A bipartisan bill aimed at fighting the influence of foreign actors was introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives. House Bill 8106, the Fighting Foreign Influence Act, was introduced by Democratic U.S. Representatives Jared Golden and Katie Porter together with Republican U.S. Representative Paul Gosar.

The bill itself contains three separate Acts.

The Think Tank and Non-Profit Foreign Influence Disclosure Act would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require tax exempt organizations, including think tanks, to disclose when a government of a foreign country or a foreign political party makes aggregate contributions and gifts of more than $50,000, which would then become publicly available in a searchable database.

The Congressional and Executive Foreign Lobbying Ban Act would amend The Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to prohibit former members of Congress, senior political appointees, and general or flag officers of the armed forces from ever registering as the agent of a foreign principal.

The Stop Foreign Donations Affecting Our Elections Act would amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require political campaigns to verify that anyone making an online contribution has a valid address (using a credit card’s three-digit CVV code) before making a campaign contribution and prohibit foreign agents from fundraising for political campaigns.

The bill, introduced into the U.S. House on June 16, has been referred to the House Administration, the Ways and Means, and the Judiciary committees.

On June 21, Jean-François Routhier, the Commissioner of Lobbying with Lobbyisme Québec, officially deployed the first phase of Carrefour Lobby Quebec, the new online disclosure regime of lobbying activities for the province.

The current registry of lobbyists will be replaced by Carrefour Lobby Québec, which will be administered by Lobbyisme Québec. The official and complete launch of Carrefour Lobby Québec is anticipated to take place in the fall of 2022. At that time, the current lobbyists’ registry will close.

Beginning June 21, the most senior executives of companies and organizations carrying out lobbying activities and their authorized representatives, as well as consultant lobbyists, will begin to be invited to proceed with the creation of their individual account and their businesses or organizations on the new website. Lobbyisme Québec plans to help support registered lobbyists efficiently transition to the new website during the second and final phase of the platform’s deployment.

According to the Office of Lobbyisme’s press release, the Lobbyists Commissioner has recommended that the government, as provided for in Bill 13, adopt the decree setting the entry into force of the new platform on October 13, 2022.

In the works since the summer of 2019, the updated web platform aims to replace the “technological obsolescence” of the current site with a modern system, to improve the user experience, and to be in line with Quebec’s 2019-2023 digital transformation strategy.

Campaign Finance

Alaska: “Campaign Finance Regulators Withdraw $56,600 Fine Levied Against Anchorage Rep. Tuck” by Nathaniel Herz (Anchorage Daily News) for Yahoo News

Connecticut: “It’s Official: CT candidates can start spending campaign money on child care” by Julia Bergman for CT Insider

Hawaii: “Hu Honua Lobbyist Hosted Fundraiser for Senators Who Were Key to Energy Bill” by Stewart Yerton and Chad Blair for Honolulu Civil Beat

Ohio: “P.G. Sittenfeld Trial May Expose How Fundraising, Developer Deals at City Hall Really Got Done” by Paula Christian for WCPO

Elections

Michigan: “How One Firm in a ‘Wild West’ Industry Upended the Michigan GOP Governor Race” by Yue Stella Yu, Mike Wilkinson, and Joel Kurth for Bridge Michigan

New Mexico: “New Mexico County Certifies Election Results, Bowing to Court Order” by Annie Gowan (Washington Post) for MSN

Texas: “At Texas GOP Convention, Loyalists Embrace Far Right, Anti-Gay Rhetoric” by Rosalind Helderman (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

New York: “Law School Deans Unveil New York’s New Ethics System” by Brendan Lyons for Albany Times Union

A commission created to review the current government structure in Portland, Oregon has voted to put a comprehensive governmental restructuring proposition on the ballot this November.

Voters will get to decide on expanding the number of City Council members to 12, implement ranked-choice voting for council members, and hire a professional city administrator.

These changes come on the heels of mass-dissatisfaction among the Portland residents.

Increases in crime, homelessness, and housing costs have all been blamed for the amplified scrutiny of the current government.

A federal judge rejected a Florida law limiting contributions to political committees that support ballot initiatives.

U.S. District Judge Winsor has issued a permanent injunction against Senate Bill 1890 and House Bill 921.

These bills placed a $3,000 contribution limit on donors to political committees sponsoring or opposing ballot initiatives.

Senate Bill 1890 was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2021, and House Bill 921’s effective date was July 1, 2022, but neither bill will take effect following the ruling.

On January 1, 1863, slavery was legally ended in the rebelling states following the Emancipation Proclamation, which was issued by President Abraham Lincoln.  In practice, however, due to the technology at the time, as well as the ongoing Civil War, slavery did not end in the United States until June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX, where he announced that both the Civil War and slavery ended.

