August 24, 2011 •
FEC Agrees Not to Enforce Some Laws Against NDPAC
Stipulated Order and Consent Judgment
The Federal Election Commission has entered into a Stipulated Order and Consent Judgment with the National Defense PAC (NDPAC) agreeing not to enforce some provisions of law regarding contribution limits for political committees and candidates.
These provisions, 2 U.S.C. §§ 441a(a)(1)(c) and 441a(a)(3), were ruled unenforceable by the District Court in a prior decision, Carey v. FEC. Prior to the District Court’s decision, the FEC had been unable to issue a binding resolution for an earlier NDPAC advisory opinion request.
As a single committee, the NDPAC may now contribute directly to candidates and political committees, and make independent expenditures, separating the funds only by using two separate bank accounts. It must maintain the statutory limits on the solicitation of funds used for direct contributions while it may simultaneously seek unlimited funds for use in their independent expenditures. While the Stipulated Order and Consent Judgment specifically regards the FEC withholding enforcement of the law as it applies to NDPAC, it does not address other PACs utilizing the same procedures for solicitation and separation of funds.
This post updates a previous article by George Ticoras, “One PAC is Enough” from June 15, 2011.
August 24, 2011 •
Retweet Now Defined by Oxford English Dictionary
“Retweet” is one of the newest additions to the OED
Social media has become such a huge part of our culture that terms such as “retweet” and “cyberbullying” have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary.
According to a blog post by Oxford Dictionaries , every quarter they update the current English dictionary in Oxford Dictionaries Online with new words and meanings that have made it into common usage. With over 750 million Facebook users and over 200 million Twitter members, its no surprise that such social media specific terms are considered relevant to every day conversation.
As defined by the OED, a retweet is:
Pronunciation:/riːˈtwiːt/
verb [with object]: (on the social networking service Twitter) repost or forward (a message posted by another user)
noun: a reposted or forwarded message on Twitter
“Retweet” is not the first nor likely the last social media term to be added to the Oxford English Dictionary.
August 24, 2011 •
Caudell to Replace Belinfante at Georgia Ethics Commission
Governor Makes Appointment
Governor Nathan Deal has appointed B. Chan Caudell to replace Josh Belinfante as a member of the State Ethics Commission.
Caudell is an attorney and former commissioner of Habersham County, Georgia. He also serves on the board of directors for North Georgia Technical College and is vice chair of Common Cause Georgia as well as the State Bar of Georgia advisory committee that reviews legislation.
Belinfante resigned last week, stating he was looking into running for state senate.
August 24, 2011 •
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August 23, 2011 •
Michigan Bureau of Elections Now Offers Campaign Finance Twitter Feed
Secretary of State’s Office Makes Announcement
For the latest information on campaign finance requirements in Michigan, the state’s Bureau of Elections now has a Twitter account to keep you informed. The Twitter feed will include information about reporting deadlines, electronic filing updates, and announcements regarding training sessions. You can follow the Twitter account at @MichCFR.
According to a Michigan Department of State press release, “Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced today that the Bureau of Elections is launching a Twitter account to alert candidates, committees and those interested in campaign finance of reports detailing campaign contributions and expenditures.”
For another way to receive the latest information, the release also mentions that the Secretary of State also has a Facebook presence.
August 23, 2011 •
Industry Report Says Agency Websites Need More Work
Open Government Websites Need Revamped
In a time of increasing austerity in the government, we are also experiencing an increasing demand for many government services.
While most agency websites have made it increasingly possible for the public to participate on their websites since President Obama’s Open Government Initiative was launched, an industry report released August 22 asserts that much more research needs to be done for these agencies to make sure that they are providing opportunities for quality public participation and to better be able to measure the impact this participation has on their agency.
Read the full industry report published on GovernmentExecutive.com.
August 23, 2011 •
D.C. Requires Additional Campaign Finance Reporting
Additional Filings Required Ahead of April 3, 2012 Primary
The Council of the District of Columbia has passed the Campaign Finance Reporting Emergency Amendment Act of 2011 which requires increased campaign finance reporting in the year preceding an election, commensurate with the change of the September primary election and the February presidential preference election to the 1st Tuesday in April in an election year.
