August 12, 2016 •
MA Gov. Signs Campaign Finance Bill
On August 9, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed House Bill 543 into law, joining other recently signed bills helping to tweak the state’s current campaign finance laws. The new legislation allows for individuals to make addition political contributions of up […]
On August 9, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed House Bill 543 into law, joining other recently signed bills helping to tweak the state’s current campaign finance laws. The new legislation allows for individuals to make addition political contributions of up to $1,000 to House and Senate candidates in special election races held during state election years.
Another change in the law requires a PAC or political party committee making an expenditure to support or oppose a candidate to identify the candidate on the check and subsequently review the bank’s report. If the report does not identify the candidate supported or opposed, the PAC or political party committee must append the bank’s report to disclose the name of the candidate and whether the expenditure supported or opposed the candidate.
The state’s legal requirement to disclose the top five donors on certain political advertisements now includes those on billboards and direct mailings regardless of the purpose for which the funds were given. This disclosure requirement also applies to state ballot committees. The legislation came into effect upon signing.
August 12, 2016 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 12, 2016
National: The Crusade of a Democratic Superlawyer with Multimillion-Dollar Backing Washington Post – Robert Barnes | Published: 8/7/2016 Marc Elias, a go-to lawyer for Democrats in recount fights and redistricting battles, has now taken a prominent and somewhat controversial place among […]
National:
The Crusade of a Democratic Superlawyer with Multimillion-Dollar Backing
Washington Post – Robert Barnes | Published: 8/7/2016
Marc Elias, a go-to lawyer for Democrats in recount fights and redistricting battles, has now taken a prominent and somewhat controversial place among the coalition of groups challenging a wave of state election laws that were rewritten in recent years. With a multimillion-dollar commitment from George Soros, Elias is challenging laws that, he argues, diminish the impact of important Democratic Party constituencies of African Americans, Latinos, and young people. The states say they are seeking to combat voter fraud and protect confidence in the electoral process. But in the past month, a long list of judges, appointed by both Democrats and Republicans, have found the threat either negligible or nonexistent. Instead, the judges said, there is evidence the laws hinder minority participation in the process.
Federal:
How Think Tanks Amplify Corporate America’s Influence
New York Times – Eric Lipton and Brooke Williams | Published: 8/7/2016
Think tanks have power in government policy debates because they are seen as researchers independent of moneyed interests. But in the chase for funds, think tanks are pushing agendas important to corporate donors, at times blurring the line between researchers and lobbyists. And they are doing so while reaping the benefits of their tax-exempt status, sometimes without disclosing their connections to corporate interests. On issues as varied as military sales to foreign countries, international trade, highway management systems, and real estate development, think tanks have frequently become vehicles for corporate influence and branding campaigns.
Think Tank Scholar or Corporate Consultant? It Depends on the Day
New York Times – Eric Lipton, Nicholas Confessore, and Brooke Williams | Published: 8/8/2016
The New York Times found an array of researchers at think tanks who had simultaneously worked as registered lobbyists, members of corporate boards, or outside consultants in litigation and regulatory disputes with only intermittent disclosure of their dual roles. With their expertise and authority, think tank scholars offer themselves as independent arbiters. But the analysis identified examples of scholars conducting research while corporations were paying them to help shape government policy. Many think tanks also confer “nonresident scholar” status on lobbyists, former government officials, and others who earn their primary living working for private clients. Largely free from disclosure requirements, the researchers’ work is often woven into elaborate corporate lobbying campaigns.
Trump’s Long Dalliance with Violent Rhetoric
Politico – Michael Crowley | Published: 8/10/2016
Even before Donald Trump’s remark that “Second Amendment people” might stop Hillary Clinton’s Supreme Court appointments, his associates and supporters had repeatedly called for violence against Clinton and Barack Obama, while right-wing leaders and militia groups that support Trump speak of an armed response to federal gun control efforts. Trump’s campaign said his remark was merely a call for gun owners to vote against Clinton this fall. But Democrats said Trump had, at a minimum, made a horribly ill-advised joke about mounting armed resistance. Some analysts said whatever Trump’s intended meaning, the comment was dangerous in a campaign already colored by violence, from assaults on protesters at Trump rallies to talk of rebellion and civil war among his far-right supporters.
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama – How the University of Alabama System Funneled $1.4 Million Through a ‘Dark Money’ Web
AL.com – Connor Sheets | Published: 8/7/2016
Established and managed by current and former University of Alabama System officials, the Alabama Association For Higher Education operates outside public view as a “dark money” nonprofit. By funneling more than $1.4 million through the group, the UA System has been able to influence state government without illegally donating directly to candidates or having to report its spending on campaign finance disclosures. It is an approach that experts describe as either unique among the nation’s universities or the local representation of a growing but unnoticed national trend.
