Lobbying

Washington: “Seattle Mayoral Aide Sees Conflict of Interest in Lobbying by Political Consultants” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times

Campaign Finance

“Black Executives Join Forces, Forming a PAC to Back Them Up” by Kate Kelly for New York Times

Florida: “Beach Commissioner Resigns, Cuts Deal Barring Him from Public Office for One Year” by Joey Flechas and Nicholas Nehamas for Miami Herald

Idaho: “City Attorney Investigates Helicopter Promotion” by Bruyan Clark for Post-Register

Missouri: “Greitens’ Office Coordinated with Campaign Fund Over Top Missouri Schools Job, Report Shows” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Ethics

California: “California Senate Hires Two Firms to Investigate Sexual Harassment Complaints” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

Oregon: “State Senator: Fellow senator groped me in Oregon Capitol” by Gordon Friedman for Portland Oregonian

Texas: “Prosecutors Drop All Remaining Charges Against Rep. Dawnna Dukes” by Nolan Hicks, Mark Wilson, and Ryan Autullo for Austin American-Statesman

Elections

“Russia’s Favored Outlet Is an Online News Giant. YouTube Helped.” by Daisuke Wakabayashi and Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

Legislative Issues

“Sen. Jeff Flake Will Retire, Citing Direction of GOP Under Trump” by David Weigel and Ed O’Keefe for Washington Post

Procurement

Montana: “Small Montana Firm Lands Puerto Rico’s Biggest Contract to Get the Power Back On” by Steven Mufson, Jack Gillum, Aaron Davis, and Arelis Hernandez for Washington Post

Lobbying

“Mueller Now Investigating Democratic Lobbyist Tony Podesta” by Tom Winter and Julia Ainsley for NBC News

Campaign Finance

“Democrats Ban Some Corporate Donations While Approving Controversial New Member List” by David Weigel for Washington Post

California: “Feds Toss Jury Convictions Against Azano’s Son, Agree to Misdemeanor” by Kristina Davis and Greg Moran for San Diego Union Tribune

Montana: “Donors Once Again Much More Limited in Contributions to Montana Candidates” by Amy Beth Hanson for Helena Independent Record

Ethics

“Cub Scout Is Exiled After Pressing Legislator on Guns and Race” by Christine Hauser for New York Times

Florida: “He Paid His Ethics Fine in Pennies. Now Hialeah’s Mayor Investigates the Ethics Board.” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald

New York: “Former Top Assembly Ethics Official: Position a ‘waste of money’” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Pennsylvania: “Sexual Harassment Inside the Pa. Capitol? It Exists and ‘Needs to Stop,’ Lobbyist Says” by Jan Murphy for PennLive.com

Elections

“Hopes Dim for Congressional Russia Inquiries as Parties Clash” by Nicholas Fandos for New York Times

Lobbying

“RT Bucks DOJ Request to Register as a Foreign Agent” by Hadas Gold for CNN Money

Virginia: “Ed Gillespie’s Lobbying Career Included Work for Firms with Vast Interests in Virginia” by Beth Reinhardt for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

“Lawmakers Unveil Bill to Thwart Russian Election Ads on Social Media” by Ashley Gold and Nancy Scola for Politico

New York: “No Public Financing, but ‘Comp Time’ Gives Public Help for Campaigns: Tax Watch” by David McKay Wilson for The Journal News

Texas: “Lawmakers Accept $1.5 Million While Passing Governor’s Agenda” by Andrew McLemore for Texas Monitor

Ethics

Alabama: “Charity’s Promised Back Pay to Roy Moore Was Not Reported to IRS As Income” by Robert O’Harrow Jr. and Shawn Boburg for Washington Post

California: “Campaign Grows Against Sexual Harassment at California Capitol” by Taryn Luna and Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee

South Carolina: “Clients Leaving South Carolina Political Consultant Indicted in Statehouse Corruption Probe” by Andy Shain for Charleston Post and Courier

Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Lawmaker’s Tweets About Roofing Company Raise Ethics Questions” by Keegan Kyle for Appleton Post-Crescent

Campaign Finance

“Republican Lawmakers’ Posh Hideaway Bankrolled by Secret Corporate Cash” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity

“US Judge Hears Fight over New Mexico Campaign Contributions” by Susan Montoya Bryan (Associated Press) for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Ethics

