lobbying Archives - State and Federal Communications

January 16, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – January 16, 2026

National/Federal Judge Grills Feds Over ICE Rule Blocking Lawmakers from Surprise Oversight Visits Courthouse News Service – Ryan Knappenberger | Published: 1/14/2026 A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to explain whether it was unlawfully using congressionally appropriated funds to […]

National/Federal

Judge Grills Feds Over ICE Rule Blocking Lawmakers from Surprise Oversight Visits

Courthouse News Service – Ryan Knappenberger | Published: 1/14/2026

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to explain whether it was unlawfully using congressionally appropriated funds to block members of Congress from conducting surprise oversight visits to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. In December, U.S. District Court Judge Jia Cobb ruled that a new set of ICE policies requiring lawmakers to provide notice of such visits seven days in advance was likely unlawful and beyond the Department of Homeland Security’s authority, freezing the policies for the time being.

ICE and Activists Clash Over Doxing and Privacy, in Court and Streets

MSN – Joseph Menn (Washington Post) | Published: 1/15/2026

As immigration agents and protesters clash in the streets, a parallel battle is unfolding over sensitive data used to identify and hold those on the other side to account. Government officers are using new tools featuring real-time location data and license-plate tracking to investigate protesters. Activists are using burner phones and donated dash cams to counter those efforts, recording masked agents and compiling lists of names and badge numbers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The government has charged activists under criminal statutes and tried to compel online platforms to reveal the identities of activists using their sites.

FBI Executes Search Warrant at Washington Post Reporter’s Home

MSN – Perry Stein and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 1/14/2026

The FBI executed a search warrant at a Washington Post reporter’s home as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified government materials. The reporter, Hannah Natanson, was at her home at the time of the search. Federal agents searched her home and her devices, seizing her phone, two laptops, and a Garmin watch. Federal regulations intended to protect a free press are designed to make it difficult to use aggressive law enforcement tactics against reporters to obtain the identities of their sources or information.

Trump Makes Obscene Gesture, Mouths Expletive at Detroit Factory Heckler

MSN – Natalie Allison and Dan Merica (Washington Post) | Published: 1/13/2026

President Trump made an obscene gesture with his middle finger and mouthed an expletive to a factory employee who shouted at him during a tour of a Ford plant in Michigan, a reaction the White House said was “appropriate” given the heckling. Out of frame in a cellphone video, a person can be heard yelling “pedophile protector” just before Trump mouthed the insult, an apparent reference to the Trump administration’s handling of the investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Commerce Seeks to Strike ‘Redundant,’ ‘Obsolete’ Provisions from Lobbying Regs

MSN – Graham Thompson (The Well News) | Published: 1/14/2026

The Commerce Department wants to amend its regulations governing restrictions on lobbying, specifically to remove “redundant, obsolete and inefficient provisions.” The regulation slated for the changes is the decades-old 15 CFR Part 28, a set of rules that implemented government-wide restrictions on the use of appropriated funds for lobbying activities in connection with federal contracts, grants, loans, and cooperative agreements.

Washington’s New Lobbyists: Paid online influencers with few rules

MSN – Maggie Severns, Natalie Andrews, Josh Dawsey, and Eliza Collins (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 1/11/2026

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has transformed the federal government and upended the business of lobbying, creating a new class of Washington operatives that blur the lines between consulting, advocacy, and journalism. Corporate and foreign interests that used to rely primarily on paid lobbyists to pitch their case to lawmakers and administration officials are instead pouring money into trying to get their cause promoted by a group of young, conservative influencers known to be close to Trump’s staff.

Sen. Mark Kelly Sues Hegseth Over Censure, Potential Demotion

MSN – Noah Robertson and Tara Copp (Washington Post) | Published: 1/12/2026

Sen. Mark Kelly filed a lawsuit seeking to reverse Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s letter of censure and effort to potentially demote the retired Navy officer, escalating a confrontation over a video reminding U.S. service members they can refuse illegal orders. Kelly’s lawyers argued the Pentagon’s inquiry and formal reprimand, unlawfully punished the senator for his speech and violated his due process.

House Votes to Subpoena Journalist Over Report on Delta Force Commander

MSN – Scott Nover and Kadia Goba (Washington Post) | Published: 1/8/2026

A House Oversight Committee vote to subpoena journalist Seth Harp over his reporting on the U.S. military operation in Venezuela has raised concerns among press freedom watchers, who say the action disregards First Amendment guarantees. The day after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Harp shared on X a photograph and biography of a military officer he identified as the commander of the Army’s Delta Force unit, which played a central role in the Caracas operation. Harp later wrote on X that the social media site locked his account until he deleted the post.

Smithsonian Removes Trump Impeachment Text as It Swaps His Portrait

MSN – Samantha Chery, Janay Kingsberry, and Kelsey Ables (Washington Post) | Published: 1/10/2026

The National Portrait Gallery removed a swath of text that mentioned President Trump’s two impeachments and the insurrection at the Capitol as it swapped out a prominent photo of him. It replaced a photo accompanied by a longer caption recounting Trump’s first term and his reelection. “Impeached twice, on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, he was acquitted by the Senate in both trials,” it read in part.

Justice Department Opens a Criminal Investigation of Fed Chair

MSN – Andrew Ackerman and Salvador Rizzo (Washington Post) | Published: 1/11/2026

The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation of Federal Reserve Board Chairperson Jerome Powell, tied to the renovation of the Fed’s headquarters along the National Mall. Powell accused the Justice Department of using the threat of criminal prosecution to pressure the central bank to lower interest rates, describing newly issued grand jury subpoenas as an unprecedented challenge to the Fed’s independence.

Virginia and Maryland at Center of Congressional Redistricting Battle

MSN – Erin Cox, Teo Armus, and Katie Shepherd (Washington Post) | Published: 1/13/2026

In what could be Democrats’ last wave of mid-cycle redistricting, the Virginia and Maryland Legislatures will each convene with national party leaders pushing them to redraw congressional maps and net as many as five seats to help build an advantage ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats in both states will hold majorities and the governor’s seat as debate unfolds, and they have been heavily lobbied for months to press for as many seats as possible, efforts that have had mixed results.

Top Prosecutors in DC., Minneapolis Leave Amid Turmoil Over Shooting Probe

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 1/13/2026

Multiple senior prosecutors in the District of Columbia and Minnesota are leaving their jobs amid turmoil over the Trump administration’s handling of the shooting death of a Minneapolis woman. The departures include at least five prosecutors from the U.S. attorney’s office in Minneapolis, including the office’s second-in-command. The Minnesota resignations followed demands by Justice Department leaders to investigate the widow of Renée Good, the woman killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who shot into her car.

These Prosecutors Spent Years on Cases. Then Trump Granted Pardons.

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 1/14/2026

White-collar and public corruption cases are among the most resource-intensive for the Justice Department to pursue. Prosecutors, FBI agents, and other specialists often work for years to build such cases, following money trails and interviewing scores of witnesses before they even file an indictment. More than half a dozen experienced prosecutors said Trump’s clemency acts have eroded faith among current and former Justice Department employees that the cases they devote years to prosecuting will lead to accountability.

Trump Is Trying to Change How the Midterm Elections Are Conducted

MSN – Patrick Marley and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 1/12/2026

President Trump, fearful that a Congress controlled by Democrats could investigate him, impeach him, and stymie his agenda, is using every tool he can find to try to influence the 2026 midterm elections. Many of these endeavors go far beyond typical political persuasion, challenging long-established democratic norms. They include demands that Republican state lawmakers redraw congressional districts before the constitutionally required 10-year schedule, the prosecution of political opponents, a push to toughen voter registration rules, and attempts to end the use of voting machines and mail ballots.

Trump’s ‘Superstar’ Appellate Judges Have Voted 133-12 in His Favor

Seattle Times – Mattathias Schwartz and Emma Schartz (New York Times) | Published: 1/11/2026

President Trump has found a powerful but obscure bulwark in the appeals court judges he appointed during his first term. They have voted overwhelmingly in his favor when his administration’s actions have been challenged in court in his current term, an analysis of their 2025 records shows. Appellate judges chosen by Trump in his first term repeatedly reversed rulings made by District Court judges in his second, clearing the way for his policies and gradually eroding a perception early last year that the legal system was thwarting his efforts to amass presidential power.

Several of Kennedy’s Dietary Advisers Have Ties to Meat and Dairy Interests

Seattle Times – Alice Callahan and Maggie Astor (New York Times) | Published: 1/11/2026

Soon after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in as the nation’s health secretary, he promised to overhaul the federal nutrition guidelines. A key step, he said, would be to “toss out the people who were writing the guidelines with conflicts-of-interest.” His own panel, he said, would “have no conflicts-of-interest.” But the new guidelines, which emphasize protein, meat, cheese, and milk, were informed by a panel of experts with several ties to the meat and dairy industries.

From the States and Municipalities

California – No Campaign? No Problem. Inside California Political Elites’ Shadowy Spending

MSN – Nicole Nixon and Kate Wolffe (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 1/11/2026

The indictment of Dana Williamson, a former top aide to Gov. Gavin Newsom, opened a window to Sacramento’s campaign finance ecosystem, showing the ways that lawmakers, lobbyists, consultants, and interest groups use accounts to trade money, time, and access. A review of more than 100 accounts and lobbying records reveals how two types of accounts in particular – ballot measure committees and campaign accounts held by ex-lawmakers – are commonly used to shore up political connections and help elected officials live large, while spending little, if anything, on campaigns those accounts were ostensibly designed to support.

California – Federal Judges Allow California to Use New US House Map Ahead of 2026 Election

MSN – Trân Nguyễn (Associated Press) | Published: 1/14/2026

California can use a new voter-approved U.S. House map that is designed to boost Democrats in the 2026 midterms, a federal three-judge panel ruled. The complaint accused California of violating the Constitution by using race as a factor to favor Hispanic voters when drawing the new district lines. The map, aimed at giving Democrats a shot at flipping as many as five House seats next year, was decisively approved by voters through Proposition 50 in November.

