November 19, 2015 •
New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics Seeking Public Comment
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics is seeking public comment on a proposed advisory opinion. The advisory opinion is in regards to the applicability of New York’s Lobbying Act to the activities of consultants when they are taking part in […]
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics is seeking public comment on a proposed advisory opinion. The advisory opinion is in regards to the applicability of New York’s Lobbying Act to the activities of consultants when they are taking part in direct and grassroots lobbying, and whether they are subject to registration and reporting requirements.
The advisory opinion seeks to articulate when the Lobbying Act covers the services of consultants, and to clarify the test used to determine when grassroots advocacy constitutes reportable activity.
Comments will be taken by the Committee until December 4, 2015.
November 19, 2015 •
Thursday News Round Up
Lobbying “Refugee Groups Scramble to Defend Syrian Resettlement” by Simone Pathe for Roll Call California: “California Ethics Panel Targets Vague Lobbying Payments” by Jeremy White for Sacramento Bee New Mexico: “Acting SOS Plans to Clarify Lobbyist Contributions” by Sandra Fish […]
Lobbying
“Refugee Groups Scramble to Defend Syrian Resettlement” by Simone Pathe for Roll Call
California: “California Ethics Panel Targets Vague Lobbying Payments” by Jeremy White for Sacramento Bee
New Mexico: “Acting SOS Plans to Clarify Lobbyist Contributions” by Sandra Fish for New Mexico in Depth
Campaign Finance
“New Tax Documents Show Crossroads GPS Poured Millions into 2014 Senate Race” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity
Montana: “Committee Fails to Block New Campaign Rules” by Matt Volz (Associated Press) for Flathead Beacon
New York: “Statewide Officials Seek to Narrow Draft Opinion Curbing Own Fundraising” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
New York: “Schneiderman, Sugarman Charge Ex-Assembly Candidate for Not Filing Reports” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
Elections
“The Koch Intelligence Agency” by Kenneth Vogel for Politico
“Bobby Jindal Quits Republican Presidential Race” by Jonathan Martin for New York Times
November 18, 2015 •
California’s FPPC Proposes Regulations Affecting Lobbyist Reporting
The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has proposed rules amending reporting requirements for “other payments to influence legislative or administrative action”, as provided in California Government Code section 86116. The proposed regulations require such payments to be itemized on periodic […]
The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has proposed rules amending reporting requirements for “other payments to influence legislative or administrative action”, as provided in California Government Code section 86116. The proposed regulations require such payments to be itemized on periodic disclosure reports.
According to the FPPC, these payments encompass a range of expenditures and lump sum reporting does not provide the type of transparency imagined by the drafters of the statute. The amended regulations affect lobbyist employers and persons spending $5,000 or more to influence legislative or administrative action.
The FPPC will hold an interested persons meeting on December 3, 2015 at 10 a.m. to solicit public comment regarding the proposed rules. The rules will be considered for adoption at the FPPC’s January 21, 2016, meeting.
November 18, 2015 •
Public Comments Sought by New York’s Joint Commission on Public Ethics
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics is seeking public comment on a recent proposal aiming to prohibit pay-to-play contributions. The proposal comes in the form of an advisory opinion, and would prohibit statewide executive and legislative candidates from accepting campaign […]
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics is seeking public comment on a recent proposal aiming to prohibit pay-to-play contributions. The proposal comes in the form of an advisory opinion, and would prohibit statewide executive and legislative candidates from accepting campaign contributions from persons or organizations subject to their enforcement powers.
Currently, there is no prohibition on pay-to-play type contributions for legislative statewide elected candidates. The Joint Commission has not established a deadline for accepting public comments.
