January 23, 2012 •
Philadelphia Adjusts Contribution Limits
Increases Made to Reflect Changes in C.P.I.
The board of ethics has released new campaign contribution limits adjusted for changes in the cost of living.
The new limits for individual contributions have been raised from $2,600 to $2,900 and for political committees or businesses from $10,600 to $11,500.
When the campaign finance law was passed in 2008, a provision was included to increase the maximum contribution every four years based upon the board’s review of the consumer price index.
Photo of Philadelphia by Parent5446 on Wikipedia.
January 23, 2012 •
U.S. District Court Issues Opinion in Thalheimer Case
Upholds Some Laws While Striking Down Others
The United States District Court for the Southern District of California has issued an opinion in Thalheimer v. City of San Diego. The court upheld the ban on corporate contributions made directly to candidates. Further, the court upheld San Diego’s $500 individual contribution limit to city candidates. Additionally, the court upheld the ban on contributions made to a city candidate more than 12 months before the election.
The court struck down the ban on political party contributions to candidates and the $1,000 limit on direct contributions to candidates by political parties, which was enacted after the district court granted a preliminary injunction. Lastly, the court struck down restrictions on how much individuals and corporations can give to PACs making independent expenditures.
January 23, 2012 •
Oklahoma Ethics Commission to Create Exception to Gift Law
Lobbyists and Legislators to Dine Together Without Counting Toward Annual Limit
The Oklahoma State Ethics Commission has approved a rule which creates an exception to the $100 annual gift limit. The rule allows lobbyists to provide a lunch or dinner for a group of legislators once a year, during the legislative session, at the state capitol, without counting the meal against the annual limit. Lobbyists would be required to report the amount spent.
The rule will go into effect on January 1, 2013 unless the legislature disapproves by the end of the 2012 session.
January 23, 2012 •
Oklahoma Ethics Commission to Amend Campaign Finance Rules
PAC and Super PAC Disclosure to be Increased
The Oklahoma State Ethics Commission has approved a series of changes to the campaign finance rules. The changes are intended to provide more disclosure from PACs and super PACs.
The new rules impose additional registration and reporting requirements on PACs that make any independent expenditure or electioneering communications in state level races. The changes require disclosure of the amount, date, a brief description or statement of each expenditure, the name of the candidate and office supported or opposed, and whether the expenditure is made to support or oppose the candidate.
The approved rule changes will now go before the state legislature which has until the end of the session to disapprove. If the legislature does not disapprove, the rule changes will go into effect January 1, 2013.
January 23, 2012 •
Delaware Governor Announces Creation of New Database
Database to Link Lobbyists to Legislation
Governor Jack Markell has announced plans to create an online database which will link registered lobbyists to the specific pieces of legislation they are lobbying for or against.
Photo of Gov. Markell by Stilltim on Wikipedia.
January 23, 2012 •
New Mexico’s Governor Calls for Revolving Door Restrictions
Proposed two-year ban on lobbying for former lawmakers
Governor Susana Martinez has endorsed legislative efforts to impose a two-year ban on lobbying for lawmakers. The forthcoming bill may also include civil or criminal penalties if legislators took lobbying jobs sooner than prescribed. All appointees of Governor Martinez have agreed to two-year bans on becoming lobbyists after leaving the position, but she wants formal legislation to hold state lawmakers to the same standard.
State Senator Dede Feldman has proposed Senate Bill 103, which would bar former legislators from lobbying for a shorter one-year period after leaving office. Currently, New Mexico’s lawmakers can quit their office and immediately begin lobbying, just as former state senator Kent Cravens did in September.
Photo of Governor Susana Martinez courtesy of the New Mexico State Government.
January 23, 2012 •
A Look at Lobbying in 2011
As the lobbying reports are analyzed from 2011, news articles have been appearing in the last few days talking about what kind of year it was for the lobbying industry. Here are a few significant contributions:
“On K Street, 2011 was year to forget” by Kevin Bogardus and Rachel Leven in The Hill.
“K Street’s boom goes bust” by Anna Palmer on Politico.
“K Street’s Largest Firms Saw Some Dips in 2011 Business” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Many lobbying firms saw dropoff in revenue in 2011” by Catherine Ho in the Washington Post.
“Lobbying outlays bounce back in 4th quarter” by Dave Levinthal on Politico.
“Chamber cuts lobbying spending in half for 2011” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“Chamber’s lobbying spend fell sharply in 2011” by David Ingram on Reuters.
In the States:
“Lobbyists’ largesse at Capitol: $87,248” by Chris Joyner in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (This article discusses spending in the first two weeks of 2012.)
“Business lobby outspends all others, nears all-time record” by Adam Sichko in the Albany Business Review.
“Top 35 Biggest Spenders on Smith Hill” by Dan McGowan on GoLocalProv.com.
January 23, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – January 23, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Big Spending on Presidential Candidates Can Have Little Effect
Google Protest of Anti-Piracy Bills Upends Traditional Lobbying
New Super PAC Breed Pushed by Group
From the States and Municipalities:
California
Business Interests Add to Speaker’s Rubber Duck Flock
Connecticut
SEEC Postpones Action on Giuliano Appointment
District of Columbia
Ballot Initiative Would Ban Corporate Donations in D.C. Political Campaigns
Indiana
Indiana Proposal Would Ban Anthem Embellishments
Maryland
City Council President Says He’ll Pay Back Ray Lewis for Tickets to Private Skybox
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Niche Political Groups Aim for Clout
Montana
Commission Office Often the Center of Controversy
Ohio
Lawmakers Can’t Be in Lobbyists’ Ads, Panel Says
Oklahoma
No Action Taken on Oklahoma’s Campaign Disclosure Laws
Wisconsin
Governor Who Took On Unions May Face a Closely Watched Recall Election
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.
January 20, 2012 •
Redistricting News across the Nation
The U.S. Supreme Court threw out the Texas redistricting plans created by a federal court and calls for new plans, plus more redistricting news from the states:
Idaho
“Attorney General: Redistricting Commissioners can’t be fired” in the Spokesman-Review.
Kentucky
“Beshear Signs Redistricting Bill, Decries Process” by Phillip M. Bailey from the WFPL News.
Here is opinion piece by Kentucky Rep. Kelly Flood: “Senate redistricting ‘a display of arrogance, bullying‘” from the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Texas
“Justices’ Texas Redistricting Ruling Likely to Help G.O.P.” by Adam Liptak in the New York Times.
“Supreme Court throws out Texas election maps” by James Vicini on Reuters.
“Supreme Court sides with Texas on redistricting plan” by Robert Barnes in the Washington Post.
Virginia
“Virginia Senate narrowly passes GOP-backed congressional redistricting bill” by The Associated Press in the Washington Post.
“Senate approves GOP congressional redistricting plan” by Jim Nolan in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
January 20, 2012 •
Bill Aims to Identify Robocall Sponsors in Michigan
Senate Bill 896
Michigan Senator Tonya Schuitmaker has introduced Senate Bill 896, which would require robocalls in the state to clearly identify their sponsor. The bill will also says if a robocall is not endorsed by a candidate, the automated phone message must state it.
The Kalamazoo Gazette reports about the legislation in “State Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker introduces bill to force identification on campaign robo-calls” by Julie Mack.
January 20, 2012 •
Campaign Finance and Lobbying News
From Politico and Roll Call: The Occupy movement targets the Supreme Court in honor of the second anniversary of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, intense lobbying for a mention in the State of the Union Address, and K Street warms up to Romney with Perry’s departure.
“’Occupy Courts’ to hit Citizens United” by MJ Lee on Politico.
“Lobbying for just a nod, a mention” by Abby Phillip on Politico.
“Perry’s K Street Allies Jump to Romney, Not Gingrich” by Eliza Newlin Carney and Kate Ackley on Roll Call.
January 20, 2012 •
Highlighted Site of the Week – PBS NewsHour 2012 Political Calendar
How can we keep track of the many speaking engagements and campaign events held the by 2012 presidential candidates? It’s easy – PBS NewsHour has done all of the work for us!
Our Highlighted Site of the Week this week is PBS NewsHour’s 2012 Political Calendar. Did you know that today Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich addresses the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in Charleston, South Carolina? Former Massachusets Gov. Mitt Romney is visiting his campaign headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina, too. Also, Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum is holding a town hall in Lexington, South Carlina at 11 AM. And certainly not to be forgotten, Texas Rep. Ron Paul is making a campaign stop at the Charleston International Airportat 11:15.
According to the site: “Our politics calendar tracks the whereabouts of all the 2012 presidential candidates as well as other key events. Check back early and often for updates. All events are listed in Eastern Time. Please credit PBS NewsHour and link to this page if you are using events from this calendar.”
Have fun with this page and have a terrific weekend everyone!
January 19, 2012 •
Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee Nixes Lawmakers and Staff from Lobbyist Ads
Also Cautions Against Promoting Lobbyists in Merely a Personal Capacity
The Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee has released Advisory Opinion 2012-001, which prohibits members and employees of the Ohio General Assembly from using their office or employment status in order to promote a registered lobbyist. In its first advisory opinion to be released since 2009, the Committee pointed to Ohio Revised Code section 102.03(D), which prohibits a public official or employee from using his or her status acquired by such position in order to secure anything of value.
The Committee opined that the use of the member or employee in his or her official capacity as Senator, Representative, or legislative staffer in an advertisement or other promotional item would result in a value to the lobbyist, thus resulting in the prohibition. Additionally, the Committee cautioned against allowing such a promotion in merely a personal capacity in order to avoid the appearance of impropriety despite no specific prohibition existing.
The opinion, which was requested by an Ohio registered lobbyist, was deemed necessary after things such as requests for quotes on websites or letters of recommendation to be sent to potential clients had been made of members and employees of the Ohio General Assembly by registered lobbyists.
January 19, 2012 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying, Procurement, and Gov 2.0
Lobbying
“K Street headhunters enamored with upcoming class of retiring lawmakers” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“Lobbyists get face time with House GOP at retreat” by Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer on Politico.
Procurement
“Cuomo Limits State Money for Salaries of Contractors” by John Eligon in The New York Times.
Government 2.0
“State Legislatures’ Mobile Websites” on the NCSL website.
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.
