If you are a government relations professional looking for information about the upcoming 36 Gubernatorial Inaugurations, State and Federal Communications has got you covered!
Watch the video below to see what our research team provides for you in this definitive Inaugurations Guide.

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If you are in a panic about 2015, relax, we have you covered. The list attached shows all of the jurisdictions included in the State and Federal Communications website. Every state in our country will be in session in 2015 and those cities and counties are not going to sit back and do nothing. They will all be busy.

We are happy to report our list of municipalities continues to grow and many more will be added along with the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

So many of our clients are drilling down from the states and going to cities and counties, and those jurisdictions do not always follow state rule. We have always emphasized doing your homework before venturing into a state, and our website can help when you are planning your municipality work.

Stay tuned…We are venturing into unknown territory in 2015 and reviewing international lobbying and campaign finance laws.  Who knows where this will take us.

In the meantime, State and Federal Communications wishes our clients and friends a very happy holiday season and we looking forward to seeing you in the New Year.

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Thank you,

Elizabeth Z. Bartz
President and CEO
@elizabethbartz

Lobbying

“Lobbyist Group to Elect New Leaders” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

“Which Lobbyists Interact with Your Lawmakers?” by Justin Hinkley for Lansing State Journal

“Patrick Lynch Lobbied Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office for Years but Never Registered” by Michelle Smith (Associated Press) for The Daily Journal

“Lobbyist – a Dirty Word or How Things Get Done?” by Cathy McKitrick for The Standard-Examiner

Campaign Finance

“How the GOP Used Twitter to Stretch Election Laws” by Chris Moody for CNN

“Federal Panel Upholds Mississippi Campaign Finance Law” by The Associated Press for Biloxi Sun Herald

“National Education Group Agrees to Pay $10,000 Fine for Oklahoma Election Ethics Violations” by Nolan Clay for The Oklahoman

“Lawmakers Punt on Campaign Disclosure Bill” by Trvor Brown for Wyoming Tribune-Eagle

Ethics

“Former SC State Senator Indicted on Public Corruption Charges” by Jamie Self for The State

“McAuliffe’s Ethics Panel Recommends Changes on Gift, Disclosure, Conflict Rules” by Jim Nolan for Richmond Times-Dispatch

Legislative Issues

“How McConnell World Works” by Anna Palmer for Politico

Lobbying

“Sacramento Report: Five questions for a lobbyist” by Brian Joseph for Voice of San Diego

“Lobbying Fee Increase Drawing Criticism in Harrisburg” by John Kennedy for Legal Intelligencer

“Schilling a No-Show at Lobbying Hearing on 38 Studios, Declared in Default” by Jennifer Bogdan for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

“New Jersey’s Most Generous Donors to Political Causes and Super PACs” by Collen O’Dea for NJ Spotlight

Ethics

“Arkansas Voters Approve Extended Term Limits” by J.B. Wogan for Governing

“City Ethics Amendment Passes by Wide Margin” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat

Elections

“Republicans Gain Big in State Legislative Elections” by Karen Pierog for Reuters

“Republicans Hold the Top 2 Prizes in Governor Races” by Trip Gabriel for New York Times

“As New Rules Take Effect, Voters Report Problems in Some States” by Erik Eckholm and Richard Fausset for New York Times

“Republicans Extend House Control as Democratic Holdouts Fall” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times

“Republicans First Step was to Handle Extremists in Party” by Jeremy Peters and Thomas Hulse for New York Times

“Ted Kennedy Jr. Wins State Senate Race in Connecticut” by Alison Leigh Cowen for New York Times

State and Federal Communications is pleased to announce the addition of 2015 legislative session and key dates information to its website.

In the Lobbying Laws publication, the key dates information addresses all of the reports and registrations due in 2015. In the Political Contributions publication, the key dates address the reports due, the scheduled statewide elections, and, where dictated by the state, scheduled local elections.

This information has been added for the federal government, the states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Continue to watch the website for updates to the 2014 and 2015 key dates and for the addition of key dates information for local jurisdictions and for Canada.

The number of municipalities and regional governments our research associates track continues to grow. We now cover more than 230 municipalities and local governments. This is part of a continuous effort to better serve the needs of our clients.

In that effort, we have recently added abridged jurisdictions to our website. These entries, condensed due to the limited number of relevant local laws, provide the core information our clients need for their government relations work.

The new jurisdictions are:

Alameda County, California

Canton, Ohio

Clackamas County, Oregon

Jackson County, Oregon

Sparks, Nevada

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

“Lobbying World” in The Hill.

“To pick staff, Scalise turns to lobbyist” by Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman in Politico.

“Support for lobbyists, Super PACs up, new poll finds” by Phil Ammann in St. Peters Blog.

Florida: “Feds sue Florida manufacturing agency over travel, lobbying expenses” by Paul Brinkmann in the Orlando Sentinel.

