Chuck Totto, executive director of the Honolulu Ethics Commission, resigned effective immediately.

Totto acknowledged some commissioners do not trust him to make important decisions. He blamed his resignation, in part, on his longstanding adversarial relationship with the administration of Mayor Kirk Caldwell.

Through a spokesperson, Caldwell thanked Totto for his service to the city. Caldwell will face off against Totto’s attorney, former Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle, in this year’s mayoral race.

Totto has not decided what he will do next, but confirmed he will not seek the vacant position leading the State Ethics Commission.

Lobbying

Rhode Island: “Do R.I. General Assembly Grants Funnel Back into Lobbying?” by Patrick Anderson for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

“G.O.P. Donors Shift Focus from Top of Ticket to Senate Races” by Nick Corasaniti and Ashley Parker for New York Times

California: “Tony Strickland Agrees to $40,000 Ethics Fine” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

New York: “De Blasio’s Elections Strategy, Under Scrutiny, Recalls Predecessor’s” by William Neuman for New York Times

Ethics

Arkansas: “Ark. High Court Rejects Lawsuit over Campaign Finance Ballot Measure” by Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) for Baxter Bulletin

Hawaii: “Hawaii Ethics Commission Picks Interim Director” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat

Hawaii: “Totto Tells Ethics Commission to Scrap ‘Silly’ Time Sheet Rules” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat

Michigan: “Panel OKs Added Transparency for Governor, Legislators” by Jonathan Oosting for Detroit News

Elections

“A History of Insurgent Candidates’ Impact On Down-Ballot Races” by Louis Jacobson for Governing

Legislative Issues

“Chaos in House after GOP Votes Down LGBT Measure” by Cristina Marcos and Mike Lillis for The Hill