The state ethics commission is preparing to amend rules regarding campaign finance and lobbyist reporting. The campaign finance changes include allowing the commission to raise or lower campaign contribution limits at the end of four-year election cycles rather than every calendar year. The rules would also clarify only contributions to candidates can trigger the $25,000 annual registration and reporting threshold for individuals or entities making contributions.

Lobbying amendments would require reporting for gifts to family of officials and permit gift splitting by multiple lobbyists so long as a single lobbyist does not exceed the $75 limits.

A public hearing on the proposed changes is scheduled for September 30, 2014.

A federal judge entered a preliminary injunction in favor of a conservative group challenging the state’s limits on the amount candidates can collect from political action committees. The group argued the limits infringed upon its First Amendment free speech rights.

The judge agreed and issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Government Accountability Board from enforcing the limit.

Lobbying

“Bottom Line” in The Hill.

“The billionaires who bailed out K Street” by Byron Tau in Politico.

“K Street’s Russian bonanza” by Byron Tau in Politico.

“Wall Street floods feds with proposals to cut red tape” by Ben Goad in The Hill.

Campaign Finance

“Campaign finance debate a partisan flashpoint as it moves to Senate floor” by Matea Gold in The Washington Post.

“Senate advances constitutional amendment” by Burgess Everett in Politico.

“Constitutional Amendment Debate Roils ACLU | Rules of the Game” by Elizabeth Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

Wisconsin: “Judge orders state not to enforce PAC limits law” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) in Bloomberg Businessweek.

Wisconsin: “Mega-donors rush in after campaign-giving cap removed” by Patrick Marley and Kevin Crowe in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Ethics

“Spurned Staffer Sends Email Accusing Top Republican of Ethics Violations” by Matt Fuller in Roll Call.

Congress

“September Congressional Agenda: Must-Pass Bills and Messaging Gambits” by Emma Dumain in Roll Call.

“Lameness of Post-Election Session Could Hinge on Results” by Niels Lesniewski and Bridget Bowman in Roll Call.

State Legislatures

Missouri: “Battle over money anticipated during Missouri veto session” by Alex Stuckey in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Nebraska: “Women will remain minority in Nebraska Legislature” by The Associated Press in the Omaha World-Herald.

Elections

“The Final Primary Elections: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Delaware, Rhode Island and New York Vote” by Shushannah Walshe on ABC News.

“7 questions for final primary night” by Kyle Cheney, James Hohmann, Elizabeth Titus and Steven Shepard in Politico.

“4 Things to Watch in the Final Primaries of 2014” by Emily Cahn in Politico.

Tech and Social Media

“Livestream: Nextgov Prime 2014” on Nextgov.

“Why Can’t Government Websites Be More Like Amazon?” by Rebecca Carroll in Nextgov.

Lobbying

“Nonprofit puts Federal Lobbying Database on the Internet for everybody” by Mark Tapscott in the Washington Examiner.

“David Plouffe joins Uber as lobbyist” by Thomas Lifson in American Thinker.

“Saab registers lobbyist to work on drone policy” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

Delaware: “Lawmakers must wait to lobby under new law” by Jonathan Starkey in The News Journal.

Florida: “Was Miami-Dade lobbyist a ‘patriot’ or ‘snitch’ in FBI sting of local politicians?” by Jay Weaver in the Miami Herald.

New York: “Just don’t call these consultants lobbyists” by Chris Bragg in Crain’s New York.

Pennsylvania: “Lawyer wants to stop convicted Pa. lawmakers from lobbying” by Brad Bumsted in the Tribune-Review.

Campaign Finance

“GOP mulls campaign finance debate” by Burgess Everett in Politico.

District of Columbia: “Former Gray Campaign Driver Pleads Guilty to Role in ‘Uncle Earl’ Conspiracy” by Hannah Hess in Roll Call.

Louisiana: “Campaign finance money starts rolling in” by Vickie Welborn in The Shreveport Times.

Michigan: “Money talks in the shadows: How lawmakers, lobbyists quietly bypass state’s murky political spending rules” by Chris Gautz in Crain’s Detroit.

Montana: “Nonprofit wants Montana campaign finance laws ruled unconstitutional” by Matt Volz (Associated Press) in The Missoulian.

