June 19, 2017 •
San Jose, CA to Consider Changes to Lobbyist Reporting and Gift Ordinances
The San Jose City Council is set to consider new lobbyist regulations at its meeting on June 20. As proposed, the changes will require lobbyists to file online reports every Monday if they met with city officials the week prior. […]
The San Jose City Council is set to consider new lobbyist regulations at its meeting on June 20.
As proposed, the changes will require lobbyists to file online reports every Monday if they met with city officials the week prior. The increased reporting frequency is aimed at improving transparency because currently most city decisions are decided before quarterly lobbyist reports are available to the public. The council is also scheduled to consider changing San Jose’s gift ordinance on June 20.
Under the current ordinance, city officials may not accept gifts valued more than $50. The proposed amendment will increase the limit to $470 and require reporting for gifts valued more than $50.
June 15, 2017 •
Orange County, CA Opens Campaign Finance and Ethics Commission
Orange County’s Office of Campaign Finance and Ethics Commission is now open. In 2016, voters approved a measure to create the Campaign Finance and Ethics Commission to provide oversight of the county’s campaign finance, lobbyist, and ethics ordinances. Denah Hoard […]
Orange County’s Office of Campaign Finance and Ethics Commission is now open. In 2016, voters approved a measure to create the Campaign Finance and Ethics Commission to provide oversight of the county’s campaign finance, lobbyist, and ethics ordinances.
Denah Hoard was named as the Executive Director of the commission and the county is currently in the process of seeking commissioners.
All lobbyist registrations and updates must now be conducted through the commission. A new lobbyist registration portal is scheduled to go live June 16, 2017. The commission will send emails to current lobbyists with the link to the new website and directions to activate their accounts.
Further information can be found at www.ocgov.com/gov/ocethics/.
June 12, 2017 •
Los Angeles to Review Lobbyist Registration Requirements
The Los Angeles Ethics Commission announced the start of a comprehensive review of the lobbying ordinance. The review will focus on lobbyist registration requirements. The commission is accepting feedback on the current registration requirements prior to June 26, 2017 to […]
The Los Angeles Ethics Commission announced the start of a comprehensive review of the lobbying ordinance. The review will focus on lobbyist registration requirements.
The commission is accepting feedback on the current registration requirements prior to June 26, 2017 to help guide the commission’s discussion of proposed changes at the August 15, 2017 meeting.
Comments can be e-mailed to ethics.policy@lacity.org.
April 19, 2017 •
Long Beach, California Repeals Ban on Contributions from Officeholder Funds
On April 18, Long Beach City Council approved a measure to repeal a local campaign finance law which barred elected officials from contributing officeholder funds to other candidates running for elective office. The restriction risked being challenged as unconstitutional and […]
On April 18, Long Beach City Council approved a measure to repeal a local campaign finance law which barred elected officials from contributing officeholder funds to other candidates running for elective office.
The restriction risked being challenged as unconstitutional and the repeal brings city law more in line with current state rules.
The City Council voted 5-3 in favor of the repeal.
April 18, 2017 •
California Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Move Up Presidential Primary
Lawmakers are considering a bill to move up California’s presidential primary election date. Senate Bill 568 seeks to move the presidential primary date from the first Tuesday in June to the third Tuesday in March. The move is aimed at […]
Lawmakers are considering a bill to move up California’s presidential primary election date.
Senate Bill 568 seeks to move the presidential primary date from the first Tuesday in June to the third Tuesday in March.
The move is aimed at getting presidential candidates to prioritize issues important to Californians during the primary process.
Senate Bill 568 would also move up primary elections in statewide office and legislative races to help eliminate potential voter confusion from multiple election dates.
March 20, 2017 •
Proposed California Campaign Finance Regulation Faces Opposition from Lawmakers
On March 16, California’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) held a hearing on the possible adoption of a regulation to change the test for when a candidate controls a political committee. Leaders of the Democratic and Republican caucuses of the […]
On March 16, California’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) held a hearing on the possible adoption of a regulation to change the test for when a candidate controls a political committee.
Leaders of the Democratic and Republican caucuses of the state Senate and Assembly oppose the proposed regulation as creating a vague and uncertain test for whether a committee is controlled by a candidate.
One of the most contested features of the regulation is a provision that would determine a candidate controls a committee if the candidate raises an “extensive” amount of money for the committee.
FPPC staff decided to take legislators’ concerns into consideration, delaying action on the proposed regulation until next month to allow time for changes.
