Here are articles from major news sources analyzing the election outcomes:

“5 things we learned from Election Night 2013” by Peter Hamby, Paul Steinhauser, Ashley Killough, and Dan Merica in CNN Politics.

“Election Day 2013: What happened, and what it all means” by Alia E. Dastagir in USA Today.

“2013 Election: State and Local Race Results” by Louis Jacobson in Governing.

“Now the Midterm Campaign Begins — With Both Sides on Offense” by David Hawkings in Roll Call.

“Markos Moulitsas: House in play in 2014” by Markos Moulitsas in The Hill.

Connecticut: “How Much Do State Politics Matter In Local Elections?” by Christine Stuart in CTNewsJunkie.com.

New Jersey: “Democrats retain control of New Jersey legislature” by Michael Linhorst (Associated Press) in The Record.

New Jersey: “Chris Christie Coasts to 2nd Term as Governor of New Jersey” by Kate Zernike and Jonathan Martin in The New York Times.

New York: “Democrat Bill de Blasio elected mayor of New York” by Jonathan Lemire (Associated Press) in the Times Union.

Ohio: “Lawmakers looking at tougher ballot-access thresholds for minor political parties” by Jeremy Pelzer in The Plain Dealer.

Virginia: “Terry McAuliffe, Democrat, Is Elected Governor of Virginia in Tight Race” by Trip Gabriel in The New York Times.

Lobbying

“Lobbing World” in The Hill.

“Bottom Line” in The Hill.

“TechAmerica Lobbyists Jump Ship for Rival Outfit” by Brian Heaton in Government Technology.

Campaign Finance

“Secret Persuasion: How Big Campaign Donors Stay Anonymous” by Peter Overby, Viveca Novak, and Robert Maguire on NPR.

“From Social Welfare Groups, A River Of Political Influence” by Peter Overby, Viveca Novak, and Robert Maguire on NPR.

“‘Unobtainium’ and the blurry lines of campaign finance law” by Matea Gold in The Washington Post.

“The Dirty Business Of Tax-Exempt Campaign Money Laundries” by Howard Gleckman in Forbes.

Arizona: “State Supreme Court asked to restore increased campaign contributions” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Daily Star.

Louisiana: “Database: Search Louisiana campaign finance contributions” by Dmitriy Pritykin, in The Times-Picayune.

Louisiana: “Louisiana’s top 400 campaign donors get around legal limits to magnify political influence” by Manuel Torres in The Times-Picayune.

Massachusetts: “Attorney General Martha Coakley’s campaign funds in disarray” by Frank Phillips in The Telegraph.

Minnesota: “Campaign Finance Questions Still Unanswered” by The Associated Press in KAAL TV News.

Ethics

“Twitter IPO Makes House Ethics Nervous” by Matt Fuller in Roll Call.

Tech and Social Media

“What NASA Can Teach the Rest of Government About Using Social Media” by Mark Micheli in Government Executive.

On November 4, in response to a court decision enjoining the Texas Ethics Commission from enforcing parts of the Election Code, the Ethics Commission released guidance concerning independent expenditure-only PACs.

The commission acknowledged restrictions on independent expenditures from independent expenditure-only PACs, referred to in the state as “direct campaign expenditure only committees,” are currently unenforceable under the October 16, 2013, ruling in Texans for Free Enterprise v. Texas Ethics Commission.

The commission requires independent expenditure-only PACs submit a sworn statement stating the committee intends to act exclusively as a direct campaign expenditure only committee in accordance with Texans for Free Enterprise and the committee will not use its funds to make contributions to candidates for elective office, officeholders, or political committees supporting or opposing candidates or assisting officeholders.

The commission also made available sample template political committees may use to submit their sworn statements

Here is our November – December calendar. State and Federal Communications will be attending these coming events. If you plan to attend as well, be sure to say hello!

November 12-13, 2013   D.C. Lift-off Forum, Washington, D.C.

November 21, 2013   American League of Lobbyists Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

November 23 – November 26, 2013   SGAC Leaders Policy Conference, Turnberry, Miami Beach, Florida

December 3, 2013   Weatherhead 100, Cleveland, Ohio

December 4, 2013   Ohio Holiday Party, Washington, D.C.

December 4, 2013   NCSL Foundation Dinner, Washington, D.C.

December 4-7, 2013   NCSL Fall Forum, Washington, D.C.