Ethics

“Sunlight Foundation picks new chief” by Daniel Lippman in Politico.

Florida: “Commission vote on ethics sparked ballot initiative” by Jeff Burlew in the Tallahassee Democrat.

Georgia: “Ga. ethics agency chief placed on administrative leave with pay after being fined by judge” by Christina Cassidy (Associated Press) in The Republic.

New York: “For New York Legislators, Indictments Are No Obstacle to Seeking Re-election” by Matt Flegenheimer in The New York Times.

West Virginia: “Ethics commission searches for permanent leader” by Dave Boucher in the Logan Banner.

West Virginia: “West Virginia ethics panel requests more funding as complaints nearly quadruple over 3 years” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

National:

Voting Restrictions Are Key Variable in Midterm Elections

New York Times – John Harwood | Published: 9/3/2014

After decades of expansion in American voting methods, an estimated one-third of all ballots this year will be cast before the traditional Election Day on November 4. Yet this year, the trend collides with a Republican-led pushback in some states – for reasons of cost-cutting and election integrity or, as the Obama administration and civil rights groups suggest, crimping turnout by Democrats. Various new restrictions on voting, which range from more stringent identification requirements to fewer registration opportunities to curbs on early voting, have been put in place. A critical election variable is whether the new limits will tilt close races.

Federal:

Wealthy Political Donors Seize on New Latitude to Give to Unlimited Candidates

Washington Post – Matea Gold | Published: 9/2/2014

Wealthy political donors have more access than ever to candidates since the ruling in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, which did away with the aggregate contribution limit for congressional candidates. More than 300 donors have seized the opportunity, writing checks at such a furious pace that they have exceeded the old limit of $123,200 for this election cycle, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics. Together, 310 donors gave a combined $11.6 million more by this summer than would have been allowed before the ruling.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama – John Carroll Appointed Acting Ethics Commission Director

Montgomery Advertiser – Brian Lyman | Published: 9/2/2014

John Carroll, a retired federal judge and former law school dean, will serve as acting director of the Alabama Ethics Commission beginning October 1, succeeding Jim Sumner. The commission is still seeking a permanent director for the position, and plans to accept applications until September 30. Any individual selected for the position will have to be confirmed by the state Senate, which is not expected to reconvene until next March.

California – California Lawmakers Send Governor New Gift Rules after Scandals

Los Angeles Times – Patrick McGreevy | Published: 8/29/2014

California lawmakers gave final approval to a bill that reduces to $200 from $440 the value of gifts officials can receive from a single source each year. Senate Bill 1443, which was sent to Gov. Jerry Brown, also bans all gifts from lobbyists. The legislation prohibits officials from accepting certain kinds of gifts from anyone, including tickets to concerts, sports events, and amusement parks; spa services and rounds of golf; and cash and gift cards.

California – Legislative Session Ends with Campaign-Finance Bills Growing out of Senate Corruption Cases

Columbus Republic – Fenit Nirappel (Associated Press) | Published: 8/30/2014

California lawmakers approved two bills aimed at addressing a string of recent scandals. Senate Bill 1442 would increase the frequency of detailed campaign spending reports from twice a year to quarterly. Senate Bill 831 would ban elected officials from requesting payments on their behalf to nonprofit organizations run by family members, a tactic sometimes used in place of campaign contributions. It would also require nonprofit groups that pay for politicians to go on trips to disclose the donors who fund the travel. Both bills now head to the governor’s desk.

Colorado – Federal Lawsuit Challenges McCain-Feingold Disclosure Law

Legal Newsline – David Yates | Published: 9/4/2014

The Center for Competitive Politics filed two lawsuits on behalf of a Colorado think tank, asserting that similar state and federal campaign finance disclosure laws are unconstitutional. The Independence Institute wants to run two ads, one asking U.S. Sens. Mark Udall and Michael Bennett to support a federal sentencing reform bill, and one asking citizens to urge Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper to initiate an audit of the state Health Benefit Exchange. But the institute claims the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, along with a similar Colorado law, effectively prevents the group from raising money for the ads.