November 17, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying Arizona: “Lobbying Records Only Disclose Recipient for $1 Out of Every $8 Spent” by Justin Price for Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting Texas: “Travis County Has No Rules for Registering Lobbyists” by Sean Collins Walsh for Austin American-Statesman Campaign […]
Lobbying
Arizona: “Lobbying Records Only Disclose Recipient for $1 Out of Every $8 Spent” by Justin Price for Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
Texas: “Travis County Has No Rules for Registering Lobbyists” by Sean Collins Walsh for Austin American-Statesman
Campaign Finance
“Clinton, Bush Lawyers Square Off in FEC Proxy War” by Isaac Arnsdorf and Theodoric Meyer for Politico
Alaska: “Group Files Federal Lawsuit Challenging Alaska Campaign Contribution Limits” by Austin Baird for KTUU
Wisconsin: “Assembly GOP Approves Rewritten Campaign Finance Laws” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Ethics
District of Columbia: “Metro Board Chairman Cleared of Alleged Ethics Violation” by Paul Duggan for Washington Post
Illinois: “Feds Seize Computers, Files on Chicago Officials from Outgoing Inspector General” by Natasha Korecki for Politico
New York: “At Trial, Prosecutors to Detail Dean Skelos’s Favors for His Son” by William Rashbaum for New York Times
Elections
“How the Kochs Launched Joni Ernst” by Kenneth Vogel for Politico
“In Presidential Campaign, It’s Now Terrorism, Not Taxes” by Jonathan Martin for New York Times
November 16, 2015 •
Commission Backs Proposed Changes to Austin, Texas Lobbying Law
The Ethics Review Commission has given its support to Council Member Leslie Pool’s proposed lobbying law changes. These changes include broadening the definition of lobbyist, increasing disclosure requirements, and removing a loophole allowing part-time lobbyists to avoid registering. Pool’s proposal […]
The Ethics Review Commission has given its support to Council Member Leslie Pool’s proposed lobbying law changes. These changes include broadening the definition of lobbyist, increasing disclosure requirements, and removing a loophole allowing part-time lobbyists to avoid registering.
Pool’s proposal has been met with opposition from those involved in the design and building industries. They claim the ordinance is too broad and would require architects, engineers, and others involved in the building industries to register as lobbyists. Also, many of these professionals currently serve on city boards and commissions. If they are required to register, they will have to resign from those seats because city law prohibits registered lobbyists from serving on city boards and commissions. The group representing the developers feels such a move would result in the city being robbed of valuable expertise.
This opposition has resulted in Pool making some changes to the ordinance, but the group representing developers is still not satisfied.
So far, registered lobbyists have not opposed the new changes even though the proposal would increase their reporting requirements. If passed, the ordinance would require lobbyists to provide greater detail about who they are representing, how much money is being spent on a lobbying efforts, and how much they receive in payments from clients.
The ordinance will now be presented to the Audit and Finance Committee. From there is will proceed through City Council, with a possible final vote coming early next year.
Photo of the Austin, Texas skyline by Erik A. Ellison on Wikimedia Commons.
November 16, 2015 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Ethics Commission Recommends Controversial Lobbying Ordinance” by Jack Craver for Austin Monitor Campaign Finance “FEC: Notable conservatives tied to nonprofit scofflaw” by Cady Zuvich for Center for Public Integrity Alaska: “Campaign Finance Commission Says Group Tied to Gov. Walker […]
Lobbying
“Ethics Commission Recommends Controversial Lobbying Ordinance” by Jack Craver for Austin Monitor
Campaign Finance
“FEC: Notable conservatives tied to nonprofit scofflaw” by Cady Zuvich for Center for Public Integrity
Alaska: “Campaign Finance Commission Says Group Tied to Gov. Walker Aide Broke Law” by Nathaniel Herz for Alaska Dispatch
District of Columbia: “D.C. Mayor’s Allies Reluctantly Shut down Controversial PAC” by Aaron Davis for Washington Post
Utah: “Pricey Mayoral Race Prompts Salt Lake City Council to Consider Campaign Finance Reform” by Katie McKellar for Deseret News
Ethics
Georgia: “Ethics Group Gives Georgia a D- for Ethics, Openness” by Walter Jones (Morris News Service) for Southern Political Report
Maryland: “Annapolis Commission Member Removed after Failure to Sign Ethics Compliance Form” by Chase Cook for Capital Gazette
North Carolina: “North Carolina Gets Mixed Marks on Integrity Report” by Mark Binker for WRAL
Elections
“Obama Legacy in State Offices: A shrinking Democratic share” by Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Michael Shear, and Alan Blinder for New York Times
“Time for GOP Panic? Establishment Worried Carson or Trump Might Win” by Philip Rucker and Robert Costa for Washington Post
Procurement
“D.C. Lawmakers Look at How to Fix the City’s Troubled Contracting Process” by Abigail Hauslohner for Washington Post
November 13, 2015 •
News You Can Use Digest – November 13, 2015
National: Only Three States Score Higher Than D+ in State Integrity Investigation; 11 Flunk Center for Public Integrity – Nicholas Kusnetz | Published: 11/9/2015 A new report found that in state after state, open records statutes are filled with exemptions, and part-time legislators […]
National:
Only Three States Score Higher Than D+ in State Integrity Investigation; 11 Flunk
Center for Public Integrity – Nicholas Kusnetz | Published: 11/9/2015
A new report found that in state after state, open records statutes are filled with exemptions, and part-time legislators and agency officials engage in conflicts-of-interest and close relationships with lobbyists while regulators struggle to enforce laws. The State Integrity Investigation measured hundreds of variables to compile transparency and accountability grades for all 50 states. The best grade in the nation, which went to Alaska, is just a “C.” Only two others earned better than a “D+”; 11 states received failing grades. Aside from a few exceptions, there has been little progress on these issues since the research was first carried out in 2012.
