June 20, 2018 •
Colorado Secretary of State Amends Campaign Finance Rules
The Colorado secretary of state adopted new campaign finance rules today in response to a federal court ruling issued last week. Judge Raymond Moore struck down provisions of state law allowing private citizens to file complaints. Until the ruling, all […]
The Colorado secretary of state adopted new campaign finance rules today in response to a federal court ruling issued last week.
Judge Raymond Moore struck down provisions of state law allowing private citizens to file complaints. Until the ruling, all complaints received a hearing without review for merit.
New enforcement mechanisms provide for initial review of complaints and an opportunity to cure violations prior to investigation and enforcement.
Substantive requirements of state campaign finance law were not affected.
Pictured: Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams
June 20, 2018 •
Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance Maryland: “Candidate’s Relationship with Talk Radio Station Raises Questions About Campaign Finance” by Libby Solomon for Baltimore Sun Elections Kansas: “Judge Slams Kobach for Flouting Court Rules” by Josh Gerstein for Politico Ethics National: “Financial Reporting, Conflict of […]
Campaign Finance
Maryland: “Candidate’s Relationship with Talk Radio Station Raises Questions About Campaign Finance” by Libby Solomon for Baltimore Sun
Elections
Kansas: “Judge Slams Kobach for Flouting Court Rules” by Josh Gerstein for Politico
Ethics
National: “Financial Reporting, Conflict of Interest Rules for Federal Employees Apply to Virtual Money, Ethics Office Says” by Eric Yoder (Washington Post) for San Francisco Chronicle
Canada: “Morneau Cleared by Ethics Commissioner” by Rachel Aiello for CTV News
Arkansas: “Former Arkansas Sen. Jake Files Sentenced to 18 Months in Jail” by Staff for Arkansas Business
Kentucky: “Lobbyist Convicted of Kentucky Deputy Attorney General Bribe” by Adam Beam (Associated Press) for Sacramento Bee
North Dakota: “ND Anti-Corruption Petition Gathers Enough Signatures” by Barry Amundson for Grand Forks Herald
Lobbying
National: “Women Speak of Pervasive Harassment in DC Lobbying Culture” by Megan Wilson for The Hill
Massachusetts: “Boston City Council to Take Up Lobbying Rules – Two Years After Walsh Made His Proposal” by Milton Valencia for Boston Globe
June 14, 2018 •
Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance Colorado: “Federal Judge Finds Portions of Colorado’s Campaign Finance Complaint Process Are Unconstitutional in Ruling Likely to Prompt Big Change” by Jesse Paul for Denver Post North Carolina: “Digital Ad Disclosure Bill Squeaks Past Key House Panel” by […]
Campaign Finance
Colorado: “Federal Judge Finds Portions of Colorado’s Campaign Finance Complaint Process Are Unconstitutional in Ruling Likely to Prompt Big Change” by Jesse Paul for Denver Post
North Carolina: “Digital Ad Disclosure Bill Squeaks Past Key House Panel” by Laura Leslie for WRAL
Elections
National: “Republican Voters Embrace Trump-Style Candidates” by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns (New York Times) for WRAL
California: “Radical Plan to Split California Into Three States Earns Spot on November Ballot” by John Myers for Los Angeles Times
Ethics
National: “EPA Chief Scott Pruitt Tapped Aide, Donors to Help Wife Land Job at Conservative Group” by Juliet Eilperin, Josh Dawsey, Brady Dennis, and Shawn Boburg (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune
Florida: “Ethics Commission: Fernandez misused position to get FSU tickets, catering discount” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat
New York: “Ex-Lawmaker Pleads Guilty to Misusing Superstorm Sandy Funds” by Associated Press for New York Daily News
Lobbying
Canada: “Lobbying Czar Calls for Federal Investment after 10 Years of Stagnant Funding” by Teresa Wright (Canadian Press) for CTV News
Florida: “Lobbyists Face New Requirements at Citizens” by Jim Turner (News Service of Florida) for WPEC
Redistricting
Pennsylvania: “Amendment to State Redistricting Bill May Scuttle” by Liz Navratil, Gillian McGoldrick, and Jonathan Lai for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
June 13, 2018 •
Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance National: “Web of Elite Russians Met with NRA Execs During 2016 Campaign” by Peter Stone and Greg Gordon for McClatchy DC Massachusetts: “Gov. Charlie Baker’s Campaign Paid for Emails Sent by Mass GOP” by Shira Schoenberg for MassLive.com […]
Campaign Finance
National: “Web of Elite Russians Met with NRA Execs During 2016 Campaign” by Peter Stone and Greg Gordon for McClatchy DC