Florida – Tallahassee Voters Will Decide Ethics Proposal

Tallahassee Democrat – Jeff Burlew | Published: 9/3/2014

Tallahassee voters will get to decide whether to add an ethics code to the city’s charter in November. The city commission approved the ballot measure after a judge ruled the amendment complied with state law. If approved by voters, the charter amendment would create an ethics and anti-corruption policy, require enactment of an ethics code, establish an ethics board, lower the cap on campaign donations, and allow for limited public financing of campaigns.

Georgia – Judge Issues $20,000 in Sanctions against AG, Ethics Commission Director over Trial Documents

Greenfield Daily Reporter – Christina Cassidy (Associated Press) | Published: 9/3/2014

A judge fined the Georgia attorney general’s office and the executive secretary of the state ethics commission for neglecting to hand over key documents in a whistleblower lawsuit against the commission. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville ordered Holly LaBerge and the attorney general’s office to each pay $10,000 to cover the litigation expenses of the plaintiff, former ethics commission Executive Secretary Stacy Kalberman. “The court is extremely troubled by the behavior of … LaBerge, who has been dishonest and non-transparent throughout these proceedings,” wrote Glanville.

Illinois – Emanuel Signing Order to Boost Contractors’ Minimum Wage Rate

Chicago Tribune – John Byrne | Published: 9/3/2014

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel signed an executive order that requires city contractors and subcontractors to pay employees a $13-an-hour minimum wage. It will apply to city contractors advertised after October 1 and will affect about 1,000 contracted employees, typically landscapers, maintenance workers, security officers, concessionaires, and custodians.

Mississippi – Appeal May Revive Campaign-Spending Law

Courthouse News Service – Sabrina Canfield | Published: 9/4/2014

The state of Mississippi is asking the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse a lower court ruling that found part of a campaign finance law unconstitutional. Under the state law, groups seeking to support or oppose statewide ballot measures must register as a political committee if they receive contributions of more than $200 or spend more than $200 during a calendar year. Opponents argue the $200 threshold is so low it would be impossible for a group of people to run a quarter-page ad in their local newspaper without having to become a political committee.

Rhode Island – Convicted R.I. Hospital Executive Urciuoli Seeks $3.6M in Severance, Trial Costs

Providence Journal – Katie Mulvaney | Published: 9/3/2014

Robert Urciuoli, a former executive at Roger Williams Medical Center who was convicted on corruption charges, is seeking nearly $3.6 million in severance pay and legal costs from the Providence hospital. Urciuoli says in federal court papers he could only be terminated for “cause” under his contract as the hospital’s chief executive. He also said evidence shows his lawyers told him a deal to promote the hospital and a nursing home with former state Sen. John Celona was legal. Urciuoli served a three-year prison sentence for buying Celona’s influence. Celona pleaded guilty and also served prison time.

Virginia – Ex-Governor McDonnell and Wife Convicted After Corruption Trial

New York Times – Trip Gabriel | Published: 9/4/2014

A federal jury found former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, guilty of public corruption. Robert McDonnell was convicted of 11 corruption-related counts, though acquitted of lying on loan documents. The former first lady was convicted of eight corruption-related charges, along with obstruction of justice. Maureen McDonnell was acquitted of lying on a loan document. The jury found the McDonnells lent the prestige of the governor’s office to businessperson Jonnie Williams Sr. in exchange for $177,000 in gifts and loans. The five-week trial at times resembled a soap opera, as the McDonnells endured an embarrassing dissection of their relationship.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama – Alabama Ethics Commission Wants Interim Director as Search for Permanent Hire Begins

Greenfield Daily Reporter – Kim Chandler (Associated Press) | Published: 8/27/2014

The Alabama Ethics Commission voted to offer the position of acting director to former Cumberland Law School Dean John Carroll. Current Director Jim Sumner is retiring on October 1. The ethics panel also began the search for a permanent director. Commission Chairperson Larkin Martin said her colleagues want an acting director in place because of the time it will take to make a permanent hire.

California – Calls Grow for Wider Inquiry into Bidding on L.A. Unified iPad Project

Los Angeles Times – Howard Bloom and Teresa Watanabe | Published: 8/26/2014

Faced with criticism about the planning and rollout of a $1 billion effort by the Los Angeles Unified School District to provide iPads to all students, Superintendent John Deasy suspended future use of a contract with Apple. The move follows disclosures that Deasy and his top deputy had close contact with executives at Apple, which makes the iPad, and Pearson Education, the company providing the curriculum on the tablets. In addition, an internal district report found the implementation of the iPad plan was beset by a flawed bidding process.