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the

Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of

personal rights and rights of property, between former masters and slaves and the

connection heretofore existing between them, becomes that between employer and hired

labor. The Freedmen are advised to remain at their present homes and work for wages.

They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts; and they will

not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”

Even after this announcement, though, many of the 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Texas remained enslaved.  This includes at least 150,000 slaves who had been brought over to Texas following the capture of New Orleans in 1862.

The first celebration of Juneteenth was held on June 19, 1866 in Texas. This celebration largely consisted of community-centric events, like parades, cookouts, prayer gatherings, historical and cultural readings, and musical performances. At many of these events, former slaves would speak about their time in enslavement. A number of these communities would even purchase land for Juneteenth celebrations, with examples including Emancipation Park in Houston and Emancipation Park in Austin.

Many of these celebrations continued into the early 20^th century, with African Americans treating the day like the Fourth of July. Overtime, the celebration of Juneteenth spread to other parts of the country as African Americans migrated out of Texas. By the Second World War, however, many of these celebrations began to decline. While celebrations for Juneteenth began to wane during the 1950s to the 1970s, in 1980, Texas became the first state in the country to make Juneteenth a state holiday, with most states soon making state holidays for Juneteenth as well. With the signing of S.475, Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, by President Biden on June 17, 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday as well.

For more information on Juneteenth, check out these resources:

S.475 – Juneteenth National Independence Day Act: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/475/text

What Is Juneteenth? https://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/what-is-juneteenth/

Juneteenth https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ref/abouttx/juneteenth.html

JUNETEENTH AND GENERAL ORDER NO. 3 https://www.galvestonhistory.org/news/juneteenth-and-general-order-no-3

Juneteenth: US to add federal holiday marking end of slavery https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57493282

Juneteenth: Fact Sheet https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R44865.pdf

Campaign Finance

Florida: “Federal Judge Blows Up Florida’s Law Limiting Contributions for Ballot Initiatives” by Jim Saunders (News Service of Florida) for MSN

Maryland: “Judge’s Donation to Baltimore State’s Attorney Candidate Thiru Vignarajah Raises Ethical Questions” by Lee Sanderlin (Baltimore Sun) for MSN

Elections

National: “GOP Spends Millions on Election Volunteers to Search for Fraud” by Isaac Arnsdorf and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) for MSN

Missouri: “Missouri Supreme Court Asks Eric Schmitt to Stop Using Judge Photo in Campaign Mailers” by David Medina for KSHB

Ethics

National: “Caught in the Culture Wars, Teachers Are Being Forced from Their Jobs” by Hannah Natanson and Moriah Balingit (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Jan. 6 Committee Reveals New Details About Pence’s Terrifying Day” by Rosalind Helderman and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) for MSN

Massachusetts: “MassHealth Director Fined $6,000 for Receiving Free Red Sox Tickets” by Susannah Sudborough for Boston.com

Pennsylvania: “Pa. House Eyes Expanding Who Can Bring Sexual Misconduct Complaints Against Lawmakers” by Stephen Caruso for Spotlight PA

National/Federal

Bipartisan Bill Aims to Curb Foreign Influence in U.S. Democracy
MSN – Isaac Stanley-Becker (Washington Post) | Published: 6/16/2022

A House bill seeks to curb foreign influence in the U.S. by imposing a lifetime ban on members of Congress, senior military leaders, and senior executive branch officials from lobbying for a foreign government or political party, among other measures. The legislation would also compel tax-exempt groups, including think tanks, to disclose high-dollar donations and gifts from foreign powers and require campaigns to verify that donors have a valid U.S. address, using the three-digit code on the back of credit cards.

Deceptive Mailings, False Billboards: Voting disinformation is not just online
Yahoo News – Steven Lee Myers (New York Times) | Published: 6/14/2022

When it comes to elections, disinformation is not just a problem online. Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin argue in a new report that disinformation targeting communities of color in three battleground states circulated as often through traditional sources of information, complicating efforts to fight it. The misleading information was included in mailings and campaign advertisements in newspapers, radio, television, and even billboards. Those efforts are more likely to reach voters in those communities than targeted disinformation campaigns on the internet.

Ginni Thomas Corresponded with John Eastman, Sources in Jan. 6 House Investigation Say
MSN – Jacqueline Alemany, Josh Dawsey, and Emma Brown (Washington Post) | Published: 6/15/2022

The House committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol obtained email correspondence between Virginia Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and lawyer John Eastman, who played a key role in efforts to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to block the certification of Joe Biden’s victory. The emails show Virginia Thomas’s efforts to overturn the election were more extensive than previously known, sources said. The committee’s members and staffers are discussing whether to spend time during their public hearings exploring her role in the attempt to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election.

