May 18, 2016 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Campaign Finance “Death Threats Directed at Elections Regulator” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity Arizona: “Effort Launches to Block Laws Loosening Rules for ‘Dark Money’” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Capitol Times Ethics Arizona: “Judge […]
Campaign Finance
“Death Threats Directed at Elections Regulator” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity
Arizona: “Effort Launches to Block Laws Loosening Rules for ‘Dark Money’” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Capitol Times
Ethics
Arizona: “Judge Sentences Former Phoenix VA Director Sharon Helman to Probation” by Dennis Wagner for Arizona Republic
Arizona: “Inspired by Trump, New Arizona Law Redefines Free Speech” by Ben Rosen for U.S. News & World Report
Pennsylvania: “The Ones That Got Away: How 305 criminal charges against Steve Reed were dismissed” by Wallace McKelvey for Harrisburg Patriot-News
South Carolina: “Common Cause Leader John Crangle Retiring as His Book on Operation Lost Trust Is Published” by Andrew Shain for Charleston Post & Courier
Elections
“‘Who Is This Guy?’ In Connected Political World, Few Know Donald Trump” by Carl Hulse for New York Times
“Little Is Off Limits as Donald Trump Plans Attacks on Hillary Clinton’s Character” by Patrick Healy for New York Times
“Bernie Sanders Wins Oregon; Hillary Clinton Declares Victory in Kentucky” by Thomas Kaplan for New York Times
Proponents of the Voters Right to Know Act suspended their campaign for a California ballot measure to trace dark money and tighten lobbying and campaign finance regulations. Jim Heerwagen, who led the campaign, said he is ending the work on […]
Proponents of the Voters Right to Know Act suspended their campaign for a California ballot measure to trace dark money and tighten lobbying and campaign finance regulations. Jim Heerwagen, who led the campaign, said he is ending the work on the initiative because there are now several bills in the Legislature that cover the same issues.
Heerwagen cited Senate Bill 1349, introduced to create a new campaign finance database, as one of the pending bills that would carry out the goal of his campaign.
September 25, 2015 •
Proposed Constitutional Amendment Increasing Campaign Finance Disclosure to Appear on California’s 2016 Ballot
A proposed constitutional amendment has been submitted to appear on the November 2016 ballot. This measure, titled The Voters’ Right to Know Act, would increase campaign finance disclosure requirements and eliminate gifts to public officials from certain entities. The act […]
A proposed constitutional amendment has been submitted to appear on the November 2016 ballot.
This measure, titled The Voters’ Right to Know Act, would increase campaign finance disclosure requirements and eliminate gifts to public officials from certain entities.
The act is designed to remove the “dark money” loopholes of nonprofit contributors by requiring anyone contributing $10,000 or more to be identified if that money winds up supporting a political effort. It also calls for updating and improving the electronic reporting system, clearer disclosure of contributors on television ads, and stronger penalties for violators.
The act also would ban gifts to public officials from lobbyists and lobbyist employers. The monetary limit on gifts to public officials from individuals would be lowered to $200 from the current amount of $460.
Backers of this proposition hope it will lead to greater transparency and encourage greater engagement from all voters.