California – ‘It Became a Price War’: Signature gatherers rake in top dollar with crowded field of ballot initiatives
Los Angeles Times – Christine Mai-Duc | Published: 8/9/2016
Some individuals in California have benefited from what consultants and petition-gathering firms are calling an unprecedented year in the signature business. The number of initiatives circulated combined with the top dollar that many campaigns were willing – or, in some cases, forced – to pay to get them qualified for the November ballot has surprised veterans of the craft. Angelo Paparella, president of National Petition Management, one of the biggest firms managing the signature-gathering process for statewide campaigns, and his competitors, who often deal directly with campaign consultants, usually employ petition coordinator firms and contractors, who in turn recruit, train, and manage street teams of signature gatherers. Carl Towe, who owns one such coordinating firm, said he has never seen pay like this in the 30 years he has worked in the field.
California – Santa Monica Lobbyists Required to Register with City Hall
Santa Monica Daily Press – Matthew Hall | Published: 8/11/2016
The Santa Monica City Council passed new rules that will require lobbyists to register and report their activities. Registration opens September 19 and all lobbyists will have to register within 10 days of any lobbying activity or by October 31, whichever is first. The fees are $40 for initial registration and $25 for amendments and annual renewal.
California – The Coliseum Case is the Latest Embarrassment for D.A.’s Corruption Unit
Los Angeles Times – Paul Pringle and Rong-Gong Lin II | Published: 8/6/2016
A case that grew out of a Los Angeles Times investigation in 2011 has become the latest embarrassment for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office, which had already racked up a number of missteps in other high-profile, government corruption prosecutions. Two concert promoters accused in a bribery-and-embezzlement scheme involving raves at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will avoid serving any jail time under a plea bargain with prosecutors who acknowledged they mishandled evidence in the high-profile corruption case. Boston College Law School professor George Brown said the district attorney’s office, like other county prosecution agencies, might be better off leaving public corruption cases to their federal counterparts.
Connecticut – Documents: Feds’ interest in Democrats’ Malloy fundraising predated 2014 election
Hartford Courant – Jon Lender | Published: 8/9/2016
The federal investigation into Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy’s re-election campaign began even before Election Day 2014, emails between the U.S. attorney’s office and the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) show. The emails indicate federal prosecutors contacted the SEEC at around the time that Republicans first filed a complaint alleging Malloy and state Democrats were trying to circumvent the Connecticut’s clean election law. A grand jury has been meeting to examine the Democrats’ fundraising since late April and has a subpoenaed contractors and state Democratic staffers.
Hawaii – How Ethics Commission Upheaval Is Playing Out in The Mayor’s Race
Honolulu Civil Beat – Nick Grube | Published: 8/8/2016
Mayoral candidates Charles Djou and Peter Carlisle have been sharpening their attacks in the weeks leading up to the August 13 primary, saying Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell does not care about ethics in government. Over the past several months, the city Ethics Commission has seen its longtime executive director, Chuck Totto, resign under pressure and its sole investigator quit while protesting the heavy-handed management practices of the political appointees who oversee the agency. Ethics investigations have lapsed, and the commission now finds itself fighting to maintain its credibility in an environment in which citizens across the country are becoming increasingly mistrustful of their government.
Illinois – Judge Denies Blagojevich’s Bid to Lighten 14-Year Sentence
ABC News – Michael Tarm (Associated Press) | Published: 8/9/2016
A federal judge resentenced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to 14 years in prison for his corruption conviction, reaffirming the decision originally handed down more than four years ago. Blagojevich won a chance at resentencing after an appellate court vacated five of 18 charges related to a scheme in which he tried to use his power as governor to extract favors and campaign money from other politicians. The former governor had requested the judge to reduce his sentence to five years in prison. Prosecutors called on U.S. District Court Judge James Zagel to keep the 14-year prison term in place, arguing Blagojevich did not deserve leniency, noting his corruption eroded trust in public officials.
Missouri – Contribution Limits, Tobacco Tax Increase Gain Enough Signatures to Appear on Missouri Ballot
Kansas City Star – Jason Hancock | Published: 8/9/2016
Secretary of State Jason Kander certified four ballot initiatives to go before voters in November, including two a limit on campaign contributions. The effort to reinstall contribution limits would amend the state constitution to cap donations to statewide candidates at $2,600. It also seeks to ban political committees from obscuring the source of their money, a tactic that has become more prevalent in recent years.