Missouri: “Lobbyist John Britton dies after a half-century as one of the most powerful figures in Missouri” by Michael D. Sorkin in the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

Virginia: “K St. connections dog Va. hopeful” by Cameron Joseph in The Hill.

Campaign Finance

Vermont: “Searchable campaign finance system goes live” by Terri Hallenbeck in the Burlington Free Press.

Ethics

Calfornia: “Former lobbyist, wife charged in embezzlement scheme” by David Zahniser Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times.

Tallahassee, Florida: “Ethics proposal gets enough signatures for ballot” by Jeff Burlew in the Tallahassee Democrat.

Oklahoma: “Democrats file ethics complaint against Fallin” in Tulsa World.

Redistricting

Florida: “CBC, DCCC clash over Fla. redistricting suit” by Alex Isenstadt in Politico.

Open Government

“Federal watchdogs complain of access woes” by Josh Gerstein in Politico.

Government Tech and Social Media

“The Public Sector Considers Mobile-First Approaches to Citizen Interactions” by Justine Brown in Government Technology.

Lobbying

“Small K Street shops see business boom” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“Lobbyists Of All Kinds Flock To Farm Bill” by Peggy Lowe and Harvest Public Media on KUNC.

New York: “Taxpayer money used to pay lobbyists” by Joseph Spector on WGRZ News.

New York: “Four lobbying groups can keep donors private” by Joseph Spector in The Journal News.

New York: “New Bitcoin Lobbying, Trade Association Announced” by Paul Vigna in The Wall Street Journal.

Campaign Finance

Alaska: “APOC fines Anchorage Mayor Sullivan for campaign finance law violation” by Devin Kelly in the Alaska Dispatch News.

Orange County, CA: “FPPC role in campaign finance will go to vote” by Jill Cowan in the Daily Pilot.

Florida: “More than $200 million in outside money floods Florida elections since ‘Citizens United’” by Alex Leary in the Tampa Bay Times.

Michigan: “Outside groups influence campaigns” by Todd Spangler in the Lansing State Journal.

New Hampshire: “Can N.H.’s New Campaign Finance Rules Hold Up In Court?” by Brian Wallstin on New Hampshire Public Radio.

Tennessee: “Follow the Money: Hill, Van Huss campaign finances largely from outside PACs” by Gary B. Gray in the Johnson City Press.

Ethics

Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania’s members of Congress take more free, legal trips” by Hope Yen (Associated Press) in The Sentinel.

South Carolina: “Recent developments show SC government growing less transparent” by Jamie Self in the Rock Hill Herald.

National:

Eschewing Lobbyists, States Advocate for Themselves

USA Today – Elaine Povich (Pew Center on the States) | Published: 7/10/2014

The 2011 ban on earmarks – the inclusion of money for specific local projects in broader bills – has prompted a shift away from states paying Washington, D.C.-based lobbyists to advocate for them. Now, more state lawmakers and other officials are combining forces to advocate for themselves. K Street lobbyists were specialists in getting earmarks because of their personal connections to federal lawmakers. The state coalitions are making broader arguments for funds that benefit more than one individual project.

Federal:

Sen. Robert Menendez Seeks Probe of Alleged Cuban Plot to Smear Him

Washington Post – Carol Leonnig and Manuel Roig-Franzia | Published: 7/7/2014

With a public corruption investigation hanging over him, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez suggested Cuban spies had planted the seeds of that inquiry as a way to discredit him and mute his strident opposition to the government in Havana. His comments followed media stories that said a 2013 CIA report had cited credible evidence linking Cuban agents to a campaign to smear Menendez. The FBI is investigating whether Menendez received free airplane rides and other perks from a wealthy donor and repaid him with political favors. Even if Menendez’s Cuba theory is correct, it is unlikely to derail the probe.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – Support Wanes in Sacramento for Tough Ethics Reform following Scandal

San Jose Mercury News – Jessica Califati | Published: 7/5/2014

Since voting to suspend Leland Yee and two other state senators indicted in recent months, California lawmakers have held a “day of reflection” and considered more than a dozen new pieces of ethics reform legislation. But while support for bills requiring more disclosure of gifts and contributions remains strong, interest in tougher proposals that would restrict politicians’ fundraising and access to free trips has waned significantly in the last few months. “You can’t be against an ethics bill the day after the scandal, but it’s no longer the day after the scandal,” said Jessica Levinson, a professor who specializes in campaign finance law.

Florida – Miami Lakes’ Muzzled Mayor Misses ‘My People’ as Trial Is Set to Begin

Miami Herald – Jay Weaver | Published: 7/7/2014

Michael Pizzi, the suspended mayor of Miami Lakes, is facing a trial in federal court on corruption charges. He is charged with conspiracy and extortion offenses for allegedly accepting $6,750 in mostly cash bribes during an FBI sting operation. Pizzi, a Brooklyn native, sees himself as the character Carmine Polito in the Oscar-nominated movie American Hustle – an over-the-top tale of the FBI’s undercover takedown of a fictional blue-collar New Jersey mayor who lived for his constituents.

