August 3, 2016 •
Redondo Beach, CA Makes Progress Toward Campaign Finance Reform
On August 2, the Redondo Beach City Council carried a motion to establish campaign finance reforms setting contribution limits. Council recommended that the ordinance limit individual contributions to $750 for City Council candidates and $1,500 for citywide candidates. The future […]
On August 2, the Redondo Beach City Council carried a motion to establish campaign finance reforms setting contribution limits.
Council recommended that the ordinance limit individual contributions to $750 for City Council candidates and $1,500 for citywide candidates. The future ordinance would also seek to create an ethics commission.
The recommendations are now being forwarded to the city attorney for drafting.
December 29, 2014 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying National: “A Bipartisan Push to Limit Lobbyists’ Sway over Attorneys General” by Eric Lipton for New York Times Campaign Finance “New DGA Chairman Promises Greater Disclosure” by James Hohmann for Politico Missouri: “Diehl Endorses Bill Requiring Political Not-for-Profits to […]
Lobbying
National: “A Bipartisan Push to Limit Lobbyists’ Sway over Attorneys General” by Eric Lipton for New York Times
Campaign Finance
“New DGA Chairman Promises Greater Disclosure” by James Hohmann for Politico
Missouri: “Diehl Endorses Bill Requiring Political Not-for-Profits to Reveal Donors” by Rudi Keller for Columbia Tribune
New Mexico: “State Senator Pre-Files Campaign Finance Reform Bill” by Andy Beale for Albuquerque Business First
Ethics
“Rep. Michael Grimm Pleads Guilty in Tax Case, Refuses to Resign” by Christine Mai-Duc for Los Angeles Times
National: “Cuomo and Christie, Defying Legislatures, Reject Bill to Overhaul Port Authority” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times
California: “PG&E Discloses More Emails with State Regulators” by Ellen Knickmeyer (Associated Press) for San Jose Mercury News
Oklahoma: “State Ethics Agency Fails to Collect Most Fees” by M. Scott Carter for Oklahoma Watch
December 24, 2014 •
D.C. Campaign Finance Reform Bill Takes Effect 1/31/15
The provisions of a campaign finance reform bill passed by the Council of the District of Columbia take effect January 31, 2015. The special election set for April 28, 2015, will be the first test to the new restrictions found […]
The provisions of a campaign finance reform bill passed by the Council of the District of Columbia take effect January 31, 2015. The special election set for April 28, 2015, will be the first test to the new restrictions found in Bill 20-0076.
However, according to the Office of Campaign Finance, all campaigns registering prior to the effective date of the law will not be subject to its provisions. The new law will only affect those campaigns registering on or after February 1, 2015.
Among the changes, Bill 20-0076 imposes a training requirement for committee treasurers and requires all campaign finance reports to be filed electronically. The new law also restricts contributions from affiliated entities, thereby closing the “LLC loophole”.
October 24, 2013 •
Thursday News Roundup
Here are some great articles for today’s government relations news summary:
Lobbying
“Lobbyists shift strategy amid gridlocked Congress” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post.
“GOP hardliners reach out to K Street” by Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman in Politico.
“Primary challenges would require shift from Chamber of Commerce” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“Grocery Manufacturers Assn. Discloses Federal and Washington State Lobbying” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.
“Lobbying Heats Up Before Farm Talks” by Ron Nixon in The New York Times.
Campaign Finance
“Political influence by county: A new way to look at campaign finance data” by Ryan Sibley and Bob Lannon and Ben Chartoff in the Sunlight Foundation Blog.
California: “California’s political watchdog settles with shadowy Arizona group criticized for not disclosing donors” by Jessica Calefati in the San Jose Mercury-News.
California: “Political watchdog to levy $1-million fine on out-of-state groups” by Chris Megerian and Anthony York in the Los Angeles Times.
Connecticut: “Reporters grill Malloy on fundraisers” by Ken Dixon in the Connecticut Post.
District of Columbia: “McDuffie’s Campaign Finance Reform Bill Isn’t Strong Enough, Says Wells” by Matt Cohen in dcist.com.
New York: “Ex-Liu campaign treasurer appeals conviction in NY” by Larry Neumeister in the Post-Star.
Wisconsin: “Wisconsin lawmakers rake in special interest money” by Donovan Slack in the Fond du Lac Reporter.