Massachusetts: “Gov. Charlie Baker’s Campaign Paid for Emails Sent by Mass GOP” by Shira Schoenberg for MassLive.com
Ethics
National: “Judge in Emoluments Case Questions Defense of Trump’s Hotel Profits” by Sharon LaFraniere (New York Times) for WRAL
National: “Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump Made at Least $82 Million in Outside Income Last Year While Serving in the White House, Filings Show” by Amy Brittain, Asley Parker, and Anu Narayanswamy (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune
California: “Second Commissioner Resigns from California’s Political Watchdog Agency” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee
New Jersey: “On Key Votes, School Boards Bypass Conflicts of Interest. Is This in the Public Interest?” by Meghan Grant for Bergen Record
New York: “Sam Hoyt Sexual Harassment Decision Spurs Criticism of NY Ethics Board” by Joe Campbell for Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Lobbying
National: “Senators: Convicted Lobbyists Need to Disclose Their Record” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call
National: “This Woman Is an Exceptionally Effective Capitol Hill Lobbyist. She Also Has Down Syndrome.” by Alioson Kline (Washington Post) for Fargo Forum
June 12, 2018 •
Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance Alabama: “John Merrill Questions Alabama Ethics Commission’s Waivers of Fines” by Mike Cason for AL.com Arizona: “Critics Slam Michele Reagan Over Election Funding Site ‘That Doesn’t Work’” by Dustin Gardiner for Arizona Republic Colorado: “Judge Dismisses Campaign Complaint […]
Campaign Finance
Alabama: “John Merrill Questions Alabama Ethics Commission’s Waivers of Fines” by Mike Cason for AL.com
Arizona: “Critics Slam Michele Reagan Over Election Funding Site ‘That Doesn’t Work’” by Dustin Gardiner for Arizona Republic
Colorado: “Judge Dismisses Campaign Complaint Against Denver Council President, Saying State Law Doesn’t Apply to City” by Jon Murray for Denver Post
Elections
National: “Court: States can purge voters who don’t vote or respond to warnings” by Richard Wolf for USA Today
Ethics
National: “Meet the Guys Who Tape Trump’s Papers Back Together” by Annie Karni for Politico
Florida: “Ousted Tallahassee City Manager Rick Fernandez Slapped with State Ethics Violations” by Jeff Burlew and Jeffrey Schweers for Tallahassee Democrat
Illinois: “Rauner Signs Ethics Overhaul Amid Harassment Allegations at the Capitol” by Monique Garcia for Chicago Tribune
Missouri: “Jean Peters Baker Declines to File Charges against Eric Greitens” by Steve Vickrodt, Bryan Lowry, and Allison Kite for Kansas City Star
Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Ethics Commission Raises Fees to Stay in Operation” by Nolan Clay for The Oklahoman
June 11, 2018 •
Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance Missouri: “Lawsuit Seeks to Block St. Louis County Charter Amendments from August Primary Ballot” by Jeremy Kohler for St. Louis Post-Dispatch Montana: “Governor Signs Executive Order Targeting Dark Money” by Corine Cates-Carney for Montana Public Radio New York: […]
Campaign Finance
Missouri: “Lawsuit Seeks to Block St. Louis County Charter Amendments from August Primary Ballot” by Jeremy Kohler for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Montana: “Governor Signs Executive Order Targeting Dark Money” by Corine Cates-Carney for Montana Public Radio
New York: “IDC-Independence Party Campaign Finance Deal Declared Illegal” by David Lombardo for Albany Times Union
Washington: “Why Google Won’t Run Political Ads in Washington State for Now” by Jim Brunner and Christine Clarridge for Seattle Times
Ethics
National: “Mueller Hits Manafort with New Obstruction of Justice Charges” by Josh Gerstein and Darren Samuelsohn for Politico
National: “Ex-Senate Aide Charged in Leak Case Where Times Reporter’s Records Were Seized” by Adam Goldman, Nicholas Fandos, and Katie Benner (New York Times) for WRAL
Arkansas: “Former Arkansas Lobbyist Pleads Guilty in Bribery Scheme” by Kelly Kissell (Associated Press) for WRAL
Illinois: “Speaker Madigan’s Chief of Staff Resigns Hours After Aide Accused Him of Repeated Sexually Inappropriate Comments” by Kim Geiger, Ray Long, and Monique Garcia for Chicago Tribune
Lobbying
National: “US Lifts Secrecy on Foreign Lobbying Opinions” by Chad Day and Eric Tucker (Associated Press) for Talking Points Memo
June 8, 2018 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 8, 2018
Federal: A Courtside View of Scott Pruitt’s Cozy Ties with a Billionaire Coal Baron MSN – Steve Eder, Hiroko Tabuchi, and Eric Lipton (New York Times) | Published: 6/2/2018 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt enjoyed special access for […]