Federal:
Donald Trump Advertises Rising Value of Free Political Publicity
New York Times – Ashley Parker | Published: 11/9/2015
Thirty-second television commercials were once signs of a confident, well-financed candidacy for the White House. Now they are seen as a last resort of struggling campaigns that have not mastered the art of attracting the free media coverage that has lifted the political fortunes of insurgent campaigns. Donald Trump’s ability to command media attention and reach voters without depleting his campaign funds is just the latest example of the way his campaign has upended the conventional approach candidates have used to communicate with voters. In addition to having done countless interviews, Trump, who recently hosted “Saturday Night Live,” has been effective in using social media to attack his rivals, and many of his controversial quips on Twitter are rebroadcast by traditional news media outlets.
Even as House Speaker, Paul Ryan Sleeps in His Office
New York Times – Jennifer Steinhauer | Published: 11/10/2015
Like scores of other members of Congress, most of them Republican, Speaker Paul Ryan chooses to bed down in a cot in his office every night the House is in session. He chooses this over the speaker’s official palatial suite in the Capitol, which Ryan has pointed out stinks thanks to smoke from its prior inhabitant, John Boehner. For the lawmakers, the choice is fiscal, practical, and political. Many say they find Washington rental prices too high. Others say it allows them to work longer hours. Still others, like Ryan, say Washington is simply not their home. Some groups and other members have criticized the arrangement as essentially taxpayer-subsidized housing.
G.O.P. Fight Now a Battle over What Defines a Conservative
New York Times – Jonathan Martin | Published: 11/11/2015
For months, the Republican presidential race has been animated by the party’s anger about the state of the country and an equally undefined hope that a candidate would emerge who could usher in an era of renewal. But the most recent debate and its aftermath marked an abrupt transition from vague promises about making America “great again,” in Donald Trump’s phrase, to a new season of the campaign shaped more by the policy fissures that are dividing Republicans over what exactly to do about the nation’s problems. It exposed a contentious dispute over what it means to be a conservative and offered a preview of the contours of the battle for the Republican nomination.
From the States and Municipalities:
California – Conflict Concerns Won’t Keep Ethics Panel Out of Race
San Diego Union-Tribune – David Garrick | Published: 11/10/2015
The San Diego Ethics Commission will continue enforcing local campaign laws in the race to succeed City Attorney Jan Goldsmith, denying a candidate request that the commission recuse itself based on a potential conflict-of-interest. Rafael Castellanos asked for the recusal because one of his opponents in the race, Gil Cabrera, was a commission member from 2005 to 2010 and worked as special counsel for the commission in 2012 and 2013. The agency’s general counsel downplayed the potential conflict, noting only one of the commission’s seven members remains from when Cabrera served and only two members were there when he worked as a special counsel.
