January 17, 2013 •
Thursday News Roundup
Here are some great articles for today’s government relations news summary:
Lobbying
“Actor John Corbett gives lobbying new tune” by Patrick Gavin in Politico.
“K Street Files: Business Roundtable Weighs In on Entitlements” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.
“NRA’s lobbying bags big legislative wins in states over the past two decades” by Peter Wallsten and Tom Hamburger in The Washington Post.
Campaign Finance
Iowa: “Senators target campaign spending reform in Iowa” by Jason Noble in Des Moines Register.
Maryland: “Groups to rally in Maryland to urge for campaign finance reforms” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.
Ethics
“Former FEMA exec pleads guilty to conflict of interest charges” by Kegar Pavgi in Government Executive.
“Under Contract” in The Hill.
“California ethics commission is at a crossroads” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.
Oregon: “Oregon ethics board will consider Kitzhaber speaking fees” by Christian Gaston in The Oregonian.
Texas: “For Ethics Commission, Big Hurdles to Reform” by Morgan Smith in the Texas Tribune.
Texas: “Ethics bill would require disclosure of lawmakers’ contracts with state of Texas” by Mark Lisheron in Texas Watchdog.
January 16, 2013 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Keep up with the latest articles on campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics!
Campaign Finance
“Ex-Bachmann aide alleges campaign finance violations” by Kevin Diaz in the Star Tribune.
Florida: “Support mounts to allow unlimited political contributions in Florida” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.
Florida: “Florida ethics rules come under Senate committee spotlight” by Matt Dixon in the Florida Times-Union.
Utah: “John Swallow accusations prompt call for ethics, campaign finance reform” by Dennis Romboy in the Deseret News.
Virginia: “Va. AG Cuccinelli will defy tradition, stay on job while campaigning” by David Hill in the Washington Times.
Lobbying
“Lobbying World” in The Hill.
“Chamber, union leaders mull alliance to press for immigration reform” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Florida: “Sweeping ethics bill would curtail lobbying by lawmakers” by Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.
Georgia: “Lieutenant governor will abide by Senate’s $100 gift cap” by Kristina Torres in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Legislative Issues
Montana: “New lawmaker launches video about 1st days in state Legislature” by John Grant Emeigh in the Billings Gazette.
New Mexico “Mary Kay Papen elected Senate leader” by Steve Terrell in the Santa Fe New Mexican.
January 15, 2013 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Keep up with the latest government relations news with these articles:
Lobbying
“Fiscal Battles Portend Good Year Ahead for K Street” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“K Street Files: Media Matters, MoveOn Adviser Takes Reins at NARAL” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.
“Roundtable’s chief lobbyist Bill Miller: Taking care of business” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“Tech lobbyists: Immigration reform needed ‘desperately’” by Steve Friess in Politico.
“Outside Groups Spent Big on Congressional Travel” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
California: “Former state legislator, wine lobbyist Paul Lunardi dies at 91” by Torey Van Oot in the Sacramento Bee.
Europe: “Political groups move closer to creating special committee on lobbying” by Cillan Donnelly in NewEurope.
Missouri: “Ex-state representative relates keys of lobbying” by James R. Campbell in the Daily Mail & Herald Tribune.
New Mexico: “Rotunda buzzes with activity ahead of legislative session” by Stacey Matlock in the Santa Fe New Mexican.
Campaign Finance
North Carolina: “Morning Memo: McCrory gets campaign cash from indicted donor, Hudson on the rise” in the News & Observer.
Legislative Issues
South Carolina: “No Sanford vs. Sanford in South Carolina” by Mike Zapler in Politico.
January 14, 2013 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics news articles:
Lobbying
“Newly unemployed lawmakers buzzing about million-dollar lobbying jobs” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
California: “Interactive graphic: Hidden lobbying expenses” by Sharon Okada in the Sacramento Bee.
California: “California’s lobby laws keep many influence-peddling details secret” by Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee.
Nevada: “Lobbyists sit through ethics training in Carson City” by David McGrath in the Las Vegas Sun.
“Two Buerkle staffers land jobs with Washington, D.C., lobbying firms” by Mark Weiner in the Post-Standard.
Campaign Finance
“Money in Politics This Week” by Syed Zaidi in the Brennan Center for Justice Blog.
“FEC Appointments Are Deciding the Future of Campaign Finance” by Alex Gauthier in the Independent Voter Network.
Mississippi: “Judge sets trial date for campaign finance case” by The Associated Press in the Mississippi Business Journal.
