Dressed in red, white and blue attire, eager patriots flood the streets of their hometowns and cities, celebrating with music, food and family. Some set up chairs and spread out blankets in the grass to watch the dazzling fireworks light up the sky. Others enjoy a family cookout and play music, or munch on cotton candy while exploring a local carnival.

Although Americans celebrate the 4th of July in many different ways, it is important to commemorate the past and understand the significance of this special day in our country’s history.

It has been 236 years since five courageous men collaborated to form the Declaration of Independence for the 13 American colonies. On July 4, 1776, Congress approved this document crafted by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston.

The 4th of July reminds Americans of the great measures the Founding Fathers took to gain independence from Great Britain. This day in history symbolizes the creation of the unalienable Rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, thus allowing Americans to live in a land of opportunity and freedom.

From patriots to political figures, many Americans take part in the festivities of the 4th of July. Washington, DC., hosts an Independence Day Parade along Constitution Avenue beginning at 11:45 a.m. The White House Visitor Center features family activities including games, crafts and other events during the day. President Obama, along with his family, joins the community and commemorates the 4th of July at the White House with celebrations, food and friends.

Here in Akron, the community comes together to provide holiday festivities on behalf of the Downtown Akron Partnership. Lock 3 hosts Akron’s National Rib Fest beginning on July 2nd to kick off Independence Day with a selection of tasty foods. A Fireworks Finale on the 4th at 9:50 p.m. concludes the evening.

No matter where you are on the 4th of July, as you celebrate in your own way, know that Americans across the country are watching fireworks and remembering the history that brought us together as a Nation.

State and Federal Communications, Inc. wishes you a Happy Independence Day!

Q. I developed support for an issue by asking the public to contact and influence their legislator. Should I be concerned with lobbyist disclosure requirements?

A. You are engaging in grassroots lobbying. Grassroots lobbying is communications by a representative of an entity to the general public encouraging correspondence to an official’s office in support of, or opposition to, an official action. You must determine how grassroots lobbying is treated in your jurisdiction.

Engaging in grassroots activities may not meet the definition of lobbying. In Utah, you must communicate directly with an official to be engaged in lobbying and have any registration or reporting requirements.  Next, grassroots lobbying may only trigger disclosure of related expenses. Your grassroots lobbying expenses are disclosed in California if your employer is already registered. Finally, grassroots lobbying may require registration and reporting. Arkansas law expressly includes grassroots communications in the definition of lobbying and requires disclosure of the related expenditures.

Do not assume that if you do not contact a state official directly, you are not engaging in lobbying. Confirm what activities constitute lobbying before taking action.

You can directly submit questions for this feature, and we will select those most appropriate and answer them here. Send your questions to: marketing@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.

Between NCSL, CSG, NGA, and ALEC there is little time between July 11^th and August 8^th to jump in a pool. And, let me add the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese is holding its Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress July 1^st through July 5^th. Yes, only the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese would think it is okay to have a conference during American Independence Day in Phoenix, Arizona. But, that is where yours truly will be for the holiday.

This year I have written a lot about how professional development and networking are really connected. Attending these conferences is a phenomenal way to run into people you might not see regularly and the associations have events incorporating networking opportunities.

My favorite conference this year will be CSG MLC in Cleveland, Ohio! This conference is including events at Blossom Music Center (the VA Wolf Trap of Ohio), at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and even the Pro-Football Hall of Fame in Canton. You will see the best of the best Ohio has to offer and we are only a few blocks away from Dan Gilbert’s Horseshoe Casino.

If CSG MLC isn’t in your plans, check out O H I O Night at NCSL in Chicago. Thanks to our friends at Whirlpool, this event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday August 8^th, at the Reid Murdoch Building on 325 North LaSalle—Penthouse Level. We will be happy to send you sponsor information to join us.

Until next month, remember you bring value to your organization because of the people you know in the government affairs community. See you on the circuit!