House Jan. 6 Panel Revelation on Pardons Raises Questions
MSN – Michael Macagnone (Roll Call) | Published: 6/10/2022

A House select committee revealed “multiple” Republican members of Congress requested pardons from former President Trump after the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol but named only one of them. Committee Vice Chairperson Liz Cheney opened up speculation about which of her fellow Republicans might have thought their actions backing Trump’s efforts to overturn that election had crossed a criminal line. Experts said Cheney’s accusation raises complicated questions about pardons and how laws and ethical rules will apply to House members in the wake of the panel’s investigation.

Jan. 6 Panel Makes Case Election Fraud Claims Were Trump vs. ‘Team Normal’
Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney and Nicholas Wu (Politico) | Published: 6/13/2022

The January 6 committee’s case that former President Trump stoked a violent insurrection rests on a fundamental premise: Trump was told, over and over, his claims of election fraud were false, and he amplified them anyway. The panel unloaded a stream of evidence, most of it videotaped interviews, that showed Trump’s own top advisers repeatedly told him his elections claims were wrong. No matter what detailed corroboration they provided, advisers testified Trump responded with derision, ultimately pushing those aides aside in favor of the fringe lawyers willing to echo the false allegations.

Loudermilk Tour Group Taking Basement Photos ‘Raises Concerns’ for Jan. 6 Panel
MSN – Nicholas Wu and Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 6/15/2022

People who joined U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk for a Capitol complex tour on January 5, 2021, photographed and recorded places “not typically of interest to tourists, including hallways, staircases, and security checkpoints,” according to the House committee investigating the insurrection. The video footage underscored lawmaker concerns that surfaced after the attack – that large tour groups appeared to surveil areas a day before a mob smashed its way inside the Capitol. The committee has evidence at least one member of Loudermilk’s group returned to the Capitol the following day and recorded an ominous message aimed at Democratic lawmakers.

Maker of Uvalde Massacre Gun Broke Campaign Finance Law, Complaint Says
MSN – Isaac Stanley-Becker (Washington Post) | Published: 6/14/2022

Shortly after the 2020 election, a super PAC called the Gun Owners Action Fund was formed. On January 6, 2021, the gun manufacturer, Daniel Defense contributed $100,000 to the super PAC. Daniel Defense recently came under a spotlight when one of its rifles was used in the massacre of 21 people at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. A complaint from the Campaign Legal Center says Daniel Defense violated federal law when it gave the money to the Gun Owners Action Fund because federal contractors are barred from making contributions to federal candidates or committees.

More Than 100 GOP Primary Winners Back Trump’s False Fraud Claims
MSN – Amy Gardner and Isaac Arnsdorf (Washington Post) | Published: 6/14/2022

Primary voters have nominated scores of Republican candidates for state and federal office who say the 2020 election was rigged, according to an analysis by The Washington Post. The analysis offers a portrait of the extent to which embracing Trump’s false claims has become part of a winning formula in this year’s GOP contests, and what it means for the immediate future of American democracy. The majority of the election-denying candidates who have secured their nominations are running in districts or states that lean Republican, meaning they are likely to win the offices they are seeking.

Retired General Resigns as Head of Brookings Amid Federal Probe
MSN – Reis Thebault, Caroline Kitchener, and Alex Horton (Washington Post) | Published: 6/12/2022

Retired Marine Gen. John Allen resigned as president of the Brookings Institution, one of the most renowned think tanks in the world, after he was placed on administrative leave amid a federal investigation into his suspected lobbying on behalf of the government of Qatar years ago. The inquiry is focused on whether Allen secretly urged the Trump administration to tone down its criticism of Qatar in 2017, when neighbors in the Persian Gulf imposed economic sanctions on the country, accusing it of supporting Islamist extremism. U.S. law requires anyone who lobbies on behalf of other governments to be registered with the Justice Department.

State Supreme Courts: Bottom of the ballot but top concern if Roe falls
Yahoo News – Megan Messerly (Politico) | Published: 6/13/2022

State courts are likely to be flooded with litigation that could require them to rule on access to abortion, or even contraception and fertility treatments, should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade in the coming weeks. The possible end to federal abortion protections is spotlighting down-ballot races in the upcoming midterm elections, particularly for state Supreme Court judges who could soon be asked to decide whether their state constitution protects a person’s right to end a pregnancy. Organizations on both sides of the abortion debate are planning to spend big to tip the scales in their favor.