Federal:
A Courtside View of Scott Pruitt’s Cozy Ties with a Billionaire Coal Baron
MSN – Steve Eder, Hiroko Tabuchi, and Eric Lipton (New York Times) | Published: 6/2/2018
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt enjoyed special access for a University of Kentucky basketball game last December, scoring two of the best seats in the arena in a section reserved for season-ticket holders who had donated at least $1 million to the university. Pruitt and his son sat in seats belonging to Joseph Craft III, a billionaire coal executive who has engaged in an aggressive campaign to reverse the Obama administration’s environmental crackdown on the coal industry. Pruitt’s attendance at the game followed a year of regulatory victories for Craft, who maintains close ties to Pruitt even as he has lobbied the EPA on issues important to his company, Alliance Resource Partners.
Trade Groups in Turmoil in the Trump Era
Roll Call – Kate Ackley | Published: 6/7/2018
Trade associations, traditionally the backbone of K Street’s lobbying corridor, find themselves in the throes of disruption. These multimillion-dollar organizations are clamoring for ways to boost membership, and sometimes even keep their doors open, as they work to stay relevant amid the political and policy uncertainty of Washington during the era of President Trump. A number of high-profile, highly paid association chiefs have left or are on their way out, while some groups have lost significant members or are folding into other organizations, a sign that associations feel the dual storm of political turmoil and increasing pressure from their membership.
Trump Lawyer Payments Fuel AT&T Shareholders’ Push to Know More About Political Spending
Dallas Morning News – Melissa Repko | Published: 6/6/2018
Long before AT&T found itself under fire for hiring President Trump’s personal attorney Michael Cohen, some of the company’s shareholders sent up a warning: secrecy surrounding how it spends money in Washington, D.C. could put its reputation at risk. For five years, a group of shareholders has pushed AT&T to disclose how much it funds industry groups and tax-exempt organizations that engage in political activities. Companies are facing pressure from shareholders to reveal how they spend money to influence legislation on Capitol Hill. But those concerns took on new relevancy at AT&T when it became public that the company paid $600,000 to Cohen to advise on various matters.
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama: An Alabama Sheriff Kept $750,000 Meant to Buy Food for Inmates. Voters Just Replaced Him.
Seattle Times – Eli Rosenberg (Washington Post) | Published: 6/6/2018
Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin, criticized for making money from the county jail’s food program, was defeated in a primary election. Alabama gives sheriffs money to feed each prisoner, and sheriffs got to pocket anything that is left over. It was reported that Entrekin pocketed more than $750,000 over the past three years from a source he identified as “food provisions,” according to ethics disclosures. It was also reported that Entrekin and his wife purchased a home for $740,000 in September.
California: Facebook Tried to Rein in Fake Ads. It Fell Short in a California Race.
MSN – Sheera Frenkel (New York Times) | Published: 6/3/2018
Facebook has faced difficulties as the company aims to prevent manipulation of its ad system in elections, especially as the midterms loom this November. While Facebook has introduced several measures to improve the transparency of political ads on its platform, some groups and individuals appear to be finding ways to flout the new restrictions, and company has not been able to catch them. That raises questions about whether there are other gaps.
Florida: Behind Florida’s Payments to Victims, Links to Lobbyists
Gainesville Sun – Gary Fineout (Associated Press) | Published: 6/4/2018
Of the $37.5 million in claims bills – payments to victims and families harmed by government actions – approved over the past two years, $16.9 million was awarded to victims represented by a lobbyist who is the brother of Florida’s outgoing House speaker, Richard Corcoran. Lobbying records show Michael Corcoran’ firm collected at least $89,000 in fees last year for its work on claims bills and is in line to receive tens of thousands more this year. During the 2013 and 2014 sessions, legislators did not approve a single claims bill, in part due to opposition by then-Senate President Don Gaetz, who said it seemed bills were passing based not on their substance, but the effectiveness of the lobbyists behind them.