Colorado – Opportunity Caucus Lawmakers, in Response to Ethics Complaints, Say They Didn’t Violate Gift Ban by Attending $32,000 Vail Retreat

Colorado Sun – Taylor Dolven | Published: 1/9/2026

A group of state lawmakers say they did not violate Colorado’s gift ban when they attended a retreat at a ritzy hotel in Vail in October with lobbyists but still will not say where they got the money to pay for legislators’ hotel rooms, food, and drinks, totaling $32,000. In response to complaints against the lawmakers filed with the Independent Ethics Commission, the lawmakers say they are in the clear because their caucus covered the $32,671.15 tab with money given to the group.

Colorado – Colorado Appeals Panel Skeptical of Sentencing for Former County Clerk Who Breached Election Systems

MSN – Colleen Slevin (Associated Press) | Published: 1/14/2025

A Colorado appeals court panel seemed skeptical that a judge could use former county clerk Tina Peters’ insistence on spreading election conspiracy theories as part of the reason to sentence her to nine years in prison for orchestrating a data breach of election equipment. The three-judge panel was dismissive of many of the arguments made by Peters’ attorneys. But they grilled the state’s lawyer over the trial judge reciting Peters’ false statements about elections in handing down her sentence.

Florida – She Made a Facebook Comment About Her Mayor. Then the Police Arrived.

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) | Published: 1/14/2026

Raquel Pacheco began recording on her phone as she opened her front door to the pair of police officers standing outside. They told her they had questions about a Facebook comment she had written about Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner. The now-public tussle over Pacheco’s Facebook comment is another salvo in a battle between activists across the country and authorities whom they accuse of stifling speech about divisive political topics.

Illinois – Supreme Court Says Candidates Can Challenge Vote Counting Rules

Yahoo News – Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 1/14/2026

Candidates for public office can sue in advance over vote counting practices they contend are illegal, the Supreme Court ruled. The justices said U.S. Rep. Rep. Michael Bost of Illinois can proceed with a lawsuit challenging a practice President Trump has long decried: counting ballots received after Election Day.

Indiana – ‘Paid Protester’ Lobbying Bill Advances to Senate Floor with ‘Substantial’ Edits Expected

Yahoo News – Leslie Bonilla Muñiz (Indiana Capital Chronicle) | Published: 1/13/2026

Legislation requiring paid political influencers to report to Indiana lobbying regulators heads to the Senate floor despite major concerns from regulators and First Amendment advocates, and the author’s admission the bill was drafted in a rush. The bill focuses on “influence campaigns,” defined as attempts to mobilize the public to take some action or contact state officials, including via protest.

Louisiana – Louisiana Ethics Board Says Judge Can Spend Campaign Money on His Role as Mardi Gras Krewe Royalty

MSN – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 1/15/2026

A Jefferson Parish judge who has been chosen king of a Carnival krewe can spend his campaign money to purchase merchandise for his role, according to the Louisiana Board of Ethics. Judge Adrian Adams, who is up for reelection this year, specifically asked if he could use political contributions to purchase cups, beads, and other carnival favors bearing his name and image to be given out at parades and other Mardi Gras festivities.

Louisiana – Louisiana Ethics Board Might Seek Exemption for Elected Officials to New Privacy Law

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 1/14/2026

The Louisiana Board of Ethics might seek an exemption from a new privacy law that allows current and retired judges, and soon hundreds of other public officials, to remove their personal information from its online records and website. The board’s staff recommended it ask state legislators to write an exception into the statute for documents the board oversees. Lawmakers would have to approve a change to the law, and their legislative session begins March 9.

Louisiana – Landry Can Appoint Three More Members to Ethics Board, Controlling Majority of Panel

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 1/9/2026

Gov. Jeff Landry has the power to appoint three more members to the Louisiana Board of Ethics this year, giving him control over the majority of the entity that enforces campaign finance and government transparency laws. Three of the 15 board members’ terms expired January 1. The governor controls all seats now open to new appointees. He selected five new members last year. Appointing three more would give him a slim majority of eight members.

Michigan – Before Road Funding Deal, Road Builder Money Flowed to Michigan Lawmakers

Bridge Michigan – Simon Schuster | Published: 1/9/2026

Less than two months before Michigan lawmakers finalized a historic deal to pump as much as $2 billion a year into road repairs, a slew of road construction executives whose companies will benefit from the spending opened their checkbooks at an upscale steakhouse in metro Detroit. Those donations more than doubled compared to prior years as House Speaker Mike Hall and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pushed for a bipartisan road funding deal, according to an analysis by Bridge Michigan.

Mississippi – FBI Tracked Jackson Leaders Years Before 2023 Sting, Documents Show

Yahoo News – Charlie Drape (Clarion Ledger) | Published: 1/14/2026

The FBI was secretly tracking former Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens nearly a year before federal prosecutors said their public corruption case began. The records were made public as part of Owens’ motion to dismiss his 2024 indictment, in which his lawyers attached hundreds of documents, including FBI emails, confidential informant reports, and discovery materials produced by prosecutors. Owens argues the government improperly targeted and entrapped him.

New Mexico – Lawmaker Streamlines Lobbyist Disclosure Bill for Second Try

New Mexico In Depth – Marjorie Childress | Published: 1/12/2026

New Mexico Rep. Sarah Silva filed a bill that requires lobbyists or their employers to file a report within 48 hours of when they start lobbying on legislation. The reports must identify the specific bill, their position on it, and which employer is paying them to lobby. Because the upcoming legislative session is a short “budget” session, the governor must add the lobbying transparency bill to lawmakers’ agenda in order for them to consider and vote on the measure.

New York – Former Adams Aide Tony Herbert Arrested on Sweeping Federal Bribery Charges

Yahoo News – Molly Crane-Newman, Chris Sommerfeldt, Thomas Tracey, and Josephine Stratman (New York Daily News) | Published: 1/13/2026

Tony Herbert, a former official in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration and longtime fixture in New York City politics, was arrested by federal authorities on sweeping public corruption charges alleging he took bribes and kickbacks during his time at City Hall. The indictment alleges he was engaging in public corruption during his stints in Adams’s Community Affairs Unit and as Citywide Public Housing Liaison.

North Carolina – NC Warns Supreme Court Candidate Over ‘Prohibited’ Lobbyist Campaign Donation

MSN – Kyle Ingram (Raleigh News and Observer) | Published: 1/13/2026

The North Carolina State Board of Elections sent a warning letter to Rep. Sarah Stevens, the Republican candidate for the state Supreme Court, after she was accused of violating the law by accepting political contributions from two lobbyists. State law prohibits sitting lawmakers from accepting campaign donations from a lobbyist, even though the donation was for Stevens’ judicial campaign.

North Dakota – Financial Disclosures for North Dakota Officials, Candidates Now Available for Free Online

Yahoo News – Mary Steurer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 1/12/2026

A new website allows members of the public to view the financial interest statements of North Dakota political candidates and other elected or appointed officials. Moving forward, the public will be able to download the forms for free online. State filings previously were maintained as paper records and could only be accessed by submitting a request to the North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office, which could involve a fee.

Ohio – Judge Clears Way for Householder’s State Trial in HB 6 Scandal. Yost Has This Warning

MSN – David Gambino (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 1/8/2026

Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder will continue to face state felony charges stemming from the House Bill 6 scandal after a Cuyahoga County judge denied his motion to dismiss the case. Common Pleas Judge Kevin Kelley Householder’s arguments that investigators exceeded their authority, Cuyahoga County was an improper venue, and several charges were time‑barred and should have been filed only as misdemeanor campaign finance offenses.

Oregon – Facing $25M Request, Oregon Lawmakers Again Float Delaying Historic Campaign Finance Law

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 1/13/2026

Multiple Oregon lawmakers of both parties have expressed support for delaying implementation of the state’s law that will limit political contributions and increase transparency. Top officials of the secretary of state’s office have requested $25 million in the upcoming legislative session to keep the implementation of the law on track. But they have said that amount is only a “placeholder” estimate, largely because the agency has not yet hired a contractor to create some of the technological infrastructure required by the law. Without further guidance and additional funding, agency officials have warned the rollout of the law could be botched.

Oregon – Longtime Oregon Lawmaker Admits to Ethics Violation, But Fails to Disclose Business Client

Portland Oregonian – Les Zaitz (Salem Recorder) | Published: 1/9/2026

For the second time in a year, state Rep. Greg Smith has conceded violating Oregon law by not fully disclosing clients of his private consulting company. Smith agreed to a letter of education from the Government Ethics Commission over the violation. That sanction is standard for the commission in matters concerning disclosures.

Rhode Island – Foulkes Wants to Ban Lobbyist Donations During Legislative Sessions

MSN – Patrick Anderson (Providence Journal) | Published: 1/12/2026

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Helena Foulkes is calling on her 2026 election rivals in Rhode Island to renounce donations from lobbyists this year, just as the traditional political fundraising season kicks into high gear. Foulkes says all statewide officeholders and General Assembly members, plus anyone running for those offices, should not be allowed to accept contributions from registered lobbyists during the annual legislative session.

Texas – Fort Bend Rep. Gary Gates Passed a Bill That Helped His Business. Now He’s Suing to Be Sure It Sticks.

MSN – Eric Dexheimer (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 1/14/2026

When state Rep. Gary Gates passed legislation closing an affordable housing loophole that threatened to cost Texas cities hundreds of millions of dollars in lost property tax revenue, he considered the law one of his biggest-ever legislative achievements. Gates owns and manages low-income housing properties. His new law shut the door on controversial local government agencies that had inked hundreds of deals across the state. Developers who profited from the deals challenged the new rules in court. Gates, acting in his private capacity as an affordable-housing landlord, joined the legal battle opposing the developers.

Virginia – Trump Officials Fire High-Ranking Prosecutor in Virginia Amid Turmoil

MSN – Salvador Rizzo, Perry Stein, and Steve Thompson (Washington Post) | Published: 1/12/2026

A veteran prosecutor who was recruited to help run a key U.S. attorney’s office in Virginia was abruptly dismissed after disagreements with the Trump administration. Robert McBride was first assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia for about two months, starting after President Trump and his administration purged the top prosecutors in the office and ordered that criminal charges be filed against two of the president’s perceived political opponents, former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Washington – Mayor Katie Wilson Pays Small Fine for Child Care Help During Campaign

Seattle Times – David Kroman | Published: 1/14/2026

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson paid $250 for failing to report more than $10,000 in payments made by her parents to help with childcare during her 2025 campaign. Because, according to Wilson’s own account, the money was given to allow her more financial flexibility to campaign for office, the payments should have been reported as in-kind contributions, concluded Wayne Barnett, executive director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.

