June 18, 2012 •
Monday Campaign Finance and Lobbying News Summary
Start the week off right with these latest news items:
Campaign Finance
“‘Citizens United’ Case Gets Renewed Scrutiny” by David Welna on NPR.org.
“Post-Watergate campaign finance limits undercut by changes” by Dan Eggen in the Washington Post.
“Will Text-Message Fundraising Revolutionize the Political Cash Game?” by Alex Roarty in the Atlantic.
Connecticut: “Common Cause slams Malloy veto of campaign finance bill” by Mark Pazniokas in CTMirror.org.
Florida: “High school students create a super PAC” by Lane DeGregory in the Miami Herald.
Tennessee: “Many TN lawmakers have deeper pockets than challengers” by Elizabeth Bewly on WBIR.com.
Lobbying
“Does ALEC influence politics, laws?” by Dana Beyerle in the Tuscaloosa News.
Arkansas: “Ethics reform emerging in partisan politics” by Rob Moritz in Arkansas News.
Georgia: “Lobbyist fined for $17,000 European trip with Ralston” by Doug Richards in WXIA News.
Rhode Island: “Lawmakers Pocketed Thousands from Lobbyists in May” by Dan McGowan in GoLocalProv.
May 30, 2012 •
Wednesday Campaign Finance and Lobbying News
Record spending, an FEC complaint, lobbying reform, and ALEC in today’s news:
Campaign Finance
“GOP groups plan record $1 billion blitz” by Mike Allen and Jim Vandehei in Politico.
“Mark Kirk hit with FEC complaint by ex-wife” by John Bresnahan in Politico.
Lobbying
“DELAWARE: Lobbying reform bill met with debate” by Chris Barrish in Delmarvanow.com.
“Campaign finance board to investigate ALEC” by Catherine Richert on Minnesota Public Radio News.
April 17, 2012 •
Today’s News Roundup
Keep up with the latest campaign finance, ethics, and lobbying news:
Campaign Finance
“Rep. Ted Deutch Holds Summit on Overturning Citizens United” via a press release on Rep. Ted Deutsch’s website. The meeting is set for tomorrow.
Alabama: “Campaign finance, PAC-to-PAC transfer law needs teeth, grand jury says” by Brian Lyman in the Montgomery Advertiser.
“Fundraising Numbers Tip Scales of Power” by Joshua Miller in Roll Call.
ALEC
“Midwest Democracy | Study accuses ALEC of ‘secretive influence’ in Missouri Capitol” by Jason Hancock in The Kansas City Star.
Government Ethics
“Figure at center of D.C. campaign finance probe resigns from health-care company” by Mike DeBonis in The Washington Post.
“U.S. congressman under fire for campaign expenses turns to high-powered law firm” by Matt Friedman in the Star-Ledger.
April 2, 2012 •
Lobbying News Roundup
Keep up with the latest lobbying news:
Federal: “Trade group CEOs enjoy hefty pay raises in a sluggish economy” by William McQuillen and Danielle Ivory in The Washington Post.
Federal: “GAO: Lobbyist disclosure compliance ‘similar’ compared to prior years” by Rachel Leven in The Hill.
Federal: “Calif. biotech firms spend $40 million on lobbying in 3 years” by Bernice Yeung on CaliforniaWatch.org.
Federal: “Tech companies new lobbying force in DC” by Garrett Sloane in the New York Post.
New Jersey: “Some of Christie’s biggest bills match model legislation from D.C. group called ALEC” by Salvador Rizzo in the Star-Ledger.
Utah: “Rolly: Lobbyist and legislator in one? Could happen” by Paul Rolly in the Salt Lake Tribune.
March 28, 2012 •
Complaint Concerning ALEC Filed in Wisconsin
Ethics and Lobbying Laws
A complaint filed with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board (GAB) is asking for an investigation of whether scholarships provided to legislators by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) violate state ethics and lobbying laws.
Additionally, the complainant, the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD), requests an examination of whether legislators are receiving impermissible gifts while attending ALEC conferences.
In its press release, the CMD argues that while Wisconsin prohibits legislators from accepting anything of value from lobbyists or corporations that employ lobbyists, the scholarships paying for legislators’ travel to ALEC conferences are funded entirely by corporations, many of which employ lobbyists in the state.
