February 23, 2017 •
FEC Commissioner Ravel Resigns Effective March 1
On March 1, Commissioner Ann M. Ravel will resign from the Federal Election Commission (FEC). In her February 19 resignation letter to the president, Commissioner Ravel urged he prioritize campaign finance reform, strengthen disclosure law, and “reduce reliance on the […]
On March 1, Commissioner Ann M. Ravel will resign from the Federal Election Commission (FEC). In her February 19 resignation letter to the president, Commissioner Ravel urged he prioritize campaign finance reform, strengthen disclosure law, and “reduce reliance on the wealthy.”
With Ravel’s absence, there will be three registered members of the Republican Party and two registered members of the Democratic Party on the Commission. The FEC requires at least four commissioners to agree for any official action. A replacement for Ravel will be selected by President Trump and must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
While not more than three members of the commission may be registered with the same political party, the president is not obligated to nominate a member of the Democratic Party, of which Ravel is a registered member.
May 18, 2016 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Campaign Finance “Death Threats Directed at Elections Regulator” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity Arizona: “Effort Launches to Block Laws Loosening Rules for ‘Dark Money’” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Capitol Times Ethics Arizona: “Judge […]
Campaign Finance
“Death Threats Directed at Elections Regulator” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity
Arizona: “Effort Launches to Block Laws Loosening Rules for ‘Dark Money’” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Capitol Times
Ethics
Arizona: “Judge Sentences Former Phoenix VA Director Sharon Helman to Probation” by Dennis Wagner for Arizona Republic
Arizona: “Inspired by Trump, New Arizona Law Redefines Free Speech” by Ben Rosen for U.S. News & World Report
Pennsylvania: “The Ones That Got Away: How 305 criminal charges against Steve Reed were dismissed” by Wallace McKelvey for Harrisburg Patriot-News
South Carolina: “Common Cause Leader John Crangle Retiring as His Book on Operation Lost Trust Is Published” by Andrew Shain for Charleston Post & Courier
Elections
“‘Who Is This Guy?’ In Connected Political World, Few Know Donald Trump” by Carl Hulse for New York Times
“Little Is Off Limits as Donald Trump Plans Attacks on Hillary Clinton’s Character” by Patrick Healy for New York Times
“Bernie Sanders Wins Oregon; Hillary Clinton Declares Victory in Kentucky” by Thomas Kaplan for New York Times
December 17, 2014 •
Ann Ravel Selected as Next FEC Chairwoman
Today, the Federal Election Commission elected Ann Ravel as its chairwoman. Ravel replaces Lee E. Goodman, who was appointed with Ravel to the commission in 2013. The chairmanship is a rotating, one-year position. No commissioner may serve as chair more […]
Today, the Federal Election Commission elected Ann Ravel as its chairwoman. Ravel replaces Lee E. Goodman, who was appointed with Ravel to the commission in 2013.
The chairmanship is a rotating, one-year position. No commissioner may serve as chair more than once during his or her term.
October 28, 2013 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics news articles:
Lobbying
“Exclusive: Washington lobbying law firm in merger talks – sources” by Casey Sullivan in Reuters.
Nevada: “Public policy maker or private lobbyist? 10 state officials play dual roles” by Andrew Doughman in the Las Vegas Sun.
Campaign Finance
Delaware: “Delaware Faces Lawsuit Over Campaign Finance Law That Targets Political Speech” by Ed Krayewski in Reason.com.
Michigan: “Michigan investigating Bernero, aides after campaign finance complaint” by Kristen M. Daum in the Detroit Free Press.
Nevada: “Sandoval campaign offers perks for cash” by Sandra Chereb (Associated Press) in the Miami Herald.
New Jersey: “Special interest groups exert growing influence in N.J. campaigns” by Matt Friedman in The Star-Ledger.
New York: “State limit on donations in doubt” by Rick Karlin in the Times Union.
Wisconsin: “Wisconsin lawmakers rake in special interest money” by Donovan Slack in the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Ethics
California: “Settlement is last hurrah for campaign finance watchdog Ann Ravel” by Chris Megerian in the Los Angeles Times.
California: “Calif., PACs reach $1M campaign-finance settlement” by The Associated Press in the Las Vegas Sun.
California: “L.A. moves to boost limits on gifts to lawmakers” by David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times.
Florida: “Ethics Commission wants more time for Fresen case” by James Call in the Florida Current.
Georgia: “Jordan to join Ga. ethics commission” by Christina Cassidy (Associated Press) I the Athens Banner-Herald.
Iowa: “Iowa Senate ethics rule protects the ‘first-in-the-nation’ franchise” by James Q. Lynch in the Sioux City Journal.
New York: “Job interview raises ethical questions” by James M. Odato in the Times Union.
Oklahoma: “Jurors at political bribery trial see negative side of Oklahoma Legislature” by Nolan Clay in The Oklahoman.
Texas: “Regulating Campaigns and Lobbying, Seen and Unseen” by Ross Ramsey in the Texas Tribune.
Elections
“2013 Legislative Elections: Fierce but Few” by Daniel C. Vock in Stateline.
From the State Legislatures
Hawaii: “Hawaii lawmakers to hold special session to consider gay marriage” by Malia Mattoch and Suzanne Roig in Reuters.
Montana: “Montana legislators debate rolling back term limits” by Reid Wilson in The Washington Post.
October 9, 2013 •
California and Other Campaign Finance Regulators Announce SUN Center
National group launches informational website
Campaign and governmental ethics regulators from across the country have announced the launch of the “States’ Unified Network (SUN) Center,” a website devoted to providing nationwide information regarding campaign disclosure and enforcement of campaign finance rules. According to Ann Ravel, Chair of the Fair Political Practices Commission (recently confirmed to the FEC), this is the first time states and cities are collaborating to share innovative ideas, strategies, and legislation related to campaign finance.
SUN Center will display proposed and existing legislation, current news, and enforcement cases related to campaign finance rules. The site will also develop a database of organizations making contributions in multiple states, allowing enforcement agencies to exchange information and coordinate enforcement efforts.
The group is nonpartisan and currently consists of regulators from New York, California, Alaska, Idaho, Maine, Montana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington, Iowa, and New York City. The website is available here.
September 24, 2013 •
Senate Confirms FEC Nominees
Ravel and Goodman
Yesterday, President Barack Obama’s two Federal Election Commission nominees, Anne Ravel and Lee E. Goodman, were confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Ravel is the chair of the California Fair Political Practices Commission. Goodman is a partner with the law firm of LeClairRyan. The remaining four commissioners are all serving with expired terms.
February 1, 2013 •
California FPPC Chair Announces Review of Lobbying Disclosure
Workgroup to examine “other” reporting category
Ann Ravel, Chair of the Fair Political Practices Commission, has assigned a working group to take on issues relating to lobbying disclosure practices. Currently, lobbying disclosure forms allow reporting of huge sums in a catch-all category requiring no detailed reporting to authorities.
State law allows groups hiring lobbyists to report spending related to lobbying, but not meeting the legal definition of lobbying, as a single lump sum in a category listed as “other payments to influence.” Over the past 12 years, lobbying groups have listed in this category over one-quarter of the $2.9 billion spent on lobbying efforts.
The working group is set to include lobbyists, watchdog representatives, and political lawyers.
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.
