August 16, 2011 •
Executive Secretary Position Down to Two
Finalists Named in Search for Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission Position
The Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission has announced two finalists for the position of Executive Secretary.
Holly A. LaBerge, one of the finalists, is a former Budget Analyst for the House Budget Office and presently the Director of Government Relations for the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council.
The other finalist is Jerry R. Presley, who has previously been a candidate for public office in the state of Georgia, a registered lobbyist, and the city clerk of Baldwin, Georgia. He is currently the president and owner of Public Policy Consultants of Georgia, L.L.C. No timeline has been set for selecting the new Executive Secretary.
August 16, 2011 •
President Obama Now Checking In on Foursquare
The White House is now Foursquare’s highest-profile member.
The White House has expanded its reach into the social media realm by joining Foursquare.
For those of you not familiar with Foursquare, it is a location-based social networking website.
In an article on Mashable, it stated that the White House said that it will be posting tips about the president’s visits around the country as he embarks on an economic bus tour across the Midwest. The White House will also be creating checkin locations for different presidential events.
President Obama was greeted to the social networking site by a post from Foursquare saying,
“Welcome to @foursquare, President Obama! Follow him on foursquare to see where he’s checking in and leaving tips: 4sq.com/WHon4SQ”
Read the full article by Ben Parr, “President Obama Joins Foursquare“.
August 15, 2011 •
US Bill to Reduce Power of Incumbents
Introduced by Rep. Woodall
Earlier this month, United States Representative Rob Woodall introduced House Resolution 2788 which amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit a candidate for election to the congress from making campaign expenditures for the election from amounts that were not raised during the election cycle for that office.
Rep. Woodall argues the legislation, called the Competitive Elections Act, will reduce the power of incumbents and encourage more new candidates in Congressional elections.
Rep. Woodall said, “We see this voter frustration in all of the polls supporting term limits. Rather than amend our Constitution with term limits that protect incumbents for three, six or twelve terms, my bill restores power and choices to voters each and every term,” Woodall said. His press release can be found here.
August 15, 2011 •
House Looking to Move to a Unified Communications System
House of Representives possibly to move to a Unified Communications System
With government officials communicating by email and other online tools such as messenger just as often as using the telephone, it makes sense for all communications systems to be consolidated.
According to an article posted on NextGov.com, The House of Representatives wants to migrate its separate voice and data communications systems to a single unified communications system, which eventually also could support voice and videoconferencing and instant messaging on an integrated Internet protocol network.
To learn more about what more would be involved in this conversion to such a communications system, read “House Eyes Move to VoIP Phone System” written by Bob Brewin.
August 15, 2011 •
New York City Lobbying Commission Release Preliminary Report
Recommends Expanding Definition of Lobbying and Increasing Registration Threshold
The New York City Lobbying Commission has released its recommendations to update and enhance the city’s lobbying laws.
In its preliminary report, the commission recommends expanding the definition of lobbying to include efforts to influence legislation prior to a bill’s introduction, efforts to keep a bill from being introduced, or efforts to shape or stop executive orders by the mayor. The commission also recommends raising the threshold for lobbyist registration from $2,000 to $5,000. The commission rejected suggestions to move regulation of lobbying from the city clerk’s office to another office.
The commission’s final report will be submitted to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the City Council who, if they agree with the recommendations, can introduce legislation incorporating the changes.
Photo of the Manhattan Municipal Building by Momos on Wikipedia.
August 15, 2011 •
West Virginia Governor Calls Additional Special Session
Will Address Redistricting
West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has called another special session of the state Legislature to address redistricting following his veto of the redistricting bill passed during the last special session.
The special session will begin at noon on Thursday, August 18, 2011.
Photo of the West Virginia State Capitol building by Analogue Kid on Wikipedia.
August 15, 2011 •
Two New Jurisdictions Added
In a continuing effort to better serve the needs of its clients, State and Federal Communications, Inc. is expanding coverage of laws and regulations in more municipalities.