California – Follow the Money: Shining a light on political nonprofits
Capitol Weekly – John Howard | Published: 11/11/2015
California’s Political Reform Act has been largely untouchable for more than 40 years, but now it may get a rewrite. The catalyst for change comes from a tangled trail of some $15 million in so-called dark money that flowed via nonprofits into the state’s 2012 elections final stages. Ultimately, the spending resulted in a $1 million fine. The proposed changes would create, for the first time, a constitutional right to regulate political money and force disclosure. It would require the disclosure of the source of donations of $10,000 or more to nonprofits, when the money is used for political purposes, make explicit who is paying for political ads, and it double the “revolving door” waiting period to two years. The proposal outlaws lobbyists’ gifts to elected officials, and cuts the maximum value of a gift from a member of the public, now $460 annually, to $200 a year.
California – Lobbyist Meetings Missing from San Jose Council Calendars
San Jose Mercury News – Ramona Giwargis | Published: 11/8/2015
Elected officials in San Jose are falling short when it comes to disclosing meetings with lobbyists. A review found the mayor and every city council member had contacts with lobbyists this year that were not disclosed on the officials’ public calendar. Local law requires lobbyists to file quarterly reports on their contacts with elected officials. The San Jose Mercury News said lobbyists reported 105 more such contacts this year than city officials did. Council members defended themselves by saying the undisclosed contacts were human error, they did not realize they were chatting with a lobbyist, or the contacts were unexpected run-ins or email communications the policy does not require them to report. Watchdogs say the discrepancy undermines the goals of transparency and deceives the public.
Florida – Hialeah Mayor Tries to Pay County’s $4K Ethics Fine in Pennies
Miami Herald – Brenda Medina | Published: 11/6/2015
Hialeah Mayor Carlos Hernandez finally decided pay the $4,000 fine the Miami-Dade County ethics commission imposed earlier this year on his business dealings. Hernandez sent the commission a truck stacked with 28 buckets filled with pennies to cover the fine. But his payment was not accepted. Apparently, the commission accepts only checks. “I paid it with American money, of the United States, and I have the right to do that,” said Hernandez.
New Hampshire – G.O.P. Candidates, Lagging, Rely on New Hampshire to Get Close
New York Times – Jonathan Martin | Published: 11/8/2015
Some Republican candidates are staking their presidential bids on an idea that seems increasingly quaint: that campaigning one on one in this small state can set you on the path to becoming president. It is a notion that is facing a rigorous test this election cycle, as the large Republican field, social media, and televised debates that attract massive audiences have reshaped the race like never before. The outcome in New Hampshire will echo beyond this election and reveal much about how the country chooses presidents, and whether the tradition of direct voting in the first-in-the-nation primary matters anymore. Its possible diminishment is already unsettling residents, who view their role of scrutinizing and winnowing the field of candidates as a solemn duty.
New York – Legislation Introduced to Tighten New York City Campaign Finance Rules
New York Daily News – Erin Durkin | Published: 11/9/2015
A package of bills to tighten New York City’s campaign finance rules was introduced in the city council. One bill would ban candidates from getting matching funds for donations raised by fundraisers who do business with the city. The legislation would also ban all candidates, including those who are not taking matching funds, from accepting contribution from political committees that are not registered with the city. Another bill would restrict contributions from businesses with numerous limited liability companies.
Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania Ethics Officials Crack Down on Lobbyists
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review – Kari Andren | Published: 11/11/2015
The Pennsylvania Ethics Commission is ramping up enforcement against groups that fail to file mandated quarterly expense reports, and the state House has approved a bill to up the ante for non-compliance by lobbyists and the groups they represent by dramatically increasing penalties for not abiding by disclosure rules. Thirty-one groups were cited for failing to file expense reports this year; fines and penalties total about $90,300. In 2014, the commission issued just 15 citations. The House bill would hike the maximum penalty imposed from $50 per day to a tiered system of $50 for the first 10 days, $100 for each of the next 10 days, and $200 for each late day after 20 days.
Texas – Ethics Commission Recommends Controversial Lobbying Ordinance
Austin Monitor – Jack Craver | Published: 11/12/2015
The Ethics Review Commission recommend to the Austin City Council a resolution aimed at overhauling city lobbying rules. A revised draft crafted by a commission working group incorporated some of the concerns expressed by developers. Stuart Sampley, president of the Austin chapter of the American Institute of Architects, said the ordinance unfairly targeted development, design, and architectural professionals and misrepresented their day-to-day interactions with city officials as lobbying. The recommendations from the working group urged city staff to explore a number of potential negative effects of stricter lobbying requirements. Backers of the reform hope the measure will be on the agenda for council at its last meeting of the year on December 17.