New York – Cuomo Cabinet Boat Trip Highlights Campaign Finance Law Concerns
Gotham Gazette – David Howard King | Published: 8/11/2016
The highest ranking members of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration recently boarded a boat in Columbia County and embarked for New York City. It was formally called a cabinet retreat, and the stated purposes for the trip was government related, separate from any strategizing for Cuomo’s 2018 re-election bid. And yet the administration says the cost of the boat trip was paid from the governor’s campaign funds. The use of campaign money to pay for government staff to take a working field trip appears to be completely legal under the state’s campaign finance law, but critics of the system say the law is too loose. Those who want to see reform say the current system allows elected officials to take in significant donations, including from entities with government business, and enhance their lifestyles by paying for extravagant meals, cars, and trips.
New York – Sparks at JCOPE Over Retroactive Donor Disclosure
Albany Times Union – Chris Bragg | Published: 8/9/2016
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) passed regulations that will govern the state’s lobbying disclosure rules should New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sign an ethics reform package, as expected. Under current law, issue-oriented lobbying groups designated as 501(c)(4)s that spend more than $50,000 annually on lobbying must report donors of more than $5,000. The new law would lower those limits to capture groups that spend just $15,000 a year, and require their disclosure of donors of more than $2,500. Under the revised rules, the new, lower contribution limits would apply to donations and lobbying spending between July and December of this year, assuming Cuomo signs the bill.
Tennessee – Tennessee Lawmaker Convicted of Felony Tax Fraud
ABC News; Associated Press – | Published: 8/8/2016
A federal jury found Tennessee Rep. Joe Armstrong guilty on one count of filing a false tax return and an acquitted him on two other related felonies. Armstrong made roughly $321,000 when he used tobacco wholesaler Tru Wholesale to buy cigarette tax stamps for him at the 2006 rate of 20 cents per pack and then sell them after a 42-cent hike went into effect in 2007. Armstrong voted for the tax hike. It was not a crime for Armstrong to profit from a law on which he voted, nor was it a crime for Tru Wholesale owners Boyd Wyatt and Roger Cox to cut Armstrong in on the deal to hoard tax stamps until the hike went into effect. Hiding the money from the IRS, however, is criminal.
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
August 11, 2016 •
Reno, NV Charter Committee Recommends Lobbying Law
On August 10, the Reno, Nevada City Council and the City Charter Committee met to discuss a possible new lobbying law. The City Charter Committee recommended adding a new lobbying law to the city charter unless the City Council passes […]
On August 10, the Reno, Nevada City Council and the City Charter Committee met to discuss a possible new lobbying law.
The City Charter Committee recommended adding a new lobbying law to the city charter unless the City Council passes a lobbying law through an ordinance before this fall’s November general election. While the City Council considered adopting an ordinance earlier this year, the Charter Committee “feels that the remaining three months until the general election is ample time for Council to formally approve a lobbyist registration system,” according to the Charter Committee’s Final Report and Recommendations presented at the meeting.
Also addressed at the meeting were the filing frequency of campaign finance reports by candidates for public office; ward-only voting for primary, general, and special elections; and other city issues.