Louisiana: Louisiana Lawmakers Are Pushing Bills That Benefit Their Own Businesses. And It’s Perfectly Legal.
ProPublica – Rebekah Allen (New Orleans Advocate) | Published: 6/6/2018
Louisiana’s ethics laws allow legislators to write, advocate for, and cast votes on bills that would enrich themselves, their relatives, and their clients, as long as others in the same affected industry would benefit similarly. Regardless of the law, watchdogs say, such advocacy is troubling. If a lawmaker steps over the line while pushing a bill to benefit himself or herself, complaints can only be brought forward by other members of the Legislature, not the public at large. “Would you want someone on a jury who will gain financially depending on the outcome of a particular decision? It just shows the craziness of our system,” said Pearson Cross, a political science professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Missouri: In About-Face, New Missouri Gov. Parson Says He Won’t Accept Lobbyist Gifts
Kansas City Star – Jason Hancock | Published: 6/6/2018
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson will abide by an executive order signed by his predecessor last year that prohibits him from accepting any gifts from lobbyists. The ban extends to his taxpayer-funded staff as well. The announcement is an about-face for Parson, who was the only statewide elected official to take any lobbyist gifts in 2017. During his six years in the state Senate, Parson and his staff accepted more than $30,000 worth of lobbyist gifts. The order also prohibits staff members from lobbying the administration upon termination of their employment.
Oregon: Former Oregon First Lady Cylvia Hayes to File for Bankruptcy, Attorney Says
Portland Oregonian – Jeff Manning and Hillary Borrud | Published: 6/6/2018
Cylvia Hayes, Oregon’s former first lady, will file for bankruptcy, in part to get out from under about $125,000 in debts and penalties she accrued in her legal battle to keep her emails secret. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission found Hayes misused her position as first lady and a policy adviser to secure consulting contracts worth more than $200,000. Her lawyers and the commission are now trying to reach a settlement on the fines, which could run as much as $110,000.
South Carolina: Longtime Richland Sen. Courson Resigns, Enters Guilty Plea in Corruption Probe
The State – John Monk | Published: 6/4/2018
South Carolina Sen. John Courson pleaded guilty to a corruption charge and resigned his seat. He also agreed to cooperate in the investigation of corruption at the statehouse that has resulted in guilty pleas and resignations from three other lawmakers. Courson’s plea came as his trial was about to begin on charges of misconduct in office and converting campaign money for his personal use. He said he sent campaign contributions to his political consultant, Richard Quinn & Associates, who would give him a portion back to cover years of unpaid personal campaign reimbursements. State law does not allow candidates to do that. Courson also failed to itemize the reimbursements on his disclosure reports.
South Carolina
S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson Hasn’t Severed Ties to Controversial Quinn Family
Greenville News – Kirk Brown (Anderson Independent Mail) | Published: 6/4/2018
Despite years of negative publicity and withering criticism from political rivals, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has not cut his financial ties to the controversial Quinn family. As part of his bid for a third term, records show Wilson has made $117,000 in campaign expenditures since 2015 to Richard Quinn & Associates, Richard Quinn’s daughter, Rebecca Mustian, and her company, Spring Strategies. Those payments came while Richard Quinn, his firm, and his son, former state Rep. Rick Quinn, were at the center of a statehouse corruption probe. Mustian was not implicated in the investigation.
Washington: Facebook and Google Get Sued by Washington State Over Political Ads
Governing – Jim Brunner (Tribune News Service) | Published: 6/4/2018
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed campaign finance lawsuits against Google and Facebook, alleging the companies “failed to maintain legally required information on Washington state political advertising” placed online since 2013. Ferguson said companies that accept political advertising are required to keep tabs on who buys the advertising, and make that information available to the public. Collected information includes the name of the candidate or measure, dates the ads ran, who sponsored it, and the total cost spent. Once focused largely on television, campaigns have increasingly turned to online advertising in recent elections.