Trump Raised Millions to Fight Election Fraud Before Jan. 6. Here’s How That Money Was Spent.
MSN – Erin Mansfield (USA Today) | Published: 6/16/2022

A fundraising committee affiliated with former President Trump sent out an urgent message to supporters on election night 2020 saying Trump had activated an “Official Election Defense Fund” to protect the integrity of the election. Throughout November and December, the committee sent out dozens more similar emails soliciting money. But the fund did not exist. Most of the money went to a leadership fund that in turn gave money to organizations where Trump allies work, contributed to dozens of candidates who supported Trump’s false claims of a stolen election, and paid former White House officials after Trump left office.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Ginni Thomas Pressed 29 Ariz. Lawmakers to Help Overturn Trump’s Defeat, Emails Show
MSN – Emma Brown (Washington Post) | Published: 6/10/2022

Virginia Thomas, the wife of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, pressed 29 Republican state lawmakers in Arizona – 27 more than previously known – to set aside Joe Biden’s popular vote victory and “choose” presidential electors. The Washington Post reported in May that Virginia Thomas sent emails to two Arizona House members urging them to help overturn Biden’s win by selecting presidential electors. She sent the messages using FreeRoots, an online platform intended to make it easy to send pre-written emails to multiple elected officials.

California – A 20-Story Tower. A Liquor Box with $100 Bills. The First Trial in the Huizar Case Begins
Yahoo News – David Zahniser (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 6/14/2022

George Esparza told prosecutors he once took a Don Julio tequila box packed with $100 bills to the home of his boss, then-Los Angeles City Councilperson Jose Huizar. Esparza said Huizar initially told him to hide the cash and later hounded him for the money. Now, the businessperson accused of providing that cash is facing his day in court, in the first of three trials that make up the sprawling bribery and racketeering case against Huizar. Lawyers delivered opening statements in the case against Dae Yong Lee, who is accused of paying $500,000 to ensure Huizar would clear the way for a 20-story residential tower.

California – He Was Part of a ‘Cabal’ That Steered Anaheim City Hall. Now He Has Agreed to Plead Guilty
Yahoo News – Nathan Fenno, Adam Elmahrek, and Gabriel San Román (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 6/9/2022

Todd Ament, the former head of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, agreed to a plea bargain in connection with a wide-ranging Orange County political corruption scandal. According to a court filing, Ament will plead guilty to submitting a false tax return, lying to a mortgage lender, and two counts of wire fraud. The agreement requires Ament to fully cooperate with the government, including testifying before grand juries and at trials, and pay almost $250,000 in back taxes. The affidavit in support of the complaint contained a host of other allegations, including Ament’s participation in a “cabal” that steered Anaheim’s government.

California – LA Ethics Commission Issue s $8,750 0n Ethics, Lobbying Fines
MSN – Staff | Published: 6/15/2022

The Los Angeles Ethics Commission approved a total of $8,750 in fines for ethics and lobbying violations. One case concerned a law prohibiting city employees from misusing their official positions and city resources. The commission also found a violation of the lobbying law, which requires persons who qualify as lobbying entities to register and report their activities.

California – Topsy-Turvy Top-Two: Is California primary system keeping its promises?
CalMatters – Ben Christopher | Published: 6/13/2022

Under California’s unusual top-two primary system, all candidates are listed on the same ballot and only the first- and second-place winners move on to the November general election. Approved by voters in 2010 and rolled out for the first time statewide two years later, the system has changed state politics in many of the ways its proponents promised at the time, and a few ways they did not.

Colorado – John Kellner, Candidate for Colorado Attorney General, Returns $500 Contribution Flagged as Potential Campaign Finance Violation
Denver Post – Ryan Biller | Published: 6/10/2022

A report of a potential campaign finance violation led Colorado attorney general candidate John Kellner to return a $500 contribution from a lobbyist, although the lobbyist has since been free to give the money back to the campaign. A complaint alleged Kellner accepted a $500 contribution from lobbyist Michael Fields on January 27. Because the contribution came while the General Assembly was in session, the act was a violation of state campaign finance laws, the complaint alleged.

Florida – Former Keys Commissioner Arrested, Accused of Using Campaign Funds to Pay for Netflix
MSN – David Ovalle (Miami Herald) | Published: 6/15/2022

Former Florida Keys County Commissioner Eddie Martinez surrendered to face allegations he failed to report campaign expenditures and used campaign money to pay for personal expenses with CVS, U-Haul, and Netflix. According to an arrest warrant, Martinez failed to report numerous transactions on state-required campaign finance reports, including withdrawing campaign cash from ATMs and spending campaign money through a debit card.

Idaho – 31 Tied to Hate Group Charged with Planning Riot Near LGBTQ Event in Idaho
MSN – Nick Parker and Bryan Pietsch (Washington Post) | Published: 6/11/2022

Police in Idaho arrested 31 people who had face coverings, white-supremacist insignia, shields, and an “operations plan” to riot near an LGBTQ Pride event. Police said they were affiliated with Patriot Front, a white supremacist group whose founder was among those arrested. The Patriot Front rebranded after one of its members plowed his car into a crowd of people protesting a white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville in 2017, killing Heather Heyer and injuring dozens.