Washington – Seattle’s Experiment with Campaign Funding
The Atlantic – Russell Berman | Published: 11/9/2015
Starting in 2017, Seattle residents will be able to contribute to local candidates without spending a dime of their own money. Instead, the government will send each registered voter four $25 vouchers that they can give to candidates of their choice. Candidates can opt out, but those who participate will have to abide by strict limits on spending and on receiving private donations. “The promise of vouchers is turning every single voter in the city into a donor,” said Alan Durning, the executive director of the Sightline Institute, a think tank and advocacy group that pushed for the new program. Critics have said the measure’s design will benefit incumbents and entrenched political organizations who do not need any extra boost.
Wisconsin – Senate GOP Votes to Overhaul Campaign Finance, Revamp Board
Albany Times Union – Todd Richmond (Associated Press) | Published: 11/7/2015
The Wisconsin Senate approved, with changes, a pair of bills altering the state’s campaign finance and election oversight rules. They will now return to the Assembly, which must approve the changes before sending the bills to Gov. Scott Walker. Republicans backing the proposals say they are necessary to bring the state’s statutes in line with court rulings and to protect First Amendment rights to free speech. Democrats argue the bills, along with one limiting the scope of crimes that can be investigated in so-called John Doe probes, would open the door for corruption and expand the influence of money in politics.
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.
November 10, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying California: “Lobbyist Meetings Missing from San Jose Council Calendars” by Ramona Giwargis for San Jose Mercury News Campaign Finance Indiana: “Legislative War Chests: Purse or puppet strings?” by Marc Chase for Northwest Indiana Times New York: “Backed by Nail […]
Lobbying
California: “Lobbyist Meetings Missing from San Jose Council Calendars” by Ramona Giwargis for San Jose Mercury News
Campaign Finance
Indiana: “Legislative War Chests: Purse or puppet strings?” by Marc Chase for Northwest Indiana Times
New York: “Backed by Nail Salon Owners, a New York Legislator Now Fights Reforms” by Sarah Maslin Nir for New York Times
Ethics
“Only Three States Score Higher Than D+ in State Integrity Investigation; 11 Flunk” by Nicholas Kusnetz for Center for Public Integrity
Arizona: “Survey: Arizona gets a ‘D’ for public access” by Joe Ferguson for Arizona Daily Star
New Jersey: “Advocacy Group’s Ranking of N.J. on Access, Integrity Falls Sharply” by Dustin Racioppi for Bergen Record
Ohio: “Ohio Graded D+ in Report on Integrity” by Jim Siegel for Columbus Dispatch
Wisconsin: “Senate GOP Votes to Overhaul Campaign Finance, Revamp Board” by Todd Richmond (Associated Press) for Albany Times Union
Wyoming: “Wyoming Second to Last in Transparency” by Laura Hancock for Billings Gazette
Elections
“Donald Trump Advertises Rising Value of Free Political Publicity” by Ashley Parker for New York Times
November 4, 2015 •
Jennifer Jaketic Joins State and Federal Communications, Inc.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. announces Jennifer Jaketic as a new compliance assistant. She assists in the company’s Corporate Contribution Compliance department, also known as C3, which monitors the rules associated with corporations making political contributions. “I like obliging by […]
State and Federal Communications, Inc. announces Jennifer Jaketic as a new compliance assistant.
She assists in the company’s Corporate Contribution Compliance department, also known as C3, which monitors the rules associated with corporations making political contributions.
“I like obliging by the rules and the ethical considerations of campaign finance,” Jaketic added. ”I enjoy working with numbers and the compliance aspect of it, which is why my position at State and Federal is such a valuable experience.”
“We started vetting contributions for our clients in 2008 and it is a piece of business which has grown. Nola Werren, Esq. from our staff has the experience needed with Jennifer to keep the work in progress for our clients,” said President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz.