California – Ed Lee Campaign Faces Dilemma over Alleged FBI Contribution

San Francisco Chronicle – John Coté | Published: 8/27/2014

An undercover FBI agent allegedly arranged for $20,000 to be donated to San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee’s campaign in a transaction that possibly violated the city’s campaign finance law. Lee’s campaign treasurer sent a letter to the U.S. attorney’s office saying he has been trying to get information from the office about the alleged contributions. But the U.S. attorney’s office said the information will not be forthcoming because it is under court seal in the complex public corruption case of suspended state Sen. Leland Yee.

Florida  – Florida Judge Deals a Blow to Democrats on Districting

New York Times – Lizette Alvarez | Published: 8/22/2014

A Florida judge allowed the use of voting districts favoring Republicans in November while approving revised congressional boundaries for subsequent elections. Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis ruled earlier that the election map was improperly drawn and ordered the Legislature to revise the districts to address “gerrymandering” in two of them. While voting-rights groups argued a new map should go into effect in 2014, Lewis said in his ruling that holding special elections this year for the districts “is not an appropriate remedy under the circumstances.” The new map would instead be in place for 2016 elections.

Iowa – Former Aide to Michele Bachmann Pleads Guilty over Campaign Finance Misdeeds

Minneapolis Star Tribune – Corey Mitchell | Published: 8/27/2014

Former Iowa Sen. Kent Sorenson pleaded guilty to federal charges he accepted money from then-U.S. Rep. Ron Paul’s 2012 presidential campaign to switch his endorsement from U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, who was also running for the GOP nomination, and then lying to investigators about the money. Sorenson has been at the center of accusations he was paid for his endorsement, first by the Bachmann campaign and then by the Paul campaign. Sorenson was seen as a key endorsement ahead of the 2012 Iowa caucuses as a popular figure in the emerging tea party movement.

Maine – Maine Ethics Panel Allows Cutler to Raise as Much as Party Candidates

Portland Press Herald – Steve Mistler | Published: 8/27/2014

The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices decided gubernatorial candidates will be able to collect larger contributions from donors this fall. The commission unanimously voted to allow all candidates to accept up to $3,000 per donor over the course of this year’s election cycle. The decision levels the playing field for independent candidate Eliot Cutler, who was previously able to receive only half what major party candidates have been able to collect over the course of their primary and general elections. But it also impacts the campaigns of Gov. Paul LePage and Mike Michaud by allowing them to bring in double the amount from any new donors this fall.

North Carolina – Former NC House Speaker Brubaker Ranked Top Lobbyist at General Assembly in 2013

The Tribune; Associated Press –   | Published: 8/26/2014

Former House Speaker Harold Brubaker is the most influential lobbyist in the General Assembly, according to rankings from the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research. After his 2012 resignation, Brubaker expanded his law firm, Brubaker & Associates, to include lobbying work. In 2014, his roughly two dozen clients include health care companies such as GlaxoSmithKline and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, as well as the North Carolina Association of Realtors and Pepsico.

Pennsylvania – After Ethics Violations, LCB Changes Code of Conduct

Philadelphia Inquier – Angela Couloumbis | Published: 8/27/2014

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (LCB) revised its code of conduct for employees and implemented new guidelines for firms doing business with the agency. It explicitly prohibits employees from accepting anything of value, under any circumstances, from vendors doing business or seeking to do business with the LCB. For vendors, the new rules primarily ban them from giving gifts to LCB employees. But it also states the agency could “from time to time” audit vendors to ensure they are complying.

Pennsylvania – Former Aide’s Guilty Plea Raises Questions for U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah

Philadelphia Inquier – Jeremy Roebuck, Mark Fazlollah, and Craig McCoy | Published: 8/27/2014

Gregory Naylor, a former aide to U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, pleaded guilty to lying to federal agents and attempting to conceal the misuse of campaign funds during Fattah’s 2007 mayoral bid in Philadelphia. Naylor admitted he conspired with his boss – identified in court filings only as “Elected Official A” – to pay off debts with grant funds and political contributions funneled through a series of nonprofits and consulting firms. Prosecutors would not confirm the identity of the elected official identified in Naylor’s plea documents, but their description of the politician overlaps with several key details of Fattah’s 10-term congressional career.

