December 19, 2013 •
New Mexico Campaign Committee Limits Remain Enjoined
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the lower court was right in issuing a preliminary injunction to keep the state from imposing limitations on certain contributions going to and from political parties and political action committees. The underlying […]
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the lower court was right in issuing a preliminary injunction to keep the state from imposing limitations on certain contributions going to and from political parties and political action committees.
The underlying issue in the case is whether political committees not formally affiliated with a political party or candidate can receive unlimited contributions for independent expenditures.
The state Republican Party, GOP lawmakers, and others argue the state’s cap on such contributions is unconstitutional. The state appealed, arguing limiting such contributions is in New Mexico’s interest as it tries to prevent corruption and the appearance of corruption in campaign spending.
The case now moves back to the federal district court where a decision on the merits is expected to be in favor of those challenging the contribution limits.
December 18, 2013 •
D.C. City Council Officially Raises the Minimum Wage
The living wage bill officially passed through the D.C. City Council today, and is now on its way to Mayor Gray for signature. Mayor Gray has promised to sign the bill this time, a measure he initially rejected earlier this […]
The living wage bill officially passed through the D.C. City Council today, and is now on its way to Mayor Gray for signature. Mayor Gray has promised to sign the bill this time, a measure he initially rejected earlier this year.
The bill will raise the minimum wage to $9.50 in July 2014, $10.50 the following year, and $11.50 by 2016.
The bill also provides for future increases tied to the Consumer Price Index.
Photo of the John A. Wilson Building by Andrew Wiseman in Wikimedia Commons.
December 18, 2013 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “The Lobbyists’ Lament” by Haley Barbour and Ed Rogers in Politico. “K St. mints money from regs surge” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill. California: “Santa Clara County supervisors move forward on strengthening lobbyist regulations” by Eric Kurhi […]
Lobbying
“The Lobbyists’ Lament” by Haley Barbour and Ed Rogers in Politico.
“K St. mints money from regs surge” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
California: “Santa Clara County supervisors move forward on strengthening lobbyist regulations” by Eric Kurhi in the San Jose Mercury News.
Pennsylvania: “Ethics panel clears Penn Foundation in lobbying probe” by Kristen Graham in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Campaign Finance
Arizona: “Arizona high court upholds higher campaign-contribution limits” by Mary Jo Pitzl in the Arizona Republic.
Colorado: “Court tightens campaign finance, budget showdown coming, more” by Edie Edelstein in the Colorado Springs Independent.
Massachusetts: “Outside spending on mayoral finalists hit $3.8m” by Wesley Lowerey in the Boston Globe.
South Carolina: “SC politics: Ethics panel weighs case against legislator” by Jamie Self in The State.
Ethics
“New FEC Chairman Chosen to Lead Agency During Election Year” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
Massachusetts: “Attorneys testify on ethics conflict proposal” by C. Ryan Barber in the Cape Cod Times.
Massachusetts: “Ethics Commission held at Statehouse; Would exempt political candidates” by Christine Lee in WWLP News.
Congress
“3 reps won’t run again, shaking 2014” by Alex Isenstadt in Politico.
State Legislative Issues
California: “California’s Crucial 2014 Races” by Curtis Tate in Governing.
Illinois: “Quinn drops appeal of lawmaker paycheck lawsuit” by Monique Garcia in the Chicago Tribune.
Pennsylvania: “Pa. House takes historic step toward shrinking size of General Assembly” by Jan Murphy in The Patriot-News.
Government Tech and Social Media
Rhode Island: “R.I. government website removes news stories reprinted without permission” by Philip Marcelo in the Providence Journal.
December 18, 2013 •
Arizona’s Supreme Court Allows Higher Political Contribution Limits
On December 17, 2013, the Arizona Supreme Court found House Bill 2593 to be constitutional, allowing newer and higher political contribution limits to take effect. On October 15, 2013, a state Court of Appeals had directed the secretary of state […]
On December 17, 2013, the Arizona Supreme Court found House Bill 2593 to be constitutional, allowing newer and higher political contribution limits to take effect.