Florida – Sternad, Saying He Was Duped, Gets 7 Months

Miami Herald – Jay Weaver | Published: 7/10/2014

A judge sentenced a failed South Florida congressional candidate to seven months in prison for campaign finance violations in a case linked to former U.S. Rep. David Rivera. Justin Sternad pleaded guilty last year to campaign finance violations, including accepting illegal contributions and filing false reports. The case involves allegations that Rivera, a Republican, secretly financed Sternad’s campaign to weaken Democratic rival Joe Garcia. Rivera has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, although close Rivera associate Ana Alliegro is also charged in the case. Rivera is again running for the House seat against Garcia after losing to him in 2012.

Hawaii – Ethics Commission Investigates Golf Perks

Hawaii News Now – Rick Daysog | Published: 7/9/2014

The Hawaii Ethics Commission is winding down its year-old investigation targeting number of employees at the University of Hawaii (UH) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) for receiving thousands of dollars in free golf outings provided by government contractors. Recent filings with the commission by DOT and UH employees indicates just how widespread the practice is. “For a lot of these firms, it’s simply the cost of doing business and this has got to stop because it makes people trust their government less,” said UH political science professor Colin Moore.

Iowa – Koch Brothers Group Targets Iowa Politics

USA Today – Jennifer Jacobs (Des Moines Register) | Published: 7/6/2014

Americans for Prosperity, the conservative political advocacy organization backed by Charles and David Koch, is building an operation in Iowa –– the site of the first presidential primary – that is intended to sway voting in the state for years to come. Using methodical canvassing, Americans for Prosperity-Iowa seeks to identify voters who are sympathetic to its message. Its database is to include an individual’s political orientation, likelihood to vote, and serve as a roster of probable swing voters.

Louisiana – C. Ray Nagin, Former New Orleans Mayor, Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

Los Angeles Times – David Zucchino | Published: 7/9/2014

Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his participation in a $500,000 bribery scheme that operated during most of his time in office. Many of the kickbacks took place after Hurricane Katrina, when contractors crowded into the city for rebuilding work. The sentence was less than the recommended 15 years, but U.S. District Court Judge Ginger Berrigan said the evidence failed to show Nagin had organized or had been a leader of a conspiracy. Prosecutors objected to the sentence, a move that could set up an appeal.

Maine – Cutler Supporters’ Lawsuit Challenges Constitutionality of Maine Donation Limits

The Sun Journal – Christopher Cousins (Bangor Daily News) | Published: 7/8/2014

Four supporters of independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler filed a lawsuit against Maine’s ethics commission for not being allowed to contribute as much to Cutler as they could to a party candidate. State law allows party candidates to accept $1,500 donations from individuals for both the June primary and the general election, even if those candidates do not face primary challengers. As an independent, Cutler can collect no more than $1,500 per donor. The lawsuit says that law should be struck down as unconstitutional.

Massachusetts – Robert DeLeo in Glare at Probation Hiring Trial

Boston Globe – Milton Valencia and Michael Levenson | Published: 7/10/2014

Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo strongly denied assertions by prosecutors at the federal trial of the state’s former probation department commissioner that DeLeo traded jobs for votes or deliberately spared the agency from budget cuts. Prosecutors said in a court filing that such an arrangement had existed between DeLeo and former probation commissioner John O’Brien, who is being tried along with two deputies for allegedly rigging the agency’s hiring process to favor applicants referred by powerful lawmakers, in exchange for favorable legislative action on the budget or other matters.

Missouri – Ex-Missouri House Speaker’s Campaign Fund Still Yielding Benefits Two Years Later

St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Kevin McDermott | Published: 7/6/2014

It is not unusual for former Missouri lawmakers to jump immediately into lobbying their former colleagues with no waiting period. What is unusual is for ex-legislators to keep their campaign funds open and use it in ways that appear to promote their lobbying activities, such as with former House Speaker Steve Tilley. A St. Louis Post-Dispatch review found no other current lawmaker-turned-lobbyist operating under circumstances like the ones surrounding Tilley. That makes some reformers wonder if he is setting a dangerous new precedent that others might follow.

Ohio – Cleveland to Host 2016 GOP Convention

Politico – Katie Glueck and Maggie Haberman | Published: 7/8/2014

In choosing Cleveland as the site of the 2016 Republican National Convention, party organizers opted for a Democratic enclave in the pivotal battleground state of Ohio over the wealthier and more conservative Dallas area. The announcement is a coup for Cleveland as it seeks to update its image from an economically struggling Rust Belt city to a thriving metropolis with a revitalized downtown. The decision to go with Ohio was anticipated by many Republican operatives and donors. “We’re going where the swing voters are,” said GOP strategist Mike Murphy.