Ethics
Iowa: “Three words make big difference in Iowa legislative ethics rules” by James Q. Lynch in the Sioux City Journal.
State Legislatures
Montana lawmaker term limits: “Montana lawmakers seek to strengthen Legislature” by The Associated Press in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
Tech and Social Media
“Change.org Enables Elected Leaders To Respond To Petitions” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.
May 28, 2013 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Keep up with the latest government relations news with these articles:
Lobbying
“How Does Lobbying Buy Votes” by Karl Smith in Forbes.
Nebraska: “Is $27 million enough to buy influence in Nebraska?” by Paul Hammel in the Omaha World Herald.
Campaign Finance
“Campaign Finance Reform by a ‘Stroke-of-the-Pen’” by Paul Abrams in the Huffington Post.
Connecticut: “Despite corruption, campaign reform in jeopardy” by Brian Lockhart in the Connecticut Post.
Nevada: “Campaign transparency bill passes, albeit a watered-down version” by Conor Shine in the Las Vegas Sun.
New York: “Campaign Finance Reform Unlikely to Proceed in Albany” by Karen DeWitt in WNYC News.
Wisconsin: “Wisconsin GOP proposes far-ranging election, campaign finance reforms” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Ethics
Texas: “Tougher ethics bill passes Texas House” by Marty Schladen in the El Paso Times.
Government Tech and Social Media
Rhode Island: “Assembly website now allows bill updates via email, live-streaming of sessions” by Randal Edgar in the Providence Journal.
April 10, 2013 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Here is our roundup of the latest articles on campaign finance, ethics, and more!
Campaign Finance
“DOJ, IRS tight-lipped on campaign finance probes” by Tarini Parti and Byron Tau in Politico.
Arizona: “Ariz. proposal would flood money into politics” by The Associated Press in the Arizona Daily Sun.
Ethics
Arkansas: “House approves proposed amendment on ethics, term limits, salaries” by John Lyon in the Arkansas News Bureau.
New York: “Cuomo Offers Plan to Fight Corruption After Arrests” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times.
New York: “Albany Riveted by Double Life of an Assemblyman and Informer” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times.
Virginia: “New documents raise more questions about financing of McDonnell’s daughter’s wedding” by Rosalind S. Helderman in The Washington Post.
Virginia: “McEachin calls for closing Virginia gift loophole” by Laura Vozella in The Washington Post.
Elections
Illinois: “Ex-Ill. lawmaker elected to succeed Jackson Jr.” by The Associated Press in the Quad City Times.
From the State Legislatures
Missouri: “Term limit change suggested for Missouri lawmakers” by Virginia Young in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Washington: “The next question: Special session?” by Lucas Wiseman in The Columbian.
April 9, 2013 •
Maryland Passes Campaign Finance Bill Before Adjourning
New contribution limits to take effect in 2015
The General Assembly passed a campaign finance reform bill before adjourning on Monday, April 8, 2013.
House Bill 1499 increases contribution limits to any one campaign committee from $4,000 to $6,000 and from $10,000 to $24,000 for total contributions to all campaign committees within a four-year election cycle. The bill also curbs giving through multiple corporate entities for the purpose of evading contribution limits, increases reporting requirements, and gives the State Board of Elections new enforcement powers.
Unless vetoed by Governor O’Malley, the new limits will be effective for the election cycle beginning January 1, 2015.
Photo of the Maryland State House by Thisisbossi on Wikipedia.
April 3, 2013 •
Maryland Senate Passes Campaign Finance Bill
House Bill 1499 would increase contribution Limits
The Senate has passed a campaign finance reform bill, including a provision allowing public financing of local campaigns. House Bill 1499 raises campaign contribution limits, for the first time in two decades, from $10,000 to $24,000 within a four-year election cycle. The bill also curbs giving through multiple corporate entities for the purpose of evading contribution limits, increases reporting requirements, and gives the State Board of Elections new enforcement powers.
An amendment to remove a public financing option for counties was rejected by a 25-16 vote.
The Senate passed House Bill 1499 and cross-filed Senate Bill 1039 on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 by a 45-2 vote. The bill now must be reconciled with a different version passed by the House.
April 3, 2013 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Here is our roundup of the latest articles on campaign finance, ethics, and more!
Campaign Finance
“As Obama begins fundraising swing, campaign finance watchdogs growl” by David Nakamura in the Washington Post.