California: “L.A. School Board Member Ref Rodriguez Faces Conflict-of-Interest Complaint Over $285,000 in Payments” by Howard Blume for Los Angeles Times

Florida: “Ethics Board Votes to Admonish City Manager Over Wedding Banquet Catering Discount” by Jeffrey Schweers for Tallahassee Democrat

Louisiana: “As Quatrevaux Leaves New Orleans IG’s Office, Turmoil and Infighting Abound: ‘It’s vindictive’” by Jessica Williams for New Orleans Advocate

Maryland: “Ex-Liquor Board Director Admits Tipping Off Those in Bribery Scheme to FBI Probe” by Lynh Bui for Washington Post

New Mexico: “Judge Drops One Felony Charge against Griego” by Steve Terrell for Santa Fe New Mexican

Rhode Island: “Lawmaker on Sex and Politics: ‘It’s about a culture’” by Jacqueline Tempera and Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal

South Carolina: “Criminal Conspiracy Charges Lodged against Richard Quinn, 4 Others in S.C. Statehouse Corruption Case” by Glenn Smith for Charleston Post and Courier

South Carolina: “Judge Rejects Sen. John Courson’s Push to Avoid Corruption Charges in Statehouse Probe” by Jamie Lovegrove for Charleston Post and Courier

South Dakota: “Ethics Amendment Campaign Submits Signatures for 2018 Ballot” by James Nord (Associated Press) for Mitchell Daily Republic

Campaign Finance

“Google, Facebook Putting an Early Mark on Political Advertising Bills” by Steven Overly and Ashley Gold for Politico

Arizona: “Tom Horne Not Fined After Probe Finds He Used AG’s Office for Campaign” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez for Arizona Republic

Pennsylvania: “Philly PAC Hit with Record Fine for Failing to Report $160,000 in Campaign Spending” by Dana DiFilippo for WHYY

South Dakota: “Republicans Won’t Restore IM 22’s Contribution Limits” by Bob Mercer for Rapid City Journal

Washington: “Do Seattle’s Democracy Vouchers Work? New Analysis Says Yes” by Gene Balk (Seattle Times) for The Columbian

Ethics

“Efforts to Pry Loose Trump Tax Returns Hit a Wall” by David Siders for Politico

Alabama: “Lawmakers: Required financial disclosures need improvement” by Mary Snell for Decatur Daily

California: “Female Lawmakers, Staffers and Lobbyists Speak Out on ‘Pervasive’ Harassment in California’s Capitol” by Melanie Mason for Los Angeles Times

Hawaii: “Maui Mayor in Political Hot Water Over Money to Nonprofits” by Courtney Teague for Honolulu Civil Beat

Louisiana: “$1.5 Million Ethics Fine Against Lafayette Businessman to Be Reduced” by Claire Taylor for The Daily Advertiser

Lobbying

California: “California Legislators Who Resign Face a Longer Wait Before They Can Lobby” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times

Campaign Finance

California: “San Francisco Looks to Restrict Fundraising Practice Favored by Los Angeles Mayor” by Aaron Mendelson for KPCC

Florida: “David Rivera Evades U.S. Marshals” by Matt Dixon for Politico

Massachusetts: “Massachusetts’ Top Court to Rule on Union Campaign Donation Loophole” by Evan Lips for New Boston Post

New Mexico: “In-Kind Donations Ruled Out in Runoff Elections” by Martin Salazar for Albuquerque Journal

New York: “Vance Controversy Spotlights Lax Campaign Finance Rules for District Attorneys” by Rachel Silberstein for Gotham Gazette

Ethics

“Menendez Bribe Case to Proceed After Judge Rejects Dismissal” by David Voreacos and Neil Weinberg for Bloomberg.com

“House Ethics Office Says New York Congressman May Have Violated Rules” by Katie Thomas and Sheila Kaplan for New York Times

South Dakota: “Former State Lawmaker, Lobbyist Tell of Sexual Harassment, Rape in Pierre” by Dana Ferguson for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Elections

“Wary of Hackers, States Move to Upgrade Voting Systems” by Michael Wines for New York Times

Lobbying

Missouri: “Body Camera Company Vying for St. Louis Contract Hires Alderman, Former Board Counsel as Lobbyists” by Celeste Bott for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Campaign Finance

“Why Some Campaign Contributions Get Returned” by Andrew Mayersohn for Center for Responsive Politics