Wisconsin: “Mike McCabe featured speaker, topic is Campaign Finance Jan. 26 public meeting” in the Bay View Compass.
Ethics
“Harry Reid Disavows Report Linking Him to Bribery Case” by Neils Lesniewski in Roll Call.
Texas: “Some State Legislators Blur Line Between Public and Private Interests” by Emily Ramshaw in The New York Times.
State Legislatures
“More than Half of State Legislatures Convened this Week” by Angela Andrews in NCSL’s The Thicket blog.
Washington: “Key players to watch in the Washington Legislature, which convenes Monday” in the Seattle Times.
The Presidential Inauguration
“Critics Decry Looser Rules For Inauguration Fundraising” by NPR in Oregon Public Broadcasting.
“Fund-Raising Is Lagging, So Far, for Inaugural Plans” by Nicholas Confessore in The New York Times.
“An inauguration first: Apps” by Steve Freiss in Politico.
January 12, 2013 •
Campaign Finance and Ethics Weekend Report
Here are a few breaking news items. Enjoy your weekend!
Ethics
“Be It Dogged or Annoying, Office of Congressional Ethics Survives” by Billy House in National Journal.
Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Ethics Commission executive director named” by Michael McNutt in Tulsa World.
Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Ethics Commission proposes blackout period on complaints” by Michael McNutt in The Oklahoman.
Campaign Finance
Mississippi: “Federal trial scheduled for challenge to Mississippi’s campaign finance law” by The Associated Press in the Mississippi Press.
Montana: “Bill would tighten some Montana campaign finance laws” in the Missoulian.
New York: “Cuomo pushes NY campaign finance reform _ again” by The Associated Press in the Wall Street Journal.
New York City: “Campaign Finance Board fires back at City Council” in by Beth Morrissey in The New York World.
January 11, 2013 •
Federal Campaign Finance Legislation Introduced by Representative Kaptur
Amendments proposed
In the first week of the 113th Congress, House Representative Marcy Kaptur introduced several pieces of legislation dealing with campaign finance.
Three separate House Joint Resolutions propose constitutional amendments aimed at limiting corporations’ influence in public elections. She also introduced a bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require radio and television broadcasters to provide free broadcasting time for political advertising.
Additionally, Representative Kaptur introduced House Concurrent Resolution 6, which expresses “the sense of Congress that the Supreme Court misinterpreted the First Amendment to the Constitution in the case of Buckley v. Valeo.” Buckley v. Valeo is a Supreme Court case decided in 1976 which crystallized the distinction between direct contributions and independent expenditures in political campaigns.
January 11, 2013 •
News You Can Use Digest – January 11, 2013
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Cynthia Bauerly, FEC Commissioner, to Resign on February 1
From the States and Municipalities:
Colorado – Ethics Panel OKs Continuing Gessler Probe, Mulls Legal Defense Fund
Connecticut – Ex-Convict Candidate Charged with Campaign Fraud
Florida – Orange Mayor Jacobs Proposes Major Texting, Lobbying Reforms
Georgia – Senate Ready to Cap Lobbyists’ Gifts
Illinois – New Illinois Legislature Includes 3 Members Facing Criminal Charges
Kansas – Push to Change Kansas’ Ethics Enforcement Coming
Montana – Helena Judge Rules ‘Dark Money’ Group Violated Election Laws
North Carolina – NC Court of Appeals to Rule on State’s Ability to Levy Lobbying Law Fines
Oklahoma – Former Oklahoma Senate Leader Mike Morgan Is Sentenced to Probation
South Carolina – SC Lawmakers Push More Money for Ethics Commission
Texas – Legislature’s Ethics Rules Raise Concerns
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
January 10, 2013 •
Thursday News Roundup
Here are some great articles in today’s government relations news summary:
Lobbying
Delaware: “Kowalko introduces ‘revolving-door’ lobbying bill” by Doug Denison in the News Journal.
Florida: “Orange Mayor Jacobs proposes major texting, lobbying reforms” in the Orlando Sentinel.
Georgia: “Ga. Senate moves toward lobbying gift cap” by Ray Henry (Associated Press) in WSAV.com.
North Dakota: “Lobbyists gear up for 2013 ND legislative session” by The Associated Press in InForum.
Oregon: “Oregon Democratic legislators receive make-up donations” by Jeff Mapes in The Oregonian.
“K Street Files: TCH Group, Polaris Add Lobbyists” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
Campaign Finance
“Campaign Finance Reform In Congress Moves Forward With Little Hope For Passage” in the Huffington Post.
“Watchdog group criticizes Rep. Tim Ryan’s ‘campaign meals’ in congressional dining room” by Sabrina Eaton in the Plain Dealer.