June 7, 2018 •
Montana Governor to Sign Executive Order on Dark Money Spending
Gov. Steve Bullock announced he will sign an executive order to further Montana’s goal of shedding light on dark money spending in elections. The executive order applies to new contracts for goods over $50,000 and new services contracts over $25,000 […]
Gov. Steve Bullock announced he will sign an executive order to further Montana’s goal of shedding light on dark money spending in elections.
The executive order applies to new contracts for goods over $50,000 and new services contracts over $25,000 and requires government contractors who have spent more than $2,500 in the past two years in elections to disclose their donations.
The executive order aims to shed light on contributions not otherwise required to be disclosed.
Gov. Bullock will sign the executive order into law on June 8, 2018.
June 7, 2018 •
Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance National: “‘The Movement Now Transcends the Kochs.’ What David Koch’s Departure Means for the Political Network He Helped Build.” by James Hohmann and Amy Gardner for Washington Post Alabama: “Ethics Commission Says Campaign Funds Can Pay Child Care” […]
Campaign Finance
National: “‘The Movement Now Transcends the Kochs.’ What David Koch’s Departure Means for the Political Network He Helped Build.” by James Hohmann and Amy Gardner for Washington Post
Alabama: “Ethics Commission Says Campaign Funds Can Pay Child Care” by Mike Cason for AL.com
Elections
California: “Democrats Poised to Claim Ballot Slots in Nearly All House Districts in California” by David Weigel, Mike DeBonis, David Fahrenthold, and Elise Viebeck for Washington Post
Ethics
National: “Scott Pruitt Enlisted an EPA Aide to Help His Wife Find a Job – with Chick-fil-A” by Juliet Eilperin, Brady Dennis, and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) for MSN
Colorado: “Former Secretary of State Scott Gessler Loses Ethics Fight in Colorado Supreme Court” by Marianne Goodland (ColoradoPolitics.com) for Colorado Springs Gazette
Florida: “Sources: Ethics Commission prosecutor recommends charges against Fernandez” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat
Louisiana: “Louisiana Lawmakers Are Pushing Bills That Benefit Their Own Businesses. And It’s Perfectly Legal.” by Rebekah Allen (New Orleans Advocate) for ProPublica
Lobbying
United Kingdom: “Most Charities Say Lobbying Act Has Made Their Work Harder, Says Report” by Liam Kay for Third Sector
Missouri: “In About-Face, New Missouri Gov. Parson Says He Won’t Accept Lobbyist Gifts” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star
June 6, 2018 •
Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance Washington: “Attorney General Bob Ferguson Sues Facebook and Google Over Political Ad Records” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times Elections National: “Surge of Obama Alumni Running for Office in Wake of President Trump’s Election” by Nicole Gaudiano for […]
Campaign Finance
Washington: “Attorney General Bob Ferguson Sues Facebook and Google Over Political Ad Records” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times
Elections
National: “Surge of Obama Alumni Running for Office in Wake of President Trump’s Election” by Nicole Gaudiano for USA Today
Ethics
National: “Aide Sought a New Apartment for Pruitt, as Well as an ‘Old Mattress’ From Trump Hotel” by Lisa Friedman and Eric Lipton (New York Times) for WRAL
National: “Mueller Accuses Paul Manafort of Attempted Witness Tampering” by Matt Apuzzo (New York Times) for MSN
Colorado: “Hickenlooper Vetoes Bill to Reduce Conflicts of Interests on Colorado’s Sex-Offender Management Board” by Christopher Osher for Denver Post
South Carolina: “S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson Hasn’t Severed Ties to Controversial Quinn Family” by Kirk Brown (Anderson Independent Mail) for Greenville News
Lobbying
Canada: “Lobby Wrap: Facebook’s Chan on registry along with his boss” by Sartah Turnbull for iPolitics.b
Kentucky: “Kentucky Senator Was on Trip at Center of FBI’s Probe of Ohio Speaker” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier Journal
June 5, 2018 •
Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance California: “Facebook Tried to Rein in Fake Ads. It Fell Short in a California Race.” by Sheera Frenkel (New York Times) for MSN Ethics National: “Trump’s Lawyers, in Confidential Memo, Argue to Head Off a Historic Subpoena” by […]
Campaign Finance
California: “Facebook Tried to Rein in Fake Ads. It Fell Short in a California Race.” by Sheera Frenkel (New York Times) for MSN
Ethics
National: “Trump’s Lawyers, in Confidential Memo, Argue to Head Off a Historic Subpoena” by Michael Schmidt, Maggie Haberman, Charlie Savage and Matt Apuzzo (New York Times) for MSN
Florida: “Corruption Patina Can Dull Jacksonville Image, Experts Say” by David Bauerlain and Steve Patterson for Florida Times Union
Illinois: “Dorothy Brown’s Office to Get Federal Monitor for Hiring Practices” by Rachel Hinton and Fran Spielman for Chicago Sun-Times
South Carolina: “Longtime Richland Sen. Courson Resigns, Enters Guilty Plea in Corruption Probe” by John Monk for The State
Lobbying
National: “A Courtside View of Scott Pruitt’s Cozy Ties with a Billionaire Coal Baron” by Steve Eder, Hiroko Tabuchi, and Eric Lipton (New York Times) for MSN
National: “Lobbyist Whose Wife Rented a Condo to Scott Pruitt Failed to Disclose E.P.A. Lobbying” by Eric Lipton (New York Times) for WRAL
Florida: “Behind Florida’s Payments to Victims, Links to Lobbyists” by Gary Fineout (Associated Press) for Gainesville Sun
May 25, 2018 •
NYCU Video Digest – May 25, 2018
Cryptocurrency contributions, campaign disclosure changes, and tax breaks for small business all in this weeks quick News You Can Use Video Digest.