South Carolina – Lawmakers Question Decision in Benjamin Ethics Case, Seek to Strengthen Law

The State – Cliff LeBlanc | Published: 8/27/2014

The South Carolina Ethics Commission ruled state law did not require Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin to disclose an all-expenses paid trip to Florida paid for by a developer interested in doing business in the city. House Majority Leader Bruce Bannister said he and most legislators interpret the reporting provision of the law to require disclosure of a trip like the one Benjamin took. Because of the commission’s decision, Bannister said the House will revisited that provision as the General Assembly tries again next year to update the law.

Texas – Ethics Commission Takes Aim at Texas Dark Money

Houston Chronicle – David Saleh Rauf (San Antonio Express News) | Published: 8/21/2014

The Texas Ethics Commission moved forward with a measure to reveal secret campaign contributors despite a pending federal lawsuit by a conservative group over whether the agency has the authority to regulate dark money disclosure. The commission presented a draft proposal to require a nonprofit to disclose donors if 25 percent or more of its expenditures can be classified as politically motivated. It would also require disclosure if political donations account for more than 25 percent of the group’s total contributions in a calendar year. The commission will accept public comments on the proposal for at least 30 days.

Wisconsin – Emails Show Bigger Fund-Raising Role for Wisconsin Leader

New York Times – Adam Nagourney and Michael Barbaro | Published: 8/22/2014

Gov. Scott Walker personally solicited millions of dollars in contributions for the issue-advocacy group Wisconsin Club for Growth, lawyers for the special prosecutor investigating him said in court papers. The documents form much of the basis for prosecutors’ theory that Walker’s campaign and conservative groups illegally cooperated to help him and other Republicans during recall elections. The investigation has pulled back the curtain on the ways politicians and their aides seek to get around the welter of state and national campaign finance restrictions to accommodate donors.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

Lobbying

“Police lobby fights to keep gear” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“Businesses hire lobbyists in push for legal marijuana — and big profits” by Thomas Maier in Newsday.

Toronto, Canada: “Toronto council urged to consider tougher sanctions on lobbyists who break the rules” by Paul Moloney in the Toronto Star.

Campaign Finance

“RNC spends more on Senate field efforts” by James Hohmann in Politico.

“Nickel and dining the taxpayers? Congress has spent nearly $15M in campaign donations on food since 2011” by Leslie Larson in the New York Daily News.

“PACs Back Incumbents; Just Ask Rep. Scott Peters” by Joe Yerardi in KPBS.

California: “Ed Lee campaign faces dilemma over alleged FBI contribution” by John Coté in the San Francisco Chronicle.

District of Columbia: “D.C. Council candidate Robert White’s reform plan: Ban campaign contributions altogether” by Mike DeBonis in The Washington Post.

Maine: “Maine Ethics Commission changes donor limit rule in governor’s race” by Christopher Cousins in the Bangor Daily News.

Maryland: “Primary campaigns cost almost $25 million” by Michael Dresser in The Baltimore Sun.

New Hampshire: “Political parties file dueling finance complaints” by Rik Stevens (Associated Press) in the Nashua Telegraph.

Ethics

Alabama: “Ethics Commission to offer acting director position former Cumberland Law School Dean John Carroll” by The Associated Press in AL.com.

Iowa: “Guilty plea in Iowa caucuses bribery” by The Associated Press in Politico.

North Carolina: “Carteret man to lead ethics commission” in the Jacksonville Daily News.

South Carolina: “Benjamin did not have to disclose Florida trip, ethics commission says” by Clif Leblanc in The State.

Elections

“2014 Senate map comes into focus” on Politico’s Driving the Day.

Legislative Sessions

West Virginia: “Governor: special session to change chemical leak bill ‘an option’” by Dave Boucher in the Charleston Daily Mail.

Tech and Social Media

“Civic Ninjas Find Long-Term Solutions to Government Problems” by Jessica Hughes in Government Technology.

New York: “How New York City Is Becoming Even More Map-Centric With Its Data” by Michael Grass in Government Executive.