January 27, 2017 •
Special Election Dates Set for California’s 34th Congressional District
Gov. Jerry Brown announced special election dates to replace 34th Congressional District Rep. Xavier Becerra’s vacant seat after he was appointed to be the attorney general of California. The primary election is set for April 4, 2017. If no candidate […]
Gov. Jerry Brown announced special election dates to replace 34th Congressional District Rep. Xavier Becerra’s vacant seat after he was appointed to be the attorney general of California.
The primary election is set for April 4, 2017. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, a general election will be held June 6, 2017.
The race to fill the vacancy will be crowded, with 18 candidates already publicly announcing their intent to run for the position.
December 15, 2016 •
Legal Challenge Filed Against California’s New Law on Publicly Funded Campaigns
On Monday, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and retired State Senator and Judge Quentin L. Kopp filed a lawsuit in the Sacramento Superior Court seeking to invalidate Senate Bill 1107. SB 1107 was passed this fall and allows any municipality […]
On Monday, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and retired State Senator and Judge Quentin L. Kopp filed a lawsuit in the Sacramento Superior Court seeking to invalidate Senate Bill 1107. SB 1107 was passed this fall and allows any municipality the option to create systems for publicly funded campaigns.
Prior to SB 1107, only six charter cities were allowed to offer limited public funds to match small campaign donations. The suit requests an injunction to stop the new provisions from taking effect on January 1, 2017. The plaintiffs are also requesting SB 1107 be ruled invalid and sent to voters on a statewide ballot.
December 8, 2016 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “Gun Control Advocates Find a Deep-Pocketed Ally in Big Law” by Jessica Silver-Greenberg and Ben Protess for The New York Times “Bob Dole Worked Behind the Scenes on Trump-Taiwan Call” by Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Eric Lipton for The […]
Lobbying
“Gun Control Advocates Find a Deep-Pocketed Ally in Big Law” by Jessica Silver-Greenberg and Ben Protess for The New York Times
“Bob Dole Worked Behind the Scenes on Trump-Taiwan Call” by Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Eric Lipton for The New York Times
Alabama: “Ethics Commission Pulls Opinion Over Nonprofit Concerns” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser
Florida: “Hillsborough County to Copy Richard Corcoran’s Proposal to Ban Texting by Lobbyists?” by Mitch Perry for Florida Politics
Campaign Finance
Missouri: “Lawsuit Seeks to Stop Campaign Contribution Limits Approved by Missouri Voters Last Month” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Ethics
“Trump Adviser’s Son Removed from Transition after Spreading Conspiracy Theory” by Greg Miller for The Washington Post
“Trump’s Top Conflict Critics Take Over Watchdog Group” by Darren Samuelsohn for Politico
California: “Ex-LAPD Sergeant Broke City Rules by Leaking Recording of ‘Django Unchained’ Actress, Ethics Group Says” by Kate Mather for Los Angeles Times
Missouri: “Nine Face Corruption Charges, Including ESL Councilwoman, Board of Review Member” by George Pawlacyzk and Beth Hundsdorfer for Belleville News Democrat
Legislative Issues
South Carolina: “South Carolina Lawmakers Change Rules to Limit Obstructions” by Robert Kittle and John Hart for WJBF
December 7, 2016 •
Wednesday News Roundup
Lobbying California: “EBay Faces Fines from State Ethics Watchdog after Failing to Disclose Sacramento Lobbying on Time” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times Campaign Finance Maine: “Proposal Would Require PACs to Disclose Major Donors” by Steve Mistler for Maine […]
Lobbying
California: “EBay Faces Fines from State Ethics Watchdog after Failing to Disclose Sacramento Lobbying on Time” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times
Campaign Finance
Maine: “Proposal Would Require PACs to Disclose Major Donors” by Steve Mistler for Maine Public Radio
Wisconsin: “After Conviction, Schmitt May Not Seek Re-election” by Adam Rodewall for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Ethics
“Trump Sold All Shares in Companies in June, Spokesman Says” by Drew Harwell and Rosalind Helderman for The Washington Post
California: “L.A. Ethics Commission Investigating LAPD’s Watchdog Over Handling of Special Inmate’s Jail Log” by Kate Mather for Los Angeles Times
Florida: “Broward Corruption Cop Sets Up Fight with Cities Over Ethics Reforms” by Brittany Wallman for South Florida Sun Sentinel
Minnesota: “10 U Officials Had Free Access to MSFA Suites at Vikings Stadium” by Rochelle Olson for Minneapolis Star Tribune
Elections
Colorado: “Amendment 71 Made It Harder to Get Initiatives on the Ballot – What Happens Now?” by Brian Eason for The Denver Post
Redistricting
“Justices Wrestle with Role of Race in Redistricting” by Adam Liptak for The New York Times
December 2, 2016 •
Special Election Likely for California’s 34th Congressional District
Gov. Jerry Brown has selected 34th Congressional District Rep. Xavier Becerra to be the next attorney general of California. The attorney general position became available when Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate in the November election. State law […]
Gov. Jerry Brown has selected 34th Congressional District Rep. Xavier Becerra to be the next attorney general of California.
