Lobbying

“Lobbying World” in The Hill

“Lobbyist bundlers pledge allegiance to Team Bush” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill

“Coalitions of the willing are latest lobbying trend” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post

Minnesota: “Reports offer peek at state Capitol lobbying in 2015 session” by Brian Bakst and Kyle Potter (Associated Press) in The Washington Times

Campaign Finance

“Presidential candidates defy campaign finance limits through well-funded outside groups” by Julie Bykowicz (Associated Press) in Newser

Kentucky: “Florida group challenging Kentucky law that bans corporations from making political contributions” by Jack Brammer in the Lexington Herald-Leader

New Mexico: “New Mexico AG wants more ‘transparency’ in campaign finance” by The Associated Press in The Washington Times

Ethics

“Charlie Dent got clearance for trip with donor to Nantucket” by Jake Sherman, Anna Palmer, and John Bresnahan in Politico

Florida: “Donald Trump cleared in Miami-Dade ethics probe” by Douglas Hanks in the Miami Herald

North Carolina: “Elections board points prosecutors to NC senator’s potential misspending of campaign money” by Emery P. Dalesio (Associated Press) in The Republic

Lobbying

“Where the Billions Spent on Lobbying Come From, in Maps” by Philip Bump for Washington Post

Texas: “Ethics Commission Seeks to Force Empower Texans to Turn over Records” by Tim Eaton for Austin American-Statesman

Campaign Finance

“State and Local Bills Try to Rein in Political Spending” by Tarini Parti for Politico

“Jeb Bush’s Smooth Money Machine” by Anna Palmer and Tarini Parti for Politico

California: “Tow Company Campaign Trickery Alleged” by Jeff McDonald for San Diego Union-Tribune

Ethics

Kentucky: “John Schaaf to Head Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission” by The Associated Press for Connecticut Post

Oklahoma: “State Ethics Commission to Investigate Sen. Rick Brinkley” by Nolan Clay for The Oklahoman

Oregon: “Kate Brown Signs First of Her Ethics Bills, Calling for Public Records Audit” by Denis Theriault for Portland Oregonian

Pennsylvania: “Some Critical That Officials Caught in Sting Keep State Pensions” by Craig McCoy and Angela Couloumbis for Philadelphia Inquirer

Utah: “Ex-A.G. Mark Shurtleff Defers Evidence Hearing; Prosecutors Amend Charges” by Dennis Romboy for Deseret News

Elections

“Donald Trump Runs for President (This Time for Real, He Says)” by Alexander Burns for New York Times

Lobbying

“Lobbyists Were Quick to Donate to Both Baker, Coakley” by The Associated Press for WCVB

“Lobbyists Spend $5.8 Million at 2015 Montana Legislature” by Alison Noon (Associated Press) for Montana Standard

“Education Reforms Spur N.Y. Lobbying ‘Arms Race’” by Jon Campbell (Gannett Newspapers) for USA Today

Campaign Finance

“Republican Operative Sentenced to 2 Years in Landmark Election Case” by Matt Zapotosky and Matea Gold for Washington Post

“This Web Site Allows Political Donors to Give Money Based on How Lawmakers Vote. Just Don’t Call It Bribery.” by Steven Overly for Washington Post

“$2M Rauner Donor’s Company Does Business with State, Has Exceeded $50K Limit Past 4 Years” by Bernard Schoenburg for State Journal-Register

“Christie’s PAC Picks Up His NBA Finals Ticket” by Maddie Hanna for Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethics

“Oklahoma Ethics Commission Considers Changes to Financial Disclosure Rule” by Barbara Hoberock for Tulsa World

“Fifth Former LCB Official Accused of Violating State Ethics Laws” by Kari Andren for Pittsbugh Tribune-Review

“Ethics Commissioners: Lawmakers went backward in 2015” by Jim Malewitz for Texas Tribune

“Lawmakers’ Watchdog Asks for Money” by Jerry Cornfield for Tacoma News Tribune

Elections

“Jeb Bush Announces Presidential Bid: ‘We will take command of our future once again’” by Ed O’Keefe for Washington Post