We now provide information on lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying for:
Hampton, Virginia
Hollywood, Florida
August 15, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 15, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
American Bar Association Takes Aim at Lobbying Law Loopholes
Golf, Vacation Fundraisers Return
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
In Alabama, No Verdicts of Guilty in Graft Case
Arizona
Arizonans Want Legislators to Reject Gifts
California
Jerry Brown’s Charter Schools in Oakland Reap Big Donations
Colorado
Study Shows Who Breaks Campaign Laws
Florida
Palm Beach County Ethics Law Poses Hurdle for Firefighters’ Fundraiser
Georgia
Ethics Panel’s Chairman Stays Put, for Now
Hawaii
Ethics Director Blocks Texas Dinner for Hawaii Lawmakers
New Mexico
New Mexico Mayor Was Drunk When He Signed Deal
New York
Commission to Call for New Rules on Lobbying in the City
Pennsylvania
‘Kids for Cash’ Judge Sentenced to 28 Years for Racketeering Scheme
Utah
Utah Lawmakers, Lobbyists, Go On the Road
Wisconsin
Republicans Hold On to Wisconsin Senate after Recall Vote
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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
August 12, 2011 •
Maine PAC Reporting Laws Upheld
Court finds that Maine laws properly “promote the dissemination of information about those who deliver and finance political speech”
The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the constitutionality of Maine’s reporting requirements for political action committees, rejecting a challenge brought by the National Organization for Marriage.
The National Organization for Marriage challenged the constitutionality of Maine’s election law, claiming Maine’s reporting requirements for political action committees are vague and over-broad.
The 1st Circuit Court decision upheld the constitutionality of Maine’s laws requiring the disclosure of contributions and expenditures in candidate elections by PACs and by independent groups.
The decision also overturned a portion of the District Court’s ruling which found the words “influence” and “influencing” were unconstitutionally vague as applied in the Maine statute.
August 12, 2011 •
Highlighted Site Of The Week – Visual Economics
Finance and Economics Made Easy!
Have you ever found yourself sifting through the intricate world of finances and economics hoping to find a simple solution to your problem, but more often than not only getting lost in the confusing and seemingly infinite information, guidelines, and tips?
This week’s Highlighted Site Of The Week is Visual Economics, which provides a wide selection of infographics on a variety of topics related to finance and economics.
Even if you consider yourself a finance guru, there are representations on VisualEconomics that contain information ranging from How Low Budget Films Get Financed to How Busy Americans Are that you may not have been aware.
To get started, here’s VisualEconomic’s best infographics of 2010.
Have a great weekend!
August 11, 2011 •
NCSL Late Night 2011
The Strangest Museum on Earth!
NCSL Late Night was hosted at the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum. It was a packed house in the museum which offered an eclectic mix of Texas-centric wildlife hanging from the walls, as well as an optical illusion fun-house.
It was a night of “big fun.” After all, as they say, “Everything is bigger in Texas.”
August 11, 2011 •
Ohio Night a Big Success
Biga on the Banks was a great place to celebrate Ohio!
Ohio Night was a big success. We had an amazing view of San Antonio’s Riverwalk from Biga on the Banks. A variety of Ohio-based businesses and firms enjoyed the opportunity to come together.
Here are some pictures from the event:
August 11, 2011 •
ABA Recommends Lobbying Law Changes
Resolution 104B Revised
The American Bar Association (ABA) has adopted a resolution urging the United States Congress to amend the Federal Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA).
Recommendations made in “Resolution 104B Revised” by the ABA House of Delegates include narrowing the current time threshold required for registration and barring campaign fundraising for members of Congress lobbied within the previous two years.
Additional resolutions includes the following information be disclosed in a lobbyist’s quarterly reports: disclosure of lobbying support activities performed by retained entities; reporting of the identification of individuals “principally involved in planning, directing, or coordinating lobbying support activities”; identification of individuals with any level of involvement in the lobbying activities who have recently served as high-ranking federal officials; and all congressional offices, congressional committees, and federal agencies and offices contacted by lobbyists employed.
August 10, 2011 •
Elizabeth Bartz Elected President of SGAC
Luncheon Marks Officer Transition
Today at the State Government Affairs Council (SGAC) annual Member Business Meeting and Luncheon held in San Antonio, Elizabeth Bartz was elected the organization’s president for 2011-2012.
Departing President Joseph Crosby was presented the Steuben Eagle by Elizabeth Bartz in recognition for his leadership and his past year of service.
![theLadies Jean Cantrell, Elizabeth Bartz, and Maureen Riehl](http://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/theLadies.jpg)
![Chris_Elizabeth Chris Badgley and Elizabeth Bartz](http://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Chris_Elizabeth1.jpg)
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.