December 18, 2014 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “Republican Congress Lures Lobbyists Back to Capitol Hill” by Megan Wilson for The Hill “Mollis Adopts Hearing Officer’s Decision that Corso Engaged in Unregistered Lobbying Related to 38 Studios” by Jennifer Bogdon for Providence Journal Campaign Finance “Secretive Nonprofits […]
Lobbying
“Republican Congress Lures Lobbyists Back to Capitol Hill” by Megan Wilson for The Hill
“Mollis Adopts Hearing Officer’s Decision that Corso Engaged in Unregistered Lobbying Related to 38 Studios” by Jennifer Bogdon for Providence Journal
Campaign Finance
“Secretive Nonprofits Flourished – and Succeeded – in 2014 State Elections” by Reity O’Brien for The Center for Public Integrity
“Who Wants to Buy a Politician?” by Binyamin Appelbaum for New York Times
“New FEC Chief on ‘Dark Money’ Mission” by Dave Levinthal for The Center for Public Integrity
“Ethics Commission Hits Former Candidate, Treasurer with $43,000 Fine” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times
“PA Supreme Court: Law firm can forgive U.S. Rep. Bob Brady’s 2007 debt” by Chris Brennan for Philadelphia Daily News
“State High Court to Take up Doe Cases Centered on Walker’s Campaign” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Ethics
“Payouts to McCrory, Sanford from Mortgage Broker Raise Ethical Questions” by Michael Biesecker and Mitch Weiss (Associated Press) for Charlotte Observer
Elections
“Jeb Bush’s Decision to Explore Presidential Bid Scrambles the 2016 GOP Field” by Matea Gold and Philip Rucker for Washington Post
Legislative Issues
“Message to Lawmakers: Say what you really think” by Alan Greenblatt for Governing
May 14, 2014 •
California Governor Signs “Dark Money” Bill
Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill to close “dark money” loopholes used to avoid disclosure of campaign contributors. Senate Bill 27 requires large donations from nonprofits and other multipurpose organizations to be disclosed. The top 10 contributors to state […]
Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill to close “dark money” loopholes used to avoid disclosure of campaign contributors.
Senate Bill 27 requires large donations from nonprofits and other multipurpose organizations to be disclosed. The top 10 contributors to state committees will now be posted online by the Fair Political Practices Commission.
The bill becomes effective immediately, but with a delayed operative date of July 1, 2014.
October 4, 2013 •
News You Can Use Digest – October 4, 2013
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
State Watchdogs Band Together to Take on ‘Dark Money’
Washington Post – Reid Wilson | Published: 10/3/2013
The States’ Unified Network Center, a project from watchdog groups to share information on campaign finance legislation across the country, will begin as a Web presence to highlight proposed bills and standing law. It will also organize a database of nonprofit groups that spend money in state elections, in hopes of stitching together the state-by-state patchwork of campaign finance databases.
Federal:
Government Shutdown: Wall Street angry at tea party it has no influence over
Politico – MJ Lee | Published: 10/2/2013
Wall Street’s frustration over the current fiscal impasse is shared by the larger business community, which has tried to convince lawmakers the threat of shutting down the government or failing to raise the borrowing limit should not be used as negotiating ploys. But wealthy financial services executives and their lobbyists have little leverage against tea party lawmakers, who do not care for big banks and do not rely heavily on the industry for campaign money.
Not ‘Essential’: Shutdown would hit FEC hard
Center for Public Integrity – Dave Leventhal | Published: 9/30/2013
The FEC, unlike some agencies filled with employees deemed essential, will effectively shutter under a government shutdown. All but the agency’s active commissioners, who are furlough-proof political appointees, would ultimately stay home.
From the States and Municipalities:
California – Ex-Lobbyist Joins Councilman’s Staff and Questions Follow
Los Angeles Times – Robert Zahniser | Published: 9/26/2013
Robert Katherman, a longtime Los Angeles lobbyist, said since joining city Councilperson Curren Price’s staff, he has avoided decisions affecting clients at the advocacy firm he founded and put his wife in charge of. As long as that continues, state conflict-of-interest laws permit Price to act on proposals that benefit Katherman’s wife and her firm.
Georgia – Ethics Commission to Ask for Special Investigator
San Francisco Chronicle – Christina Cassidy (Associated Press) | Published: 9/30/2013
The Georgia ethics commission voted to request that a special assistant attorney general be appointed for an independent investigation to look into the circumstances surrounding two lawsuits against the agency. Former commission Executive Secretary Stacey Kalberman and her onetime deputy, Sharon Streicker, allege they were forced out for pressing an investigation into Gov. Nathan Deal’s 2010 campaign.
Georgia – State Senator Balfour Indicted on Charges Related to Expenses
Athens Banner-Herald – Ray Henry (Associated Press) | Published: 9/27/2013
A grand jury charged state Sen. Don Balfour with illegally claiming legislative expense pay. The indictment comes after a Georgia Bureau of Investigation probe into expense vouchers from his work at the General Assembly, where Balfour sought reimbursement for mileage and per diem expenses at the Capitol when lobbyist disclosure reports show he was out of state.