December 8-11, 2013   Council on Government Ethics Laws Annual Conference, Quebec City, Quebec

On Friday, November 1st, State and Federal Communications’ newly developed website was launched. It is important to know all of the compliance information previously included is still there. What’s new are the following:

• Personalized homepage;
• New bookmarking capabilities;
• Easier access to News You Can Use and LobbyComply.com Blog;
• Daily updates; and
• Viewable from any mobile device.

That last bullet is very important to me and I am sure it is to you, too. I am a walking IT department with my laptop, iPad, iPhone, Microsoft phone, and even my iPod.  Truly over connected at times, but I know I will always have access to www.stateandfed.com for important updates in the states, municipalities, federal, and Canadian governments.

State and Federal Communications is hosting a launch forum on November 12^th and November 13^th at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. If you are interested in learning more about our site from the folks who have put it all together, please give Elliott Postlewait a call at 330-761-9960 or e-mail him at epostlewait@stateandfed.com and set up a time for the program. We welcome you and your staff to our program.

State and Federal Communications, Inc. The same expertise, a new web experience!

Thank you,

Elizabeth Z. Bartz
President and CEO
@elizabethbartz

Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications, is presenting a webinar today for the Public Affairs Council along with Chris Badgley, Senior Director, Public Policy & Government Affairs at Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.

Bartz and Badgley will be applying their expertise to the topic “Methods for Tracking Lobbying Activities” at 2 p.m.

Lobbying

“Lobby firm brings on Obama aide” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

California: “FPPC fines ex-lawmaker Mike Roos for improper contributions” by Laurel Rosenhall in The Sacramento Bee.

Florida: “Tallahassee lobbyists won’t be audited until 2015” by Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.

Campaign Finance

California: “Assemblyman Alejo to return $21,092 in excess campaign contributions” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.

Ethics

“Hacking Attempts on Federal Election Commisison Website” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

California: “Ex-Senate leader Dean Florez faces fines for misusing campaign funds” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.

Florida: “Suspend ethics commission, state audit committee tells Palm Beach County” by Jennifer Sorentrue in the Palm Beach Post.

Massachusetts: “Massachusetts: State Ethics Commission conflict plan could have ‘huge effect on towns’” by Andy Metzger in The Republican.

Elections

“Roll Call’s 10 Most Vulnerable House Members Revealed” by Shira T. Center and Emily Cahn and Abby Livingston in Roll Call.

Alabama: “Alabama Special Election Is Proxy Battle for National GOP” by Emily Cahn in Roll Call.

Mississippi: “3 special elections for House seats Tuesday” by The Associated Press in the Sun Herald.

South Carolina: “Dozens of cities are holding elections in SC” by The Associated Press in GoUpstate.com.

Redistricting

Alaska: “Redistricting board withdraws request for delay” by The Associated Press in the Anchorage Daily News.

Lobbying

“Cooley-Dow Lohnes merger leaves lobbyists out” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post.

“Hotel trade group shakes up lobby team” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Alabama: “Bill aims to discourage lawmakers from departing for lobbying positions” by Brian Lyman in the Montgomery Advertiser.

Florida: “As lawmakers consider audits, documents show how lawmakers-turned-lobbyists help tip the scales for large lobbying firms” by Matt Dixon in The Florida Time-Union.

Texas: “Candidates to lead Texas accept meals, gifts, more from lobbyists” by Christy Hoppe in The Dallas Morning News.

Campaign Finance

California: “Disgorgement Fight Could Shape Dark Money’s Future in CA” by Ben Adler in Capital Public Radio.

California: “California probe of campaign donations sheds light on ‘dark money’” by Chris Megerian and Anthony York in the Los Angeles Times.

Washington: “Washington elections draw big out-of-state donations” by Brian M. Rosenthal in The Spokesman-Review.

Ethics

California: “Gifts and elected officials” by Bennett Kessler in Sierra Wave.

New York: “JCOPE leader ballot splits commission 9-5” by James M. Odato in the Times Union.

South Carolina: “State House for Sale: Big businesses pay off in jobs, political contributions” by Jeff Wilkinson in The State.

Elections

“Federal Election Commission Lists 2014 Election Dates” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

Iowa: “Koch Group Has Ambitions in Small Races” by John Eligon in The New York Times.

New York: “N.Y. to run voter hotline on Election Day” by The Associated Press in the Times Union.

Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications, is a featured speaker offering her expertise this morning at the Lobbying Certificate Program Session sponsored by the American League of Lobbyists and Lobbyists.info.