Illinois – Cook County Official Sued by Ethics Board for ‘Flagrantly’ Defying Nepotism Ban Fires Her Cousin as Chief of Staff, He Says
Yahoo News – Alice Yin (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 6/10/2022

Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Tammy Wendt’s cousin is no longer employed as her chief of staff, following a monthslong feud between Wendt and the county ethics board that recently spilled into the courts. Firing Todd Thielmann was one of the demands the Cook County Board of Ethics laid on Wendt when it sued her. The board also seeks payment of the $2,000 fine it imposed when it originally found she “flagrantly” violated the nepotism ban.

Illinois – Pass Effort to Tighten Chicago’s Ethics Rules Immediately, Ethics Board Chair Says
WTTW – Heather Cherone | Published: 6/13/2022

The chair of the Chicago Board of Ethics called for Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the city council to immediately pass a proposal to overhaul ethics rules designed to finally put an end to the deluge of corruption at City Hall. William Conlon said the package of reforms, which has been stalled since April without Lightfoot’s backing, should be “swiftly” passed and signed into law. The measure’s prospects for approval appear uncertain after Lightfoot instructed her allies on the council to use a parliamentary maneuver to prevent a hearing on the proposal in June.

Illinois – Proposal Calls for ComEd to Pay $38 Million Back to Ratepayers for Scandal Tied to Michael Madigan Indictment
MSN – Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 6/14/2022

Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) electricity customers would get more than $38 million in refunds tied to the federal bribery scandal that led to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s indictment under a proposal being considered by state regulators. ComEd has acknowledged it sought to curry favor with Madigan by placing his political cronies into jobs requiring little or no work. Though ComEd’s Springfield lobbying efforts have been a major focus of the scandal, the company said actual lobbying costs were not included in the refunds because those costs are not calculated into customer rates.

Illinois – ‘We’ve Gotta Kill It. Period.’ New Details on ComEd Bribery Probe Emerge in Latest Unsealed Search Warrants
MSN – Jason Meisner and Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 6/10/2022

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan approved efforts to kill his own daughter’s legislation as he pressed Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) to give jobs to two political allies. At the time, the legislation, aimed at helping low-income electricity customers, was making its way to the floor of a House chamber controlled by Madigan. One of its primary opponents was ComEd, the state’s largest electric utility. Madigan was indicted on racketeering charges alleging his elected office and political operation were a criminal enterprise that provided personal financial rewards for him and his associates.

Maryland – Baltimore Council President Nick Mosby Files Legal Challenge to Ethics Ruling Alleging He Broke City Law
MSN – Emily Opilo and Christine Condon (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 6/13/2022

Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby is challenging a Board of Ethics order that called on him to cease fundraising for a legal-defense fund and turn over a list of donors one month after he said publicly that he would comply with the order. The board said Mosby violated the law by indirectly soliciting for the fund that took donations from at least two city contractors. Baltimore’s ethics ordinance allows the subjects of investigations to seek a judicial review if they are “aggrieved” by a decision of the board.

Maryland – Sheila Dixon Helps a Trash hauler – and Olszewski Contributor – Win a $300,000 Fee Reduction
Baltimore Brew – Mark Reutter | Published: 6/14/2022

Among the crowd at a fundraiser for Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski last June, one person stood out. Sheila Dixon appeared at the cookout not as a mayor who was forced to resign after a theft conviction, but as a political luminary feted by, among others, Willie Goode, head of several waste management companies. A few weeks earlier, the Olszewski administration renegotiated the “tipping fee” his companies paid for trash transfers that would save Goode $300,000 over the life of the contract. D’Andrea Walker, acting director of Pubic Works and Transportation, reduced the fee following conversations with Dixon and Stacy Rodgers, the county administrator.

Michigan – Mich. Gubernatorial Candidate Arrested on Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Charge
MSN – Spencer Hsu, Aaron Davis, and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 6/9/2022

Ryan Kelley, a contender in Michigan’s crowded August 2 Republican gubernatorial primary, was arrested on charges of participating in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He faces four counts punishable by up to a year in prison, including committing an act of violence against a person or property on restricted grounds. Kelley is the latest of more than a half-dozen Republican officeholders, candidates, or local party leaders to be charged in the Capitol breach, with several pleading guilty or being convicted at trial.

Michigan – Sixth Circuit Hears Campaign Finance Case Against Michigan Governor
Courthouse News Service – Kevin Koeninger | Published: 6/9/2022

An account with more than $3.7 million for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, over 95 percent of which was later given to the Michigan Democratic Party, was amassed in violation of state campaign finance laws, the Michigan GOP argued. The fundraising sum was the result of large contributions by various wealthy donors made in response to recall efforts against Whitmer throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Only one of the efforts required the creation of a recall committee, but Whitmer used the opportunity to raise a significant amount of campaign capital.