Pennsylvania – Interest Groups’ Lobbying Tally Tops $500M in Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review – Melissa Daniels | Published: 7/4/2014

In 2013, lobbyists spent $518 million on costs related to influencing Pennsylvania lawmakers. It is the first time the spending exceeded the $500 million mark. Gabrielle Sedor, president of the Pennsylvania Association for Government Relations, said the increase in spending is likely is because of rising costs overall, such as salaries and travel costs. She said lobbyists try to provide expertise and research about industry trends, and to keep tabs on statehouse activity. “To be a lobbyist and have a good relationship, you have to be honest and ethical and be a source of information, a reliable resource above anything else,” said Sedor.

Rhode Island – R.I. Lobbyist Rickman Discloses He Loaned $10,000 in 2009 to Ex-House Leader Fox

Providence Journal – Katherine Gregg | Published: 7/8/2014

A lobbyist who failed to disclose he loaned money to former Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox has now said the loan was for $10,000. Ray Rickman and Fox had both neglected to report the loan from August 2009 in required filings. State Ethics Commission attorney Jason Gramitt said nothing in the law bans a lobbyist from giving a public official a loan, but the loan would create a ‘business relationship” which in all cases, except those involving legislators, would create a clear conflict-of-interest if that official took any action that financially benefited that business associate.

South Carolina – SC Supreme Court: Harrell probe can continue

The State – Jamie Self | Published: 7/9/2014

The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled the state’s top prosecutor has the authority to investigate House Speaker Bobby Harrell over allegations the lawmaker abused his power for personal benefit. The justices said Attorney General Alan Wilson is fully empowered to probe wrongdoing wherever it may occur, and his powers are not blunted because the investigation involves a lawmaker’s ethical conduct. The ruling overturned a lower court’s decision to halt Wilson’s investigation.

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.

Lobbying

“Under Contract” in The Hill.

“13 K Streeters cross the street” by Byron Tau in Politico.

“Bitcoin gaining currency on K Street” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

Louisiana: “Louisiana business association reviews legislative session: Four things you need to know” by Julia O’Donoghue in The Times-Picayune.

Campaign Finance

“Lawrence Lessig on His Super PAC to End Super PACs” by Denver Nicks in TIME.

“Chamber of Commerce Spends $780K for Kingston” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

North Carolina: “Political action committees have big impact on campaigns” by Susan Ladd in the News & Record.

Ethics

Hawaii: “New Chair Will Steer Hawaii Ethics Commission Through Disclosure Law” by Nathan Eagle in the Honolulu Civil Beat.

Louisiana: “New Orleans Ex-Mayor Ray Nagin Sentenced to 10 Years” by Cameron McWhirter in The Wall Street Journal.

Congress

“Capitol partially closed due to spill” by Mario Trujillo in The Hill.

Government Tech and Social Media

West Virginia: “W. Va. Proceeds With Massive Computer Overhaul, Employees Struggle With the Switchover” in Government Technology.

Lobbying

“Bottom Line” in The Hill.

“A driving force for truckers” by Keith Laing in The Hill.

“Squire Patton Boggs bolsters presence in Japan” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“Politico Influence: Squire Patton Boggs announces leadership structure” by Byron Tau in Politico.

“Export-Import Bank supporters aim for show of strength in Senate” by Kevin Cirilli and Vicki Needham in The Hill.

Florida: “Tallahassee’s next lobbying gold rush: cannabis” in The Miami Herald.

New York: “NYPIRG: Casino lobbying, spending hits $11 million” by James M. Odato in the Times Union.

Pennsylvania: “Ethics Commission fines lobbyists for failure to file expense reports” by Megan Henney in the Tribune-Review.

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “AG Horne sues to block Clean Elections investigation” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez in The Republic.

Vermont: “Court backs Vt. campaign finance rules” by Terri Hallenbeck in the Burlington Free Press.

Ethics

“Without ethics enforcement, it’s open season in Washington” by Melanie Sloan in The Hill.

Colorado: “Colorado ethics panel signals support for Gessler GOP seminar trip” by Joey Bunch in The Denver Post.

Indiana: “State ethics watchdog plans to leave office” by Tony Cook in The Indianapolis Star.

Missouri: “Can a candidate raffle off a hot tub? Run bingo?” by Jonathan Shorman in the Springfield News-Leader.

Congress

“The Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game in 3 Minutes (Video)” by JM Rieger in Roll Call.

Government Tech and Social Media

“Why Facebook’s ‘Voter Megaphone’ Is the Real Manipulation to Worry About” by Micah L. Sifry in TechPresident.