Jaketic has more than 12 years of experience in campaign finance. Immediately following graduation from George Washington University with a bachelor’s in political science, Jaketic worked for the Federal Election Commission in its Reports and Analysis division, where she reviewed campaign finance reports of Political Action Committees. Jaketic is currently pursuing a master’s degree in accounting at Cleveland State University.
November 3, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Campaign Finance “Larry Lessig Ends Presidential Campaign, Citing Unfair Debate Rules” by David Weigel for Washington Post Arizona: “Elections Panel Moves to Uncover Political ‘Dark Money’” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) for Arizona Daily Star New Jersey: “Analysis: Outside […]
Campaign Finance
“Larry Lessig Ends Presidential Campaign, Citing Unfair Debate Rules” by David Weigel for Washington Post
Arizona: “Elections Panel Moves to Uncover Political ‘Dark Money’” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) for Arizona Daily Star
New Jersey: “Analysis: Outside money may flood 2017 election” by Dustin Racioppi for Bergen Record
New Mexico: “Flurry of Campaign Finance Cases after Duran Indictment Renews Call for Ethics Commission” by Justin Horwath for Santa Fe New Mexican
Oregon: “Activists Angle for Oregon Campaign Finance Measures” by Taylor Anderson for Bend Bulletin
Ethics
New York: “In Two Corruption Cases, the Culture of Albany Will Go on Trial” by William Rashbaum and Susanne Craig for New York Times
North Carolina: “McCrory Brokered Meeting on Contract for Friend and Campaign Donor” by Joseph Neff, Craig Jarvis, and Ames Alexander for Raleigh News & Observer
Elections
“How Donald Trump Leverages America’s Fault Lines” by Lynn Vavreck for New York Times
Redistricting
Maryland: “D.C. Law Student Takes Case against Md. Gerrymandering to Supreme Court” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post
November 2, 2015 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Top Lobbyists 2015: Hired Guns” by Staff for The Hill “Top Lobbyists 2015: Corporate” by Staff for The Hill Campaign Finance “F.E.C. Panel Delays a Decision on Spending in ’16 Races” by Eric Lichtblau for New York Times New […]
Lobbying
“Top Lobbyists 2015: Hired Guns” by Staff for The Hill
“Top Lobbyists 2015: Corporate” by Staff for The Hill
Campaign Finance
“F.E.C. Panel Delays a Decision on Spending in ’16 Races” by Eric Lichtblau for New York Times
New York: “Albany Plan Would Expand Conflict-of-Interest Policies” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times
Ethics
New Mexico: “Attorney General Says Public Corruption Law Needs Teeth” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal
Oregon: “John Kitzhaber Offered Fiancée Help Securing Foundation Support” by Les Zaitz for Portland Oregon
Wisconsin: “Senate Republicans Take Cautious Tack on GAB, Campaign Finance Bills” by Mark Sommorhauser for Madison.com
Elections
“Winning Isn’t Everything” by Jason Zengerle for Politico Magazine
Florida: “Miami Beach Candidate Sued after Publishing Opponent’s Social Security Number” by Joey Flechas for Miami Herald
October 30, 2015 •
News You Can Use Digest – October 30, 2015
Federal: Conservative PACs Turn Attack on G.O.P. Leaders into Fund-Raising Tool New York Times – Eric Lipton and Jennifer Steinhauer | Published: 10/23/2015 Petitions to oust Republican leaders in Congress that started surfacing online over a year ago did not come […]
Federal:
Conservative PACs Turn Attack on G.O.P. Leaders into Fund-Raising Tool
New York Times – Eric Lipton and Jennifer Steinhauer | Published: 10/23/2015
Petitions to oust Republican leaders in Congress that started surfacing online over a year ago did not come from Democrats. They came from conservative websites and bloggers who have helped stoke a grassroots rebellion to make Congress more conservative, a continuation of the tea party movement. But these politically charged appeals to conservatives around the country were often accompanied by a solicitation for money, and the ultimate beneficiaries, records suggest, are the consultants who created the campaigns rather than the causes they are promoting.
