September 16, 2020 •
Chicago Board of Ethics to Enforce Lobbying Ban
Chicago River at Michigan Avenue - David Wilson
The Chicago Board of Ethics announced it will begin enforcing Ordinance 2-156-309 on October 1. The ordinance prohibits state and local elected officials from lobbying City Council or any city agency, department, board, or commission. In a press release announcing […]
The Chicago Board of Ethics announced it will begin enforcing Ordinance 2-156-309 on October 1.
The ordinance prohibits state and local elected officials from lobbying City Council or any city agency, department, board, or commission.
In a press release announcing enforcement of the ban, the board indicated it had been monitoring compliance and delayed enforcement of the ordinance, which took effect April 14, because a proposal submitted to City Council by Mayor Lori Lightfoot would have affected at least one lobbyist.
The board indicated sufficient time has passed and it has confirmed there will be no changes to the ordinance.
June 22, 2020 •
New Mexico Supreme Court Issues Ruling to Ban
New Mexico Capitol Building - Ken Lund
In a 3-2 decision on June 16, the New Mexico Supreme Court denied a request allowing lobbyists and public into the Capitol, known as the Roundhouse, during the special legislative session beginning June 18. Chief Justice Judith Nakamura described the […]
In a 3-2 decision on June 16, the New Mexico Supreme Court denied a request allowing lobbyists and public into the Capitol, known as the Roundhouse, during the special legislative session beginning June 18.
Chief Justice Judith Nakamura described the decision as a difficult ruling to make. However, Nakamura concurred with Justices Barbara Vigil and Michael Vigil in denying the petition. 24 lawmakers submitted this proposal which would have opened the Roundhouse to lobbyists and the public for the special session.
The petition argued that prohibiting lobbyists from entering the Roundhouse violates the constitutional requirement to make all legislative sessions public.
New Mexico’s constitution provides all sessions of each house must be public. Justices challenged attorneys on both sides to define the term “public” and explain in detail what constitutes a public session.
Justice C. Shannon Bacon expressed concern about large parts of the state not having broadband. She also emphasized that thousands of people do not have access to computers, describing New Mexico as a technological desert.
The Supreme Court concluded virtual proceedings balance the need to protect the public from the public health concerns of COVID-19 with the need to ensure the legislative session remains open and transparent.
The ruling means those who wish to follow the session will watch the hearings from their computer screens. This will be current reality, rather than gathering in committee rooms and House and Senate galleries.
The public will be able to speak at the discretion of the House committee chairs via Zoom video conference call. However, the public will only be allowed to send emails, rather than joining a video conference, to address the Senate’s committee.
Beginning June 18, lawmakers will begin debating how to shore up an estimated $2 billion shortfall in projected revenues for the fiscal year 2021 budget. This shortfall is largely due to the pandemic-related government shutdown.
May 16, 2016 •
California Senate Reverses Ban on Contributions Rule
The California Senate voted to reverse the ban on members raising money from lobbyist employers during budget negotiations. The ban would have gone into effect upon the governor’s release of the revised budget, which is set for May 13. The […]
The California Senate voted to reverse the ban on members raising money from lobbyist employers during budget negotiations.
The ban would have gone into effect upon the governor’s release of the revised budget, which is set for May 13. The reversal of this rule comes amid an election year where many members of the Senate are running for re-election.
May 13, 2016 •
California Senate Reverses Ban on Contributions Rule
The California Senate voted to reverse the ban on members raising money from lobbyist employers during budget negotiations. The ban would have gone into effect upon the Governor’s release of the revised budget, which is set for May 13. The […]
The California Senate voted to reverse the ban on members raising money from lobbyist employers during budget negotiations.
The ban would have gone into effect upon the Governor’s release of the revised budget, which is set for May 13.
The reversal of this rule comes amid an election year where many members of the Senate are running for reelection.
A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this week would permanently close the revolving door allowing members of Congress to become lobbyists once they leave office. House Resolution 1740 removes the cooling off periods currently in the statutes. […]
A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this week would permanently close the revolving door allowing members of Congress to become lobbyists once they leave office.
House Resolution 1740 removes the cooling off periods currently in the statutes. These periods require former House members to wait one year and former Senate members to wait two years before becoming lobbyists.
The bill’s sponsor Rep. Rod Blum states in his press release, “This bill would finally close the revolving door between Congress and special interest groups, restoring integrity to our political system and ensuring that politicians focus on representing their constituents instead of catering to lobbying groups who offer a lucrative post-electoral career.”
Photo of the United States Capitol at night by Martin Falbisoner on Wikimedia Commons.
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