Colorado: “A New Colorado School Board Campaign Finance Law Is Having Unintended Impacts on Big-Ticket 2018 Races” by Jesse Paul for Denver Post

Florida: “Who Gave Foreign Money to Grieco PAC? Prosecutors Are Asking This Norwegian Millionaire.” by Nicholas Nehamas and Joey Flechas for Miami Herald

New Mexico: “New Rule on Political Spending Takes Effect” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

Ethics

“Trump Threatens NBC Over Nuclear Weapons Report” by Peter Baker and Cecilia Kang for New York Times

“Trump Transition at Times Broke Precedent on Ethics: GAO” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

“Undisclosed Deal Guaranteed Roy Moore $180,000 a Year for Part-Time Work at Charity” by Shawn Boburg and Robert O’Harrow Jr. for Washington Post

Georgia: “Atlanta Contractors Get Prison Time in Contract Bribery Case” by Associated Press for Chattanooga Times Free Press

Lobbying

California: “Big Oil Pulls Democratic Lawmakers Through the Revolving Door” by Lauren Rosenhall for CALmatters

Missouri: “Will a Former Aide Break Greitens’ Ethics Rule?” by Kurt Greitens for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Campaign Finance

“The ‘Resistance,’ Raising Big Money, Upends Liberal Politics” by Kenneth Vogel for New York Times

California: “State Will Consider Lifting Contribution Limits to California Legislators’ Legal Defense Funds” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times

Ethics

“Ethics Chief ‘Deeply Concerned’ About Actions by Top Federal Officials” by Eric Lipton for New York Times

Alaska: “Lt. Gov. Mallott Approves Per Diem Ballot Measure” by James Brooks for Juneau Empire

Elections

“How Russia Harvested American Rage to Reshape U.S. Politics” by Nicholas Confessore and Daisuke Wakabayashi for New York Times

“An Exodus from Puerto Rico Could Remake Florida Politics” by Michael Tackett for New York Times

Lobbying

Florida: “Governance Was Focus of 2010 Miami-Dade Ethics Probe” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat

Campaign Finance

“Trump Supporters Eager to ‘Drain the Swamp’ Help Fill Republican Party Coffers” by Matea Gold for Washington Post

California: “Who’s Behind That Political Ad? Voters Will Know More in 2018” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

South Carolina: “Who Wins When Power Companies Make Political Contributions? The Lawmakers Who Police Utilities” by Avery Wilks for The State

Ethics

“Inside Tim Murphy’s Reign of Terror” by Rachel Bade, Jake Sherman, and John Bresnahan for Politico

“Traveling in Style: Trump’s White House Wrestles with Cabinet costs” by Drew Harwell, Lisa Rein, and Jack Gillum for Washington Post

“Secret Service: No visitor logs for Mar-a-Lago” by Josh Gerstein for Politico

Colorado: “Colorado Ethics Watch to Close Its Doors at Year’s End” by Marianne Goodland for Colorado Politics

New York: “Referendum on Revoking Pensions” by David Klepper (Associated Press) for Albany Times Union

Lobbying

“Trump-Tied Lobbyists Cash in on Their Connections” by Tami Abdolah (Associated Press) for Detroit News

Oklahoma: “Speakers Criticize Plan to Put Restrictions on Lawmakers, State Employees Who Want to Go into Lobbying” by Barbara Hoberock for Tulsa World

Campaign Finance

“Lawmakers Weigh Pushing Facebook, Twitter to Share Who Buys Political Ads” by Elana Schor, Kyle Cheney, and Ashley Gold for Politico

Florida: “St. Petersburg Council Acts to Limit Big Money in City Elections” by Charlie Frago for Tampa Bay Times

Ethics

“Judge Lets Former Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson Out of Prison” by Rachel Weiner for Washington Post

Alabama: “2 State Officials Removed by Robert Bentley Receive Apology from Gov. Kay Ivey” by Paul Gattis for AL.com

Texas: “Texas AG Ken Paxton Faces New Investigation Under Bribery Statute over $100K Gift” by Lauren McGaughy for Dallas News

Campaign Finance

“Steve King Employs Family as Year-Round Campaign Staff, an Unusual Approach in Congress” by Jason Noble for Des Moines Register

California: “California Bill Takes Aim at Dark Money in Politics – Will Jerry Brown Sign It?” by Katy Murphy for San Jose Mercury News