Missouri – Grant Program for North St. Louis and ‘Aldermanic Courtesy’ Raise New Questions After Indictments
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Jacob Barker | Published: 6/13/2022

St. Louis launched a new grant program designed to pump $37 million into businesses and nonprofits along many of north St. Louis’s main thoroughfares. The program handed administrative duties to the St. Louis Development Corp., the city’s economic development arm. But it contained one provision that, at the time, gave some officials pause: all grants need approval from the area’s alderman. The provision codified the “aldermanic courtesy” that has long been tradition in St. Louis. But that tradition is under new scrutiny following the indictments against three members of the Board of Aldermen.

Nebraska – Nebraska Cops Probe Shady Tactics by Voter ID Campaign’s Foot Soldiers
Yahoo News – Francisco Alvarado (Daily Beast) | Published: 6/14/2022

Some Nebraskans have reported strange encounters with petition circulators to the elections watchdog group Civic Nebraska and Secretary of State Robert Evnen over the past month, reports which have now sparked a police investigation. The complaints describe and cell phone video clips show unknown operatives of Citizens For Voter ID engaging in what appear to be misleading tactics and saying just about anything except what the proposed ballot measure actually does in an effort to secure the necessary signatures from registered voters.

New Mexico – Ethics Commission Wants NM Disclosure Law Enforced
Albuquerque Journal – Dan McKay | Published: 6/10/2022

More than 20 percent of the individuals required to file annual disclosures about their income sources and property, a group that includes public officials and candidates in New Mexico, have not done so, according to the State Ethics Commission. The ethics agency authorized its staff to issue demand letters to about 155 people who have not filed the mandatory disclosures and to go to court if necessary to enforce the law.

New Mexico – New Mexico’s Supreme Court Orders County Commission to Certify Vote
MSN – Annie Gowan (Washington Post) | Published: 6/15/2022

New Mexico’s Supreme Court ordered commissioners in Otero County to certify election results from the June 7 primary after they refused, citing unsubstantiated concerns about fraud. A spokesperson for Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver said the office was pursuing a criminal referral, which could result in the county commissioners being charged with contempt of court or removed from office if they do not follow the court’s instructions. The commissioners’ refusal thrust the small county into the national spotlight at a time of rising concern over the long-term damage from former President Trump’s claim the 2020 election was stolen from him.

New York – In Lobbying Probe, Ethics Commission Critic Faces $4M Threat
Albany Times Union – Chris Bragg | Published: 6/12/2022

Lobbying groups in New York typically must disclose donors providing more than $2,500 under a state law meant to reveal those who are seeking to influence government. In a filing submitted last July, Don’t Bankrupt New York, which spent more than $850,000 on television ads that opposed tax increases, disclosed little about its spending and indicated it took in no contribution over $2,500. The person responsible for that paperwork was David Grandeau, the state’s former top lobbying regulator. Grandeau has touted his ability to obscure the sources behind clients’ lobbying spending, tweaking the state’s regulators for allegedly failing to keep pace with him.

New York – New York High Court Nixes Trump Appeal, Clearing Way for Testimony
CNBC – Associated Press | Published: 6/14/2022

New York’s highest court rejected former President Trump’s last-ditch effort to avoid testifying in the state attorney general’s civil investigation into his business practices, clearing the way for his deposition in July. The state’s Court of Appeals said there was no “substantial constitutional question” that would warrant its intervention in the matter following an intermediate appellate court’s ruling enforcing a subpoena for Trump’s testimony.

Ohio – Campaign Watchdogs Sue Vance Campaign, Super PAC Over Alleged Covert Website Scheme
Ohio Capital Journal – Nick Evans | Published: 6/10/2022

A super PAC illegally provided resources to J.D. Vance’s U.S. Senate campaign in Ohio to propel him to victory in the GOP primary, a new complaint filed with the FEC alleges. The Campaign Legal Center and End Citizens United claim that Protect Ohio Values used a covert website to circumvent rules that prevent coordination between super PACs and campaigns. The super PAC posted numerous campaign research, polling, and strategy documents to the site. The watchdog groups argue the Vance campaign making use of that information amounts to accepting an illegal in-kind contribution.

Ohio – Ohio State Board of Education Selected Steve Dackin as State Education Chief Eight Days After Learning an Ethics Inquiry Was Likely Coming, Letter Shows
MSN – Laurie Hancock (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 6/13/2022

The Ohio State Board of Education learned in a May 2 letter from the state Ethics Commission that an inquiry into one of its finalists for superintendent of public instruction was likely. Yet on May 10, the board selected that candidate, Steve Dackin, as the state’s education chief, a position that leads the Ohio Department of Education, designs model curriculum, and administers the testing of 1.7 million children. Dackin lasted 11 days before resigning over ethics questions. Dackin was the former Board of Education vice president who led the search for a new state superintendent as the board decided to forgo hiring an outside search firm.