Cryptocurrency contributions, campaign disclosure changes, and tax breaks for small business all in this weeks quick News You Can Use Video Digest.
May 25, 2018 •
News You Can Use Digest – May 25, 2018
Federal: The Princes, the President and the Fortune Seekers Seattle Times – Desmond Butler and Tom LoBianco (Associated Press) | Published: 5/21/2018 Two Americans sought to leverage access to President Trump while angling for lucrative contracts from two Gulf countries […]
Federal:
The Princes, the President and the Fortune Seekers
Seattle Times – Desmond Butler and Tom LoBianco (Associated Press) | Published: 5/21/2018
Two Americans sought to leverage access to President Trump while angling for lucrative contracts from two Gulf countries wanting to shift U.S. foreign policy against Qatar. Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy and businessperson George Nader reportedly worked to catch the president’s ear by passing along praise from the princes of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Broidy and Nader, who marketed themselves as having a back channel to the Oval Office, sought million-dollar contracts with the two Gulf countries for their efforts, according to the Associated Press investigation. The AP previously reported that Broidy and Nader sought to pass an anti-Qatar bill through Congress, while trying to hide their money trail related to such efforts. Nader is now reportedly cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller’s team of investigators, who are said to be examining foreign influence inside the Trump White House.
Trump Violated the Constitution When He Blocked His Critics on Twitter, a Federal Judge Rules
Tampa Bay Times – Brian Fung and Hamza Shaban (Washington Post) | Published: 5/23/2018
U.S. District Court Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald ruled President Trump cannot block people from viewing his Twitter feed over their political views. Buchwald said the president’s Twitter account is a public forum and blocking people who reply to his tweets with differing opinions constitutes viewpoint discrimination, which violates the First Amendment. The government does not dispute that Trump blocked the Twitter users for political reasons, but the Justice Department had argued the president was largely acting in a personal capacity. Buchwald did not order Trump to unblock his followers, saying clarification of the law is sufficient to resolve the dispute. Should the president ignore the ruling, analysts say, future litigation could force Twitter to unblock Trump’s followers unilaterally.
Washington Lobbyists Put on Notice Over Foreign Agent Law
Associated Press – Chad Day and Eric Tucker | Published: 5/22/2018
The prosecution of a Pakistani man in Maryland reflects what current and former U.S. Justice Department officials say is an aggressive enforcement strategy against unregistered foreign agents that began even before special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation exposed a shadowy world of international influence peddling. Officials say they are not interpreting any differently the little-known law called the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires people to disclose when they lobby in the U.S. on behalf of foreign governments or political entities. But they have been taking a more aggressive approach, asking more probing questions of people and firms they suspect need to register, requesting more documents, and conducting investigations with an eye toward bringing criminal charges when appropriate.
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama: Reform Commission Begins Work on Alabama Ethics Law
AL.com – Mike Cason | Published: 5/17/2018
A committee created to propose changes to the law governing ethics for Alabama officials, public employees, lobbyists, and others is aiming to have a proposal ready in October, allowing time to fine tune it before the 2019 legislative session starts March 5. Deputy Attorney General Mike Duffy was the main author of an ethics bill that was introduced during the 2018 legislative session. Lawmakers decided to set it aside and created the Ethics Reform Commission with the goal of passing reforms next year. Duffy said meetings with people affected by the law helped identify areas of concern that were addressed in the bill, such as more clearly defining who is considered a “principal.”