Maryland: “Campaign finance reform advances in Senate” by Michael Dresser in the Baltimore Sun.
New York: “Campaign finance reform gains momentum” by Dan Levy in WNYT News.
New York: “Campaign reform advocates say NY scandals show need to change Albany culture” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Ethics
Florida: “Palm Beach County ethics board targeted for state audit” by Jennifer Sorentrue in the Palm Beach Post.
New York: “Lawmakers in New York Tied to Bribery Plot in Mayor Race” by Michael Wilson and William K. Rashbaum in the New York Times.
New York: “Rogues gallery of corruption cases” by Rick Karlin in the Albany Times Union.
From the State Legislatures
Alaska: “Kawasaki draws rebuke for conduct on House floor” by The Associated Press in the Juneau Empire.
Nebraska: “Late nights planned for state lawmakers” by The Associated Press in the Lincoln Journal Star.
Oregon: “Many bills in Oregon Legislature won’t see the light of day” by Laura Fosmire in the Statesman Journal.
December 14, 2012 •
One Last News Roundup for the Week
Keep up with the latest articles on campaign finance and government ethics:
Campaign Finance
“What’s Left for Campaign Finance Reform?” by Steven D. Schwinn in Jurist.
“Colbert donates super PAC funds to charity” by Dave Levinthal in Politico.
New York: “Campaign finance reform on 2013 Albany agenda” by Karen DeWitt on North County Public Radio.
District of Columbia: “DC Council to consider emergency ban on large money-order campaign contributions” by The Associated Press in the Washington Post.
Ethics
California: “Political ethics panel accuses brothers of money laundering” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.
Florida: “Palm Beach County ethics commission to decide whether national search needed for director’s post” by Jennifer Sorentrue in the Palm Beach Post.
November 16, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – November 16, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
If Your Side Lost The Election, Time to Secede from The Union?
Super-Sized Majorities Shift Legislative Power
Federal:
Campaign Finance Reformers Get Back to Work after Record Election Spending
Is Part of Voting Rights Act Outdated, Unfair? High Court to Decide
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
Tougher Campaign Finance Disclosure Laws Sought
California
After Election, State Lawmakers and Interest Groups Travel in Tandem
Georgia
Georgia Lawmakers Get Luxury-Box Tickets to Dome
Maryland
Ethics Oversight Board Hasn’t Met in Years
Ohio
Ohio Elections Panel Again Clears Gerald McFaul in Controversial Campaign Finance Case
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Ethics Commission Narrows Field of Applicants
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.
April 9, 2012 •
ELEC Says PAC Contributions from Contractors Increasing
Calls for Reform
Jeff Brindle, Executive Director of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), has renewed efforts calling for campaign finance reform, specifically concerning political contributions from contractors.
In a press release detailing public contractors’ political contributions for 2011, ELEC’s analysis concludes that while contractors are making fewer contributions directly to candidates, they are making substantially more contributions to PACs.
Director Brindle states, “In some cases, contractors may be evading the intent of pay-to-play restrictions and contribution limits by giving indirectly through these PACs. That is why the Commission has recommended making it harder for one candidate or group to establish multiple, affiliated PACs.”
Director Brindle also reiterates the Commission’s recommendation to adopt a single statewide pay-to-play law. Previous LobbyComply blog posts discusses the earlier recommendations can be found here and here.
March 28, 2012 •
U.S. Sen. John McCain Speaks Out about Campaign Finance
And other campaign finance, super PAC, and lobbying headlines today:
Campaign Finance
“McCain predicts ‘huge’ U.S. campaign finance scandals” by Alina Selyukh (Reuters) in the Chicago Tribune.
“McCain Calls SCOTUS Decision on Campaign Spending ‘Stupid’” by Rebekah Metzler in the Chicago Tribune.
“Beware of the super-PAC: More lawmakers are fearing an ad ambush” by Joe Picard in The Hill.
Montana: “Conservative groups challenging campaign finance law formally seek Supreme Court intervention” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Lobbying
“Lobbyists reaping $220M bonanza” by Rich Karlin in the Albany Times Union.
“Memo details oil, gas industry lobbying expenditures” by The Associated Press in the News Tribune.
“Review of lobbyist spending prompts House ethics meeting” by Jason Clayworth in the Des Moines Register.
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.