On October 15, 2013, a state Court of Appeals had directed the secretary of state not to enforce the new law, which had become effective on September 13, 2013. The lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the new law was brought by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission and others from the state.
Individuals and noncertified political committees may now give $2,000 to candidates running for legislative and statewide offices who do not participate in the state’s Citizens Clean Elections Act campaign financing system. Contributions made to candidates running for local office may be made in amounts up to $2,500. Contribution limits by committees certified by the secretary of state have also been increased.
Additionally, H.B. 2593 removes aggregate contribution limitations for individuals and some political committees.
December 17, 2013 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “Lobbyists: ‘Misunderstood’ in poll” by Tal Kopan in Politico. Campaign Finance “There’s No Way to Follow the Money” by Lee Aitken in The Atlantic. Arizona: “For all the campaign finance limit marbles” by The Yellow Sheet Report in the […]
Lobbying
“Lobbyists: ‘Misunderstood’ in poll” by Tal Kopan in Politico.
Campaign Finance
“There’s No Way to Follow the Money” by Lee Aitken in The Atlantic.
Arizona: “For all the campaign finance limit marbles” by The Yellow Sheet Report in the Arizona Capitol Times.
Minnesota: “Minn. campaign money regulator promises to fix problems leading to faulty finance data” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Ethics
“Report: Chinese hackers attacked crucial government election website” on CNN Politics.
“Ethics Committee Will Investigate Trey Radel” by Emma Dumain in Roll Call.
Florida: “Ethics commission offers advice on use of office” by Bill Cotterell in The Florida Current.
Legislative Issues
“Lackluster Final Score for Congress This Year: 8 to 22” by David Hawkings in Roll Call.
“Angry About Partisan Gridlock in Washington? Blame the States.” By Donald F. Kettl in Governing.
Louisiana: “Lawsuit challenging Louisiana’s congressional districts withdrawn” by The Associated Press in The Times-Picayune.
New Jersey: “State legislative panels scramble to advance hundreds of bills” by Michael Phillis and Leslie Brody in the Bergen Record.
December 16, 2013 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Poll: Lobbyists rank last on ethics” by Tal Kopan in Politico. “Business to Boehner: Hit ’em hard” by Ken Bogardus in The Hill. California: “Report: Special Interest Groups Paid Lobbyists Millions to Influence City Officials” by Alexander Nguyen in […]
Lobbying
“Poll: Lobbyists rank last on ethics” by Tal Kopan in Politico.
“Business to Boehner: Hit ’em hard” by Ken Bogardus in The Hill.
California: “Report: Special Interest Groups Paid Lobbyists Millions to Influence City Officials” by Alexander Nguyen in the Pacific Palisades Patch.
Campaign Finance
“Politicians move to rake in more campaign cash” by Fredreka Schouten in the Detroit Free Press.
“United Association’s Pipelines Move $651K in Political Funds” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.
Michigan: “Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signals ʹevolutionʹ on issue ads as campaign finance bill reaches desk” by Jonathan Oosting in Michigan Live.
Michigan: “Campaign bills win final OK from Mich. Legislature” by Bob Brenzing in WZZM 13 News.
Mississippi: “Attorney General Jim Hood appealing federal judge’s ruling on Mississippi campaign finance law” by The Associated Press in The Mississippi Press.
Missouri: “Mo. legislature to look at campaign ethics laws” by Dan Verbeck on KBIA Mid-Missouri Public Radio.
Ethics
Alaska: “Rep. Bob Herron fined $5,000 for ethics violation” by Jim Paulin in the Bristol Bay Times.
Maine: “Maine campaign ethics panel expands scope of Lewiston casino campaign inquest” by Scott Thistle in the Bangor Daily News.