Lobbying

“Robert Reich: Lobbyists are snuffing our democracy, one legal bribe at a time” by Robert Reich for Salon

Campaign Finance

“Corporations Open Up About Political Spending” by Eduardo Porter for New York Times

“Legislation Puts More Enforcement in Campaign Finance Reporting Laws” by Mary Snell for Decatur Daily

California: “Ethics Troubles Could Mount for Ex-Candidate Who Missed Fine Payment” by David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times

Hawaii: “Contractor Campaign Contributions Raise Concerns of Corruption” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat

Ethics

California: “FPPC Names New Enforcement Chief, General Counsel” by Christopher Cadelago for Sacramento Bee

Massachusetts: “Gambling Panel Chairman Facing Ethics Investigation” by Andrea Estes for Boston Globe

New York: “Court Orders Disgraced Lopez to Pay $330,000 Fine” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

Pennsylvania: “Elections Chief Sues to Stop Ethics Probe” by Chris Brennan for Philadelphia Inquirer

Rhode Island: “Ex-RI House Speaker Fox Gets 3 Years in Prison” by Katie Mulvaney for Providence Journal

Elections

“In 2008, Clinton Couldn’t Buy Iowans’ Love. So She Bought Them Snow Shovels” by David Fahrenthold for Washington Post

On June 10, the Colorado Secretary of State posted notice of the permanent adoption of amendments to campaign finance rules. The rules concerning campaign and political finance have been recodified to improve the administration and enforcement of state campaign finance law.

Specifically, the rule revisions clarify and simplify the rules, remove language duplicative of statute, and ensure consistency with department rulemaking standards. The rules were considered at a rulemaking hearing on May 21. All amendments will become effective 20 days after they are published in the Colorado Register.

Lobbying

Rhode Island: “RI’s Biggest Spending Special Interest Groups at the Statehouse” by Stephen Beale for GoLocalProv.com

Campaign Finance

“The IRS Chief’s Mistake about ‘Dark Money’” by Miriam Galston for Washington Post

Ethics

Florida: “Ethics Panel: Carroll misreported income” by Brandon Larrabee (News Service of Florida) for Tallahassee Democrat

Florida: “Ex-Congressman’s Top Aide to plead Guilty to Breaking Election Law” by Jay Weaver for Miami Herald

Hawaii: “Ethics Director Survives Political Challenge” by Ian Lind for Honolulu Civil Beat

Elections

“Eyeing 2016, G.O.P Embraces Digital Strategies, but Doubts Persist” by Ashley Parker for New York Times

“How Jeb Bush’s Campaign Ran off Course before It Even Began” by Ed O’Keefe and Robert Costa for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

“Sen. Johnny Isakson Discloses He Has Parkinson’s Disease” by Mike DeBonis for Washington Post

Maine: “Closed Door: Legislators conducting public business in private despite state’s open meeting law” by John Christie (Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting) for Pine Tree Watchdog

Lobbying

California: “Businesses with Stake in California Politics Utilize Capitol Grounds” by Jeremy White for Sacramento Bee

Campaign Finance

“Two FEC Officials Implore Agency to Curb 2016 Election Abuse” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today

“Why So Many Women Are Raising Money for Hillary Clinton” by Matea Gold for Washington Post

Delaware: “Bill Would Increase Campaign Donation Limits” by Jonathan Starkey for Wilmington News Journal

Massachusetts: “Baker, State GOP’s Use of Federal Funds Questioned” by Frank Phillips for Boston Globe

New York: “Carl Heastie’s Campaign Spending Blurs Line between Political and Personal” by Russ Buettner for New York Times

Ethics

“Dennis Hastert Rushed to Make Money as Payouts Grew” by Eric Lipton for New York Times

New Jersey: “Ex-Official Says Chris Christie Broke Grand Jury Law” by Kate Zernike for New York Times