Dennis Hastert, Ex-Speaker of House, Pleads Guilty
New York Times – Monica Davey and Mitch Smith | Published: 10/28/2015
Former U.S. House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert pleaded guilty to bank fraud charges connected to $1.7 million he paid to cover up what federal officials said was sexual misconduct dating back to his years as a high school teacher and coach. He pleaded guilty to one count of “structuring” – taking money out of the bank in amounts below $10,000 to evade reporting rules on large cash movements. When the FBI questioned Hastert on why he withdrew the money, he told agents he did not feel safe with the banking system. The plea allows Hastert to avoid an in-court airing of his past. Prosecutors are recommending up to a six-month prison sentence.
DNC Courts Lobbyist Cash with Promise of VIP Access at Convention
The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 10/22/2015
Leaders from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) met with dozens of lobbyists to unveil plans for next year’s nominating convention in Philadelphia and kick off a bout of fundraising for the event. The national convention, still eight months away, will be an expensive party to throw, with early estimates putting the price tag at $85 million. Documents obtained by The Hill show the DNC handed out a menu of reward offerings in exchange for donations and bundled cash. Individuals are able to give a maximum of $100,200 to the DNC’s convention fund per year, but are encouraged to bundle together many times that figure.
FEC Overhauls Website to Make It Easier to Track Campaign Money
USA Today – Fredreka Schouten | Published: 10/27/2015
The FEC is set to unveil a $2.5 million overhaul of the agency’s website that will make it easier for average citizens to follow the money themselves. Among the many changes is that the new version can be viewed on any size screen, allowing users to view campaign finance data on their mobile phones and tablets. The commission’s disclosure database contains more than 14 billion data elements, and FEC Chairperson Ann Ravel said she finds the current site so hard to navigate that she usually just asks a staffer to find the information she wants. She said the new site will be more intuitive.
Investing in Lobbying Pays Off
New York World – Masako Melissa Hirsch | Published: 10/28/2015
Motif Investing created an investment option for its clients consisting of the 20 companies that spend a larger share of their assets on lobbying than other firms. The Kings of K Street stock portfolio has outperformed the Standards & Poor’s 500 by a factor of two for the past two years, according to Motif. In each of the past seven years, businesses, advocacy groups, and others spent more than $3 billion on lobbying the federal government. Billions more were spent at the state and local levels. Some research has pointed to the benefits of lobbying. Studies have found companies that lobby have lower tax rates, for example.
Paul Ryan Is Elected House Speaker, Hoping to Manage Chaos
New York Times – Jennifer Steinhauer | Published: 10/29/2015
Lawmakers elected U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan as the speaker of the House, putting an end to weeks of uncertainty over who would lead the raucous GOP conference after John Boehner’s surprise resignation. Ryan’s election gives House Republicans a chance to hit the reset button. Throughout Boehner’s nearly five years as speaker, centrist members and tea party conservatives were at war with each other over policy and tactics. The test for Ryan will be whether he can manage, perhaps even blunt, the hardline wing of the Republican conference, or if he too will fall to its members’ intransigence. He had warned members that while he would take their concerns about process seriously, he would not brook dissent that would undermine his ability to lead them.
From the States and Municipalities:
California – Former SF Police Union President Fined for Illegally Lobbying Last Year
San Francisco Examiner – Jonah Owen Lamb | Published: 10/27/2015
Gary Delagnes, formerly the San Francisco Police Association’s head and sometime spokesperson, was fined $5,500 for not registering as a lobbyist and failing to file disclosure reports required in connection with an effort to defeat a resolution on police brutality last December. At the time he was a paid political consultant for the union. City law defines a lobbyist as anyone who makes one or more contacts with elected officials on behalf of their employer. Delagnes says he never registered because he did not think his actions qualified as lobbying. He simply emailed several supervisors about the issue.
Kansas – Kansas Legislation Is Most Anonymous in Nation
Topeka Capital-Journal – Celia Llopis-Jepson | Published: 10/26/2015
More than 90 percent of bills in Kansas’ 2015 legislative session did not bear the names of lawmakers involved in writing or introducing them. Over several decades, the state’s lawmaking system has evolved into one in which legislators introduce hundreds of bills yearly —but only put their names on a small number for which they want to take credit. Public efforts to explore the origin of bills face obstacles: lawmakers file proposals for each other, written meeting minutes are not user friendly, and legislators themselves say some are engaging in a cat-and-mouse game to conceal involvement in controversial bills.