Ohio: “Concerns raised over Ohio disclosure exemptions” by The Associated Press in the San Francisco Chronicle.
December 16, 2013 •
Another Virginia Special Election Scheduled for January 7
Another Virginia special election has been scheduled for January 7, 2014. The seat in Senate District 6 will be vacated when Sen. Ralph Northam becomes lieutenant governor.
Another Virginia special election has been scheduled for January 7, 2014.
The seat in Senate District 6 will be vacated when Sen. Ralph Northam becomes lieutenant governor.
December 16, 2013 •
Massachusetts Special Election Called for State Senate Seat
A special election for the Massachusetts Fifth Middlesex Senate District has been called to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of state Senator Katherine M. Clark. The Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin announced the special […]
A special election for the Massachusetts Fifth Middlesex Senate District has been called to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of state Senator Katherine M. Clark.
The Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin announced the special primary election will be held on March 4, 2014. The general election will follow on April 1, 2014.
On December 10, 2013, Clark won a special election for the U.S. House of Representatives seat left vacant by Ed Markey.
December 13, 2013 •
New York’s Online Lobbyist System Down for Scheduled Maintenance Beginning 12/13
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics is performing maintenance on its Lobbying Online Filing System beginning today. The system will not be accessible starting Friday at 4 p.m. through Monday until 8:00 a.m. Filers will be unable to log into […]
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics is performing maintenance on its Lobbying Online Filing System beginning today.
The system will not be accessible starting Friday at 4 p.m. through Monday until 8:00 a.m.
Filers will be unable to log into the system and no electronic filings or amendments will be accepted while the system is down.
Also, the data contained in the system will not be accessible by the public during the shutdown.
December 13, 2013 •
Colorado Court of Appeals Upholds Ruling on Campaign Finance Disclosure Regulations
On Thursday, the Colorado Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court ruling striking down rules reducing or eliminating disclosure requirements for issue committees, political committees, and more than 500 political organizations. The rules, put forth by Secretary of State Scott […]
On Thursday, the Colorado Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court ruling striking down rules reducing or eliminating disclosure requirements for issue committees, political committees, and more than 500 political organizations. The rules, put forth by Secretary of State Scott Gessler in 2012, also capped penalties for failure to file major contributor reports in the days leading up to an election.
Challengers argued the rules were invalid because Gessler exceeded his authority by effectively amending the Colorado constitution and campaign finance laws passed by the General Assembly.
In addition to finding the rule changes invalid, the appeals court overturned Gessler’s 2012 rule narrowing the definition of “electioneering communications.”
December 13, 2013 •
Texas Ethics Commission Condemns Misleading Campaign Communications
The Texas Ethics Commission issued a resolution “unanimously condemn[ing] the use of misleading campaign communications regarding the activities of the [Ethics] Commission.” In its resolution, issued on December 3, 2013 and released online this week, the commission states the use […]
The Texas Ethics Commission issued a resolution “unanimously condemn[ing] the use of misleading campaign communications regarding the activities of the [Ethics] Commission.”
In its resolution, issued on December 3, 2013 and released online this week, the commission states the use of statements like “‘a sworn complaint has been filed against Candidate A’ or ‘the Texas Ethics Commission is investigating a complaint against Candidate A’ are improper attempts to mislead the public.”
The commission asserts “anyone can file a complaint” with or without merit and the commission must investigate every sworn complaint, “whether it has merit or not.” Because of that, the bipartisan commission finds the use of such campaign advertising “an unfair practice” and argues the use of statements concerning the mere filing of a complaint or a legally required investigation of a complaint doesn’t provide “meaningful information” to voters.
Photo of the Texas State Capitol dome interior by Edward Uthman in Wikimedia Commons.
December 13, 2013 •
Friday Government Relations News Roundup
Lobbying “New lobbying business slows to a trickle” by Byron Tau in Politico. “For K St., nowhere to go but up” by Kevin Bogardus and Megan R. Wilson in The Hill. “Under contract” in The Hill. “Major Dem fundraiser closes […]
Lobbying
“New lobbying business slows to a trickle” by Byron Tau in Politico.
