The Illinois State Board of Elections has announced that campaign contributions limits have been increased with the start of the new year. According to statute, on January 1 of every odd-numbered year, the board of elections must adjust the contribution limits due to inflation.

Under the updated limits, a candidate political committee may accept, over the course of an election cycle, no more than $5,300 from an individual, $10,500 form a corporation, labor organization, or association, and $52,600 from a political action committee. A political party committee and a political action committee may accept no more than $10,500 from an individual, $21,100 from a corporation, labor organization, or association, and $52,600 from a political action committee.

Absent any legislation, these contribution limits will remain in place until January 1, 2015 and will be in effect for the next gubernatorial election.

Federal:

Ethics Restrictions for Federal Workers Apply to Inaugural Activities

From the States and Municipalities:

California

Sacramento Filmmaker Lobbies for Cash to Back ‘The Lobbyist’

Georgia

Ethics Reform: Lawmakers may have seen last free football game

Idaho

Campaign Finance Loopholes Have Some Wondering: Who’s watching the money?

Nebraska

NE: Lawmakers look to change rules for campaigns

Nevada

New Rule Requires Training Course for Lobbyists

New York

State Comptroller Sues Qualcomm for Data on Its Political Contributions

North Carolina

NC Judge Voids Teacher Paycheck Law Targeting NCAE

South Carolina

South Carolina AP Reporter Jim Davenport Dies

Tennessee

Proposed Bill Limits Make Tennessee Lobbyists Scramble

Virginia

Political Mail Exposing Voting Habits Ignites Uproar

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.

The State and Federal Communications Executive Source Guidebook – our annual compendium to our website – has been published and is going out today via USPS Media Mail. Those of you who are subscribing to our services will be receiving one on your doorstep soon!

It’s Friday again and Highlighted Site of the Week has a special edition for you. This week, we honor the anniversary of the first televised broadcast of the U.S. House proceedings, which took place on January 3, 1947.

The first feature is the Historical Highlights page from the U.S. House of Representatives’ History, Art & Archives site. We also have the U.S. Congress and Television page from The Museum of Broadcasting Communications.

On the Archives website, you will find information about what happened during the proceedings. According to the site:

“The first live television broadcast from the House Chamber occurred during the opening session of the 80th Congress (1947–1949). The two-hour broadcast appeared on a local television station and was transmitted to Philadelphia and New York. The broadcast captured the ritual of opening day ceremonies and concluded after Speaker Joseph Martin’s opening address.”

On the Museum site it will give you more in depth details about the congress and their televised proceedings.

If you would like to see videos from the history of the Office of the Clerk, take a look at their YouTube Channel.

Thanks for reading and we will see you next time!

Don’t miss the latest updates in the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Ethics Update. You’ll also find links to newsletters from the state ethics commissions.

The government’s new bill reducing contributions to political parties became effective on Tuesday, January 1, 2013. National Assembly Bill 2 reduces the limit for private donations from $1,000 to $100, while increasing direct government funding to parties. The bill applies to provincial politics but not municipalities or school boards.

In an election year, voters will have the right to contribute an additional $100, for a maximum of $200. The bill further limits cash donations to $50, down from $100. Leadership candidates, unaffected by the bill, will still be able to collect donations of up to $1,000.

Lobbying

“Technology and lobbying in 2012” on Federal News Radio.

“K Street Files: Clark Lytle, Thorn Run Add New Partners” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“Americans Believe the System Is Rigged Against Them: An Interview with Former Lobbyist Jack Abramoff”  by Elliot Resnick in The Jewish Press.

California: “Greuel faults DWP for bypassing bids on lobbying contracts” by David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times.

Campaign Finance

Arkansas: “Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson reports self to Ethics Commission giving campaign cash to girlfriend” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

New Jersey: “N.J. Democratic Party fined $42K for alleged campaign finance violations” by Matt Friedman in the Star-Ledger.

Texas: “Ethics Commission Fines Simmons’ PAC Over Donations” by Becca Aaronson in the Texas Tribune.

Ethics

“Report links McConnell campaign donations to legislative work” by Alexandra Jaffe in The Hill.

“House Ethics Reviewed 96 Cases During 112th” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.

New York: “NY comptroller sues Qualcomm on political spending” by The Associated Press in The Wall Street Journal.

Pennsylvania:  “Gov. Corbett’s trip paid for by a businessman is subject of a complaint filed by activist Gene Stilp” by Jan Murphy in the Patriot-News.

Nevada lobbyists must now complete training before they can lobby the Legislature.

The Legislative Commission issued amended regulations on lobbying on December 20, 2012. The training will be provided by the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

Lobbyists can either attend a training session in person or arrange to obtain a video of the training and then certify having watched the video.

Additionally, the photo identification badges for lobbyists have been assigned different colors based on a category, such as whether a lobbyist is paid or not paid.