Washington – Board Finds Reasonable Cause Ferguson Violated Ethics Law

Seattle Times – Jim Brunner | Published: 1/11/2026

The Washington State Executive Ethics Board found “reasonable cause” to believe Gov. Bob Ferguson violated the law by bringing his former top aide onto a state plane last year. The board voted to accept the findings of a staff investigation that found Ferguson illegally “provided a special privilege” to Mike Webb, his longtime former top aide, “by allowing them passage on a state aircraft.” State law generally prohibits the use of state resources for private gain.

January 9, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – January 9, 2026

National/Federal Capitol Riot ‘Does Not Happen’ Without Trump, Jack Smith Told Congress MSN – Eric Tucker (Associated Press) | Published: 12/31/2025 The January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol “does not happen” without Donald Trump, former special counsel Jack […]

National/Federal

Capitol Riot ‘Does Not Happen’ Without Trump, Jack Smith Told Congress

MSN – Eric Tucker (Associated Press) | Published: 12/31/2025

The January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol “does not happen” without Donald Trump, former special counsel Jack Smith told lawmakers in characterizing the Republican president as the “most culpable and most responsible person” in the criminal conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The House Judiciary Committee released a transcript and video of a closed-door interview Smith gave about two investigations of Trump. It shows how Smith, during a daylong deposition, defended the basis for pursuing indictments against Trump and vigorously rejected Republican suggestions his investigations were politically motivated.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Gutted of Federal Funds, Votes to Dissolve

MSN – Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 1/5/2026

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s (CPB) board of directors voted to dissolve the organization, ending the 58-year-old agency that distributed federal funds to NPR, PBS, and more than 1,500 local public radio and television stations. The move formalizes the shutdown that began this summer after Republicans in Congress rescinded $1.1 billion in funding at President Trump’s behest. CPB leaders said they chose dissolution over maintaining a dormant organization that could become manipulated by new stewards acting without public media’s best interest at heart.

Hegseth Announces Censure and Potential Demotion of Sen. Mark Kelly

MSN – Dan Lamothe and Tara Copp (Washington Post) | Published: 1/5/2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he formally censured Sen. Mark Kelly and launched administrative proceedings against Kelly to consider whether to reduce his Navy rank in retirement, the latest twist in a dispute about the senator’s political commentary. Hegseth said as a retired Navy officer, Kelly is “still accountable to military justice,” and he repeated unfounded allegations that Kelly has made “seditious statements.” The dispute centers on a video in Kelly and five other Democrats reminded U.S. troops they can disobey illegal orders, infuriating President Donald Trump.

Trump Ends Effort to Keep National Guard in Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland

MSN – Lauren Kaori Gurley and Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 12/25/2025

President Trump announced he is pulling the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, although the troops already had a limited presence because the states involved had sued to block their deployment. Troops remain on the ground in New Orleans and Memphis, with support from state officials, and in the District of Columbia, where the mayor does not have control over the National Guard. The president’s retreat follows the administration’s setbacks in lawsuits aimed at removing the National Guard from cities in blue states.

Hegseth’s Remade Press Corps Covers Venezuela Raid with Praise, Not Probing

MSN – Scott Nover and Drew Harwell (Washington Post) | Published: 1/7/2025

The U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro marks the first major test for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s overhauled Pentagon press corps, a crop of right-wing influencers and media personalities that took over the coverage desks of traditional news organizations, whose journalists surrendered their Pentagon credentials months ago rather than agree to restrictions on their reporting. Mainstream journalists have continued to cover the events from the outside, though some of them say the additional challenges they face in getting answers from government leaders could erode their ability to shed light on the aftermath of Maduro’s capture.

More Than 2 Million Epstein Documents Still Unreleased, Officials Say

MSN – Kelly Kasulis Cho (Washington Post) | Published: 1/6/2026

More than 2 million documents regarding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein remain to be released, Justice Department officials told a federal judge, offering the most precise estimate so far of the size of the file still under review. Those reviewing the unreleased documents must determine whether each one falls under the law’s broad mandate, review the documents to redact information that could identify victims, and respond to requests from victims or their family members for additional redactions. Officials offered similar explanations for a delay in releasing all unclassified Epstein documents n December, after the Justice Department failed to meet its deadline.

Judge Orders Lindsey Halligan to Explain Why She Keeps Using US Attorney Title

MSN – Melissa Quinn (CBS News) | Published: 1/7/2026

A federal judge ordered Lindsey Halligan to explain why she continues to identify herself as a U.S. attorney despite a different judge finding her appointment as the top federal prosecutor in eastern Virginia was invalid. U.S. District Court Judge David Novak gave Halligan seven days to provide the basis for her use of the title and ordered her to explain why her identification as U.S. attorney “does not constitute a false or misleading statement.” U.S. District Court Judge Cameron Currie ruled in November that Halligan’s appointment as interim U.S. attorney violated the Constitution’s Appointments Clause and a federal law governing U.S. attorney vacancies

Rep. Steny Hoyer to Retire, Ending Storied Career in Elected Office

MSN – Paul Kane (Washington Post) | Published: 1/7/2026

Rep. Steny Hoyer will not run for reelection and end a nearly six-decade career in elected office that spanned his rising-star days in Maryland government to a two-decade run as the number two U.S. House Democrat. Now three years out of leadership, Hoyer remains an active legislator but feared ending up like many other elderly lawmakers, becoming physically or mentally frail in their final days in office.

The Data Center Rebellion Is Here, and It’s Reshaping the Political Landscape

MSN – Evan Halper (Washington Post) | Published: 1/6/2026

From Archibald, Pennsylvania, to Page, Arizona, technology firms are seeking to build data centers in locations that sometimes are not zoned for such heavy industrial uses, within communities that had not planned for them. These supersize data centers can use more energy than entire cities and drain local water supplies. Anger over the perceived trampling of communities by Silicon Valley has entered the national political conversation and could affect voters of all political persuasions in this year’s midterm elections.

The Supreme Court May Leave Alone the Voting Rights Act Just Long Enough to Keep the GOP from House Control in 2026

MSN – Samuel Benson and Andrew Howard (Politico) | Published: 1/8/2026

It appears Kansas will not join the parade of states engaging in mid-decade redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, meaning Johnson County will remain in one congressional district. Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins told reporters he does not have the votes necessary to pass a new map over the all-but-certain veto of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

How New Protest Laws Are Impacting Political Demonstrations

MSN – Akilah Johnson (Washington Post) | Published: 1/2/2026

More than a dozen states that have cracked down on protests in recent years, passing laws that often equate political demonstrations with riots in ways that First Amendment experts say could be illegal. Since 2017, 23 states have passed at least 55 laws to address how and when people can protest. Some laws mandate at least 30 days in jail for rioting – often loosely defined as a group involved in tumultuous or potentially violent behavior – while others restrict protests on college campuses or imprison and fine people who block sidewalks, streets, and highways.

Mail-In Voting Faces New Hurdle as Postal Service Formalizes Postmark Practice

Yahoo News – Anna Liss-Roy (Washington Post) | Published: 1/3/2026

A change in how the U.S. Postal Service postmarks letters could discount the ballots of thousands of last-minute voters. Many Americans have long assumed that tax returns, ballots, and other mailed documents sent on deadline would be marked as sent the day they are dropped in a mailbox. But the Postal Service announced it was making no such guarantees about postmarks. Its new guidelines say a postmark might come days later, when mail is processed at a regional facility. Fourteen states provide a grace period allowing mail ballots to be counted if they arrive after Election Day if they are postmarked by then.

The Political Divide Over January 6 Is Only Deepening Five Years After the Deadly US Capitol Attack

Yahoo News – Annie Grayer and Marshall Cohen (CNN) | Published: 1/6/2026

Five years after the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the fundamental facts of that day continue to fuel deep divisions that have created dueling political realities. The Democratic lawmakers who dedicated 18 months of their careers to the comprehensive House investigation are grappling with how the truth about President Trump’s role can break through in this current political moment, where Trump continues to claim he won the 2020 election and has taken significant steps to reward rioters and deflect blame for the attack.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Ex-Arizona Lawmaker Who Questioned Election Integrity Gets Probation for Using Forged Signatures

MSN – Jacques Billeaud (Associated Press) | Published: 1/6/2026

A former Republican lawmaker who questioned the integrity of Arizona’s elections and served as a leader for the conservative group Turning Point Action was sentenced to probation and a five-year ban on running for public office for using nominating petitions that contained forged signatures in a bid to qualify for a 2024 primary election. Austin Smith acknowledged trying to use petitions with forged signatures that he knew were false and forging a dead woman’s signature on a nominating petition.

Arkansas – Concerns Rise After Governor Appoints 2nd Lobbyist to Arkansas Board of Corrections

MSN – Andrew Mobley (KATV) | Published: 1/7/2026

Recent appointments by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to the Arkansas Board of Corrections have drawn scrutiny from a state senator and a Franklin County resident running for Senate District 26, who are concerned that half the appointees work for prominent lobbying firms. State Sen. Bryan King Senate District 26 independent candidate Adam Watson say not only do the governor’s four appointments last year to the seven-member board stack the deck in her favor as she pursues building a 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County, but they also create conflicts-of-interest.

California – SF Official’s ‘Great Betrayal’ Ends in Prison for $600K Theft of City Funds

MSN – Olivia Hebert (SFGATE) | Published: 1/6/2026

A former high-ranking San Francisco city employee was sentenced to three years in state prison after pleading guilty to multiple felony counts tied to a yearslong public corruption scheme that siphoned more than $627,000 from the city’s workers’ compensation system. The sentence follows Stanley Ellicott’s arrest in March 2024, when officials announced 62 felony charges tied to the scheme. At the time, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins described the case as a “great betrayal.”

California – SF Accused a Nonprofit of Corruption and Lost. Now the City Is Appealing

MSN – Michael Barba (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 1/5/2026

San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu is not giving up the legal battle he lost against a nonprofit at the center of an ethics scandal over its deep ties to a former city official. Two months after a hearing officer rejected arguments that the nonprofit Collective Impact should be barred from city funding for allegedly bribing former San Francisco Human Rights Commission Executive Director Sheryl Davis, Chiu is appealing the decision.