August 11, 2016 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “How Think Tanks Amplify Corporate America’s Influence” by Eric Lipton and Brooke Williams for New York Times Florida: “County Ballot Measure on Campaign Finance Delayed to 2018” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald Campaign Finance “Facebook May Soon Have […]
Lobbying
“How Think Tanks Amplify Corporate America’s Influence” by Eric Lipton and Brooke Williams for New York Times
Florida: “County Ballot Measure on Campaign Finance Delayed to 2018” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald
Campaign Finance
“Facebook May Soon Have More Power Over Elections Than The FEC. Are We Ready?” by Nathaniel Persily for Washington Post
Missouri: “Contribution Limits, Tobacco Tax Increase Gain Enough Signatures to Appear on Missouri Ballot” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star
Ethics
“Emails Renew Questions About Clinton Foundation and State Dept. Overlap” by Eric Lichtblau for New York Times
New Jersey: “Christie Rejects Claim He Lied about Bridgegate” by Dustin Racioppi and Bob Jordan for Asbury Park Press
Elections
“Donald Trump Suggests ‘Second Amendment People’ Could Act Against Hillary Clinton” by Nick Corasaniti and Maggie Haberman for New York Times
California: “‘It Became a Price War’: Signature gatherers rake in top dollar with crowded field of ballot initiatives” by Christine Mai-Duc for Los Angeles Times
Wisconsin: “In Wisconsin, a Controversial Voter ID Law Could Help Choose the President” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post
Legislative Issues
California: “California High Court Says Legislators’ Votes Are Protected by Free Speech Rights” by Maura Dolan for Los Angeles Times
August 10, 2016 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “AARP to Withdraw from Controversial Conservative Group Amid Rising Pressure” by David Marans for Huffington Post Kansas: “Kansas Boy Suffered Fatal Neck Injury on Waterslide” by The Associated Press for WIBW New York: “Sparks at JCOPE Over Retroactive Donor […]
Lobbying
“AARP to Withdraw from Controversial Conservative Group Amid Rising Pressure” by David Marans for Huffington Post
Kansas: “Kansas Boy Suffered Fatal Neck Injury on Waterslide” by The Associated Press for WIBW
New York: “Sparks at JCOPE Over Retroactive Donor Disclosure” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
Campaign Finance
“How the Internet Could Democratize Campaign Spending” by Bob Biersack for Washington Post
“Trump Embraces Fundraising, Not Transparency” by Shane Goldmacher for Politico
Ethics
Alabama: “Mike Hubbard Seeks New Trial on Ethics Charges” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser
Illinois: “Judge Denies Blagojevich’s Bid to Lighten 14-Year Sentence” by Michael Tarm and Sara Burnett (Associated Press) for ABC News
Oregon: “Oregon Elections Director Resigned Amid an Investigation into Inappropriate Comments” by Hillary Borrud for Portland Oregonian
Tennessee: “Tennessee Lawmaker Convicted of Felony Tax Fraud” by The Associated Press for ABC News
Procurement
Indiana: “Ethics Concerns Prompt IPS to Drop Plan to Purchase Testing Software” by Chelsea Schneider for Indianapolis Star
August 9, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “Think Tank Scholar or Corporate Consultant? It Depends on the Day” by Eric Lipton, Nicholas Confessore, and Brooke Williams for New York Times Tennessee: “Texts Show Ex-Haslam Aide’s Chats During Cooling Off Period” by Dave Boucher and Nate Rau […]
Lobbying
“Think Tank Scholar or Corporate Consultant? It Depends on the Day” by Eric Lipton, Nicholas Confessore, and Brooke Williams for New York Times
Tennessee: “Texts Show Ex-Haslam Aide’s Chats During Cooling Off Period” by Dave Boucher and Nate Rau for The Tennessean
Campaign Finance
Alabama: “How the University of Alabama System Funneled $1.4 Million Through a ‘Dark Money’ Web” by Connor Sheets for AL.com
Ethics
California: “Stockton Mayor Arrested, Accused of Holding Strip Poker Game at Youth Camp” by Nashelly Chavez and Bill Lendelof for Sacramento Bee
Florida: “First Opa-locka Administrator Charged in Major FBI Corruption Probe” by Jay Weaver and Michael Sallah for Miami Herald
Hawaii: “How Ethics Commission Upheaval Is Playing Out in The Mayor’s Race” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat
Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Attorney General Goes on Trial in Leak Case” by David Dekok for Reuters
Elections
“The Crusade of a Democratic Superlawyer with Multimillion-Dollar Backing” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post
“How Will the Internet Change Political Advertising?” by Robert Gebelhoff for Washington Post
Procurement
District of Columbia: “Vincent Orange to Resign from D.C. Council After Fury Over Chamber of Commerce Job” by Fenit Nirappil for Washington Post
August 8, 2016 •
Monday News Roundup
Campaign Finance “Fueled by Small Donations, Donald Trump Makes Up Major Financial Ground” by Nicholas Confessore and Nick Corasaniti for New York Times New Jersey: “Extortion or Politics? A Detailed Look at Sweeney’s Claim vs. Unions’ Pension Threats” by Susan Livio (NJ […]
Campaign Finance
“Fueled by Small Donations, Donald Trump Makes Up Major Financial Ground” by Nicholas Confessore and Nick Corasaniti for New York Times
New Jersey: “Extortion or Politics? A Detailed Look at Sweeney’s Claim vs. Unions’ Pension Threats” by Susan Livio (NJ Advance Media) for NJ.com
Ethics
California: “The Coliseum Case is the Latest Embarrassment for D.A.’s Corruption Unit” by Paul Pringle and Rong-Gong Lin II for Los Angeles Times
Connecticut: “Budget Director: Governor Can Cut Watchdog Agencies’ Funding” by Susan Haigh (Associated Press) for Washington Times
District of Columbia: “D.C. Council Member Tries to Tamp Down Furor Over Conflict of Interest” by Fenit Nirappil for Washington Post
Hawaii: “Yamane Heads City Ethics Panel” by Chad Blair for Honolulu Civil Beat
Virginia: “Former Va. First Lady Maureen McDonnell’s Corruption Case on Hold” by Rachel Weiner for Washington Post
Virginia: “DC-Area Mayor Faces Drug Charges After Meth-for-Sex Sting” by Matthew Barakat (Associated Press) for ABC News
Elections
“Democrats, Looking Past Mere Victory, Hope to End the Trump Movement” by Amy Chozick for New York Times
“U.S. Seeks to Protect Voting System from Cyberattacks” by Julie Hirschfeld Davis for New York Times
Kansas: “Kansas Republicans Reject Gov. Sam Brownback’s Conservatives in Primary” by Mitch Smith for New York Times
Tennessee: “A Lawmaker Was Jailed for Stealing Campaign Signs. His Bail Came from a Surprising Source” by Lindsey Bever for Washington Post
August 5, 2016 •
NYCU Video Digest – August 5, 2016
Here is our latest edition of the News You Can Use Video Digest. Have a great weekend! NYCU Video Digest was produced by 2016 interns Brittany Anderson and Clémence Besnard for State and Federal Communications.