Ethics
Idaho: “Idaho lawmakers get ethics training, a first” by The Associated Press in the Idaho Press-Tribune.
South Carolina: “SC lawmakers push more money for Ethics Commission” by Adam Beam in The State.
Legislative Issues
Kentuckey: “Kentucky House elects first woman to leadership post” by Jack Brammer and Beth Musgrave in the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Michigan: “Governor calls May special election to fill Flint-area state Senate seat vacated by John Gleason” by Kristin Longley in MLive.
Michigan: “5 things to watch today as the Michigan Legislature starts its 2013-14 session” by Tim Martin in MLive.
Redistricting
“Alaska redistricting board wants high court to reconsider” by The Associated Press in the Daily News-Miner.
Open Government
“House Republicans Release More Data Catnip for Developers” by Nick Judd in TechPresident.
Government Tech
“Technology’s Real Value for Government” by Jerry Mechling in Public CIO.
January 9, 2013 •
Wednesday Campaign Finance and Lobbying News
Keep up with the latest articles on campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics!
Lobbying
“Matt Walker Heads to the National Restaurant Association” by Alex Roarty in National Journal.
Campaign Finance
“Coalition Presses for Rules on Corporate Political Spending” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
“Campaign finance fight lands at the SEC’s door” by Anna Palmer and Zachary Warmbrodt in Politico.
District of Columbia: “Campaign finance reform bills introduced at D.C. Council” by Alan Blinder in The Examiner.
Ethics
Georgia: “Senate committee meets on ethics rules” by Melissa Roberts on CBS Atlanta.
Kansas: “GOP conservatives’ ire at ethics commission likely to result in proposals to revamp watchdog” by John Hanna in The Republic.
South Carolina: “Sanford set for political comeback trail” by Cameron Joseph in The Hill.
Legislative Issues
“The Hill’s 2012 New Members Guide” in The Hill.
“Americans prefer Nickelback, root canals to Congress” by Breanna Edwards in Politico.
“Rhode Island Likely to Lose a House Seat” by Katherine Q. Seelye in The New York Times.
Michigan: “Michigan Legislature starts new session Wednesday” by David Eggert (Associated Press) in the Lansing Journal.
Vermont: “As new legislative session starts, a look at the old Statehouse” by Terri Hallenbeck in the Burlington Free Press.
Wisconsin: “Wis. lawmakers reach no deal on changing rules” by Scott Bauer in the La Crosse Tribune.
Government Tech
“Who has the worst web presences in politics?” by Steve Friess in Politico.
January 8, 2013 •
Tuesday Government Relations News
Don’t miss the articles you need to keep up with the latest news about ethics, lobbying, campaign finance, and more:
Ethics
“Citing Flawed Process, Lawyers Call for Changes in Ethics Office Inquiries” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
“CREW Files DOJ, FEC Complaints Against Payday Lender for Illegal Conduit Contribution to Super PAC” in ENews Park Forest.
Colorado: “Ethics commission moves forward with Gessler investigation” by John Tomasic in the Colorado Independent.
Maryland: “Common Cause hires new state director” by Michael Dresser in the Baltimore Sun.
South Carolina: “Ethics commission discusses reform recommendations” by The Associated Press in GoUpstate.com.
Wisconsin: “Funding cut threatens popular Wisconsin campaign finance database” by Steven Elbow in The Capital Times.
Lobbying
Ohio: “Former Rep. Steve LaTourette and wife to start law firm’s lobbying practice” by Sabrina Eaton in the Plain Dealer.
Campaign Finance
“Outside, secret money likely to flow in 2013” by Tarini Parti in Politico.
Minnesota: “Campaign Finance Board looks to strengthen public disclosure law” by Tom Scheck in MPR News.
New York: “Campaign finance reform crusader Cuomo fund raises at Waldorf Astoria” by Carl Campanile in the New York Post.
New York: “Mayoral candidate files lawsuit challenging limits on campaign contributions” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
New York: “NY proposal: Use casino money to fund NY campaigns” by Michael Gormley in the Huffington Post.
New York: “NY campaign funding drops, but Senate GOP gets most money” by Joseph Spector in the Press & Sun-Bulletin.
Legislative Issues
“SC House minority leader steps down” by Adam Beam in The State.
Social Media and Government Tech
“The Library of Congress is Archiving 170 Billion Tweets — on Tape” by Julia Wetherell in TechPresident.
January 7, 2013 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics news articles:
Campaign Finance
“Obama Campaign Fined $375,000” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
“Supreme Court won’t hear campaign finance arguments from anti-abortion group” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.