Connecticut – Connecticut Election Regulators Face First Test of New Foreign Contribution Ban

MSN – Paul Hughes (CT Insider) | Published: 1/3/2026

A 2024 state law that prohibits foreign nationals from making political contributions or expenditures under Connecticut’s campaign finance laws is posing a novel legal question for in-house lobbyists working for foreign-owned businesses. A lobbyist for the government relations firm Gaffney Bennett and Associates petitioned the State Elections Enforcement Commission for a declaratory ruling clarifying whether state residents who are U.S. citizens and in-house lobbyists on the payroll of corporations owned by foreign parent companies can make personal contributions to Connecticut campaigns.

District of Columbia – Why D.C.’s Next Council Member Will Be Chosen by Lawmakers, Not Voters

MSN – Jenny Gathright (Washington Post) | Published: 1/7/2026

The next new member of the District of Columbia Council will not be elected by voters but will instead be selected by the council itself, in a process that has already elicited frustration from some lawmakers. Councilperson Kenyan McDuffie resigned his seat to set up a mayoral run. City law says it is up to the council to select an interim replacement, but the law is vague on exactly how lawmakers should go about choosing their new colleague.

Hawaii – $35K Mystery Payment: Bill would extend time to prosecute

Honolulu Civil Beat – Blaze Lovell | Published: 1/8/2026

Hawaii campaign finance regulators would be given more time to investigate the case of an unnamed lawmaker who accepted $35,000 in a paper bag from a man involved in a federal bribery investigation in 2022 under a proposal expected to go before lawmakers in the upcoming session. The U.S. attorney’s office has stated the transaction was not related to the bribery investigation. But it could still be a violation of state campaign spending law.

Indiana – Indiana Employers Face Yearlong Public Works Contract Ban Under Immigrant Work Eligibility Bill

Yahoo News – Leslie Bonilla Muñiz (Indiana Capital Chronicle) | Published: 1/8/2026

A bill to close so-called loopholes in Indiana’s employment eligibility verification law could bar employers who purposefully flout the requirements from taking part in public works projects for a year. Public work project contracts entered into or renewed after June 30 would have to include a provision requiring the primary contractor and all tiers of subcontractors to enroll in E-Verify, an internet-based federal program that cross-checks a new hire’s eligibility to work in the U.S.

Maryland – Ethics Complaint Clouds Opening of Howard Office Charged with Detecting Fraud, Waste

MSN – Kiersten Hacker (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 1/7/2026

Howard County’s new Office of the Inspector General was created to detect fraud, waste, and abuse, but an ethics complaint about the selection process for its leader has some county leaders questioning the new office’s own ethics. Others say the allegations are unfounded, or “silly and desperate.” The complaint involves the process of selecting Kelly Madigan and alleges a conflict-of-interest involving Steven Quisenberry, who worked with Madigan in Baltimore County and will now lead that county’s Office of the Inspector General.

Minnesota – Walz Drops Bid for Reelection as Minn. Governor While Klobuchar Considers Run

MSN – Hannah Knowles, Dan Merica, and Theodoric Meyer (Washington Post) | Published: 1/5/2026

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he is dropping his bid for reelection, a dramatic turn for the two-term governor who now faces scrutiny over welfare fraud investigations in his state. Walz was tapped as Kamala Harris’s running mate in 2024 and viewed as a potential presidential candidate in 2028. Democrats had grown increasingly worried about Walz’s choice to seek a third term as Republicans, including President Trump, put a spotlight on the growing fraud probe.

Minnesota – ICE Shooting Reinforces Minnesota’s Grim Role as Trump’s Public Enemy No. 1

MSN – Nicholas Riccardi and Steve Karnowski (Associated Press) | Published: 1/8/2026

Federal officers have encountered opposition in nearly all the cities targeted by President Trump’s immigration enforcement campaign. But it was in Minnesota that a 37-year-old woman was shot and killed by an immigration officer. Trump has focused on several blue states in his second term, and now he has turned to Minnesota, where the killing of George Floyd and the protests it sparked stained his first presidency.

New York – Judge Disqualifies US Attorney in Albany Investigating Letitia James

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck and Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 1/8/2026

A federal judge ruled President Trump’s acting U.S. attorney in Albany is unlawfully serving in his role and tossed subpoenas his office issued as part of an investigation into actions by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The judge concluded that John Sarcone III, appointed in March as interim U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York, had served beyond the 120-day expiration date for that position and the administration’s efforts to keep him beyond that deadline did not withstand legal scrutiny. He is the fifth Trump-appointed interim U.S. attorney who has been disqualified from serving in such a role.

North Carolina – Bob Phillips Retires from Common Cause NC, the Pro-Democracy Group He Helped Grow to Prominence

Yahoo News – Lynn Bonner (NC Newsline) | Published: 1/5/2026

For nearly a quarter century, when debates over voting laws, gerrymandering, or money in politics enveloped North Carolina, Bob Phillips has been in the thick of them. That era will end in January when Phillips retires from day-to-day advocacy work. As the leader of Common Cause North Carolina since 2001, Phillips has helped to shape anti-corruption laws and organize support for voting rights. He has worked with other groups to remove obstacles to voting and increase government transparency and try to overturn election districts they argued were unfair.

Ohio – FirstEnergy to Pay $275 Million to Ohio Customers Over HB 6 Corruption Scandal

MSN – Laura Hancock (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 1/7/2026

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved a settlement agreement to provide FirstEnergy customers $275 million in restitution after the company violated state laws in the passage of the House Bill 6, a controversial energy bill that was the largest corruption scheme in state history. Maureen Willis, agency director of the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, which represents utilities customers before the commission, said the settlement provides accountability.

Ohio – Larry Householder, Matt Borges Ask US Supreme Court to Review Cases at Heart of Their HB6 Convictions

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 1/5/2026

Imprisoned ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and former Ohio Republican Party Chairperson Matt Borges have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit two court rulings underpinning their corruption convictions in connection with the House Bill 6 bribery scandal. If successful, their requests would not only open the door to throwing out their convictions but rewrite decades-old legal precedent for what constitutes political bribery in America.

Tennessee – Judge Spares Tennessee Lawmaker Prison Time in Corruption Case Where Trump Pardoned Ex-Speaker, Aide

MSN – Jonathan Mattise (Associated Press) | Published: 1/5/2026

A federal judge reduced a prison sentence to probation for a former Tennessee lawmaker whose testimony helped convict the former state House speaker and his onetime aide of public corruption. Although her cohorts were pardoned by President Trump, ex-Rep. Robin Smith had been slated to report to prison for an eight-month sentence. But U.S. District Court Judge Eli Richardson reduced it to one year of probation.

Texas – 350 Texas Teachers Targeted for Posts About Charlie Kirk, Lawsuit Says

MSN – Molly Hennessy-Fiske (Washington Post) | Published: 1/6/2026

The Texas chapter of the country’s second-largest teachers union sued in federal court to block state education officials from investigating educators’ comments about Charlie Kirk’s killing last year, alleging they violated free speech protections. The lawsuit filed by the Texas American Federation of Teachers appears to be the first to challenge a state policy investigating complaints about teachers’ comments in the wake of Kirk’s shooting, in part because Texas and Florida state superintendents were the only ones to solicit such complaints.

Virginia – After Virginia Judges’ Misconduct Became Public, Lawmakers Reinstated Secrecy

Yahoo News – Ben Paviour (Virginia Mercury) | Published: 1/5/2026

At the end of every year, state agencies, boards, and commissions in Virginia churn out dozens of annual reports. Last year, one notable document was missing – the 2024 annual report from the Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission (JIRC). The report for the first time contained the names and misdeeds of Virginia judges who were disciplined by the seven-member commission for violating the commonwealth’s judicial cannon. But a brief window of transparency shut last year, when lawmakers unanimously passed a bill specifying that they would be the first ones to see JIRC’s annual report and decide if it is ever made public.

Wisconsin – Judge Hannah Dugan Resigns from Court Weeks After Federal Jury Finds Her Guilty

MSN – Mary Spicuzza and John Diedrich (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | Published: 1/3/2026

In the face of an effort to impeach her and remove her from the bench, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan announced she is resigning. The announcement came weeks after a federal jury found Dugan guilty of obstructing federal immigration agents seeking to make an arrest outside her courtroom. Dugan was found not guilty of concealing a wanted person.

January 2, 2026 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – January 2, 2026

National/Federal Kennedy, Other Trump Officials Balk at Requests to Testify on Capitol Hill MSN – Theodoric Meyer, Dan Diamond, and Noah Robertson (Washington Post) | Published: 12/27/2025 When Sen. Bill Cassidy announced in February he would vote to confirm Robert […]

National/Federal

Kennedy, Other Trump Officials Balk at Requests to Testify on Capitol Hill

MSN – Theodoric Meyer, Dan Diamond, and Noah Robertson (Washington Post) | Published: 12/27/2025

When Sen. Bill Cassidy announced in February he would vote to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary despite concerns about his skepticism of vaccines, Cassidy said he had secured a commitment from Kennedy to testify before the committee Cassidy chairs once a quarter if asked. But Kennedy has not come before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee since May, and he is hardly the only administration official who has frustrated senators by failing to show up.

With More Than a Million Pages to Go, Justice Struggles with Epstein Files

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 12/24/2025

The Justice Department has had a choppy and often frenetic rollout of the massive Epstein investigatory files. In mid-November, Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which ordered the release of nearly all unclassified government files on Epstein by December 19, with necessary redactions to ensure the identities of victims are protected. More than a week past the deadline, the department appears to still be struggling to get its arms around the massive project and find an orderly way to make the files available to the public.

Trump Suffers Several Defeats in Effort to Punish Opposing Lawyers

MSN – Julian Mark (Washington Post) | Published: 12/28/2025

Since taking office for the second time, President Trump has suffered multiple losses in his efforts to strip security clearances from political opponents and prestigious law firms. With several of those cases working through the courts, the issue could become one of the next Supreme Court fights over presidential power. The president’s latest loss came when a federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s efforts to strip a security clearance from national security attorney Mark Zaid.