Here is our latest edition of the News You Can Use Video Digest. Have a great weekend!
NYCU Video Digest was produced by 2016 interns Brittany Anderson and Clémence Besnard for State and Federal Communications.
August 5, 2016 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 5, 2016
National: Left Turns to Ballot Measures to Enact Political Change The Hill – Reid Wilson | Published: 8/2/2016 Liberals are turning to ballot measures to pursue other progressive goals that would be impossible to advance in Republican-controlled state Legislatures. Even in […]
National:
Left Turns to Ballot Measures to Enact Political Change
The Hill – Reid Wilson | Published: 8/2/2016
Liberals are turning to ballot measures to pursue other progressive goals that would be impossible to advance in Republican-controlled state Legislatures. Even in states where Democrats have political power, such as in California, activists have turned to ballot measures to speed their agenda. The rush of liberal ballot issues is something of a reversal from the last several decades, when conservatives used the initiative process to pass limits on taxes, implement term limits for state legislators, roll back regulations, and push contentious social issues.
The States Where Third-Party Candidates Perform Best
The Atlantic – Russell Berman and Andrew McGill | Published: 8/2/2016
It seems that voters might be more likely to support third-party candidates when they feel their vote would not actually impact the election. Researchers collected state vote totals for every presidential election since 1980, comparing how the closeness of a state’s vote correlated to the relative popularity of outside candidates. The correlation between support for the long shots and a state’s ideological one-sidedness was stronger in elections after 2000, when many Democrats blamed Floridians who voted for Ralph Nader for throwing the presidency from Al Gore to George W. Bush. This correlation disappears when the third-party candidate is a recognizable or compelling figure.
Women Are Finally Breaking into the Top Tier of Political Donors
Washington Post – Matea Gold | Published: 8/2/2016
Slowly, more female donors are breaking into the top echelon of political donors, a domain traditionally dominated by male millionaires and billionaires. The biggest female donors of 2016 gave nearly $63 million to super PACs through the end of June. That puts them on track to surpass major female contributors in the 2012 elections. The boost reflects what donors and fundraisers in both parties say they see happening behind the scenes: while still outstripped by men, more wealthy women are seizing on the opportunities to finance super PACs and other big-money groups that opened up in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizen United decision. Their stepped-up participation is driven by an improved economic status and an increasing recognition that they need to play in the political arena to have an effect.
Federal:
Court: Super PACs can be named after candidates
Politico – Josh Gerstein | Published: 8/2/2016
A federal appeals court effectively loosened the already lax regulations governing the relationship between campaigns and outside groups. A panel of judges of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals ruled the FEC had violated the First Amendment in restricting super PACs from naming themselves, or their fundraising initiatives, after the candidates they support. “The title is a critical way for committees to attract support and spread their message because it tells users that the website or Facebook page is about the candidate,” wrote Judge Thomas Griffith. The court said the FEC could address its concerns by forcing Super PACs to publish “a large disclaimer at the top of [its] websites and social media pages.”
