to retire for unspecified health reasons on August 5.
Delegate John Cosgrove, who succeeded Senator Blevins in the House of Delegates, has already announced his candidacy for the seat.
April 18, 2013 •
Tennessee House Strikes Down Campaign Finance Bill
Bill would have allowed insurance companies to make contributions
The Tennessee House of Representatives struck down a bill removing the prohibition on contributions from insurance companies and raising the contribution limits for party caucuses. House Bill 643 came up just two votes shy, collecting only 48 of the needed 50 votes to pass. The bill did however receive a majority of the votes, 48-41, so the bill is not technically dead.
Currently, Tennessee law prohibits insurance companies from making a contribution for political purposes. Under the bill, insurance companies would have had the ability to make contributions and would have had the same contribution limits as multicandidate political campaign committees.
The bill also would have allowed party caucuses to contribute $500,000 for statewide races, instead of the current limit of $374,300. It also would have doubled the amount the caucuses could contribute to senate and house candidates.
The bill was not defeated on a strict party line vote, as 13 Republicans voted against and another nine Republicans did not cast votes on the bill. It remains to be seen whether the House will bring the bill up for a second vote.
Photo of the Tennessee State Capitol House Chamber by Ichabod on Wikipedia.
April 17, 2013 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Here is our roundup of the latest articles on lobbying, campaign finance, ethics, and more!
Lobbying
“McCain roasts lobbyist at awards dinner” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“OFA files lobbying registration in New York” by Reid J. Epstein in Politico.
Florida: “House advances ethics bill to ban ‘revolving door’ lobbying” by Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.
North Carolina: “Bill would allow legislators to receive gifts from lobbyists” by Claire Bennett in The Daily Tar Heel.
Ottawa, Ontario: “City lobbying registry due for upgrade, weeks behind schedule” by David Reevely in the Ottawa Citizen.
Wisconsin: “Lobby outlays drop in 2011-12” by Bill Lueders in WisconsinWatch.org.
Campaign Finance
Hawaii: “Bill boosts public campaign funds” by Sarah Zoellick in the Honolulu Star Advertiser.
Massachusetts: “DeLeo, Murray break Mass. campaign spending tally” by The Associated Press in the Boston Globe.
Ethics
“Congressional Travel Costs Questioned” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political Moneyline.
New York: Prosecutors: “Liu Aides Didn’t Count On Getting Caught In Campaign Finance Scheme” by The Associated Press in CBS New York.
South Carolina: “SC House panel revives ethics reform effort” by Adam Beam in The State.
Election Law
New York: “Tougher state elections rules” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Albany Times Union.
New York: “Cuomo Adds Election Law Office to Anticorruption Proposals” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times.
From the State Legislatures
Nevada: “Senate OKs resolution seeking annual legislative sessions” by Sean Whaley in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Redistricting
North Carolina: “Bill would make N.C. redistricting nonpartisan” by Travis Fain in the News & Record.
April 16, 2013 •
West Virginia Legislature Meets in Extended Budget Session
Ends on or before April 19
The Legislature is meeting in an extended session to complete the state budget.
The extended session will end no later than April 19, 2013, according to the governor’s proclamation.
Only the budget bill and a provision for the cost of the extended session will be considered.
April 16, 2013 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Keep up with the latest government relations news with these articles:
Lobbying
“Bottom Line” in The Hill.
New York: “Small business speaks up during Capitol lobbying day” by Adam Sichko in the Business Review.
Campaign Finance
“Senate Scrutiny of Nonprofits Spurring Disclosure: Taxes” by Jonathan D. Salant in Bloomberg.
California: “CA pushes to fine ‘independent’ campaign committee for supporting lawmaker” by Jim Sanders in the Sacramento Bee.
New Jersey: “ELEC outlines list of campaign finance priorities” by Darryl R. Isherwood in PolitickerNJ.
New York: “Overhauling campaign finance rules” opinion piece by Jeffrey D. Klein in the Albany Times Union.
Ethics
New York: “Campaign Finance Trial For Two Former Liu Associates Under Way” by The Associated Press on CBS New York.
Texas: “Bill would revise ethics oversight” by Chris Tomlinson (Associated Press) in the Austin American-Statesman.
From the State Legislatures
Minnesota: Senate: “Time to raise pay for Minnesota’s lawmakers” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger in the Star Tribune.
New York: “Lawmakers return to Albany after bribery scandals” by Joseph Spector in the Star Gazette.
West Virginia: “Lawmakers push for special session to address bills” by Dave Boucher in the Charleston Daily Mail.
April 15, 2013 •
Alaska Legislature Passes Elections Bill Before Adjourning
House Bill 104 To Change Primary Dates
Lawmakers adjourned the first session of the 28th Legislature on April 14, 2013. Before adjourning, lawmakers passed an elections bill to better comply with a federal law requiring absentee military voters to receive ballots 45 days before a federal election.
House Bill 104 moves the date of the primary election from the fourth Tuesday in August to the third Tuesday in August of every even-numbered year. The bill also proposes a special runoff election following a special election to fill the vacancy of a U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative if no candidate in the special election receives more than 50 percent of the vote.
In addition, the bill allows a person requesting an opinion from the Alaska Public Offices Commission to keep the name of the requestor confidential.
The effective date of the bill is January 1, 2014.
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.
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 •
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.
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.