Pipe Bomb Suspect Told FBI He Targeted US Political Parties Because They Were ‘in Charge,’ Memo Says

MSN – Eric Tucker (Associated Press) | Published: 12/28/2025

The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington on the eve of the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol told investigators after his arrest he believed someone needed to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen and he wanted to target the country’s political parties because they were “in charge,” prosecutors said. The allegations were laid out in a Justice Department memo arguing Brian Cole Jr., who was arrested on charges of placing pipe bombs outside the headquarters of the Democratic and Republican national committees, should remain locked up while the case moves forward.

‘I Ultimately Had to Comply’: ’60 Minutes’ EP faces fallout after Bari Weiss shelves story

MSN – Liam Scott and Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 12/22/2025

The executive producer of “60 Minutes” responded to criticism after CBS News abruptly pulled a segment on the Trump administration’s deportations, telling colleagues in a private meeting she stood by the investigation but could not allay the concerns of the network’s editor in chief, Bari Weiss. The last-minute change has fueled internal tension at “60 Minutes” and CBS News, with some staffers arguing the decision hamstrings the network’s reporters. The segment’s correspondent, Sharyn Alfonsi, called the decision “political” in an internal email to producers.

Why Trump’s EEOC Wants to Talk to White Men About Discrimination

MSN – Taylor Telford (Washington Post) | Published: 12/30/2025

In December, the nation’s leading workplace civil rights enforcer took to social media to pose a question: “Are you a white male who has experienced discrimination at work based on your race or sex?” Andrea Lucas, chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), appeared in the video, urging those who have to contact the agency. It was an unusual move, because the EEOC does not typically solicit complaints. But it underscores the sea change at an agency central to President Trump’s civil rights agenda, one that began with executive orders gutting the last vestiges of affirmative action.

Can Congress Find a Path on Government ‘Jawboning’ Limits?

MSN – Allison Mollenkamp (Roll Call) | Published: 12/24/2025

Members of both parties want government officials to stop putting pressure on social media platforms to censor speech but turning that stance into law would require getting specific about what kind of pressure is inappropriate, and what those censored can do about it. U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairperson Ted Cruz has said he will “soon introduce” legislation that would “provide transparency” about government contacts with social media companies and allow individuals to sue if their speech has been indirectly censored due to government pressure, known as jawboning.

Kennedy Center Changed Board Rules Months Before Vote to Add Trump’s Name

MSN – Janay Kingsberry and Kelsey Ables (Washington Post) | Published: 12/31/2025

The Kennedy Center adopted bylaws earlier this year that limited voting to presidentially appointed trustees, a move that preceded a unanimous decision by board members installed by President Trump to add his name to the center. Legal experts say the move may conflict with the institution’s charter. Trump took over the Kennedy Center in February, purging its board of members he had not appointed. The months that followed saw struggling ticket sales and programming changes that began to align the arts complex with the Trump administration’s broader cultural aims.

The Federal Government’s Top Watchdog Has Retired. Now Congress Has to Pick a Replacement.

MSN – Jennifer Scholtes (Politico) | Published: 12/30/2025

For the first time in nearly two decades, Congress is on the hunt for a new boss at the federal government’s top watchdog agency. With the retirement of Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, congressional leaders are now supposed to recommend candidates for President Trump to nominate for a 15-year term to lead the Government Accountability Office. That person would lead the agency as it works through dozens of investigations into whether the Trump administration broke the law by withholding billions of dollars Congress previously approved.

Twins in Congress: Nehls brothers and a potentially history-making transition

MSN – Nick Eskow (Roll Call) | Published: 12/31/2025

Trever Nehls is the identical twin brother of U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, and he is running for his brother’s seat in the midterms. The three-term Trump loyalist was quick to endorse his brother after announcing he would not be running for reelection in 2026. If Trevor Nehls wins, it will be the first time in U.S. history that a member of Congress is succeeded in office by their identical twin.

The Plot to Redraw America

Politico – Adam Wren and Andrew Howard | Published: 12/31/2025

President Trump’s top political aide, James Blair, pitched a novel gambit to Trump – Republicans could begin padding their narrow U.S. House majority well before voters went to the polls in November 2026 through redistricting. If successful, the move could insulate the White House from a potentially brutal midterm election. But things did not go quite as planned, as Trump triggered a conflict he could not easily win. Republicans fell far short of the 18 congressional seats which party strategists initially believed they could flip, and whatever gains they did make likely came at significant enduring cost for Trump’s White House.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Arizona Bill Aims to Shield Small-Dollar Donors’ Information

MSN – Zachery Schmidt (Center Square) | Published: 12/29/2025

Arizona Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh pre-filed a 2026 bill designed to protect the information of small-dollar campaign donors. Under Senate Bill 1006, campaign finance reports would not include personal information on donors who give $200 or less. The only exception would happen if donors give their permission.

California – Why Do California Cities, Counties Pay Millions to Lobby Their Own Statehouse?

MSN – Andrew Graham (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 12/21/2025

Through the first three quarters of this year, the 35 largest California cities have spent a combined $3.4 million in public funds on private lobbying firms. Only two cities on that list did not report hiring a lobbying firm. City and county officials interviewed by The Sacramento Bee said such fees were necessary expenditures for local governments competing with each other and with private industries in a political system flooded with lobbying and campaign finance dollars. But the spending raises questions about equity between rich and poor cities.

Florida – After 20 Years of Florida’s Gift Ban, Some Would Like to Make a Return

MSN – Gary Fineout (Politico) | Published: 12/25/2025

Florida’s gift ban, which prohibits legislators and others in top roles in state government from accepting anything of value from lobbyists or the principals that hire them, took effect January 1, 2006. In the years since its passage, the law has either been ignored or sidestepped in various ways, while making it awkward for a lawmaker to accept token items such as a bottle of water. But Tom Lee, the former state Senate president who championed the legislation, still thinks it was the right thing to do.

Georgia – Bill Eliminates Last Minute Ethics Complaints in Georgia Elections

Yahoo News – Kim Jarrett (Center Square) | Published: 12/29/2025

A bill that took effect on January 1 bars Georgia’s State Ethics Commission from investigating complaints filed 60 days or fewer before an election. Senate Bill 199 will also require PACs that make contributions or expenditures on behalf of candidates to have separate bank accounts.

Illinois – Supreme Court Blocks National Guard Deployment to Chicago Area

MSN – James Romoser (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 12/23/2025

The U.S. Supreme Court blocked President Trump from sending the National Guard into the Chicago area, dealing a rare loss to the president on an issue of executive power. The decision, issued in an unsigned order on the court’s emergency docket, is the first time the justices have weighed in on Trump’s efforts to dispatch the military to American cities. Though the order is preliminary and applies only in Illinois, it suggests the court is unwilling to rubber-stamp Trump’s assertions of broad authority to use the National Guard to manage protests and violent crime.

Iowa – Dems Tout Another Special Election as a Boost for Their Party Ahead of Midterms

MSN – Kelly Kasulis Cho and Maegan Vazquez (Washington Post) | Published: 12/31/2025

West Des Moines City Councilperson Renee Hardman won a special election for a state Senate seat in Iowa, denying Republicans the opportunity to regain a supermajority in the chamber and handing the Democratic Party a large-margin victory ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Hardman will be the first Black woman to serve in the Iowa Senate. Democrats tend to over-perform in off-year races and special elections, but in the wake of 2024 losses, the party has attributed several recent off-year gains around the country to national momentum against President Trump and Republicans.

Maine – Conservative Groups Push Back on Maine Law in Latest Campaign Finance Court Battle Filing

Maine Morning Star – Emma Davis | Published: 12/22/2025

The conservative groups that sued Maine over a voter-approved law that established stricter regulations on money in elections filed their rebuttal in the case, claiming it violates free speech. In 2024, voters overwhelmingly passed a law that set a $5,000 limit on contributions to PACs that independently spend money to try to support or defeat candidates, commonly referred to as super PACs. Those behind the law welcomed the lawsuit as it was a key part of their ultimate goal: to get the U.S. Supreme Court to regulate super PACs.

Maryland – Lobbyists Spend Big on ‘Committee Dinners’ with Maryland Lawmakers

MSN – Katie Shepherd (Washington Post) | Published: 12/30/2025

Energy companies, climate advocacy groups, nonprofits, trade associations for nurses, restaurateurs, and chicken farmers, and many other groups took Maryland legislators out for dinner over the last lobbying year. The meals are part of a long-standing practice known as committee dinners that dates back more than 30 years. Del. Joe Vogel is taking aim at the legislative perk with a bill that would bar lobbyists, corporations, and special interest groups from taking lawmakers out on the town, except in a few limited circumstances.

Massachusetts – Mass. Legislation Aims to Point Light at Dark Money in Local Politics

Cape Cod Times – Sam Drysdale (State House News Service) | Published: 12/23/2025

Legislation requiring public disclosure for people and groups spending significant sums to influence town meeting votes is gaining some traction in Massachusetts. House Bill 806 won initial approval and would amend the law to cover spending aimed at influencing the outcome of warrant articles taken up at the local government level. The bill would apply statewide but is driven in part by spending intended to influence short-term rental and housing decisions on Cape Cod and the Islands.

Massachusetts – Lawmakers Push for Tighter Disclosure Rules on Ballot Question Funding

WBUR – Sam Drysdale (State House News Service) | Published: 12/30/2025

Facing a potentially crowded and costly 2026 election cycle, Massachusetts lawmakers advanced legislation to tighten disclosure rules for ballot question campaigns and reveal who is funding them. The votes signal interest among lawmakers in updating laws that critics say have not kept pace with the scale and sophistication of modern ballot campaigns. The Ballot Spending Transparency Act would expand what ballot question committees must report to state regulators, increase the frequency of required filings, and more clearly define non-cash political support that currently can remain largely out of public view for much of a campaign cycle.

Michigan – Benson Declines to Rule on Constitutionality of Michigan Endorsement Conventions, Concerns Persist

Yahoo News – Ben Solis (Michigan Advance) | Published: 12/22/2025

Election lawyers from both sides of the political spectrum said Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson correctly declined to issue a declarative ruling on whether the major party’s endorsement conventions were constitutional. But the attorneys, in interviews with Michigan Advance, were split on whether the initial concerns of potential special-interest meddling in party decisions at those conventions – engaging in so-called bribery of delegates in the worst-case scenario or pushing issue advocacy influence campaigns as a lesser evil – held water.