GOP Reaches ‘New Level of Panic’ over Trump’s Candidacy
Washington Post – Philip Rucker, Dan Balz, and Matea Gold | Published: 8/3/2016
Donald Trump is facing a whirlwind of criticism from Republican leaders as he fends off reports of a staff shake up, an intervention, and even rumblings he could be urged to step aside as the party’s nominee. Trump allies publicly urged the candidate to reboot, furious that he has allowed his confrontation with the Muslim parents of slain soldier Humayun Khan to continue for nearly a week. They also are angry with Trump because of his refusal to endorse two of the GOP’s top elected officials, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Sen. John McCain, ahead of their coming primary elections. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich, one of Trump’s most loyal defenders, warned that his friend was in danger of throwing away the election and helping to make Clinton president.
Lobbyists Woo Potential Freshmen Long Before Election Day
Roll Call – Kate Ackley | Published: 8/2/2016
Lobbyists do not wait until after Election Day to begin courting next year’s freshman class in Congress. Influencers are already reaching out to prospective senators and House members, hosting fundraisers and meet-and-greets at which they can provide connections and help swell candidates’ campaign coffers. The relationships do not guarantee access once the lawmaker takes office. But they have provided outlets for lobbyists to offer advice on potential staff hires or help newly settled lawmakers and aides find their way around Washington, D.C.
From the States and Municipalities:
California – S.F. Ballot Measure Takes Aim at Lobbyists’ Fundraising
San Francisco Public Press – Noah Arroyo | Published: 8/1/2016
The San Francisco Ethics Commission has voted to put a measure on the November ballot that supporters say would restrict certain lobbyist behaviors that create – or appear to engender – a quid-pro-quo relationship between them, their clients, and the elected or appointed officials they seek to influence. If voters pass the measure this fall, beginning in 2018, lobbyists represent private interests would have to notify City Hall ahead of time when they planned to lobby specific agencies. And during elections, lobbyists could no longer give personal donations to candidates running for office in those agencies, or deliver bundle contributions on behalf of their clients or anyone else. The proposition would also ban all lobbyists from giving gifts to city and county officials or their family members.
Connecticut – Budget Director: Governor can cut watchdog agencies’ funding
Washington Times – Susan Haigh (Associated Press) | Published: 8/3/2016
Office of Policy and Management Secretary Ben Barnes contends Connecticut Gov. Dannell Malloy has the legal authority to withhold funding from the state’s watchdog agencies, despite 2004 legislation prohibiting governors from reducing the annual budgets of the State Elections Enforcement Commission, the Office of State Ethics, and the Freedom of Information Commission. Carol Carson, executive director of the Office of State Ethics, said the leaders of the three groups plan to seek an advisory opinion from state Attorney General George Jepsen on whether Malloy has the ability to make the reductions. “You can only cut so much and then you start to say, ‘We can’t do our mission,'” Carson said. “Further cuts will really damage our ability to do our basic core functions.”
Florida – Petition Drive Could Change How Miami-Dade Political Campaigns Are Financed
Miami Herald – David Smiley | Published: 8/2/2016
Activists submitted more than 125,000 signed petitions to potentially force a vote in November on a referendum that would limit contributions to candidates for county commission, mayor, and school board to $250 per person or corporation. Major county vendors and their lobbyists and principals would be barred from donating to candidates. And a system that affords candidates matching public contributions for donations of up to $100 by county residents would potentially enable candidates to multiply those donations six-fold. If enough signatures are verified, county commissioners will have to decide in the coming weeks whether to adopt proposed campaign finance legislation themselves or put the issue before voters.
Kansas – Kansas Republicans Reject Gov. Sam Brownback’s Conservatives in Primary
New York Times – Mitch Smith | Published: 8/3/2016
Moderate Republican candidates ousted at least 11 conservative state lawmakers allied with Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback in primary elections across the state. The results were widely seen as a repudiation of a second-term governor whose popularity has plummeted amid sustained budget gaps and ensuing sharp cuts in state spending. And they likely mean the staunchly conservative state Legislature will move back toward the center in 2017. In addition, Republicans in one congressional district voted out U.S. Rep. Tim Huelskamp, a farmer who had become a tea party favorite in Washington but had annoyed party stalwarts.
Massachusetts – Mass. Insiders Turn to Lobbying Careers
Boston Globe – Mark Arsenault and Andrew Ryan | Published: 7/31/2016
Many times, consultants who help candidates win elections in Massachusetts then go on to represent corporate clients with interests before the new officeholder – even, in some cases, as they continue to advise the officials they helped elect. The relationships can be hard to scrutinize at the state level, where whole swaths of government are exempt from the public records law. Whether consultants are selling their access to officials or not, “there is almost always an appearance of conflict of interest in these situations,” said Pam Wilmot, executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts.