The CMD specifically asks the board to consider
- Whether ALEC scholarships violate W.S. sections 13.625 and 19.45;
- Whether the scholarships fall under an exception in W.S. section 19.56;
- Whether legislators are appropriately disclosing the scholarships;
- Whether the scholarship fund is being used for more than reimbursement; and
- Whether legislators attending ALEC conferences are receiving other impermissible gifts such as tickets to sporting events or free food and drinks.
Exhibits attached to the complaint can be found here.
March 19, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – March 19, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
2012 GOP Primary Shaping Up to Be Cheapest Race in Years
Group Offers $25,000 Reward for Exposing Secret Corporate Giving
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Alabama Public Corruption Trials Focus on Bribes vs. Donations
Colorado
Spending by Super PACs in Colorado Is the Dominion of Democrats
Illinois
Part of Campaign Finance Law Nixed
Illinois
State Rep. Derrick Smith, of Chicago, Is Charged with Accepting Bribe
Kentucky
Senate Changes Schedule, Allowing David Williams to Attend Kentucky Basketball Game
Minnesota
Business-Backed ALEC’s Relations with Conservative Lawmakers Riles Democrats
New Mexico
Arrests Mount in Sunland Park Scandal; New Details about Alleged Extortion Threat Emerge
Ohio
Jimmy Dimora Convicted of Racketeering, 32 Other Corruption-Related Charges
Ohio
Legislator Charged in FBI Bribery Sting
South Carolina
Ard Resigns, Is Indicted, Gets Probation
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
February 24, 2012 •
Arizona Lobbying Disclosure Bill Passes
Without the ALEC disclosure measure
The Arizona House of Representatives passed House Bill 2642, which will require more disclosure for local governments who lobby the state lawmakers. Two amendments were not added to the bill – one requiring American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) disclosure and another that would remove the one year “revolving door” waiting period for lawmakers to become lobbyists.
To find out more about the details of the new lobbying law (and what did not pass with it), be sure to read:
“Insider: Lobbyist bill passes without extras” by Mary Jo Pitzl in The Arizona Republic.
“Lawmakers OK more disclosure on lobbying” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Daily Sun.
Photo of the Arizona House of Representatives Chamber by Willem van Bergen on Wikipedia.
February 15, 2012 •
Wisconsin Bill Targets Special Interest Organizations that Craft Bills for Legislators
Bill Requires Increased Disclosure for American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Activities
Democratic legislators have submitted a bill for introduction that restricts the activity of special interest organizations that write bills for legislators.
The bill titled the ALEC Accountability Act applies existing lobbying laws to any organization or person who advocates for the introduction of model legislation. The bill also requires the reporting of any “scholarships” organizations pay to legislators and prohibits state taxpayer funds from being used to pay for attendance at the organization’s conventions.
The bill is currently awaiting a bill number and committee referral.
Photo of the Wisconsin State Capitol building by Darin ten Bruggencate onWikipedia.
Here is your chance to “Ask the Experts” at State and Federal Communications, Inc.
Q. Summer is approaching and I will be attending conferences such as NCSL and ALEC. Can I pay for dinners with legislators and/or State Night events?
A. First and foremost, are you or your company registered to lobby in the state? Most states have more stringent gift laws applicable to lobbyists and lobbyist principals (Texas is the exception to this rule of thumb). The answer will also vary depending upon whether you are paying for a private dinner or sponsoring a State Night event. For example, taking a legislator to dinner, paying for cab fare or other transportation, or giving him a ticket to a ballgame are not considered part of the national conference agenda. Therefore, the normal gift limits will apply.
Many states have gift limit exceptions specifically carved out for expenditures at national conferences to which all members of the legislature are invited. State Night events are considered part of the conference agenda; therefore the gift limit exceptions will apply.
Although a State Night sponsorship may be permissible, it is important to determine if and when the expenditure must be disclosed. The reporting implications for such events range from simple aggregate disclosure to detailed reporting where the name of every legislator attending must be listed.
You can directly submit questions for this feature, and we will select those most appropriate and answer them here. Send your questions to: marketing@stateandfed.com.
(We are always available to answer questions from clients that are specific to your needs, and we encourage you to continue to call or e-mail us with questions about your particular company or organization. As always, we will confidentially and directly provide answers or information you need.) Our replies to your questions are not legal advice. Instead, these replies represent our analysis of laws, rules, and regulations.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