And then there’s Alexandra Livadas, who goes by Alexa. Her mom calls her Fred and she has no idea why. Alexa attends Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and studies finance. Next year, she will be a junior. Like Joanna, this is Alexa’s first “real” job. She has nannied in the past, and would always take the kids to the pool and the zoo, or for rides on bikes or ice cream. Alexa plays the piano and likes working at State and Federal Communications, Inc.

“Everyone here is really helpful and nice,” she said. Alexa handles our finances. “Elizabeth has taught me the importance of getting involved in the community and being a good corporate citizen through her own efforts, making sure that her interns go to community luncheons and chamber meetings and volunteering with the Annunciation Akron and United Way.”

It’s true: the interns have been attending one to several events every week. Alexa added: “It really helps us grow as young adults and will become a valuable experience for the future.”

Like Joanna, Alexa enjoys peanut butter and jelly for lunch. Old habits die hard.

July 13-15, 2012   National Governors Association Annual Meeting, Williamsburg, Virginia

July 15-18, 2012   The Council of State Governments [CSG] Midwestern Legislative Conference, Cleveland, Ohio

August 6-9, 2012   NCSL (National Conference of State Legislatures) Booth 923, Chicago, Illinois

“Starbucks CEO Launches Social Media ‘Indivisible’ Campaign”in the International Digital Times.

“2012: The Social Media Election? (Opinion)” by Steve Towns in Government Technology.

“Nearly Half of Young Adults Participate Politically Online, New Survey Finds” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.

“Digital Political Candidates Driven by Technology” by Jessica Meyer Maria in Government Technology.

“High-Tech Campaigns Face New Security Risks” by Adam Stone in Government Technology.

“Watchdog points to FOIA.gov improvements” by Eric Katz in Government Executive.

Campaign Finance

“Political Perceptions: Email Fundraising, Too Forward?” by Peter Nicholas in The Wall Street Journal.

“The 2012 Congressional race and super PAC intermingling” by Stephen Wright in the Examiner.

Maryland: Editorial “Cleaning up Maryland politics” in The Washington Post.

Michigan:  “Michigan Campaign Finance Network questions fundraising by lame-duck lawmakers” by The Associated Press in Crain’s Detroit Business.

Lobbying

“Bill Miller to head lobbying for Business Roundtable” by Mike Allen in Politico.

“Mining bill drew lobbyists’ attention” by Steve Mistler in the Portland Press Herald.

“Investment in lobbying not surefire in Maine” by Steve Mistler in the Kennebec Journal.

“Who is ALEC?” on CBS News.

“Former IRS Official Demands Investigation of ALEC” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.

“Ethics Inquiry Exonerates Governor In Lobbying” by Robbie Brown in The New York Times.

Rhode Island: “Former Lawmakers Cash in Playing Revolving Door Game” by Dan McGowan in GoLocalProv.com.

One of Delaware Governor Jack Markell’s largest focus areas since entering office has been creating a responsible government. His state took one step closer to that goal when the legislature passed Senate Bill 185. The bill, which Governor Markell spearheaded, increases lobbyist reporting when making direct communications with state officials and employees. If a lobbyist makes a direct communication to a member of the general assembly, the lieutenant governor, or the governor on any bill or resolution pending before the general assembly, then that lobbyist is required to report the direct communication. A lobbyist will also have to report any direct communications concerning a proposed regulation with an employee or official of the state agency proposing the regulation.

The lobbyist report will be due no later than the fifth business day after the date on which the direct communication took place. If the direct communication was about a bill, resolution, or regulation that has not yet been introduced, the report is due no later than the fifth business day after that bill, resolution, or regulation is introduced.

The lobbyist is only required to disclose there was a direct communication that took place and the identity of the bill, resolution, or regulation that the communication was concerning. The bill, resolution, or regulation may be identified by name or by number. The lobbyist does not have to disclose the identity of the person with whom he or she had the direct communication. Further, the reporting requirement does not apply to a lobbyist when he or she is fulfilling duties as a member of a commission, committee, task force, or other public body.

All of the reports filed under this law must be filed electronically by the lobbyist with the Delaware State Public Integrity Commission. The commission, in turn, will post the reports in an online database for the public to access.