North Carolina – 4th U.S. Circuit Judges Overturn North Carolina’s Voter ID Law
Charlotte Observer – Anne Blythe (Raleigh News & Observer) | Published: 7/29/2016
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit struck down North Carolina’s voter identification law. The panel agreed with allegations that the state’s law selectively chose voter-ID requirements, reduced the number of early-voting days, and changed registration procedures in ways meant to harm blacks, who overwhelmingly vote for the Democratic Party. The ruling tossed out the state’s requirement that voters present photo identification at the polls and restored voters’ ability to register on Election Day, to register before reaching the 18-year-old voting age, and to cast early ballots, provisions the law had fully or partly eliminated. The court also held that the ballots of people who had mistakenly voted at the wrong polling stations should be deemed valid.
Ohio – Ethics Commission Tells Columbus Leaders to Pay Up for Buckeye Junket
Columbus Dispatch – Lucas Sullivan | Published: 8/1/2016
The Ohio Ethics Commission ordered four current and former members of the Columbus City Council to pay the market value for a trip they took to an Ohio State football game. The council members took the trip with lobbyist John Raphael. Mayor Andrew Ginther, Councilperson Shannon Hardin, Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Eileey Paley, and former council member Michele Mills were told to pay nearly $700 for the trip, not just the $250 they each spent to attend the Big Ten Championship game in 2014. Raphael was sentenced to 15 months in prison in a separate case after he pleaded guilty to extorting money from Columbus’ red-light-camera vendor for campaign contributions to city officials.
Virginia – Lobbyists Spend Less on High-End Eats, Lawmakers Spend More
Albany Times Union – Alan Suderman (Associated Press) | Published: 8/2/2016
Revelations that former Gov. Robert McDonnell and his family accepted more than $175,000 worth of gifts and loans from a businessperson led Virginia lawmakers to put limits on the largess they could legally receive in 2014. Lobbyists remain big spenders, shelling out more than $543,000 on their efforts to convince state officials to favor their clients in the six months that ended April 30, which includes the entertaining that traditionally accompanies General Assembly sessions. But lobbyists seem to be taking legislators out to somewhat cheaper restaurants, while lawmakers are more frequently covering the cost of eating out with their campaign accounts. The reforms requiring more disclosure of gifts say lobbyists must identify officials attending their events if the average cost exceeds $50.
Wisconsin – Judge Strikes Down Wisconsin Voter ID, Early Voting Laws
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Patrick Marley and Jason Stein | Published: 7/30/2016
A federal judge threw out as unconstitutional a host of Wisconsin election laws passed in recent years, saying they unfairly benefited Republicans who had enacted them and made it more difficult for Democrats to vote. U.S. District Court Judge James Peterson’s ruling keeps in place the state’s voter identification law, unlike recent rulings in North Carolina and Texas, but he ordered broad changes. The sweeping ruling will not affect Wisconsin’s August 9 primary, but will take effect for the November presidential election unless overturned on appeal.
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
August 4, 2016 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “Is K Street Warming to Trump? Just Barely.” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post Virginia: “Lobbyists Less Likely to Say Who They’re Treating” by Dave Ress for The Daily Press Campaign Finance “New Search Tool Traces Sources of ‘Dark […]
Lobbying
“Is K Street Warming to Trump? Just Barely.” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post
Virginia: “Lobbyists Less Likely to Say Who They’re Treating” by Dave Ress for The Daily Press
Campaign Finance
“New Search Tool Traces Sources of ‘Dark Money’” by Staff for Center for Public Integrity
Florida: “Petition Drive Could Change How Miami-Dade Political Campaigns Are Financed” by David Smiley for Miami Herald
New Jersey: “Using Pay-To-Play as a Political Weapon” by Donald Scarinci for PolitickerNJ.com
Ethics
Arizona: “Regulator Hires Attorney to Study Possible Outside Influence” by Russ Wiles for Arizona Republic
Tennessee: “New Legislative Policy Doesn’t Require Posting Founded Sexual Harassment Complaints” by Dave Boucher for The Tennessean
Elections
“Hillary Clinton and the Peace of the Pantsuit” by Megan Garber for The Atlantic
“GOP Reaches ‘New Level of Panic’ over Trump’s Candidacy” by Philip Rucker, Dan Balz, and Matea Gold for Washington Post
Texas: “Texas Agrees to Weaken Voter ID Law for November Election” by Aneri Pattani and Jim Malewitz for Texas Tribune
August 3, 2016 •
Miami-Dade, FL Group Seeks to Reign in Money in County Elections
A political committee called An Accountable Miami-Dade is sponsoring a proposal to change campaign finance rules for county elections. The proposal would limit contributions to candidates to $250, rather than the state-set limit of $1,000, and county vendors and lobbyists […]
A political committee called An Accountable Miami-Dade is sponsoring a proposal to change campaign finance rules for county elections.