Vermont – Becca Balint Has Denounced Super PACs. Is Her Campaign Winking at Them Anyway?
VTDigger.org – Lola Duffort | Published: 6/13/2022

Asked by Lt. Gov. Molly Gray, likely her closest competitor in the Democratic primary for Vermont’s sole U.S. House seat, if she would reject super PAC spending on her behalf, state Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint said she would. Federal campaign law imposes a cap on how much individual donors or corporations can give to political candidates. But those rules don’t apply to super PACs, which can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to advocate for or against candidates. Campaigns have found a deceptively simple work-around to the prohibition against coordination: redboxing.

Washington – Aide Who Blew Whistle on Mistreatment of Staff Fired from Washington Office of Insurance Commissioner
OPB – Austin Jenkins (Northwest Newws Network) | Published: 6/15/2022

The office of Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler fired a top aide who in February formally complained that Kreidler had bullied him, used crass language, and was increasingly “antagonizing staff.” The firing of Jon Noski, Kreidler’s legislative liaison, followed a wave of criticism in recent months from current, former, and potential Office of Insurance Commissioner employees who said Kreider verbally mistreated staff and also, at times, used racially offensive language.

Washington DC – Giuliani Hit with Ethics Charges by Washington D.C. Authorities Over False Election Claims
Reuters – Sara Lynch | Published: 6/11/2022

The District of Columbia office that polices attorneys for ethical misconduct filed charges on against President Trump’s former attorney, Rudy Giuliani, over baseless claims Giuliani made in federal court alleging the 2020 presidential election was stolen. The charges came a day after the House Select Committee investigating the attack on the Capitol had its first hearing in which it outlined evidence that Trump and his allies sought to overturn the 2020 election and incite throngs of his supporters to block Congress from certifying President Biden’s victory.

Wisconsin – Former Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman Should Face Discipline After ‘Misogynistic’ Comments, Judge Orders
Yahoo News – Molly Beck (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | Published: 6/14/2022

Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman could face discipline from officials who oversee the conduct of attorneys after he berated a judge and a female attorney while refusing to answer their questions about his handling of public records requests. Dane County Circuit Court Judge Frank Remington fined Gableman $2,000 per day until he proves to the court and attorneys representing American Oversight that he has produced all records the group has requested related to his taxpayer-funded review of the 2020 election. Gableman was hired by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos to investigate Donald Trump’s loss to Joe Biden in the state.

Wyoming – There Could Be a Path for Crypto Campaign Contributions in Wyoming
Wyoming Tribune Eagle – Jonathan Make | Published: 6/14/2022

There could be a pathway for Wyoming politicians to be formally cleared to accept campaign contributions in the form of virtual currency, at least possibly if state officials go along with this suggestion. During a Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology and Digital Innovation hearing, state Sens. Chris Rothfuss and Tara Nethercott noted that one approach could be for the value of a cryptocurrency political contribution to be pegged to the worth of the crypto at the time of the donation.

On June 14, I had the privilege of joining Finance Administrative Assistant Emone Smith and her parents, Stewart and Ethel Satterwhite at a meeting with the Summit Metro Parks at the Himelright Lodge on Cuyahoga Street in Akron. This was an amazing moment of connection, family history, and a glimpse into an important part of Akron’s history.

It all began on April 21, when Emone attended the Akron Roundtable presentation “Summit Metro Parks: Embarking on Our Second Century” by Lisa King, Executive Director, Summit Metro Parks.

Lisa King talked about an important archaeological find on the grounds of the Cascade Valley Metro Park. They found the remains of a house that George C. and Willie Mae Prather built on Honeywell Drive, an unpaved street off Cuyahoga Street. It was one of the homes making up a forgotten, but historically important neighborhood of African Americans in Akron. Eventually, the neighborhood was taken over by a golf course and then by the Metro Parks.

The Cultural Resources Group, made up of archaeologists and historians gathered basic facts and material culture about the neighborhood, but knew very little about the residents’ lives: “We have the dates they were born, when they were married and when they died. George passed away in 1975 and Willie Mae followed in 1983. We know that George worked for Goodyear and at one point Willie Mae worked as a maid. Beyond that, however, we know next to nothing about their lives.” wrote Charlotte Gintert in The Devil Strip 2018.

This is where Emone entered the story. At the Roundtable, she recognized her great aunt Willie Mae’s obituary being shown in the presentation and saw her own address listed! Emone confirmed with her mom that this was in fact her own family and spoke to Lisa King, which led to a set of interviews with Ethel Satterwhite, Emone’s mom.

Ethel and Stewart were able to tell the amazing story of George and Willie Mae Prather, about their lives, their neighborhood, and their church. This was exactly what the park’s archaeological team needed to fill out the story. They couldn’t have gotten this information anywhere else and it is all thanks to Emone attending Akron Roundtable.