Arizona: Array of Arizona Politicians, Lobbyists Connected to Bribery Case
Arizona Capitol Times – Katie Campbell | Published: 5/18/2018
The trial of a former regulator, a utility owner, and a lobbyist has tentacles that stretch to many others in Arizona’s political universe. Eighty-two prospective witnesses may be called to testify at the trial scheduled to begin May 30. Former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce and his wife, Sherry, along with lobbyist Jim Norton and Johnson Utilities owner George Johnson, face charges of felony conspiracy, bribery, and fraud. Barry Aarons, who has lobbied at the Legislature for 40 years, said the public is in for a bad impression of Arizona politics no matter the outcome of the trial. “It reinforces that sense people have that the whole thing is corrupt,” said Aarons.
Florida: Florida’s Porous Campaign Finance Laws: ‘You can do almost anything’
Tampa Bay Times – Gary Fineout (Associated Press) | Published: 5/21/2018
So far, at least $13 million has been spent on television ads in the Florida governor’s race that includes six candidates vying for the job that will be vacated by Rick Scott. Television ads are poised to play a crucial role in the race since polls continue to show a majority of the state’s voters do not really know the Republican or Democratic candidates vying to replace him. Some of the ads are being paid for by groups that insist they have no legal obligation to disclose who is paying for them. Other ads are being coordinated with campaigns relying on their own legal interpretation to sidestep laws and rules intended to place limits on ad campaigns being funded by large donors. Mark Herron, an election law attorney based in Tallahassee, said: “You can do almost anything in Florida if you put it in the right bucket.”
Florida: Want to Speak at a Miami Beach Meeting? For Business Owners, That Could Cost $850
Miami Herald – Kyra Gurney | Published: 5/24/2018
Businesses owners who want to speak to public officials in Miami Beach are required to register as lobbyists under Miami-Dade County law and the city charges lobbyists a $500 registration fee plus $350 for each issue on which they plan to lobby. Most cities waive lobbying fees for business owners speaking on their own behalf. While the Miami Beach fees might not be a problem for big businesses and the lobbying firms hired to represent them, they have deterred several “mom-and-pop” business owners from speaking at a city commission meeting.
Georgia: Stacey Abrams Wins Georgia Democratic Primary for Governor, Making History
MSN – Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns (New York Times) | Published: 5/22/2018
Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams won the Democratic primary, bringing her a step closer to becoming the nation’s first African-American woman governor. By defeating Stacey Evans, Abrams also became the state’s first black nominee for governor. The general election is sure to draw national attention as voters determine whether a black woman can win in the Deep South, a region that has not had an African-American governor since Reconstruction. Abrams has signaled she is unlikely to spend much time persuading rural whites to return to a Democratic Party they have largely abandoned. She has embarked instead on a strategy of energizing a coalition of young and nonwhite Georgians who represent a growing share of the state’s population.
Louisiana: New Orleans City Council to Investigate Entergy for Paying Actors to Lobby for Power Plant
New Orleans Times-Picayune – Beau Evans | Published: 5/18/2018
In the wake of Entergy’s admission of waging an “astroturf” lobbying campaign leading up to the approval of a power plant in New Orleans, the city council will change public comment cards and introduce legislation to require lobbying groups register. Entergy conducted an internal investigation that found one of its contractors, Hawthorn Group, hired Crowds on Demand, which admitted to paying actors to testify in support of the power plant. The investigation also found Entergy’s contractors coordinated to have other people paid to sit in the audience of a council meeting to show support for the plant with handmade signs.
Maine: Legislative Typo Threatens to Undermine Clean Elections Campaigns
Lewiston Sun Journal – Kevin Miller (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 5/21/2018
Maine lawmakers left dozens of measures in limbo when they adjourned the 2018 legislative session. Advocates for the state’s public campaign finance system and a state ethics commission official warn that a little-noticed victim of the partisan rancor could have significant financial ramifications for the November 2018 elections. Lawmakers failed to pass a routine “errors and inconsistencies” bill to correct unintended budget language that prevents the ethics panel from disbursing additional money to clean elections candidates starting on July 1. As a result, more than 200 legislative candidates and potentially three gubernatorial campaigns will be unable to tap into at least $3 million, money that lawmakers already have budgeted for the public campaign finance system, in the final months of the election season.
