August 1, 2011 •
North Carolina Adjourns Special Session
Schedules Special Session in September
The North Carolina General Assembly adjourned the special session concerning redistricting on Thursday, July 28, 2011.
During the session, the redistricting process for the state was completed.
Further, five of Governor Beverly Perdue’s vetoes were overridden.
The Legislature is expected to convene another special session on Monday, September 12, 2011.
Photo of the North Carolina State Legislative Building by Jayron32 on Wikipedia.
August 1, 2011 •
Santa Clara Court Strikes Down Ban on Late Contributions
Contributions permitted through election day.
Santa Clara Superior Court Judge James P. Kleinberg has issued a proposed decision striking down a San Jose law that bars campaign contributions to candidates during the 17 days leading up to an election.
The proposed decision will be finalized in August.
August 1, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 1, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Crossroads GPS, Priorities USA Violate Tax Laws, Reform Groups Allege in IRS Petition
Oregon Congressman, Named in Sex Case, to Resign
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Bob Riley’s PAC Admits Taking PAC-to-PAC Donation in Violation of Law Riley Pushed
California
Judge Ready to Strike down San Jose Law Barring Last-Minute Campaign Contributions
District of Columbia
D.C. Council Member Thomas to Repay D.C. $300,000
Florida
Judge Hears Challenge to Florida Campaign Law
Florida
Press Group in Talks to Take Over State Lobbyist Registration
Georgia
Ethics Commission Could See Major Reorganization
Illinois
Emanuel Ethics Reforms Back on Track at City Council
Massachusetts
GOP’s Winslow Uses On-line Coupon to Promote Fundraiser
New York
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz Fined $20,000 for Taking Free Foreign Trips for His Wife
Rhode Island
Twenty Politicians Owe $800,000 in Election Fines
Tennessee
Some Advocacy Avoids Tennessee Lobbying Label
Virginia
For Virginia Companies, Campaign Donations to Lawmakers Just another Cost of Doing Business
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.
July 29, 2011 •
Here Is Another Jurisdiction Update
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:
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Eugene, Oregon
Lakewood, Colorado
Political Cartoons for the Enjoyment of Any Political Party
When Americans feel that politicians aren’t doing an adequate job, what’s the popular response? To create political cartoons of course!
This week’s Highlighted Site Of The Week is The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists.
AAEC provides cartoons for you no matter what your party affiliation with a balance of cartoons poking fun at Democrats and Republicans alike.
With the current stand off between Republicans and Democrats about the budget and debt ceiling crisis, the political cartoonists of AAEC have taken advantage of the material provided to them. At least something entertaining can be created from the gridlock in the Capitol.
Browse through the numerous political cartoons submitted by day, filtering them by National & International or State & Local.
One of my favorite cartoons was this one.
Enjoy and have a great weekend!
July 28, 2011 •
Chicago City Council Passes Ethics Ordinance
Includes Five Key Provisions
On July 28, 2011 the Chicago City Council passed a new ethics reform ordinance. The ordinance is part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s efforts to provide more government transparency.
The new ordinance includes five key provisions. First, it creates a searchable online system for lobbyist registration and reporting. Second, it adds the term “lobbyist” to the group of people subject to the $50 gift restriction per single non-cash gift and $100 aggregated gift limit per each calendar year. Third, the new ordinance prohibits city employees, officials, or their businesses from applying for or receiving loans from lobbyists.
Fourth, the ordinance amends the semi-annual lobbyist activity report form to require lobbyists to disclose all campaign contributions to city elected officials and city employees running for office. Lastly, the ordinance codifies the revolving door provision created by Mayor Emanuel’s May 16, 2011 executive order.
Photo of the Chicago River by Robert S. Donovan on Wikipedia.
July 28, 2011 •
The White House Now Holding Office Hours on Twitter
Another Opportunity to Interact with the White House Through Social Media
Twitter “Office Hours” is the newest addition to the White House’s recent utilization of social media in order to connect to the public.
Similar to President Obama’s Twitter town hall, participants can ask a question by including the hashtag #WHChat with their tweets. Replies to questions will come from the @whitehouse Twitter account.
The first of 6 planned sessions was Tuesday, July 26 at 5 PM EDT. After each session, the White House will post a “transcript” of the chat on its blog.
As could be expected, most questions asked were relating to the budget and raising the debt ceiling.
Read the full article titled “White House staff holds Twitter ‘Office Hours’” on NextGov.com.
July 28, 2011 •
Renewed Support for Obama Executive Order
Federal Contractor Political Disclosure
U.S. Representative Anna G. Eshoo has sent a letter to President Obama in support of a proposed executive order requiring federal contractors to disclose their political expenditures. The letter was signed by more than sixty members of the House.
In part the letter reads, “[D]isclosure will not politicize the procurement process–it will improve it. Political expenditures are already well-known to those that make them and to the officials who benefit. With disclosure, the public will have access to this information as well, allowing them to judge whether contracts were awarded based on merit.”
The proposed executive order has received both support and opposition since its leak in the spring, and even sparked a house committee hearing in May.
For previous articles on Lobby Comply by George Ticoras on this topic, you can read posts from June 1, May 20, May 12, and May 10.
Clarifies Campaign Finance Reporting
The office of the Secretary of State has released an amended version of the Rules Concerning Campaign and Political Finance, 8 CCR 1505-6.
Rule 5.13 now requires reports of contributions and expenditures to be filed on a monthly basis leading up to the state’s primary election in June and continuing until reports are required to be filed on a biweekly basis beginning in September.
The rule was necessitated by the enactment of Senate Bill 11-189, which changed the date of the state’s primary from August to June. Thus, the requirement to begin filing biweekly reports in July prior to the now vacated primary election date in August was rendered infeasible.
July 28, 2011 •
State and Federal Communications Expands Coverage
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 Gilbert, Arizona; Savannah, Georgia; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Springfield, Missouri; and Syracuse, New York on our website.
The image of North America by Bosonic dressing on Wikipedia.
July 27, 2011 •
Georgia to Convene Special Session
Redistricting the Focus
The Georgia General Assembly is scheduled to convene in special session on Monday, August 15, 2011.
The primary topic of discussion is to be redistricting.
Photo of the Georgia State Capitol dome by Connor.carey on Wikipedia.
July 27, 2011 •
West Virginia to Hold Special Session
Begins August 1
West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has called a special legislative session.
It will begin at noon on August 1, 2011.
Here is the press release on the Office of the Governor website and a link to the West Virginia Legislature website.
July 26, 2011 •
Los Angeles County to Consider Campaign Finance Amendments
Campaign Finance Amendments to be Introduced
Amendments to the Los Angeles County campaign finance laws are expected to be introduced at the July 26, 2011 meeting of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
The current campaign finance ordinance prohibits PACs and political parties from making contributions to county candidates and prohibits inter- and intra-candidate transfers of funds.
The proposed campaign finance amendments would increase individual campaign contribution limits as well as permit contributions from PACs and political parties.
Under the proposed amendments, inter-candidate transfers would be treated as individual contributions.
Intra-candidate transfers between a prior and current campaign account would be permissible and subject to regulatory measures.
July 26, 2011 •
Virginia Set to Reconvene Special Session
Judicial Vacancies to be Discussed
The Virginia General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene the recessed special session on Friday, July 29, 2011.
The session is scheduled to take up the issue of judicial vacancies in the state.
Photo of the Virginia State Capitol by Amadeust on Wikipedia.
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.