Gov. Pat McCrory signed Senate Bill 403 into law. The bill requires treasurers of political committees with contributions, expenditures, or loans totaling more than $10,000 in an election cycle to electronically file campaign finance reports.

North Carolina law already requires electronic filing for political committees making contributions in excess of $5,000 to candidates for statewide office or making independent expenditures in excess of $5,000 affecting contests for statewide office. This provision of the bill takes effect January 1, 2017.

Senate Bill 403 further permits counties, municipalities, and special districts to schedule special elections only when a general or primary election is already scheduled or when there is a general election requiring all county precincts to be open. This provision of the bill takes effect January 1, 2015, and applies to all special elections held on or after that date.

The Mission of State and Federal Communications is to make sure that your organization can say, “I Comply.”

We are the leading authority and exclusive information source on legislation and regulations surrounding campaign finance and political contributions; state, federal, and municipal lobbying; and procurement lobbying.

Contact us to learn how conveniently our services will allow you to say “I Comply” for your compliance activities.

Lobbying

North Carolina: “Brubaker ranked leading lobbyist at NC legislature” by The Associated Press in the Washington Times.

Rhode Island: “Corso 38 Studios lobbying hearing ends, with decision to come Sept. 10” by Jennifer Bogdan in the Providence Journal.

Virginia: “A year after McDonnells’ gifts scandal was revealed, lobbyists’ assembly spending dips” by Jenna Portnoy in The Washington Post.

Campaign Finance

“People hate the state of politics today. So why is nobody talking about campaign finance reform?” by Jaime Fuller in The Washington Post.

Rhode Island: “R.I. court upholds restriction on McKee’s funds” by Jennifer Bogdan in the Providence Journal.

Ethics

New Jersey: “‘Chris Christie slept here’ is state secret in New Jersey” by Mark Lagerkvist in New Jersey Watchdog.

South Carolina: “Columbia Mayor Benjamin’s 2010 ethics situation to be heard Wednesday by State Ethics Commission” by John Monk in The State.

Texas: “Area lawmakers appointed to joint ethics panel” by Enrique Rangel in the Amarillo Globe-News.

Virginia: “Prosecutor spars with McDonnell during questioning” by Rosalind S. Helderman, Matt Zapotosky and Justin Jouvenal in The Washington Post.

Elections

“Senate Update: Republicans Cross a Threshold” by Josh Katz in The New York Times.

“The 10 things we know 10 weeks before Election Day” by Chris Cillizza in The Washington Post.

“Watch: Pols recall their best and worst election nights” by Susan Page in USA Today.

Arizona: “This year’s election will reshape Arizona politics” by Laurie Roberts in The Arizona Republic.

Arizona: “Arizona elections: Ducey wins, Huppenthal loses, Gallego beats Wilcox” by Mike Sunnucks in the Phoenix Business Journal.

Florida: “Rick Scott, Charlie Crist advance to general election showdown in Florida” by Sean Sullivan in The Washington Post.

Florida: “Central Florida 2014 primary election results” by Amanda Ober on WESH News.

Tech and Social Media

“How Social Media Silences Debate” by Clair Cain Miller in The New York Times.

At any given time, more than 1,000 legislative bills, which can affect how you do business as a government affairs professional, are being discussed in federal, state, and local jurisdictions. These bills are summarized in State and Federal Communications’ digital encyclopedias for lobbying laws, political contributions, and procurement lobbying and can be found in the client portion of our website.

Summaries of major bills are also included in monthly email updates sent to all clients. The chart below shows the number of bills we are tracking in regard to lobbying laws, political contributions, and procurement lobbying.

Lobbying

“GOP staffers seek to cash in as odds grow of Senate takeover” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“How the Lobbying Top Tier explains an influence paradox” by Lee Drutman, Matt Grossmann, and Tim LaPira in the Sunlight Foundation Blog.

Massachusetts: “Martha Coakley owns up to lobbyist-held fundraiser” by Chris Cassidy in the Boston Herald.

Campaign Finance

“Election Panel Enacts Policies by Not Acting” by Nick Confessore in The New York Times.

“Joe Biden’s secret fundraisers” by Edward-Isaac Dovere and Tarini Parti in Politico.