Campaign Finance

“Political Spending Sets New Records During Tumultuous Year” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

California:  “Lawmakers try to curb anonymous political donations in California” by Michael J. Mishak in the Los Angeles Times.

Canada: “ $100 lid on private political donations enacted” by Marian Scott in the Montreal Gazette.

Idaho: “Campaign Finance Loopholes Have Some Wondering: Who’s Watching the Money?” by Melissa Davlin in the Twin Falls Times-News.

Lobbying

“In Congress, relatives lobby on bills before family members” by Mark Zaleski (Associated Press) in The Washington Post.

Tennessee: “Proposed bill limits make Tenn. lobbyists scramble” by Erik Schelzig (Associated Press) in the San Antonio Express-News.

Ethics

District of Columbia: “Year of convictions doesn’t end D.C. corruption probes” by Alan Blinder in the Examiner.

Georgia:  “Ethics likely on General Assembly agenda” by Michael Davis in the Jackson Progress-Argus.

Social Media

“Social Media 2012: A Look Back” by Pam Greenberg in NCSL’s The Thicket.

Legislative Issues

“From Congress to Halls of State, in New Hampshire, Women Rule” by Katherine Q. Seelye in The New York Times.

Ethics

“House Ethics Ends Countrywide Loan Probe” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.

“House Ethics closes Countrywide probe without taking action” by Peter Schroeder in The Hill.

“House Ethics Amends Private Travel Rules” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.

Louisiana: “Louisiana Board of Ethics to challenge Baton Rouge Mayor in appeals court” by Quincy Hodges in the New Orleans Times Picayune.

Campaign Finance

“Our states vouch for transparent campaign financing” opinion piece by U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Lisa Murkowski in the Washington Post.

“Lisa Murkowski crosses aisle to reign in Super PACs” by Jill Burke in the Alaska Dispatch.

South Carolina: “South Carolina campaign funding will face scrutiny” by Stephen Largen in the Post and Courier.

Lobbying

“Former lobbyist, state legislator John Quimby dies at 77” by Torey Van Oot in the Sacramento Bee.

Maryland:  “Gambling companies doubled down on lobbying Md. lawmakers over past year” by John Wagner in the Washington Post.

Elections

“Ed Markey to run for Kerry’s Senate seat” by Rachel Weiner in the Washington Post.

“Should Kansas switch dates for elections?” by The Associated Press in the Kansas City Star.

Legislative Issues

Michigan: “Michigan lawmakers get perks beyond salaries” by Kristen M. Daum in Lansing State Journal.

Since this is the last week of the year, I wondered which blog posts received the most visits, so I ran a content report for the past year and I thought I would share with you what I found. Here are the most-read blog posts of 2012:

The top spot goes to …

1. Highlighted Site Of The Week – All The Presidents’ Money by Emily Kesler (for the second year)

followed by

2. Eye on the Races – Electoral Math: A Brief Primer on the Electoral College by Jon Spontarelli
3. Who Were the One Term Presidents? by Nicolette Koozer

4. Living Interns in Akron by Maria Varonis

5. Ask the Experts – Using Federal PAC Funds to Contribute to State Candidates by Nola Werren (for the second year)

Take a look at last year’s Top Blog Posts entry here.

As everyone prepares to celebrate the New Year, I would like to take this opportunity to offer a note of thanks. State and Federal Communications has had an exciting year and we look forward to a bright 2013.

We wish you a beautiful New Year.

Elizabeth Bartz
President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, Inc.

Federal:

FreedomWorks Tea Party Group Nearly Falls Apart in Fight between Old and New Guard

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama

Troy Gives Up on AEA Challenge to Ethics Law, Launches New Fundraising Campaign for PAC

California

Citigroup among 5 Banks Fined Over Muni-Bond Lobbying Costs

California

Labor Beat Prop. 32 Via Social Media

Florida

Senate President’s Hire Seems at Odds with Ethics Reform

Georgia

Ethics Changes in Georgia Senate Could Include $100 Gift Cap

Louisiana

Ethics Board Tactics Disputed

Maine

Outsiders Spent More than Maine Legislative Candidates

Maryland

2012 Lobbyist Rankings

Missouri

Missouri Ethics Chief Headed to Kander’s Office

New Jersey

Jersey City ‘Pay-to-Play’ Restrictions Made Stricter by City Council

South Carolina

Mark Sanford House Run: Former South Carolina governor seriously considering bid for Congress

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.

Julie Allen, the executive director of the Missouri Ethics Commission, will be leaving to work at the Secretary of State’s office as the director of elections and information technology.

For full news coverage, be sure to read:

“Missouri ethics chief headed to Kander’s office” by The Associated Press in Connectmidmissouri.com.

“Kander hires executive director of Missouri Ethics Commission to oversee state elections” by Jo Mannies in the St. Louis Beacon.