The proposal would limit contributions to candidates to $250, rather than the state-set limit of $1,000, and county vendors and lobbyists would be prohibited from making contributions. A system of matching contributions with public funds would also be created.
The group delivered 125,000 signed petitions to the county clerk of courts. If enough are verified, the county commission will decide whether to adopt the measure or to place it on the ballot. The proposed changes would not take effect until the next county election cycle.
August 3, 2016 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “Lobbyists Woo Potential Freshmen Long Before Election Day” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call California: “S.F. Ballot Measure Takes Aim at Lobbyists’ Fundraising” by Noah Arroyo for San Francisco Public Press California: “Billion-Dollar Beverly Hills Development Challenged Because of […]
Lobbying
“Lobbyists Woo Potential Freshmen Long Before Election Day” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call
California: “S.F. Ballot Measure Takes Aim at Lobbyists’ Fundraising” by Noah Arroyo for San Francisco Public Press
California: “Billion-Dollar Beverly Hills Development Challenged Because of Ex-Mayor’s Lobbying” by Kim Christensen for Los Angeles Times
California: “Bill to Ban Private Communications by California’s Coastal Commissioners Gets Sidetracked” by Dan Weikel for Los Angeles Times
Campaign Finance
“Women Are Finally Breaking into the Top Tier of Political Donors” by Matea Gold for Washington Post
“Court: Super PAC Can Use Candidates’ Names” by Josh Gerstein for Politico
Minnesota: “New Boss at Minnesota Campaign Board Is Old Hand” by Brian Bakst for Minnesota Public Radio
Elections
“Left Turns to Ballot Measures to Enact Political Change” by Reid Wilson for The Hill
“The States Where Third-Party Candidates Perform Best” by Russell Berman and Andrew McGill for The Atlantic
North Dakota: “Federal Judge Bars North Dakota from Enforcing Restrictive Voter ID Law” by Michael Wines for New York Times
August 2, 2016 •
Jurisdiction Added to our Website
The number of municipalities and regional governments our research associates track continues to grow. We now cover almost 300 municipalities and local governments. This is part of a continuous effort to better serve the needs of our clients. In that […]
The number of municipalities and regional governments our research associates track continues to grow. We now cover almost 300 municipalities and local governments. This is part of a continuous effort to better serve the needs of our clients.
In that effort, we have added abridged jurisdictions to our website. These entries, condensed due to the limited number of relevant local laws, provide the core information our clients need for their government relations work.
The new jurisdiction is: Nassau County, New York
August 2, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying Massachusetts: “Mass. Insiders Turn to Lobbying Careers” by Mark Arsenault and Andrew Ryan for Boston Globe Campaign Finance “D.C. Circuit to Hear Challenge to Contribution Limits” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA “Koch Network Seeks to Defuse Donor Frustration […]
Lobbying
Massachusetts: “Mass. Insiders Turn to Lobbying Careers” by Mark Arsenault and Andrew Ryan for Boston Globe
Campaign Finance
“D.C. Circuit to Hear Challenge to Contribution Limits” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA
“Koch Network Seeks to Defuse Donor Frustration over Trump Rebuff” by Matea Gold for Washington Post
Ethics
“Court Rejects Sen. Robert Menendez’s Attempt to Get Corruption Case Thrown Out” by John Bresnahan and Josh Gerstein for Politico
District of Columbia: “After a Quiet Couple of Years, D.C. Council Roiled by Apparent Conflict of Interest” by Aaron Davis and Fenit Nirappil for Washington Post
New Jersey: “Ex-Port Authority Chief’s Fall from Grace a Cautionary Tale About Privacy” by Paul Berger for Bergen Record
Ohio: “Ethics Commission Tells Columbus Leaders to Pay Up for Buckeye Junket” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch
Elections
“In Clash Between Trump and the Khans, New Signs of a Cultural and Political Divide” by Marc Fisher for Washington Post
North Carolina: “4th U.S. Circuit Judges Overturn North Carolina’s Voter ID Law” by Anne Blythe (Raleigh News & Observer) for Charlotte Observer
Wisconsin: “Judge Strikes Down Wisconsin Voter ID, Early Voting Laws” by Patrick Marley and Jason Stein for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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