The attorney general position became available when Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate in the November election.
State law requires the governor to arrange a special election date within two weeks of Becerra leaving his congressional post.
November 23, 2016 •
2016 NCSL State Vote Recaps Campaign Finance Ballot Initiatives
The 2016 election was about a lot more than just a battle between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Across the country, states asked voters to consider a variety of ballot measures, including a few campaign finance issues. At the 2016 National Conference […]
The 2016 election was about a lot more than just a battle between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Across the country, states asked voters to consider a variety of ballot measures, including a few campaign finance issues. At the 2016 National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) State Vote seminar held in Washington, D.C., Wendy Underhill recapped a number of those issues and the decisions that voters made on Nov. 8.
Both California and Washington held votes related to the United States Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United vs. FEC. Voters approved ballot measures that urged government leaders to use their power to work to overturn the Supreme Court’s ruling, possibly through a constitutional amendment, if possible.
In Missouri, voters approved an initiative establishing limits on campaign contributions to candidates for state or judicial office; while in South Dakota, voters approved an initiative to create a publicly funded campaign finance program and an ethics commission.
For more from the NCSL State Vote seminar you can view some of the presentation slides here. To see a list of ballot measure election results of interest to government relations professionals, take a look at our 2016 election dashboard.
November 22, 2016 •
FPPC Approves Amendments to Increase Gift and Campaign Contribution Limits
On Nov. 17, California’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) approved regulations to make biennial cost of living adjustments to campaign contribution and gift limits that will apply from Jan. 1, 2017, through Dec. 31, 2018. The newly amended regulations change […]
On Nov. 17, California’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) approved regulations to make biennial cost of living adjustments to campaign contribution and gift limits that will apply from Jan. 1, 2017, through Dec. 31, 2018.
The newly amended regulations change the gift limit from $460 to $470 and makes increases to campaign contribution limits.
November 22, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “White Nationalists Dress Up and Come to Washington in Hopes of Influencing Trump” by Lisa Mascaro for Los Angeles Times “Groups Ease Off Events for Lawmakers Under New Lobbying Law” by James Nord (Associated Press) for The Washington Times […]
Lobbying
“White Nationalists Dress Up and Come to Washington in Hopes of Influencing Trump” by Lisa Mascaro for Los Angeles Times
“Groups Ease Off Events for Lawmakers Under New Lobbying Law” by James Nord (Associated Press) for The Washington Times
Campaign Finance
“FEC Deadlocks, Won’t Investigate Dark Money Group That Spent All Its Funds On an Election” by Robert Maguire for Center for Responsive Politics
California: “Did Money Buy California Ballot Measure Contests?” by Taryn Luna for The Sacramento Bee
Kentucky: “State Agencies Investigate Political Donations Raised by Tim Longmeyer, Others” by John Cheves for Lexington Herald-Leader
Ethics
“Ethics Watchdog Updates Gift Rules for Federal Workers” by Megan Wilson for The Hill
“A Scramble to Assess the Dangers of President-elect Donald Trump’s Global Business Empire” by Drew Harwell and Anu Narayanswamy for The Washington Post
Arkansas: “Lawmakers File Bills on Ethics, Taxes, Sessions” by John Lyon (Arkansas News Bureau) for The Times Record
Florida: “Convicted Opa-locka City Manager Gets 3 Years in Prison for Taking Bribes” by Jay Weaver and Michael Sallah for Miami Herald
Pennsylvania: “Mastery Charter Schools to Pay $2,000 to Settle City Ethics Complaint” by Martha Woodall for Philadelphia Inquirer
Elections
“Underestimating the Unconventional” by Susan Milligan for U.S. News and World Report
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