Minnesota – HHS Freezes All Child Care Funding for Minnesota

MSN – Jacob Wendler (Politico) | Published: 12/30/2025

The Department of Health and Human Services froze hundreds of millions of dollars in childcare funding for Minnesota, the latest in a series of moves against Gov. Tim Walz’s administration as it attempts to manage allegations of fraud. The funding freeze comes as Minnesota faces probes by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security over allegations the state’s Democratic leaders were complicit in exploiting federal funds for nutrition and childcare.

New Jersey – Man at Center of Murder-for-Hire Plot Says Corruption Probe Was a ‘Sham’

New Jersey Monitor – Nancy Solomon | Published: 12/23/2025

When campaign consultant Sean Caddle pleaded guilty in 2022 to murder-for-hire, he was allowed to remain at home for nearly two years while he cooperated with federal prosecutors on a political corruption investigation. But that probe went nowhere, and now a series of prison interviews with Caddle raises questions about why the U.S. attorney’s office in Newark was not able to bring charges stemming from a sweeping “pay-to-play” scheme that Caddle ran.

New York – NYC Board Probes Pro-Cuomo PACs Spearheaded by Finance CEOs

MSN – Laura Nahmias (Bloomberg) | Published: 12/22/2025

New York City’s Campaign Finance Board is probing whether a group of PACs that spent more than $20 million supporting Andrew Cuomo’s unsuccessful bid for mayor illegally coordinated with the former governor and his campaign, according to people with knowledge of the investigation. Zohran Mamdani’s campaign alleges donors gave to Put NYC First, a PAC, which then transferred funds to an array of Super PACs. These entities have fewer restrictions than traditional PACs and are allowed to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money but are not allowed to co-ordinate with candidates or campaigns.

New York – Hung Jury Ends Trial of Ex-New York Governors’ Aide Accused of Selling Influence to China

MSN – Philip Marcelo (Associated Press) | Published: 12/22/2025

A judge declared a mistrial in the corruption case of Linda Sun, a former aide to New York governors, after jurors said they were hopelessly deadlocked and could not reach a verdict. Sun was accused of using her state government position to subtly advance China’s agenda in exchange for financial benefits worth millions of dollars. They say Sun also took kickbacks from Chinese companies to steer lucrative state contracts for face masks and other critical medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

New York – Eric Adams Reigned Over a Run of Scandal Not Seen Since Boss Tweed

MSN – Greg Smith and Yoav Gonen (The City) | Published: 12/24/2025

In his last days in office, New York Mayor Eric Adams has doubled down on attacking his corruption indictment, dismissing it as “lawfare” brought by a Biden administration angry at his criticism of policies he blamed for triggering a flood of migrants to New York City. He has repeated his mantra that the media unfairly focused on the indictment, which a federal judge was forced to void after the Trump administration dropped the case. But by any number of telling measures, Adams’ four tumultuous years at City Hall could generate a highlight reel of notoriety that would surpass that of any mayor of the 20th and 21st centuries.

North Carolina – A Company Invited Cary Staff to Dinner. The Offer Came from the Mayor.

MSN – Dan Kane (Raleigh News and Observer) | Published: 12/29/2025

The engineering and land development firm WithersRavenel has a prominent presence in its hometown of Cary, North Carolina. In recent years it has helped develop the town’s downtown park and design a new fire station. One of the people helping the firm win projects beyond the town is Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, who began consulting for WithersRavenel in 2023. An action Weinbrecht took in 2023 is now raising questions about how much separation exists between his public work as mayor and his private work as a consultant.

Ohio – New Ohio Election Integrity Commission Begins to Take Shape

Ohio Capital Journal – Nick Evans | Published: 12/30/2025

Secretary of State Frank LaRose has tapped leadership for the new Ohio Election Integrity Commission. As part of last summer’s budget, state lawmakers axed the state’s existing independent campaign watchdog and replaced it with a new office under the secretary’s control. The board’s membership shrinks from seven to five, and instead of a bipartisan panel selecting a nonpartisan colleague, all commissioners will be chosen by state leaders.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Ethics Watchdog to Implement Original Election Reporting System

Oklahoma Voice – Emma Murphy | Published: 12/19/2025

After three months without a fully functioning campaign finance system, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted to immediately terminate the vendor’s contract and to authorize pursuing legal action. The commission also voted to reinstate the original Guardian system operated by the previous vendor, Civix. It voted to enter into a $217,000 contract with Carahsoft, a partner of Civix, that lasts three years.

Washington – Seattle Passes New Transparency Law Aimed at Political Consultants

Seattle Times – David Kroman | Published: 12/17/2025

The Seattle City Council passed a new law requiring political consultants to register with the city when accepting taxpayer-funded work. Concerns over viability and the broadness of the original bill spurred members to cut back on some provisions, reducing it instead to a transparency-focused law that puts consultants into a similar category as lobbyists. In addition to registering with the city, consultants must say whom they are advising outside of the city and on what issues.

December 31, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Massachusetts: “Lawmakers Push for Tighter Disclosure Rules on Ballot Question Funding” by Sam Drysdale (State House News Service) for WBUR Elections Georgia: “Bill Eliminates Last Minute Ethics Complaints in Georgia Elections” by Kim Jarrett (Center Square) for Yahoo […]

November 11, 2025 • Written by David Garnier

Oklahoma Ethics Commission Launches Online Disclosure System in Beta Phase

On October 28, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission launched the beta phase of Guardian 2.0, the new online lobbyist and campaign finance disclosure system. During the beta phase, filers may access the system and enter contributions and expenditures as they prepare […]

October 21, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Kansas: “Wichita Has New Rules for Reporting Contributions. So Far, Candidates Haven’t Followed Them” by Chance Swaim (Wichita Eagle) for Yahoo News Elections Georgia: “Georgia Voter Turnout Groups Are Closing, Raising Questions About Democratic Strength” by Charlotte Kramon and Jeff Amy (Associated […]

September 18, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Maryland: “Campaign Announcements Highlight ‘Glaring Hole’ in Maryland Election Law” by Sam Janesch (Baltimore Sun) for MSN National: “ActBlue Acquiring Dem Digital Firm as Its Mission Grows” by Jessica Piper (Politico) for MSN Rhode Island: “Former R.I. Senator […]

September 16, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Arizona: “Coconino Prosecutors Will Investigate Rodney Glassman Over Alleged Campaign Finance Violations” by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy (Arizona Mirror) for Yahoo News California: “Alameda County Board Rejects Bid to Raise Donation Limits in Supervisor Campaigns” by Kiley Russell (Bay City News) for MSN Rhode […]

September 8, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Hawaii: “Ex-Mitsunaga Secretary Charged for Illegal Political Donations” by Christina Jedra for Honolulu Civil Beat Michigan: “Consultant Charged in ‘Dark Money’ Scheme Continues to Aid Several Michigan GOP Candidates” by Kyle Davidson (Michigan Advance) for Yahoo News New York: “The Secret Bundlers Behind […]

September 2, 2025 • Written by George Ticoras, Esq.

President Directs AG to Investigate Lobbying with Federal Grant Funds

FEDERAL: On August 28, President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum directing U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate whether federal grant funds are being illegally used to support lobbying activities. The directive requires the Attorney General to report to the […]

August 15, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – August 15, 2025

National/Federal Harrison Butker’s PAC Is Low on Cash. But So Far, None Has Gone to Candidates MSN – Kacen Bayless (Kansas City Star) | Published: 8/7/2025 In the weeks before the 2024 election, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker stepped […]

National/Federal

Harrison Butker’s PAC Is Low on Cash. But So Far, None Has Gone to Candidates

MSN – Kacen Bayless (Kansas City Star) | Published: 8/7/2025

In the weeks before the 2024 election, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker stepped into politics, launching a PAC designed to promote politicians who fight for conservative Christian values. But the Upright PAC raised just $4,023 in the first six months of 2025 and ended June with less than $1,800 in cash on hand. None of the money Butker’s PAC spent went to Republican candidates. Most of the money went to a political consultant who is listed as an employee of a company Butker co-founded called MDKeller.

America’s CEOs Come to the White House Bearing Gifts and Flattery

MSN – Cat Zakrzewski and HyoJung Kim (Washington Post) | Published: 8/8/2025

Corporations have changed their lobbying strategies to adapt to a uniquely transactional president who prioritizes wins and deals. Executives who have long outsourced the messy practice of lobbying to consultants or dark-money groups have learned the best way to shape Donald Trump’s policies is often through a late-night call to the president or a visit to one of his golf resorts. The executives who have pulled off these charm offensives largely have been rewarded by Wall Street, with some companies reaching record valuations. But Trump has also used the powers of his office to threaten those who don’t stay on his good side.

Foreign Governments Bet Big to Lobby Trump on Tariffs. Most Came Up Empty.

MSN – Caitlin Oprysko, Daniel Desrochers, and Ari Hawkins (Politico) | Published: 8/9/2025

Countries across the globe have dropped tens of millions this year on lobbyists with ties to President Trump as they rushed to stave off tariffs that could cripple their economies. In most cases, the spending has gotten them nowhere. But employing those lobbyists appeared to bear little relation to whether the countries were able to avoid the most punishing tariffs. As Trump has taken a scattershot approach to setting tariff rates, traditional lobbying tactics in Washington appear to have had little influence.

Pentagon Plan Would Create Military ‘Reaction Force’ for Civil Unrest

MSN – Alex Horton and David Ovalle (Washington Post) | Published: 8/12/2025

The Trump administration is looking at plans to set up a 600-person National Guard “Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force” to quickly deploy to U.S. cities to quell protests or other unrest. The proposal represents another potential expansion of President Trump’s willingness to employ the armed forces on American soil. It relies on a section of U.S. Code that allows the commander in chief to circumvent limitations on the military’s use within the United States. The documents, marked pre-decisional, are comprehensive and contain extensive discussion about the potential societal implications of establishing such a program.