“For K St., nowhere to go but up” by Kevin Bogardus and Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
“Under contract” in The Hill.
“Major Dem fundraiser closes lobby shop” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
“ʹLobbyistʹ Not Curse Word to All Influencers” by Dave Levinthal in The Center for Public Integrity.
“Ex-congressman lobbies for group he used to fund” by Paul Singer in USA Today.
“SpaceX Launches Second Lobbying Team” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.
San Francisco: “S.F. lobbying laws due for tightening” in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Campaign Finance
“Deals on campaign finance, corruption likely in Albany” by Yancey Roy in Newsday.
“All Senate Freshmen Now Have Personal PACs” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.
Maine: “Use of ‘large, untraceable expenditures’ to influence Maine elections jumps 600 percent, report says” by Mario Moretto in the Bangor Daily News.
Michigan: “Legislature approves increase in campaign contributions, but says some donors can stay anonymous” by The Associated Press in Crain’s Detroit Business.
Missouri: “Nixon urges Missouri campaign contribution limits” by Bill Draper (Associated Press) in the Columbian Missourian.
Vermont: “Ruling on super PACs may ripple in Vt.” by Neal Goswami in the Times Argus.
Ethics
“The Year in Congressional Ethics | A Question of Ethics” by Simon Davidson in Roll Call.
Alabama: “Alabama ethics Director Jim Sumner wins national award for his work” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Georgia: “Subpoenas related to Ga. gov’s ethics complaints” by Christina A. Cassidy (Associated Press) in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Kentucky: “Former lawmaker won’t face sanctions from House” by Roger Alford (Associated Press) in the San Francisco Chronicle.
West Virginia: “W.Va. ethics panel admits open meetings violation” by The Associated Press in The Herald Dispatch.
West Virginia: “For first time in years, Ethics Commission full” by Phil Kabler in the Charleston Gazette.
Open Government
“This Group Could Make (or Break?) FOIA Reform” by Joseph Marks in Nextgov.
Government Tech and Social Media
“The Future of Election Monitoring” by Jessica McKenzie in TechPresident.
December 10, 2013 •
Hawaii Ethics Commission Issues New Advisory
The Hawaii State Ethics Commission issued an advisory last week urging public school employees to refrain from promoting charitable fundraisers at school. The advisory was issued after Department of Education teachers and administrators were asked to support and encourage students […]
The Hawaii State Ethics Commission issued an advisory last week urging public school employees to refrain from promoting charitable fundraisers at school.
The advisory was issued after Department of Education teachers and administrators were asked to support and encourage students to participate in a popular holiday fundraising campaign for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The state ethics code prohibits state employees from using work time and state resources for non-state related business purposes, which generally include supporting or promoting private charities.
December 10, 2013 •
Honolulu Administrative Department Claims Authority to Issue Ethics Advice
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration is currently at odds with the City Ethics Commission. Earlier in the year the Commission inquired as to whether the Department of the Corporation Counsel has the power and duty to advise city employees on […]
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration is currently at odds with the City Ethics Commission. Earlier in the year the Commission inquired as to whether the Department of the Corporation Counsel has the power and duty to advise city employees on matters of ethics.
In a memorandum to all municipal agencies, the Department announced it does have said authority; the Ethics Commission disagrees.
The administrative decision may potentially result in city attorneys and Ethics Commission attorneys offering conflicting advice. Also problematic, the Ethics Commission is insulated from retaliation as an autonomous agency, whereas city attorneys are afforded no such protection.
If nothing else, the memo is likely to cause public confusion as the relationship between administration and Commission deteriorates. Subpoenas may be on the horizon for Mayor Caldwell’s top executives as the Ethics Commission investigates possible corruption in city hall.
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.