Pennsylvania: “Fourth Defendant in Sting Case Pleads Guilty” by Angela Couloumbis and Craig McCoy for Philadelphia Inquirer

Legislative Issues

“Divided Legislatures Produce Gridlock, Not Compromise” by Alan Greenblatt for Governing

Indiana: “House Lawmakers Move to Shield Communications from Public” by The Associated Press for Indianapolis Business Journal

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 recently 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 jurisdictions are:

Fairbanks, Alaska

Roanoke, Virginia

San Luis Obispo County, California

Lobbying

“Senator Would Limit Lobbyist Money That Fueled Liberal Allies” by Carrie Levine and Michael Beckel for Center for Public Integrity

Illinois: “Rauner Tells Agency Heads to Give Lobbyists the Boot” by Rich Miller for Reboot Illinois

Campaign Finance

“Kevin McCarthy’s Flair for Fundraising Fuels His Swift Rise to Power in House” by Noah Bierman and Evan Halper for Los Angeles Times

Arizona: “Secretary of State to Fight Clean Elections over Fine” by Bob Christie (Associated Press) for Arizona Daily Star

California: “Ex-L.A. Council Candidate Fined for Fraudulent Bid for Matching Funds” by Jean Merl for Los Angeles Times

Ethics

California: “Industry Sues Former Mayor, Alleging ‘Extensive Public Corruption’” by Frank Shyong for Los Angeles Times

New York: “A Political Survivor under Investigation” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Oregon: “Ethics Reform: House OKs bill declaring governor’s partner a public official” by Denis Theriault for Portland Oregonian

Texas: “Abbott Wants Lawmakers Willing to ‘Fight for Ethics’” by Dave Montgomery for Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Virginia: “Lawmakers Need a Raise, Governor’s Ethics Panel Says” by Alan Suderman (Associated Press) for Washington Times

Elections

“O’Malley Attacks Big Banks, Political Dynasties in Launching Uphill 2016 Bid” by John Wagner for Washington Post

“Rick Perry, Shrugging Off 2012, Announces He Will Run Again for President” by Manny Fernandez for New York Times

“Lincoln Chafee to Run for President” by David Jackson for USA Today

On June 2, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennett introduced Senate Bill 1480, The Lobbying and Campaign Finance Reform Act.

According to Bennett’s press release, SB 1480 prohibits solicitations of campaign contributions from lobbyists when Congress is in session, eliminates lobbyist bundling of large contributions, and amends the lobbying registration process to require a lobbyist to register if he or she makes two or more lobbying contacts for a client over a two-year period regardless of whether the lobbyist spends more than 20 percent of his or her time serving the particular client.

National:

Poll Shows Americans Favor an Overhaul of Campaign Financing
New York Times – Nicholas Confessore and Megan Thee-Brenan | Published: 6/2/2015

A new poll showed both Democrats and Republicans favor an overhaul of campaign finance laws, including limiting the amount of money that can be spent by super PACs and forcing more public disclosure on organizations now permitted to intervene in elections without disclosing the names of their donors. A majority also reject the argument that political money is a form of speech protected by the First Amendment. More than four in five Americans say money plays too great a role in campaigns, while two-thirds say the wealthy have more of a chance to influence the elections process than the average citizen.

The Murky (and Apparently Widespread) Use of License Plates as Political Favors
Washington Post – Amber Phillips | Published: 6/2/2015

In several states, low-number license plates – the less numerals, the better – are a way to show off someone’s political connections. That is because you cannot just walk into a Departments of Motor Vehicles and request one; you have to know someone to give you the plate. Then-New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu credits his distribution of the desirable license plates with helping George H.W. Bush win the state in a competitive 1988 Republican primary.