Trump Nominates Bureau of Labor Statistics Critic to Replace Fired Agency Head

MSN – Lauren Kaori Gurley (Washington Post) | Published: 8/11/2025

President Trump will nominate the top economist at the conservative Heritage Foundation to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, replacing the previous commissioner whom the president fired after a report revealed a weaker-than-expected job market. E.J. Antoni, a staunch critic of the agency, had emerged in recent days as a favorite candidate. He has questioned the legitimacy of the agency’s data over the past year.

GOP Has the Edge in Redistricting Arms Race with Democrats

MSN – Hannah Knowles (Washington Post) | Published: 8/13/2025

President Trump’s push to redraw the congressional map has fueled a redistricting arms race, with blue and red states rushing to counter each other. But it is an uneven fight. Republicans appear to hold the advantage in the nationwide scramble, according to strategists and nonpartisan analysts, with more opportunities to shift the lines in their favor ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats have vowed to “fight fire with fire” since the GOP moved to add five red seats in Texas, but they face many barriers.

White House Announces More Aggressive Review of Smithsonian Museums

MSN – Janay Kingsberry (Washington Post) | Published: 8/12/2025

The White House will launch a sweeping review of Smithsonian exhibitions, collections, and operations ahead of America’s 250th-birthday celebrations next year, the first time the Trump administration has detailed steps to scrutinize the institution, which officials say should reflect the president’s call to restore “truth and sanity” to American history. Trump’s focus on the Smithsonian has stoked concerns about political interference at the institution, which is not a traditional government agency and is historically considered nonpartisan.

After CDC Shooting, Its Employees Turn Their Anger to RFK Jr. and Trump

MSN – Lauren Weber and Lena Sun (Washington Post) | Published: 8/12/2025

Patrick White fired scores of bullets at the Atlanta headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), officials alleged, forcing hundreds of workers into lockdown as gunfire bombarded windows around them. White and a responding police officer died. Investigators say White targeted the public health agency because of he believed coronavirus vaccines were dangerous, according to two CDC officials briefed on the case. Days after the shooting, the initial shock has morphed into anger for many CDC employees.

Bessent Has Yet to Fully Divest Assets, Raising Concern at Ethics Agency

Seattle Times – Alan Rappaport (New York Times) | Published: 8/13/2025

The U.S. Office of Government Ethics said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has failed to fully comply with an agreement that required him to divest his financial assets, posing potential conflicts-of-interest as he leads the Trump administration’s economic policy agenda. Cabinet officials are required to shed certain holdings and investments within 90 days of being confirmed.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Federal Court Says Alabama Must Use Map That Creates 2nd Black Majority District

MSN – Aaron Pellish (Politico) | Published: 8/7/2025

Alabama must use independently drawn congressional maps that created a second Black-majority district more favorable to Democrats in the state for the rest of the decade, a federal court said. A three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama ruled unanimously that the state must use the map drawn up by a court-appointed special master until regular redistricting is scheduled to be done in 2030. In May, the same panel of judges ruled the state’s 2023 map violated the Voting Rights Act.

Arizona – Arizona AG Says Pinal County Attorney Can’t Investigate Lawmaker’s ICE Posts

KJZZ – Wayne Schutsky | Published: 8/11/2025

After state Sen. Analise Ortiz shared a post online about real-time immigration enforcement actions in her community, Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller offered to investigate her on behalf of the Legislature. But Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said that falls outside of Miller’s authority. Republican lawmakers accused Ortiz of doxing federal immigration enforcement agents. Ortiz and other Democrats denied that, saying she shared information about activities happening in public spaces and did not include personal information about agents.

California – L.A. City Councilman Curren Price to Face New Corruption Charges

MSN – James Queally and Dakota Smith (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 8/12/2025

Prosecutors filed two additional corruption charges against Los Angeles City Councilperson Curren Price, who already is facing multiple counts of grand theft and perjury, allegedly for voting in favor of projects in which his wife had a financial interest. Prosecutors said Price’s wife – Del Richardson, founder of the consulting company Del Richardson & Associates – received “payments totaling more than $150,000 between 2019 and 2021 from developers before [Price] voted to approve projects.”

California – Orange County Supervisors Revise Their Ethics Code in Wake of Corruption Scandal – but Does It Go Far Enough?

MSN – Jill Replogle (LAist) | Published: 8/12/2025

The Orange County Board of Supervisors revised its code of ethics Tuesday to include greater protection for whistleblowers but several of the supervisors questioned whether the measures go far enough. Among other concerns, Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento said the code lacks any enforcement mechanism. The vote comes the same week that former Supervisor Andrew Do is slated to begin a five-year prison term on a federal bribery charge related to his work when he was a sitting official.

California – This Candidate for California Governor Has a Potential Conflict of Interest in Her Own Home

MSN – Alexei Koseff (CalMatters) | Published: 8/11/2025

The California Department of General Services in 2020 hired a consulting firm to help prioritize sites, conduct market research, and evaluate applications from contractors. That firm, LeSar Development Consultants, is owned by former state Senate leader Toni Atkins’ spouse, Jennifer LeSar. Because of California’s community property law that gives couples equal ownership of assets in their marriage, the $1 million contract has been worth tens of thousands of dollars to Atkins. It is just one of the potential conflicts of interest with her spouse’s business dealings that Atkins faces as she runs for governor.

California – Matt Haney Pays Huge Lawyer Fees Amid 2 Political Watchdog Probes

San Francisco Standard – Josh Koehn | Published: 8/7/2025

California Assemblyperson Matt Haney has spent tens of thousands of dollars of campaign money on international trips, Broadway shows, and sporting events since his election in 2022, including $75,000 on 49ers, Giants, and Warriors tickets. Now he is burning through donor dollars on a far less glamorous expense: attorneys’ fees. Haney’s legal bills have surged amid two open investigations by the Fair Political Practices Commission.

California – Westminster Councilwoman Accused of Attempted Bribery to Get Ethics Training

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 8/11/2025

An Orange County judge ordered Westminster City Councilperson Amy Phan West to complete an in-person ethics training course and 20 hours of community service as part of a diversion program after the elected official was charged with a misdemeanor for attempted bribery. The ruling comes months after Phan West pleaded not guilty to attempting to bribe parking enforcement officers in 2023 to stop her husband’s car from being towed.

District of Columbia – Trump Readies Federal Moves on D.C. Crime, Takes Over D.C. Police

MSN – Michael Birnbaum, Kelly Kasulis Cho, and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 8/11/2025

President Trump placed the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control and deployed the National Guard to the streets of Washington to fight crime and clear the city of its homeless population, a flex of federal power that could expose residents of the nation’s capital to unpredictable encounters with a domestically deployed military force. The decision to deploy troops comes as the president has been slamming America’s cities as places where crime is out of control, despite two years of declines that have brought homicide levels in many major cities to their lowest levels in decades.

Georgia – A Top Republican in the Georgia Governor’s Race Is Suing His Rival Over Campaign Financing

MSN – Jeff Amy (Associated Press) | Published: 8/7/2025

One of the top Republicans running for Georgia governor sued the other leading GOP candidate, challenging the legality of the rival’s campaign funding. State Attorney General Chris Carr sued Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in federal court, asking a judge to permanently cut off Jones’ ability to spend money from his leadership committee, a special fundraising vehicle that allows Georgia’s governor, lieutenant governor, and legislative leaders to raise unlimited funds.

Indiana – Is Rep. Baird Using Taxpayer Funds to Prep His Son for a Congressional Seat? An Opponent Thinks So

MSN – Brittany Carloni and Kayla Dwyer (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 8/11/2025

Recently, U.S. Rep. Jim Baird has used pictures of his son, state Rep. Beau Baird, in taxpayer-funded mailers and has started omitting his first name in some materials when identifying himself in prominent spots, referring to himself instead as simply “Congressman Baird.” Jim Baird has not yet said if he is running for reelection, and legally he is not doing anything wrong, experts say. But if his son runs instead, he will get the perk of already-built-in name recognition from years of the last name being on the ballot and on official office material. For years, Beau Baird has been rumored as a future candidate for the seat should his father choose not to run.

Indiana – Certain Local Offices Now Subject to More Campaign Finance Requirements

Yahoo News – Whitney Downard (Indiana Capital Chronicle) | Published: 8/12/2025

Some locally elected officials in Indiana now have to file annual campaign finance reports following a new state law. Now, any elected official making at least $5,000 annually, which includes county council members and many township trustees, will be subject to the new requirements.

Kansas – Wyandotte County Official’s ‘Despicable’ Hand Gesture Prompts Ethics Probe

MSN – Sofi Zeman (Kansas City Star) | Published: 8/8/2025

Wyandotte County commissioners are calling on ethics officials to weigh in after a fellow commissioner allegedly threw up his hands and mimed male masturbation during a recent public meeting. Commissioner Philip Lopez commented on a resident’s social media post that the situation had been taken out of context and he was actually shaking his hand to reduce irritation in his wrists.

Louisiana – Louisiana Ethics Board Offers Top Staff Member Permanent Job Following Political Dispute

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 8/8/2025

The Louisiana Board of Ethics voted unanimously to make a job offer to its acting ethics administrator after legislators took unprecedented steps to block his hiring. The board made David Bordelon its top staff member on a temporary basis in December to appease state lawmakers. Legislators filed an unsuccessful lawsuit last fall to try to stop the board from picking a new administrator at that time, and Bordelon’s interim status was considered a compromise.

Maryland – Judge Is Skeptical of DOJ Lawsuit Against Entire Maryland Federal Bench

MSN – Salvador Rizzo (Washington Post) | Published: 8/13/2025

The Justice Department’s lawsuit against all 15 federal district judges in Maryland over limits to the pace of deportations was met with skepticism by another judge, who presided over a rare courtroom battle pitting the executive branch against the judiciary. The lawsuit alleges the U.S. District Court in Maryland, its judges, and chief clerk have been violating federal law this year with a standing order that grants a two-day stay of removal proceedings to anyone who files a petition claiming wrongful detention, complicating the Trump administration’s efforts to ramp up immigration enforcement.