“The PAC to End All PACs Is a Farce” by Walter Shapiro in Politico Magazine.

“Millennial PAC tries to inject youth, diversity into graying legislatures” by Aliyah Frumin in MSNBC.

Alabama: “Did Alabama state candidates violate law by taking money from Congressman Bonner’s campaign?” by Brenda Kirby in AL.com.

Alabama: “Alabama Attorney General’s office drops criminal charges against Lowell Barron” by Paul Gattis in AL.com.

Tennessee: “State auditing Brenda Radford’s campaign finance report” by Stephanie Ingersoll in The Leaf-Chronicle.

Ethics

Florida: “Scott campaign, GOP have paid $227K for use of jet” by Steve Bousquet in the Miami Herald Blog.

Georgia: “Judge hears arguments on call for sanctions in ethics commission saga” by Aaron Gould Sheinin in The Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Elections

“Ten weeks out from Election Day, is a Republican wave coming?” by Domenico Montanaro, Terence Burlij, Rachel Wellford and Simone Pathe in PBS NewsHour.

Arizona: “Arizona primary election: 5 key races to watch” by Alia Beard Rau in The Republic.

Political Advertising

“The 2014 digital ad juggernaut” by Darren Samuelsohn in Politico.

“New regs for Wednesday: TV ads, military health plans, truck drivers’” by Tim Devaney in The Hill.

“Political TV ads will soon know who you are” by Jon Fingas in Engadget.

Lobbying

“Lobbying disclosures leave public in the dark” by Marcelo Rochabrun and Dave Levinthal in The Center for Public Integrity.

“Microsoft Leaves Lobbying Group ALEC Amid Split Over Renewables” by Ari Natter in Bloomberg.

“Wisconsin’s Walker confronted with damaging new details” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post.

Canada: “Toronto lobbyist Jamie Besner broke the rules, registrar finds” by Paul Moloney in the Toronto Star.

Indiana: “Heuer resigns seat for lobbying post” by Vivian Sade in The Journal Gazette.

Iowa:  “Lobbying by payday lenders” by Lauren Mills in the Des Moines Register.

New York: “Online course rule for lobbyists nears” by Rick Karlin in the Times Union.

Campaign Finance

“Ethics group asks FEC for dark money disclosure” by Nat Stein in the Colorado Independent.

“Bitcoin lobby launches spending PAC” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.

Alaska: “Group wants Alaska U.S. Senate candidates to sign campaign finance pledge” by Casey Grove in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

California: “CalPERS board member likely facing stiffer fine from FPPC” by Dale Kasler in The Sacramento Bee.

Florida: “David Rivera named co-conspirator as friend pleads guilty in campaign-finance case” by Marc Caputo, Jay Weaver and Patricia Mazzei in the Miami Herald.

“U.S. House incumbents rolling in cash” by Jessica Wehrman in the Columbus Dispatch.

Texas: “Ethics Commission takes aim at Texas dark money” by David Saleh Rauf in the Houston Chronicle.

Virginia: “The Virginia bait and switch” by Brad Smith in The Hill.

Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker sought help from top GOP donors for allied group” by Matea Gold in The Washington Post.

Ethics

Georgia: “Report: Costs to the state for lawsuit against Ga. ethics commission continue to grow” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

Rhode Island: “Ethics Commission to probe lawmaker’s beach bid” by The Associated Press in The Washington Times.

State Legislatures

California: “California Legislature Rushes to Complete Bills Before the Session Ends” by Patrick McGreevy and Melanie Mason in Governing.

Redistricting

Florida: “Judge Lets Florida Use Unconstitutional Congressional Map Until 2016” by Mary Ellen Klas in Governing.

U.S. District Court Judge D. Brock Hornby ruled in favor of four supporters of independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler who sued the state of Maine, alleging minor parties are at a disadvantage under sections 1015(1) and 1015(2) of Chapter 21-A of the Maine Revised Statutes. These provisions of law impose a per election limit of $1,500 per individual or entity.

Hornby granted a preliminary injunction, reasoning the per election limit unconstitutionally applied to supporters of Cutler. This ruling effectively allows supporters of Cutler to increase their contributions to $3,000 during the upcoming general election.

Whether the ruling will be appealed by the state is unclear.