Federal:

Dennis Hastert’s Lobbying Firm Reeling after Indictment
Politico – Tarini Parti and Anna Palmer | Published: 6/4/2015

Former U.S. House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert resigned his job as co-leader of Dickstein Shapiro’s public policy and political law practice in the wake of his indictment for lying to federal investigators about structured cash withdrawals to an individual “in order to compensate for and conceal his prior misconduct.” Dickstein Shapiro is already scrambling to rebuild amid a client exodus, tumbling lobbying revenue, and high-profile departures. Some expressed doubts about the firm’s ability to right the ship. “It is going to make clients scratch their heads how does this kind of stuff, particularly at a law firm, go unnoticed and unchecked,” said a managing partner at a Washington law firm. “They’ve already lost a significant number of partners, and now they have a failing management structure allowing allegedly criminal activity under its nose ….”

Payments by Hastert Linked to Report of Sexual Abuse
New York Times – Michael Shear and Michael Schmidt | Published: 5/28/2015

Former U.S. House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert was paying a man to not say publicly that Hastert had sexually abused him, according to sources briefed on the evidence uncovered in an FBI investigation into the payments. Federal prosecutors indicted Hastert on allegations he made cash withdrawals designed to hide those payments and for lying to federal authorities about the purpose of the withdrawals. The man, who was not identified in court papers, told the FBI he had been molested by Hastert when Hastert was a high school teacher and wrestling coach.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alaska – Juneau APOC Office Skeletal after Cuts
Peninsula Chronicle – Katie Moritz (Morris News Service) | Published: 6/1/2015

The Juneau office of the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC), which is responsible for holding the state’s approximately 135 lobbyists financially accountable, took a crippling budget hit from lawmakers when it was dealt a cut that eliminated both existing full-time positions. When the new fiscal year begins, the current part-time assistant will become the one full-time employee in the office. Leslie Ridle, deputy commissioner of the Department of Administration, said she does not think one staff member in Juneau and seven staff statewide is enough to handle APOC’s workload or uphold its mission.

California – Law Students Propose Bill to Close Lucrative Capitol Lobbying Loophole
Los Angeles Times – Melanie Mason | Published: 6/2/2015

Three law students have sponsored a bill that would designate as lobbying the act of communicating with government officials in hopes of influencing how they spend taxpayers’ money on goods and services, and require lobbyists to publicly disclose that activity. Assembly Bill 1200 would cast sunlight into an opaque and lucrative corner of  lobbying. The students did research, drafted bill language, and shopped for a legislator to carry their proposal.California Assemblyperson Richard Gordon became its official author. “When the students came to me and said, ‘do you realize there is this loophole that allows folks to lobby relative to contracting?’ I said you’ve got to be kidding me,” Gordon said.

Colorado – High-Powered Attorneys, Lobbyists Give Big to Denver Candidates
Denver Post – Jon Murray | Published: 5/31/2015

A Denver Post analysis of $4.1 million given to candidates in the run-up to Denver’s municipal elections found at least $290,000 came from attorneys and lobbyists. Another $159,000 was donated by individuals involved in development or real estate. That industry is booming in Denver but has been at the center of one of the election’s biggest issues – the pace of development. Unions, city contractors, and business associations also contributed heavily to candidates. Watchdogs say such hefty direct donations from big interests point to a need for tighter contribution limits in Denver, or some kind of public financing that might amplify the impact of contributions from small donors.

Connecticut – Senate Democrats Reject Campaign Finance Overhaul
Hartford Courant – Jenny Wilson | Published: 6/2/2015

The Connecticut Senate rejected a House-approved bill that would have imposed limits on how much state parties can spend to support a publicly funded campaign. The legislation also would have reduced the maximum contribution that individuals could give to state parties to $5,000. The measure was a direct response to the state Democratic Party spending over $1 million last year to support the campaigns of Sen. Ted Kennedy, Jr. and Gov. Dannel Malloy, who were both participating in the Citizen’s Election Program.

Hawaii – Antiquated Law Spares Lobbyists in Honolulu Ethics Scandal
Honolulu Civil Beat – Nick Grube | Published: 6/1/2015

Nestor Garcia, a former Honolulu City Council member, agreed to pay an $8,100 fine after the Ethics Commission found evidence he illegally accepted free meals and golf from lobbyists. The commission said Garcia failed to disclose a conflict-of-interest on a number of bills and resolutions that affected the lobbyists’ interests. But amid the growing scandal, lobbyists have come out relatively unscathed. There has been little scrutiny of their actions, and it is doubtful there will be any punitive action taken against them. Honolulu Ethics Commission Executive Director Chuck Totto would like to update the ethics code on lobbyist gift-giving, but does not have the staff to the handle that extra workload.