Bartz is joined by co-speaker Doreen Hope, Regional Manager from Washington Gas in a conference entitled State Lobbying & Navigating the Regulatory Process: Multiple Fronts, Multiple Challenges.

Here is the American League of Lobbyists’ description of the session:

For many in D.C., lobbying starts with what goes on inside the Beltway.  But it doesn’t end there.  No organization or corporation seeking to fulfill their entire legislative agenda can rely solely on federal lobbying. State-level lobbying, however, comes with an entirely new set of regulations and compliance landmines than federal lobbying.  Did you know that “lobbying activities” has a different definition depending where you are and to correctly filing disclosure forms takes a whole new process?  Plus, even if you simply want to monitor what’s going on at the state level, you’ve got to coordinate effectively with different in-house or entirely new outside government relations teams.

Now you can learn how to add this state-level focus without running yourself ragged and without running afoul of an entirely new set of regulations.

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh filed a bill to be considered during the Alabama Legislature’s upcoming session, beginning January 14, 2014.

The bill would ban a former legislator for a period of two years from lobbying members of either chamber of the Legislature. The current law allows former members of the Legislature to lobby members of the other chamber without any waiting period, and imposes a two year waiting period on lobbying members of the former legislator’s chamber.

If passed, this bill would take effect immediately.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced dates for a special election to fill the vacant seat of the late U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young. The primary election for Congressional District 13 will be held January 14, 2014, with a general election to follow on March 11.

The race is expected to be competitive, with some analysts predicting it could foreshadow the outcome of the 2014 midterm elections.

The new contribution limits passed earlier this year take effect today. The contribution limit for individuals, corporations, PACs, and other groups increased from $500 to $3,000 for statewide candidates, and from $500 to $1,000 for legislative candidates.

The legislation also eliminated the contribution limits for contributions to political committees.

Federal:

Michelle Obama Policy Initiatives Are a Big Deal for Big Business

Politico – Byron Tau and Helena Bottemiller Evich | Published: 10/30/2013

First lady Michelle Obama’s two signature policy initiatives, the Let’s Move! childhood obesity effort and the veteran-focused Joining Forces, have earned her bipartisan praise. Those efforts have been developed in close cooperation with some of K Street and corporate America’s biggest players that stand to benefit from the exposure, public goodwill generated from being involved in a public health or charitable effort, or the policy itself.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – California State Sen. Ron Calderon Accepted $88,000 in Bribes, FBI Affidavit Alleges

Sacramento Bee – Laurel Rosenhall | Published: 10/30/2013

California Sen. Ron Calderon allegedly accepted about $88,000 in bribes from an undercover FBI agent during an elaborate sting operation. An affidavit, filed as the FBI sought a search warrant for Calderon’s office, alleges he worked with interest groups in a “pay-to-play” fashion, accepting money in exchange for promises to carry or amend legislation to their benefit.

California – Critics Howl over Lobbyist Walking Governor’s Dog

San Francisco Chronicle – Carla Manucci | Published: 10/24/2013

Some are questioning whether Jennifer Fearing, senior state director for the Humane Society of the United States, has turned her role as regular walker of California Gov. Jerry Brown’s dog into an effective way to lobby the state’s chief executive on animal rights issues. Fearing had a perfect record this legislative season in getting bills signed by Brown, placing her in the ranks of Sacramento’s most effective lobbyists.

California – L.A. Moves to Boost Limits on Gifts to Lawmakers

Los Angeles Times – Steve Zahniser | Published: 10/25/2013

The Los Angeles Ethics Commission sent the city council its recommendation for new and more stringent limits on gifts to the city officials, part of a much larger package of rule changes. But when the council took up the proposal recently, they sought an increase, not a decrease, in the size of allowable gifts from bidders, contractors, and others with a financial stake in a city decision.

Colorado – Group Tests New Tactic with Ethics Complaint against Gov. Hickenlooper

Denver Post – Lynn Bartels | Published: 10/31/2013

Some groups are using ethics complaints to impugn the integrity of candidates in Colorado, even when the complaint is found to be without merit. The move has attracted bipartisan criticism.

Florida – Lobbyist Watch: Superlobbyist Platt’s “Rules for Successful Lobbying”

South Florida Sentinel – Brittany Wallman | Published: 10/29/2013

Broward County lobbyist George Platt has come up with guidelines for being successful in the influence industry. “Somehow the list grows as time passes … [there are] too many who lack a moral compass trying to become lobbyists; unlike some professions, there is no set of qualifications for entry,” said Platt.