Governor Markell has stated he will sign the bill. If he does, the law will go into effect on January 1, 2013.

Photo of Governor Markell by John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV on Wikipedia.

The Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance is holding a public hearing on July 25. The hearing will address implementation of new and changing regulations dealing with issues such as electronic filing, transference of funds between political committees, and procedures for informational guidance requests from the office.

The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. at One Ashburton Place, Room 411, Boston. The proposed regulations can be found here.

“Va. appeals court affirms campaign finance law” by Larry O’Dell in CBS News.

“Former DeLay aide pleads guilty in campaign finance case” by Laylan Copelin the Austin Statesman.

“Conservative Super Pacs turn to social media and internet to expand reach” by Ed Pilkington and Amanda Michel in the Guardian.

“Funny-named political committees are proliferating” by Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.

On the other side of me is Zack Koozer, a sophomore at the University of Akron. Zack stays busy managing his blog, writing, sketching and playing with his dog, Sparky. He plays video games, and so on. Zack’s nicknames include Zack, Kaxzc, Kooz!, Kaxzcstrasz, and “Scooter.”

This summer marks Zack’s third internship here. During this stint he is focusing his efforts on social media.

Zack, on working at State and Federal, said this: “I love it here. I am never comfortable with people I don’t know, until I know them.” By now, he knows everyone pretty well.

For lunch, Zack is a sandwich and chips kind of guy. He also pays particular attention to Nutty Bars, apples and yogurt.

On Fridays during the summer (June 1- August 31), our neighbors at the John S. Knight Center host an outdoor café called “JSK Café”.   This is a flame-broiled event, often with a line around the building.   Chefs serving up burgers, pulled pork and other grilled delights greet the Akronites’ appetites.   At the sidewalk location on the corner of E. Mill St and S. High St, you are provided with a condiment bar to please any palate.

Elizabeth Bartz has purchased coupons for the staff of State and Federal Communications to be able to enjoy the delicious lunch opportunity and the fantastic Northeast Ohio summer weather.   Today, I joined many of the staff and walked down the block to enjoy lunch.    I have recently moved back to the Akron area after living in Austin, Texas for over seven years and love that I am becoming reacquainted with Akron.   I was excited to hear a unique but familiar sound overhead, yes, the iconic Goodyear Blimp made a flight over Downtown Akron.  Take a look at the photos:

A scraper, a sander and a paint brush. Not your typical office supplies. But Friday, June 15, 2012 was not your typical work day as State and Federal Communications, Inc. volunteered its time to lend a hand to Akron Public Schools for the United Way’s Day of Action.

State and Federal President and CEO Elizabeth Z. Bartz—an avid supporter of the United Way—sent 15 dedicated employees to be a part of this year’s event.  Day of Action functions to improve the good of the community in education, income and health by uniting local corporate sponsors, volunteers and non-profit organizations with a common agenda – to better the Akron area.  This year marks the 4^th year that State and Federal has participated.

Our assignment was scraping and painting football stadium bleachers. We split into two teams; one went to Kenmore High School and the other to Ellet. Team Kenmore scraped bleachers while team Ellet scraped, sanded and painted the handrails.

I was on team Ellet. We arrived and were put straight to work. I gathered my supplies; a scraper, gloves, a sander and a water bottle. With the sun beating down and sweat dripping from our faces, we spent the hottest hours of the day refurbishing the handrails surrounding the bleachers.

Over at Kenmore, for I.T. assistant Ken Kelewae, the task was more meaningful; he was back to his alma mater. Ken and the rest of his team stripped the faded bleachers that have served Kenmore High for at least 50 years.

What seemed like such a simple task proved to be much more. After many hours in the sun, a lot of sweat and a few sunburns later everyone walked away from their site with a sense of accomplishment. The United Way and Akron Public Schools were grateful for the hundreds of volunteers that committed their day to bettering the Akron community and the bleachers were ready to go for a new football season.

Out with the old, in with the new!

Day of Action video courtesy of Alexa Livadas.