New York – How Lobbying in Albany Works
New Yorker – Chris Smith | Published: 5/28/2015

With the recent indictments of the leaders of the New York Assembly and Senate, lobbyists could have even more influence in shaping public policy. But lobbyists usually try to stay under the radar, so their day-to-day activities are often unclear. In an interview, a prominent lobbyist in Albany gave an inside view of his profession.

Pennsylvania – City Council Gives Initial Thumbs Up to New Rules on Independent PACs
KYW – Mike Dunn | Published: 5/29/2015

A Philadelphia City Council committee approved a bill authored by the city’s Board of Ethics that would impose new reporting requirements on independent PACs and non-profits that spend money in support of a candidate. The legislation would affect any person, political committee, or non-profit that spends more than $5,000 within 50 days of an election. They would face four reporting deadlines within the 50 day pre-election period, and they would have to list all funding received and expenditures made, not just the spending that triggered the filing.

Pennsylvania – Two More Dems Plead Guilty in Sting Case
Philadelphia Inquirer – Angela Couloumbis and Craig McCoy | Published: 6/1/2015

A state lawmaker and an ex-representative, both Philadelphia Democrats, pleaded guilty to criminal charges stemming from a bribery scandal. Rep. Ron Waters pleaded guilty to nine conflict-of-interest counts. He resigned his seat and will serve 23 months on probation. Former Rep. Harold James pleaded guilty to a single count of conflict-of-interest and received 12 months of probation. The cases were built on secret recordings by an informant posing as a lobbyist, who offered cash or gifts in exchange for promises of official favors. The investigation had been a secret until it was reported that Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane had decided against pursuing it. Kane inherited the case from her predecessors and she attacked it as too fatally flawed to win convictions.

Texas – Overhaul of Scandal-Torn State-Contracting System Wins Final Approval
Fort Worth Star-Telegram – Dave Montgomery | Published: 6/1/2015

Texas lawmakers approved a bill aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in state contracts. The legislation prohibits conflicts-of-interest between agency heads and vendors, strengthens top-level supervision in the awarding of contracts, and increases scrutiny of vendor performance in carrying out the contracts. Agencies would also be required to post on their websites any noncompetitively bid contract along with the statutory justification for why it was awarded. The bill would require an agency board to approve any contract over $1 million.

Vermont – Condos Pitches Ethics Commission in Wake of Impropriety Allegations
VTDigger.org – Anne Galloway | Published: 6/3/2015

Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos is calling for the establishment of a state ethics commission. The Center for Public Integrity in 2012 gave Vermont an overall grade of “D+” for its ethics laws. It was “in large part because we do not have an authoritative ethics commission or the required financial disclosures existing in nearly every other state,” Condos wrote in his proposal. He said his office has no authority to investigate or enforce against such problems, and the people complaining often ended up feeling frustrated and increasingly cynical.

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.

Lobbying

California: “California Senate OKs Scaled-Down Travel Disclosure Bill” by Judy Lin (Associated Press) for Santa Cruz Sentinel

California: “Law Students Propose Bill to Close Lucrative Capitol Lobbying Loophole” by Melanie Mason for Los Angeles Times

Hawaii: “Antiquated Law Spares Lobbyists in Honolulu Ethics Scandal” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat

New Jersey: “ELEC Report Reveals Healthcare Most Heavily Lobbied Sector in New Jersey” by Andrew Kitchenman for NJ Spotlight

New York: “How Lobbying in Albany Works” by Chris Smith for New Yorker

Campaign Finance

Colorado: “High-Powered Attorneys, Lobbyists Give Big to Denver Candidates” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