Missouri: Missouri Lawmakers Can Keep Accepting Lobbyist Gifts After Failing to Pass Amendment
Kansas City Star – Allison Kite and Jason Hancock | Published: 5/18/2018
Missouri lawmakers can keep accepting free meals, drinks, and event tickets after the House defeated a proposed constitutional amendment. Sen. Jason Holsman had sought to ban lobbyist gifts and alter legislative term limits. The House brought up the proposal in the last hour of the legislative session only to move on moments later after some lawmakers tried to attach tried to attach amendments and sink the proposal. When the session ended, the proposal died.
Montana: Appeals Court Upholds Montana Campaign Finance Reform Law
Washington Times; Associated Press – | Published: 5/23/2018
A three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Montana’s 2015 law to increase campaign reporting and disclosure meets constitutional muster. A group called Montanans for Community Development was unwilling to register and disclose its donors and spending as required under the statute. The appeals panel called the group’s constitutional claims against the law “scattershot.” It also called the group’s argument “absurd” that the law’s requirement to file electronic campaign reports may be unconstitutional.
New York: From the E.R. to the Garden, M.T.A. Chief Holds Unusually Powerful Perch
New York Times – Brian Rosenthal | Published: 5/22/2018
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo last June selected Joseph Lhota to head the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). But Lhota would only agree to return to the position he held in 2012 on the condition that he could keep his full-time job as the chief of staff of one of the state’s biggest hospital networks, and also retain the prerogative to join any other paid board he wanted. While Lhota remains a respected official, his growing web of jobs has led to potential conflicts-of-interest and competition for his time, complicating the still-flailing effort to resuscitate a transit system used by millions of people every day. Nobody has ever led the MTA while balancing as many other leadership posts as Lhota.
Oklahoma: Many Felons Can’t Vote, But They Can Lobby at the Capitol
Oklahoma Watchdog – Paul Monies | Published: 5/16/2018
Questions have come up in recent years about who can be barred from becoming a registered lobbyist in Oklahoma and whether elected officials should be banned from accepting jobs as lobbyists shortly after leaving office. An Ethics Commission rule requiring a two-year waiting period before certain officials could become lobbyists was rejected by the Legislature this year, with some lawmakers saying it was unjust to deny people the freedom to seek private employment. The issue becomes trickier when it involves someone convicted of a felony. Nothing in state law or ethics rules prohibits lawmakers convicted of felonies from lobbying their former colleagues, but their ability to do so depends largely on prosecutors’ demands.
Pennsylvania: Pa. House GOP Leaders Planning to Impose Sanctions Against Rep. Nick Miccarelli
PennLive.com – Jan Murphy | Published: 5/17/2018
Pennsylvania House Republican leaders said they were moving to take away committee assignments from Rep. Nick Miccarelli, who is accused of abusing two women who dated him, including a fellow lawmaker who is now assigned a bodyguard while she is at the statehouse. The GOP leaders accused Miccarelli of repeatedly violating a caucus policy against retaliation, even after he was told several times about it. Rep. Tarah Toohil obtained a protective order against Miccarelli in March and House leaders provided her with a security escort when she is in the Capitol. The leaders said they also are moving Miccarelli’s desk on the chamber floor, so it will be farther from Toohil’s.
May 24, 2018 •
Court Upholds Montana’s Dark Money Disclosure Laws
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Montana’s campaign spending disclosure laws this week. The three-judge panel ruled the law is not unconstitutionally vague and requiring groups spending money on electioneering communications to report their donors is proper. The […]
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Montana’s campaign spending disclosure laws this week.
The three-judge panel ruled the law is not unconstitutionally vague and requiring groups spending money on electioneering communications to report their donors is proper.
The law, proposed by Gov. Steve Bullock and passed by the Legislature in 2015, still has wide bipartisan support.
Montanans for Community Development, the group challenging the disclosure laws, asserted the requirements were vague and overly broad, giving too much enforcement discretion to the commissioner of political practices. They also argued being required to file electronic campaign reports may be unconstitutional, a point the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals called absurd.
The current commissioner, Jeff Mangan, said he and his office are pleased with the ruling.
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