A political committee supporting a candidate or candidates participating in the April 3, 2012 primary election must file reports of receipts and expenditures in the 7 months preceding the date on which the election is held.
Political committees supporting a candidate or candidates participating in the April 3, 2012 primary election must now file reports of receipts and expenditures on October 10, 2011; December 10, 2011; January 31, 2012; March 10, 2012; and March 26, 2012.
August 23, 2011 •
Missouri Legislature Called to Special Session
Special Session to Convene September 6
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has called the Legislature to begin a special session on Tuesday, September 6, 2011.
The special session was called to address a number of the governor’s job creation proposals.
Photo of Missouri Governor Jay Nixon by Bernard Pollack on Wikipedia.
August 23, 2011 •
Vice-Chair Resigns from Georgia Ethics Commission
Considering Run for State Senate
Josh Belinfante, Vice Chairman of the State Ethics Commission, has announced he is resigning his position in order to consider a run for state senate. While he has yet to commit to running for the position, Belinfante has indicated an interest in the seat for senate district 6 following the release of the proposed maps for redistricting.
Belinfante’s resignation comes on the heels of the recent announcement by Chairman Patrick Millsaps that he will be stepping down from his position due to what he has determined to be his illegal appointment by Governor Nathan Deal.
The State Ethics Commission is also currently engaged in the process of finding a person to fill the role of Executive Secretary for the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission following the departure of Stacey Kalberman.
Kalberman’s departure and the termination of the Deputy Executive Secretary position, once held by Sherilyn Streicker, were the result of cost-cutting maneuvers implemented by members of the Commission this past June.
August 23, 2011 •
West Virginia Special Session Adjourns
Session addressed redistricting
The West Virginia Legislature adjourned the second special session on redistricting on August 21, 2011.
Here is the announcement on the West Virginia Legislature’s blog.
Photo of the West Virginia State Capitol by Garkeith on Wikipedia.
August 22, 2011 •
En Route
Where you can find us this week:
Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, will be attending the Public Affairs Council Consultant Member Meeting in Washington, D.C. on August 23, 2011.
August 22, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 22, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Special Interests Gave $3 Million to Members of New Budget Super Committee
The 2012 Election Brings a New Kind of Fundraiser: The super bundler
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
AP Interview: Juror says Alabama gambling trial jury favored acquittals on undecided charges
California
Porter Steps Down as Head of Political Watchdog Agency
Florida
Tallahassee Lobbyists Earning More This Year
Kentucky
Louisville Metro Council Ethics Panel Enforces Gift Rules
Maine
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Maine PAC Reporting Requirement
Nebraska
Attorney General: State campaign finance law likely unconstitutional
New York
Donor Limit Tops $100,000 at Capitol
New York
Gov. Andrew Cuomo Signs Government Ethics Law for N.Y. State Officials, Workers
Rhode Island
Anti-Gay Marriage Group Loses Appeal of R.I. Court Ruling
Virginia
Hamilton Sentenced in Bribery, Extortion Case
Washington
Public Disclosure Commission Seeks New Director
Wisconsin
GOP’s Senate Edge Stays at One after Recalls
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 19, 2011 •
Director of Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau Announces He’s Leaving
By 2013
Lorne Malkiewich, the director of the Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau, has announced he is retiring before the next regular legislative session in 2013.
Malkiewich told the Reno Gazette-Journal, “I am applying for some jobs and if I get them, then obviously, it would be sooner,” he said. “But otherwise, it will probably be sometime next fall (of 2012). I just wanted to give leadership some notice so they will be able to work on recruiting a new director and things like that.” One of the duties of the Legislative Counsel Bureau is handling lobbyist registration, reporting, and information services.
Malkiewich has been with the Legislative Counsel Bureau since 1981.
Photo of the Nevada State Capitol by Dave Parker on Wikipedia.
August 19, 2011 •
We Cover New Jurisdictions
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:
Chandler, Arizona
Fort Collins, Colorado
New Haven, Connecticut
Stamford, Connecticut
Chesapeake, Virginia
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.