Connecticut: “Senate Democrats Reject Campaign Finance Overhaul” by Jenny Wilson for Hartford Courant

Ethics

Alaska: “Juneau APOC Office Skeletal after Cuts” by Katie Moritz (Morris News Service) for Peninsula Chronicle

Oregon: “House Unanimously Passes Kate Brown’s Plan to Remake Oregon Ethics Panel” by Denis Theriault for Portland Oregonian

South Carolina: “Former State Senator Robert Ford Gets No Jail Times” by John Monk for The State

Texas: “Abbott Gets Bill Limiting Ethics Disclosures” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune

Vermont: “Condos Pitches Ethics Commission in Wake of Impropriety Allegations” by Anne Galloway for VTDigger.org

Procurement

Texas: “Overhaul of Scandal-Torn State-Contracting System Wins Final Approval” by Dave Montgomery for Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Lobbying

“Bottom Line” in The Hill.

“Feds have few tools to track foreign lobbying” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.

“Squire Patton Boggs turns 1” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“Hastert’s Lobbying Firm Rocked by His Indictment” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

Kansas: “Kansas Lawmakers Approve Changes In Election, Lobbying Laws” by The Associated Press on KMUW Witchita Public Radio.

Campaign Finance

“Poll Shows Americans Favor Overhaul of Campaign Financing” by Nicholas Confessore and Megan Thee-Brenan in The New York Times.

“Why States’ Campaign Donation Limits Could Be in Jeopardy” by Alan Greenblatt in Governing.

Ethics

“Hastert to appear before judge who donated to campaign” by Michael Tarm and Sara Burnett (Associated Press) in the San Francisco Chronicle.

“Dennis Hastert’s abrupt fall from college prestige” by Tarini Parti in Politico.

Pennsylvania: “2 Philadelphia Democrats Plead Guilty in Sting Case” by Angela Couloumbis and Craig R. McCoy in Governing.

Redistricting

Texas: “U.S. Supreme Court Takes On Texas Redistricting Case” by Patrick Svitek in Governing.

Government Tech

“Should Governments Trademark Twitter Hashtags?” by Brian Heaton in GovTech.

Lobbying

“JCOPE’s New Guidance, or: You might be a lobbyist if …” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Campaign Finance

Connecticut: “House Passes Significant Campaign Reforms; Will the Senate Take Up the Bill?” by Christine Stuart for CTNewsJunkie.com

Louisiana: “Report Urges Louisiana to Ban ‘Troublesome’ Utility Campaign Contributions” by Jennifer Larino for New Orleans Times-Picayune

Minnesota: “After Criticism, Sen. Alberta Darling Cancels Fundraiser” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) for Minneapolis Star Tribune

Pennsylvania: “City Council Gives Initial Thumbs Up To New Rules on Independent PACs” by Mike Dunn for KYW

Ethics

“Should We Pay Politicians More?” by Kevin Hartnett for Politico

“Clinton Foundation Paid Blumenthal $10K per Month While He Advised on Libya” by Kenneth Vogel for Politico

“How Dennis Hastert Made His Millions” by Tarini Parti for Politico

“Payments by Hastert Linked to Report of Sexual Abuse” by Michael Shear and Michael Schmidt for New York Times

Hawaii: “Under Fire: Hawaii ethics director defends his strict ethical views” by Ian Lind for Honolulu Civil Beat

New York: “Schneiderman Vows ‘Reform for All New Yorkers’ With Anti-Corruption Bill” by Will Bredderman for New York Observer

Oregon: “High-Ranking State Official Leaked Thousands of John Kitzhaber’s Personal Emails” by Laura Gunderson and Jeff Manning for Portland Oregonian

New York: “Grand Jury Indicts Dean Skelos, Ex-New York Senate Leader, and Son in Corruption Case” by William Rashbaum for New York Times

Elections

“George Pataki Announces Presidential Campaign” by David Fahrenthold for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

Arkansas: “Arkansas Primary Change Would Be Temporary under Compromise” by Andrew DeMillo and Claudia Lauer (Associated Press) for Washington Times