Ethics

“Exclusive: Jared Kushner’s personal email re-routed to Trump Organization computers amid public scrutiny” by Brad Heath for USA Today

California: “Years After Suing Insomniac, L.A. Coliseum Panel to Get $3.5 Million in Corruption Scandal Settlement” by Rong-Gong Lin II for Los Angeles Times

Oregon: “County Safety Net Money Paid for Commissioners’ Lobbying Trips” by Rob Davis for Portland Oregonian

Lobbying

Canada: “B.C. Bill Proposes Two-Year Ban on Lobbying After Public Service” by Justine Hunter for The Globe and Mail

Minnesota: “Report Finds No Conflict of Interest for MAC Members” by Janet Moore for Minneapolis Star Tribune

Missouri: “GOP Mega Donor Should Face $320,000 Ethics Fine, Missouri Democrat Says” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Lobbying

“Lobbyists Use of Capitol Meeting Space Raises Questions” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call

Campaign Finance

Missouri: “In Missouri, New Campaign Limits Spur Growth of PACs” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Pennsylvania: “Former Judge Admits Concealing Payments He Got from Brady Campaign” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

Texas: “Amid Legal Challenge, Austin May Craft New Campaign Fundraising Limits” by Elizabeth Findell for Austin American-Statesman

Ethics

“Trump’s Company Had More Contact with Russia During Campaign, According to Documents Turned Over to Investigators” by Tom Hamburger, Rosalind Helderman, and Adam Entous for Washington Post

“Russians Took a Page from Corporate America by Using Facebook Tool to ID and Influence Voters” by Elizabeth Dwoskin, Craig Timberg, and Adam Entous for Washington Post

Florida: “Report: Review shows Florida’s utility watchdog has become a lapdog” by Mary Ellen Klas for Miami Herald

Legislative Issues

Michigan: “Mass Turnover Fuels Push for Mich. Term Limit Reform” by Jonathan Oosting for Detroit News

Redistricting

“Kennedy’s Vote Is in Play on Voting Maps Warped by Politics” by Adam Liptak and Michael Shear for New York Times

Lobbying

“Monsanto Banned from European Parliament” by Arthur Nelson for The Guardian

“‘Little Lobbyists’ Help Save the Health Care Law, for Now” by Robert Pear for New York Times

Arizona: “ASU, AU Shield Lobbying Expenses Via Foundations” by Jim Small for Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting

Campaign Finance

“FEC Fines Contractor That Gave Pro-Clinton Super PACs Illegal Cash” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

Connecticut: “Connecticut’s Public Campaign Financing Spared – For Now” by Neil Vigdor for New Haven Register

Miami: “Miami Realtor Is Suspected of Funneling Foreign Money to Grieco Campaign” by Nicholas Nehamas and Joey Flechas for Miami Herald

Maryland: “Loosened Fundraising Rules Unleashing Big Cash for 2018 Maryland Elections” by Erin Cox for Baltimore Sun

Ethics

“Overturned Convictions Loom Over Menendez’s Corruption Trial” by Nick Corasaniti for New York Times

Elections

Alabama: “How an Alabama Senator Got His Job May Have Led to His Losing It” by Alan Blinder for New York Times

Lobbying

Illinois: “Lobbying Is All in the Zalewski Family” by W.J. Kennedy for Chicago City Wire

Missouri: “Ethics Panel Fines Adviser to Missouri Mega Donor at Center of Pay-to-Play Allegations” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Campaign Finance

“Your Favorite Companies May Be Political Black Boxes” by Lateshia Beachum for Center for Public Integrity

Alabama: “Former House Majority Leader Micky Hammon Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser

Maryland: “Rawlings-Blake to Repay More Than $5K in Expenses to Campaign” by Luke Broadwater for Baltimore Sun

New York: “NY Senator Wants to Make It Illegal for Powerful Interests to Hide Behind LLCs” by Emma Whitford for Gothamist

Ethics

“Trump’s Health Secretary May Not Be Leaving Just Yet” by Jennifer Epstein, Justin Sink and Anna Edney for Bloomberg.com

“Bills to Protect Mueller Are Bipartisan, but the Path Forward Is Uncertain” by Nicholas Fandos for New York Times

Legislative Issues

California: “What a Difference Three Days Makes: How voters shook up California’s Legislature” by Laurel Rosenhall for CALmatters