Iowa – Big Campaign Group Gets Involved in Tiny Iowa Race

Business Week – Ryan Foley (Associated Press) | Published: 10/31/2013

Americans for Prosperity, the organization backed by the billionaire Koch brothers, has jumped into the municipal election in Coralville, Iowa and turned it into a referendum on government spending and borrowing. Residents of the town, with a population of 19,000, say they have never seen such an outside effort in a local vote, let alone by a conservative group in the state’s most Democratic county.

Iowa – Iowa Senate Ethics Rule Protects the ‘First-in-the-Nation’ Franchise

Quad City Times – James Lynch | Published: 10/24/2013

State Senate Ethics Committee Chairperson Wally Horn said the chamber’s rule prohibiting senators from being paid staffers of campaigns and PACs is there to protect the franchise of Iowa’s first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses. Other states that closely follow Iowa in the nomination process do not seem to share Horn’s concern, however.

Nevada

Embattled Nevada Assemblyman Jim Wheeler Urged to Resign after Slavery Comment

Reno Gazette-Journal – Sandra Chereb (Associated Press) | Published: 10/30/2013

A YouTube video surfaced of an event at which Nevada Assemblyperson Jim Wheeler said he would vote to allow slavery if that was the desire of his constituents. He said he believes it is his job to represent those who elected him regardless of his own beliefs. “If that’s what they wanted, I’d have to hold my nose … they’d probably have to hold a gun to my head, but yeah,” said Wheeler.

Nevada – Public Policy Maker or Private Lobbyist? 10 State Officials Play Dual Roles

Las Vegas Sun – Andrew Doughman | Published: 10/27/2013

Disclosure reports filed with the Nevada Commission on Ethics detail how legislators and members of state boards and commissions often get paid to do business before state agencies, boards, and commissions. Their elected or appointed positions likely enable them to build relationships and gain expertise useful in their private enterprise, a fact recognized by lawmakers when they passed a disclosure law in 1991.

New Mexico – Report Examines NM Lobbyists’ Largesse

Albuquerque Journal – Deborah Baker | Published: 10/31/2013

A report from New Mexico Common Cause said spending on lobbying “plays an influential role” in state lawmakers’ votes. Common Cause had several recommendations for regulating lobbyists, including requiring more specific information on disclosure reports and limits on their cumulative campaign donations.

New York – Turmoil in Ethics Hiring

Albany Times Union – James Odato | Published: 10/29/2013

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics hired Letizia Tagliafierro as its new executive director during a closed door meeting. In the brief public part of the meeting, commission member Ellen Yaroshefsky proposed what she called an independent search for an executive director. Yaroshefsky later resigned from the panel.

Oklahoma – Ex-Okla. Lawmaker Guilty in Bribery Trial

BusinessWeek – Tim Talley (Associated Press) | Published: 10/30/2013

Former Oklahoma Rep. Randy Terrill has been convicted of bribery. Prosecutors alleged Terrill offered to put former Democratic Sen. Debbe Leftwich in an $80,000-a-year job at the state medical examiner’s office if she would agree to not seek re-election in 2010 so a Republican, Rep. Mike Christian, could run for her open seat.

South Dakota – Power Shift Sought in Pierre: Governor’s office has been dominating legislative process

Sioux Fall Argus Leader – David Montgomery | Published: 10/30/2013

South Dakota legislative have begun looking for ways to strengthen their voice in state policy debates. Compared to the executive branch, with a full-time governor and his or her year-round staff, along with myriad state employees, South Dakota’s part-time citizen Legislature has fewer resources, less information, and less time to tackle problems.

Virginia – McAuliffe’s Wealth Could Create Conflicts of Interest

The Virginian-Pilot – Julian Walker | Published: 10/31/2013

If Terry McAuliffe becomes Virginia’s next governor, his business interests could trigger conflicts-of-interest. His campaign says his investments would go into a blind trust, but Republicans remain skeptical, given their view of McAuliffe’s history as a political financier with interests they say could intersect with a governor’s duties.

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.

State and Federal Communications held its 4th Annual Halloween Donut and Cider Sale today in the lobby of our office. It was all for the good cause of helping our friends at United Way of Summit County.

We knew we couldn’t host a Halloween sale without a few wacky costumes, so our office party was “pay-to-play,” with a $10 entry to star in our costumes-of-choice.

Take a look at some of the office revelry: