Campaign Finance

“Tallying Up Presidential Campaign Finances” in The New York Times.

Arizona: “Arizona campaigns often in gray area financially” by Mary Jo Pitzl in The Arizona Republic.

Montana:  “Former Montana governor candidate wants political practices findings reversed” by Charles S. Johnson in the Missoulian.

New York:  “Analysis: New York political money gushing to campaigns, but upstart Democratic group makes strides” by Michael Gormley (Associated Press) in the Syracuse Post-Standard.

Lobbying

“K Street’s continuing slump” by Anna Palmer in Politico.

“Blue Chips Mull Moves to K Street” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“Chamber ups lobbying spending” by Erik Wasson in The Hill.

“Facebook lobbying sets record in Q2” by David Saleh Rauf in Politico.

Nevada:  “Dems honor longtime women’s lobbyist” by Ray Hagar in the Reno Gazette-Journal.

New York:  “Lobbyists in swing of things at political golf fundraisers” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Albany Times Union.

New York: “Cuomo’s Office Releases 2,200-Word Letter on Lobbying Group” by Jon Campbell in State Politics Albany Watch.

Oklahoma: “Report: Lobbyists provided pols Thunder tickets” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

A citizens’ oversight committee to take on ethics-related issues will be studied by a committee of city council. City coalitions, including a group of organizations that are pushing a sunshine ordinance, are pushing for a city ethics commission in order to review issues having to do with campaign finance, regulation of lobbyists, and transparency.

Proponents say the ethics commission could be created by voters or the council. David Tristan, deputy executive director of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission, will talk about what his commission does, and the forum will take up the possibility of creating an ethics commission in Santa Ana.

For information about the July 26, 2012 forum, email info@santaanacoalition.org.

Ever wonder if today’s date holds any significance in American history, or perhaps if your birthday was a time of great importance in the past? Through a site called This Day in History featured by History.com, viewers can select a date and learn about different events that have shaped American society.

72 years ago on this week in 1940, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was selected for an unprecedented third term in office on July 18. As the 32nd president, Roosevelt went on to serve a record of four terms in office, becoming the only U.S. president who served more than two terms.

Roosevelt was elected by the Democratic Party convention for his third term, and despite some disapproval about his running, Roosevelt believed it was his calling to lead his country through difficult times that led the country into World War II. Roosevelt died in office at the age of 63 during his fourth term as president.

This Day in History features a calendar in the top left corner that can navigate to historical information based on the selected date. Viewers can navigate through the site to find related articles or select the featured articles pertaining to the week of a chosen date. The site also includes a What Happened on Your Birthday button and a selection of games and apps under Editor’s Picks.

Explore this site to learn more interesting trivia. Have a nice weekend!

Federal:

House Ethics Panel Has Track Record of Leniency

Most Lawmakers Mum on Taxes

Son of Liberal Financier George Soros Launches Anti-Super PAC Super PAC

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama

Alabama Casino Developer, Lobbyist, Ex-Lawmaker Sentenced to Prison in Statehouse Gambling Scheme

California

Battle Lines Drawn over Payroll Deductions

California

Feds Detail Scale of Graft in Cudahy

Michigan

Prosecutor: Bolger conspired with party switcher, but didn’t break law

Minnesota

Minnesota GOP, Former Chairman Face Fines Over Recount

Nevada

Felon Was a Lobbyist for Catholic Officials in Nevada

New Jersey

FBI Raids City Hall in New Jersey’s Capital

New York

NY Ethics Board Member Resigns from Lobbying Group

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.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s new proposed ethics ordinance has advanced out of committee and will now head to a full city council vote. The proposal, which stems from the first set of recommendations handed out by Emanuel’s appointed Ethics Board, will, among other things, lower the value of gifts that city’s employees and officials may receive. Currently, the limit is $100, but the proposed ordinance lowers that limit to $50.

The proposal is expected to pass the city council. The ethics board is expected to release its second set of ethics recommendations in late summer.

The Citizen’s Ethics Advisory Board announced its plans to audit 10 randomly selected client lobbyists. All communicator lobbyists associated with the selected client lobbyists will also be audited. Client lobbyists are those who pay for lobbying services on their behalf, and communicator lobbyists are those who receive payment from a client lobbyist for lobbying services.

As part of its press release, the board noted that between January 1 and July 1, 2012, lobbying expenditures exceeded $31 million.

The selection will be made at the board’s meeting on July 19, 2012, and all audits are expected to be completed by the end of the fiscal year. The list of lobbyists to be audited will be available on the Office of State Ethics website after the random drawing.

2012 is an exciting year for national politics. State and Federal Communications, Inc. is your trusted resource for comprehensive lobbying and campaign finance guidelines to assist your organization with navigating the national party conventions. Here is our User’s Guide to National Party Conventions.

The Republican National Convention is being held in Tampa, Florida at the Tampa Bay Times Forum from August 27th to August 30th. The Democratic National Convention opens at the Time Warner Cable Arena on September 3rd and closes on September 6th with President Obama accepting the nomination of his party at the Bank of America Stadium.

These conventions will be a gathering place for delegates and other party members from across the country and thus will represent an excellent opportunity for your organization to interface with a wide range of public officials.

Knowledge of the applicable federal, state, and local rules governing your interactions with both convention delegates and other public officials in attendance will ensure your organization has the tools available to say, “I Comply.”

What is important as you read the document is knowing the official names of the convention and host committees:

1. Republican Convention Committee —

Committee on Arrangements for the 2012 Republican National Convention;

2. Democratic Convention Committee —

The 2012 Democratic National Convention Committee, Inc.;

3. Republican Host Committee —

2012 Tampa Host Committee; and

4. Democratic Host Committee —

Charlotte in 2012 Host Committee.

In closing, we hope this resource serves you well during the upcoming convention season. The Research Department of State and Federal Communications, under Manager John Cozine, made sure we looked at all avenues of giving.

We wish you all the best this summer before the conventions.

Thank you.

Elizabeth Bartz

President and CEO of State and Federal Communications

“Wash. to unveil voter registration on Facebook” by Rachel La Corte (Associated Press) in the Seattle Times.

“How the New iPhone Will Expose Cities Lagging on Open Data” by Emily Badger in The Atlantic Cities.

“Political Ad Database Debuted by FCC” by Brian Heaton in Government Technology.

“Legislating Social Media in the States” by Dylan Scott in Governing.

Lobbying

“NY ethics board member resigns from lobbying group” by The Associated Press in the Wall Street Journal.

The Hill’s “Lobbying World” news summary.

“Farm bill tops health care law in lobbying dollars” by Carolyn Lochhead in the San Francisco Gate.

Connecticut: “Attorney, lobbyist Albert Pirro arraigned on charges he attacked woman at Conn. Restaurant” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

District Columbia:  “D.C. lawmakers, lobbyists talked nearly 600 times” by Alan Blinder in the Washington Examiner.

Ethics

“Ethics Committee launches probe of Dem Rep. Robert Andrews” by Jordy Yager in The Hill.

“Blagojevich administration official Ali Ata is spared prison for lying” by Annie Sweeney in the Chicago Tribune.

“Ethics panel has track record of leniency” by Jordy Yager in The Hill.

Governor Phil Bryant has set November 6, 2012 as the date of a special election to fill the District 19 senate seat.

The seat was previously held by retired Senator Merle Flowers, who resigned effective July 11, citing a need to spend more time with his family.

Photo of Governor Bryant courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture hosted on Wikipedia.

“DISCLOSE Act dies again” by Tarini Parti  in Politico.

“Secret political donors remain secret” by Charles Riley in CNN Money.

“Campaign finance reformer McCain blasts DISCLOSE” by Tarini Parti in Politico’s blog On Congress.

Attending from 11 Midwestern states and four Canadian provinces, legislators have gathered in Cleveland for the 67^th annual meeting of the Midwestern Legislative Conference of the Council of State Governments from July 15 through the 18. The conference is being held in the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, giving legislators a taste of Cleveland.

Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, Inc. is attending the meeting to observe as legislators discuss the need for regional and economic improvements.

According to the Cleveland brochure for the 2012 conference, five political speakers will give presentations at the meeting, including the host, Ohio representative Armond Budish. The reception took place at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Events in the evening will give the attendees the opportunity to bond and participate in discussions, while the Family Night at the FirstEnergy Powerhouse building allows time for family fun.

Referring to the annual meeting of the Midwestern Legislative Conference, Senator Kate Sullivan of Nebraska was quoted in the brochure, stating that it is “a time for networking with colleagues, learning from each other, listening to great presenters, all with the overarching reminder that we, as legislators, have been elected to ‘govern’ and that it is done best in the spirit of bi-partisanship.”

Through a variety of activities and events, the 67^th annual meeting of the Midwestern Legislatives Conference in Cleveland will bring together legislators to expand on regional matters while enjoying the sites of the city.

Campaign Finance

Connecticut: “Vote to kill filibuster on campaign finance bill fails, despite Connecticut senators’ support” by Ana Radelat in the CT Mirror.

Florida: “Unlimited campaign contributions finding a route to Florida lawmakers” by Steve Bousquet in the Miami Herald.

Lobbying

“ALEC struggles to retain members” by Steve Terrell in the Santa Fe New Mexican.

“Tech lobbyists’ new mantra: Strength through unity” by Michelle Quinn in Politico.

Connecticut:  “Lobbyists form SuperPAC to help Murphy in Senate race” by Ana Radelat in the CT Mirror.

Government Ethics

“Former top state administrator fined for conflicts of interest” by Jennifer Gollan in the Bay Citizen.

Gov 2.0

“Despite Cuomo’s Vow of Sunlight, a Bid to Keep Aides’ E-Mail in the Dark” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times.

“What Social Media Do Government Officials Use Most?” by Matt Williams in Government Technology.

“Senate heads for vote on disclosure of hidden donors” by Tom Curry in NBC Politics.

“Democratic super PACs reel in $25 million” by Dave Levinthal and Kenneth P. Vogel in Politico.

“Citizens United didn’t just open money floodgates for corporations” by Anjeanette Damon in the Las Vegas Sun.

Connecticut:  “Donovan campaign returns $27,660 in contributions” by Susan Haigh (Associated Press) in the Boston Globe.

Minnesota:  “Minnesota Republican Party fined; accused of illegal contributions, circumventing laws” by Bill Salisbury in the Pioneer Press.

Rhode Island:  “R.I. Rep. Langevin near paying off $127,000 campaign-finance fine” by Philip Marcelo.

Tennessee:  “PACs flood Tennessee General Assembly campaigns with cash” by Andy Sher in the Times Free Press.