Connecticut: “Former State Sen. Ernest Newton Arrested” by Mark Pazniokas in the Hartford Guardian.
Lobbying
“2013 Lobbying Certificate Program Calendar Released” on the American League of Lobbyists website.
“K Street Files: MPAA Casts Strahan” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Confessions of a Young Lobbyist on Capitol Hill” by Mickey Leibner in Roll Call.
“K Street Files: Airline Group Lands New Staffer, Lawsuit; Former Senators Lobbying” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
Ethics
“Cynthia Bauerly, FEC Commissioner, To Resign On February 1” by Paul Blumenthal in the Huffington Post.
Idaho: “Idaho lawmakers could create ethics committee” by Justin Corr in KTVB News.
South Carolina: “S.C. lawmakers have packed 2013 agenda” by Stephen Largen in the Post and Courier.
Legislative Issues
“Utah lawmaker wants to dump must-vote rule” by Robert Gehrke in The Salt Lake Tribune.
January 4, 2013 •
News You Can Use Digest – January 4, 2013
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Ethics Restrictions for Federal Workers Apply to Inaugural Activities
From the States and Municipalities:
California
Sacramento Filmmaker Lobbies for Cash to Back ‘The Lobbyist’
Georgia
Ethics Reform: Lawmakers may have seen last free football game
Idaho
Campaign Finance Loopholes Have Some Wondering: Who’s watching the money?
Nebraska
NE: Lawmakers look to change rules for campaigns
Nevada
New Rule Requires Training Course for Lobbyists
New York
State Comptroller Sues Qualcomm for Data on Its Political Contributions
North Carolina
NC Judge Voids Teacher Paycheck Law Targeting NCAE
South Carolina
South Carolina AP Reporter Jim Davenport Dies
Tennessee
Proposed Bill Limits Make Tennessee Lobbyists Scramble
Virginia
Political Mail Exposing Voting Habits Ignites Uproar
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
January 3, 2013 •
Thursday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Here are some great articles for today’s government relations news summary:
Lobbying
“Technology and lobbying in 2012” on Federal News Radio.
“K Street Files: Clark Lytle, Thorn Run Add New Partners” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Americans Believe the System Is Rigged Against Them: An Interview with Former Lobbyist Jack Abramoff” by Elliot Resnick in The Jewish Press.
California: “Greuel faults DWP for bypassing bids on lobbying contracts” by David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times.
Campaign Finance
Arkansas: “Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson reports self to Ethics Commission giving campaign cash to girlfriend” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
New Jersey: “N.J. Democratic Party fined $42K for alleged campaign finance violations” by Matt Friedman in the Star-Ledger.
Texas: “Ethics Commission Fines Simmons’ PAC Over Donations” by Becca Aaronson in the Texas Tribune.
Ethics
“Report links McConnell campaign donations to legislative work” by Alexandra Jaffe in The Hill.
“House Ethics Reviewed 96 Cases During 112th” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
New York: “NY comptroller sues Qualcomm on political spending” by The Associated Press in The Wall Street Journal.
Pennsylvania: “Gov. Corbett’s trip paid for by a businessman is subject of a complaint filed by activist Gene Stilp” by Jan Murphy in the Patriot-News.
January 2, 2013 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Keep up with the latest articles on campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics!
Campaign Finance
“Political Spending Sets New Records During Tumultuous Year” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
California: “Lawmakers try to curb anonymous political donations in California” by Michael J. Mishak in the Los Angeles Times.
Canada: “ $100 lid on private political donations enacted” by Marian Scott in the Montreal Gazette.
Idaho: “Campaign Finance Loopholes Have Some Wondering: Who’s Watching the Money?” by Melissa Davlin in the Twin Falls Times-News.
Lobbying
“In Congress, relatives lobby on bills before family members” by Mark Zaleski (Associated Press) in The Washington Post.
Tennessee: “Proposed bill limits make Tenn. lobbyists scramble” by Erik Schelzig (Associated Press) in the San Antonio Express-News.
Ethics
District of Columbia: “Year of convictions doesn’t end D.C. corruption probes” by Alan Blinder in the Examiner.
Georgia: “Ethics likely on General Assembly agenda” by Michael Davis in the Jackson Progress-Argus.
Social Media
“Social Media 2012: A Look Back” by Pam Greenberg in NCSL’s The Thicket.
Legislative Issues
“From Congress to Halls of State, in New Hampshire, Women Rule” by Katherine Q. Seelye in The New York Times.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.