During the event at Himelright Lodge, Ethel, Stewart, and Emone had the chance to see some of the 6000 archaeological artifacts, including foundation stones, nails, bed springs, cooking pans, even bits of a phonograph LP! They rode golf carts deep into the park, where the Honeywell Drive neighborhood used to be and saw the archaeological dig at the foundation of Uncle George and Aunt Willie Mae’s house. Ethel Satterwhite teared up when she saw it and said she was grateful to see the place again.

View some photos from this amazing afternoon in the carousel below:

 

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Campaign Finance

National: “Donald Trump Is Unlikely to Get Nailed with Fraud Charges Over His Campaign Soliciting Donations for a Non-Existent ‘Official Election Defense Fund,’ Experts Say” by Brent Griffiths and Dave Levinthal (Business Insider) for Yahoo News

Ohio: “Campaign Watchdogs Sue Vance Campaign, Super PAC Over Alleged Covert Website Scheme” by Nick Evans for Ohio Capital Journal

Wyoming: “There Could Be a Path for Crypto Campaign Contributions in Wyoming” by Jonathan Make for Wyoming Tribune Eagle

Elections

New Mexico: “GOP Commission Refuses to Certify New Mexico Primary Vote” by Morgan Lee (Associated Press) for MSN

Wisconsin: “Former Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman Should Face Discipline After ‘Misogynistic’ Comments, Judge Orders” by Molly Beck (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) for Yahoo News

Ethics

California: “A 20-Story Tower. A Liquor Box with $100 Bills. The First Trial in the Huizar Case Begins” by David Zahniser (Los Angeles Times) for Yahoo News

Illinois: “Proposal Calls for ComEd to Pay $38 Million Back to Ratepayers for Scandal Tied to Michael Madigan Indictment” by Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) for MSN

New York: “New York High Court Nixes Trump Appeal, Clearing Way for Testimony” by Associated Press for CNBC

Lobbying

Maryland: “Sheila Dixon Helps a Trash hauler – and Olszewski Contributor – Win a $300,000 Fee Reduction” by Mark Reutter for Baltimore Brew

Maryland Lawmakers passed a bill late in the session to require lobbyist employers to file contribution disclosure statements even if no contributions were made.

Senate Bill 15 became law when Gov. Larry Hogan declined to veto the bill within 30 days.

Any lobbyist employer who pays at least $500 to one or more lobbyists must file the report on May 31 and November 30.

Previously, the report was due only if applicable contributions were made in the reporting period of $500 or more.

The new law raises penalties for violations from $1,000 to $25,000 and establishes three-year record keeping requirements. Senate bill 15 is effective July 1.

Meet Amber Fish Linke, Esq., Director, Client and Product Operations!

What are your areas of expertise?

I lead the Compliance and Research departments’ daily operations to meet our consulting and publication clients’ needs regarding lobbying, campaign finance, ethics and gifts, procurement, and pay-to-play.

How long have you been with State and Federal Communications?

I have been with the company for 17 years.

How do you help our clients?

In addition to overseeing the Compliance and Research team, I address and resolve high-level compliance-related matters for our clients.  We work hard to stay ahead of the curve with new trends.  Our attention to detail and superior client service set us apart.

Campaign Finance

National: “Maker of Uvalde Massacre Gun Broke Campaign Finance Law, Complaint Says” by Isaac Stanley-Becker (Washington Post) for MSN

Vermont: “Becca Balint Has Denounced Super PACs. Is Her Campaign Winking at Them Anyway?” by Lola Duffort for VTDigger.org

Elections

National: “More Than 100 GOP Primary Winners Back Trump’s False Fraud Claims” by Amy Gardner and Isaac Arnsdorf (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Deceptive Mailings, False Billboards: Voting disinformation is not just online” by Steven Lee Myers (New York Times) for Yahoo News

Nebraska: “Nebraska Cops Probe Shady Tactics by Voter ID Campaign’s Foot Soldiers” by Francisco Alvarado (Daily Beast) for Yahoo News

Ethics

Illinois: “Pass Effort to Tighten Chicago’s Ethics Rules Immediately, Ethics Board Chair Says” by Heather Cherone for WTTW

Maryland: “Baltimore Council President Nick Mosby Files Legal Challenge to Ethics Ruling Alleging He Broke City Law” by Emily Opilo and Christine Condon (Baltimore Sun) for MSN

Ohio: “Ohio State Board of Education Selected Steve Dackin as State Education Chief Eight Days After Learning an Ethics Inquiry Was Likely Coming, Letter Shows” by Laurie Hancock (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

San Francisco voters have approved a ballot proposition prohibiting behested payments from contractors with contracts approved by the Board of Supervisors.

Proposition E also allows the city’s behested payment law to be amended if the city’s Ethics Commission and two-thirds of the Board of Supervisors approve the changes.

The new law will come into effect June 17, 2022.