Louisiana – Louisiana Primary’s Ugly Race
Bloomberg.com – Ben Kamisar | Published: 10/29/2015
In a race that made a late but convincing case for the enduring entertainment value of Louisiana politics, U.S. Sen. David Vitter barely squeaked out a second-place finish in the primary election for governor to make a runoff against John Bel Edwards, a Democratic state representative. For months, Vitter was seen as the front-runner, but over the summer his lead steadily disintegrated. Vitter’s opponents spent significant time and money rehashing Vitter’s 2007 prostitution scandal, including a claim by a local blogger that Vitter had fathered a child with a prostitute. A private investigator conducting opposition research for the Vitter campaign was arrested near New Orleans recently.
New Mexico – Dianna Duran Resigns, Pleads Guilty to Two Felonies
NewMexicoPolitics.net – Heath Haussamen | Published: 10/23/2015
New Mexico Secretary of State Dianna Duran, who was charged with multiple counts of public corruption, pleaded guilty to four misdemeanors and two low-level felonies in a plea deal that will likely spare her jail time and allow her to keep her pension. The agreement came just hours after she submitted her resignation. Duran was facing 65 criminal charges including embezzlement, money laundering, and fraud stemming from allegations she illegally transferred about $13,000 in campaign funds to her personal account. Prosecutors said Duran altered her campaign finance reports she filed with her own office to cover up the transfers that were part of an elaborate scheme to support a gambling habit.
New York – Albany’s Museum of Political Corruption No Longer Just a Funny Idea
Albany Business Review – Michael DeMasi | Published: 10/28/2015
Bruce Roter, a music professor at the College of St. Rose, wants to open a Museum of Political Corruption in Albany. The museum would be a place to explore, understand, and poke some fun at the fact New York’s past and present are filled with tales of politicians-gone-bad. New chapters in that long history are being written seemingly every day. The New York Board of Regents granted the museum a five-year provisional charter and it now has an eight-member board of trustees. “It’s funny, but it’s serious at the same time,” Roter said. “… If this can make the whole subject less complicated, if people feel empowered they can do something or have a say about the governance in our state, then I think they are doing a tremendous service to our community.”
New York – Oracle Sued by N.Y. Pension over Political-Giving Disclosure
Bloomberg.com – Freeman Klopott | Published: 10/28/2015
Oracle was sued by a New York pension fund over allegations the company is withholding information about its political donations. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has been using his position as the sole trustee of New York’s $184.5 billion pension fund to press corporations to make their donations public after the Supreme Court’s 2010 ruling in Citizens United allowed companies to make political gifts without limitations. The fund owns about 10 million shares of Oracle. DiNapoli said the company did not live up to a 2007 agreement with the Sheet Metal Workers’ National Pension Fund to provide an annual report disclosing policies for political contributions. The company also did not respond to specific requests from the fund for those records, according to the lawsuit.
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.
October 28, 2015 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “Ryan Speakership Could Herald New Style for K Street Lobbyists” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post Campaign Finance “Want to Reform Campaign Finance and Reduce Corruption? Here’s How.” by Ray LaRaja and Brian Schaffner for Washington Post “Clinton White […]
Lobbying
“Ryan Speakership Could Herald New Style for K Street Lobbyists” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post
Campaign Finance
“Want to Reform Campaign Finance and Reduce Corruption? Here’s How.” by Ray LaRaja and Brian Schaffner for Washington Post
“Clinton White House Sleepover Guests Still Writing Checks” by Liz Essley Whyte for Center for Public Integrity
“FEC Overhauls Website to Make It Easier to Track Campaign Money” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today
“Cruz’s Quiet Fundraising Strength: A network of wealthy donors” by Katie Zezima and Matea Gold for Washington Post
“State: Malloy campaign case threatens integrity of elections” by Dave Collins (Associated Press) for WTNH
Washington: “Seattle Initiative Puts Spotlight on Campaign Financing” by Daniel Beekman for Seattle Times
Elections
“Lawrence Lessig’s Presidential Bid Endures in Relative Obscurity” by Alan Rappeport for 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.