Michigan – False Statement Gets Consultant Probation in ‘Dark Money’ Probe

MSN – Paul Egan (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 8/13/2025

A fundraising consultant was sentenced to three months of probation, 20 hours of community service, and a $2,500 fine for giving a false statement in a “dark money” investigation conducted by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Nessel probed the financing of the Unlock Michigan campaign of 2020 and 2021, aimed at overturning Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency orders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minnesota – Minnesota Republican PAC Violated Campaign Finance Laws, Investigation Finds

MSN – Ryan Faircloth (Minneapolis Star Tribune) | Published: 8/9/2025

A PAC that reported spending no money on behalf of candidates and hundreds of thousands of dollars on “internet access and web hosting” services has been fined for violating Minnesota’s campaign finance laws. The Campaign Finance Board found a key figure behind Right Now Minnesota misclassified more than $240,000 in expenditures during the 2022 midterm elections. The board also found the PAC ran political ads without proper disclaimers. Right Now Minnesota and its chairperson, Elliott Olson, were each fined $10,000.

New Mexico – New Mexico Gov. Removes Game Commissioner Over Undisclosed Conflict of Interest Tied to Mexican Gray Wolf Campaign

Albuquerque Journal – Cathy Cook | Published: 8/13/2025

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham fired a game commissioner, Sabrina Pack, for failing to disclose she had worked on an outside persuasion campaign on the Mexican gray wolf. Management of the endangered Mexican gray wolf has long been a source of debate in New Mexico, with environmental advocates asking the federal government to take more aggressive action to conserve the species and livestock producers concerned about wolves killing their cattle. Pack worked on a campaign for the latter camp.

New Mexico – Nonprofit Group Discloses Hefty Trial Lawyer Contributions After Settlement Agreement

Yahoo News – Dan Boyd (Albuquerque Journal) | Published: 8/11/2025

The State Ethics Commission announced it reached a settlement agreement with New Mexico Safety Over Profit, resolving allegations the group failed to comply with provisions of the Lobbyist Regulation Act. The commission filed a lawsuit arguing New Mexico Safety Over Profit violated the law by refusing to register and disclose both its donors and expenditures. The group agreed to pay a $5,000 fine, the maximum allowable under state law. It also released a full list of donors going back to 2021.

New York – Ex-Eric Adams Aide Pleads Guilty to Federal Straw Donor Conspiracy Charge

Courthouse News Service – Josh Russell | Published: 8/12/2025

Mohamed Bahi, a former aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy related to organizing illegal campaign contributions, putting to bed one of the outstanding indictments that stemmed from multiple investigations into the mayor. Bahi said he was instructed by a volunteer of the Eric Adams 2021 campaign to organize a fundraiser where he would collect employees’ straw donor campaign contributions that both he and the Adams campaign knew would be reimbursed by their companies’ owners.

New York – Justice Department Subpoenas Letitia James About Trump Fraud Probe

MSN – Perry Stein, Shayna Jacobs, Kadia Goba, and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 8/8/2025

The U.S. Justice Department is intensifying its legal battle against New York Attorney General Letitia James, issuing at least two subpoenas to James in recent days. One of the subpoenas focused on James’s successful civil fraud case against President Trump and his real estate business, in which a judge ordered that Trump and his company pay more than $450 million in fines and interest. A second subpoena suggested the department is looking into James’s litigation against the National Rifle Association, which led to court-mandated reforms of the group.

New York – A $9,200 Portrait, $20K for Decorations: Questions raised about Frank Seddio campaign spending

Yahoo News – Graham Rayman (New York Daily News) | Published: 8/10/2025

Almost $175,000 in expenditures by Friends of Frank Seddio and the Kings County Democratic County Committee when Seddio was leading it raise questions, either because they could be seen as benefitting Seddio personally or lack required information in campaign finance records. The expenditures made between 2012 and 2024 fall into two broad categories – a series of specific purchases totaling $94,824.33, either with no listed purpose or explanation as required by law or vague justifications for the expenditure. The second totals $77,576.12 in payments by the Kings County committee via Signature Bank that have no listed purpose or explanation.

North Carolina – NC Lawmaker Returns Lobbyist Money, Following Public Scrutiny

MSN – Will Doran (WRAL) | Published: 8/12/2025

A powerful state lawmaker whose campaign took thousands of dollars from lobbyists during this year’s legislative session is giving the money back, after drawing concerns over the legality of those transactions. Rep. Sarah Stevens has spent years as a top member of House Republican leadership in North Carolina. She is not seeking reelection, choosing instead to run for a seat next year on the state Supreme Court. That is where the campaign finance issues begin.

Ohio – Sherrod Brown Plans to Run for Senate in Ohio Again

MSN – Hannah Knowles and Liz Goodwin (Washington Post) | Published: 8/12/2025

Sherrod Brown plans to run for U.S. Senate in Ohio again, according to several people familiar with his plans, boosting Democrats’ hopes of retaking a seat in the increasingly red-leaning state. First elected to the chamber in 2006, he defied his state’s rightward shift for many years and was viewed as Democrats’ best shot to keep Ohio competitive. He outperformed Democrats’ presidential ticket – courting working-class voters through his own brand of left-leaning populism – but lost by about four points last fall.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Ethics Commission Opinion Says Officeholders Can Use Campaign Funds for Some Security Costs

Yahoo News – Emma Murphy (Oklahoma Voice) | Published: 8/11/2025

Campaign funds can be used for officeholder security expenses in certain cases, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission recommended in a draft advisory opinion. Any “reasonable” expenses must be the direct result of holding the elected state office and would not be incurred if the individual did not hold the office, the draft opinion read. The opinion only covers the officeholder, not family, staff, or others connected with the individual.

Oregon – Oregon Government Ethics Commission Opens Third Investigation in 2025 for State Lawmaker

MSN – Dianne Lugo (Salem Statesman Journal) | Published: 8/8/2025

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission launched an investigation into whether Rep. Greg Smith violated state law regarding the reporting of income sources, marking the third probe into potential violations by Smith in recent months. The commission voted unanimously to open an investigation into whether Smith violated state laws when he failed to disclose income from the Morrow Development Corporation in his 2024 and 2025 Statements of Economic Interest.

Oregon – Oregon Ethics Commission Pursues Legislative Action, Further Revision on Meetings Policy

Yahoo News – Shaanth Nanguneri (Oregon Capital Chronicle) | Published: 8/8/2025

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission agreed there is not enough clarity surrounding their recently acquired power to ensure public officials only make governing decisions in front of their constituents, leaving the door open for future legislative action or additional guidance from the commission. The 2023 legislation aimed to crack down on what the law calls “serial communications,” in which a majority of members of a governing body discuss issues relevant to their work and make decisions outside of the public eye in text messages, emails, or private meetings.

Pennsylvania – As Penn State Ramps Up Lobbying, Lax Disclosure Laws Make It Difficult to Tell Who or What It’s Trying to Influence.

Spotlight PA – Wyatt Massey | Published: 8/13/2025

Penn State University outspent its peers lobbying state lawmakers in recent years, but the commonwealth’s lax disclosure requirements and the university’s protection from the open records law make following the school’s activity in Harrisburg difficult. Spotlight PA reviewed more than 15 years of quarterly lobbying reports from the Department of State and adjusted the figures for inflation to make annual comparisons. The data show Penn State increased its lobbying expenditures after 2020 and is now spending more on its influence efforts than any year since 2008.

South Carolina – SC Legislator Accused of Distributing Videos of Child Sexual Abuse Resigns House Seat

Yahoo News – Skylar Laird (South Carolina Daily Gazette) | Published: 8/11/2025

Rep. RJ May resigned his South Carolina House seat two months after his arrest on charges of distributing child sexual abuse material. May, who remains in jail without bond, has been suspended from the House without pay since his June arrest, as per state law for any public official indicted on a felony. He was also the subject of a House Ethics Commission investigation, which would have been the first step toward expelling him.

Texas – Texas Private Schools Hire Relatives and Enrich Insiders. Soon They Can Do It with Taxpayer Money.

MSN – Lexi Churchill (Texas Tribune) and Ellis Simani (ProPublica) | Published: 8/13/2025

Private schools in Texas operate largely outside those rules because they have not historically received direct taxpayer dollars. Now, as the state moves to spend at least $1 billion over the next two years on private education, lawmakers have imposed almost none of the accountability measures required of the public school system. If held to the same standards, 27 private schools identified by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune through tax filings likely would have violated state law. Supporters of the voucher program argue oversight of private schools should come not from the state, but from their boards and the marketplace.

Texas – Federal Appeals Court Sides with Texas on ID Requirements for Voting by Mail

MSN – Alex Nguyen (Texas Tribune) | Published: 8/5/2025

A federal appeals court upheld Texas’ requirement that potential voters must list their identification information in their application for a mail-in ballot. In Texas, voting by mail is only available for certain groups of people, including elderly voters and people with disabilities. Under Senate Bill 1 passed in 2021, voters must also include an ID number such as a driver’s license number on both the vote-by-mail applications and the mail-in ballots and both numbers need to match.

Utah – Stuart Adams Says He Won’t Resign Over Claims He Influenced New Law to Help Family Member

Yahoo News – Bridger Beal-Cvetko (Deseret News) | Published: 8/13/2025

Utah Senate President Stuart Adams rejected calls for his resignation, defending his decision not to disclose a personal connection to a law passed in 2024 that was inspired by a criminal case involving an 18-year-old relative accused of having sex with a 13-year-old. In a stated effort to keep the process fair, Adams did not tell legislators, except for the bill’s sponsor, that his granddaughter was currently the defendant in a Davis County criminal case falling into that narrow category.

August 4, 2025 • Written by Elizabeth Bartz

Celebrating 26 Years Attending NCSL as this Austere Group Celebrates 50th!

For 26 of State and Federal Communications 32 years, it has been a part of the National Conference of Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit. This year we will be with NCSL to celebrate its 50th anniversary. If you are in Boston, […]

July 2, 2025 • Written by Elizabeth Bartz

32 Years of Excellence, Commitment, and Growth

What started in 1993 has grown into a thriving business thanks to our incredible clients, resolute team, and supportive community. In 1993, we opened our doors with a clear vision and a strong sense of purpose: to provide outstanding service, […]

July 1, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance National: “US Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Campaign Spending Curbs in JD Vance Case” by John Kruzel (Reuters) for MSN Vermont: “Gov. Phil Scott Signs New Campaign Finance Rules, Other Election Changes into Law” by Shaun Robinson […]

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