Illinois – Appeals Court Denies Quinn Bid to Keep Pay Freeze
San Francisco Chronicle – Sarah Burnett (Associated Press) | Published: 9/27/2013
A judge overruled Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, who had suspended the salaries of state legislators, and ordered the lawmakers to receive back pay with interest. Quinn suspended the paychecks this summer, saying lawmakers had failed to resolve a financial crisis worsened by the ballooning cost of state pension plans. Leaders of the Legislature challenged his authority to suspend the pay.
Iowa – Iowa Lawmaker Resigns over Bachmann Payments
USA Today – Jason Noble and Jennifer Jacobs (Des Moines Register) | Published: 10/2/2013
Iowa Sen. Kent Sorenson resigned after a special investigator found it likely he violated ethics rules by taking money from PACs connected to former presidential candidate Michele Bachmann and then denying he had done so. The report contains the most detailed findings yet in a scandal that has swirled around Sorensen since he defected from the Bachmann campaign days before the 2012 Iowa caucuses to support Ron Paul.
Michigan – Corruption Alleged after Detroit Pension Deal
Detroit Free Press – Robert Snell | Published: 9/30/2013
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick backed an investment deal that bankrolled a three-year spree of alleged corruption and helped push the city into bankruptcy. The deal cheated city retirees out of more than $84 million, led to criminal charges against six people, and compounded the impact of the money-losing Wall Street scheme, which could eventually cost Detroit more than $2.7 billion.
Minnesota – Emmer’s Internet Ad Could Prove Troublesome
Minneapolis Star Tribune – Jim Ragsdale and Jennifer Brooks | Published: 9/30/2013
A television ad featuring congressional candidate Tom Emmer vouching for a construction company may violate a federal law banning corporate contributions to candidates. Emmer appeared in an ad for Integrity Exteriors & Remodelers while noting his candidacy and standing by a banner spelling out his congressional ambitions. A YouTube posting for the ad said it had aired on a Twin Cities television station.
Mississippi – Hood Could Appeal Judge’s Ruling That Part of Miss. Campaign Finance Law Is Unconstitutional
Columbus Republic – Emily Wagster Pettus (Associated Press) | Published: 10/1/2013
U.S. District Court Judge Sharion Aycock ruled that part of Mississippi’s campaign finance law creates an unconstitutional burden for individuals or organizations that spend at least $200 to support or oppose a ballot initiative. State Attorney Jim Hood an appeal could be difficult because federal courts have not been amenable to states’ defense of their own campaign finance laws.
New York – Elections Officials Narrow Scope of Collection Effort
Albany Times Union – Casey Seiler | Published: 9/26/2013
The New York State Board of Elections had planned to send letters in September to numerous campaign treasurers with judgments against them and the banks that held their funds, informing them the committees’ assets were frozen until their fines had been settled. But only two such letters have been sent.
North Carolina – Voter ID Targeted in North Carolina
Wall Street Journal – Devlin Barrett | Published: 9/30/2013
The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit challenging voting restrictions adopted by North Carolina, alleging they discriminate against minority voters. The suit challenges the state’s voter-identification requirement and limits on early voting. It also asks the court to require federal pre-approval for voting-law changes in the state.
West Virginia – Fishing Trip Underscores Close Ties between Suder, United Sportsmen
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Patrick Marley and Jason Stein | Published: 9/30/2013
Records show then-Wisconsin Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder accepted an invitation for a fishing trip offered by the lobbyist for a self-described sportsmen group just days before an affiliate of the organization won a $500,000 state grant. Gov. Scott Walker rescinded the grant after reports the group misrepresented its nonprofit status and its president had been cited for shooting a black bear without the proper license.
West Virginia – W.Va. Judge Resigns, Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy
San Francisco Chronicle – John Raby (Associated Press) | Published: 10/2/2013
A West Virginia judge pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme to conceal alleged illegal drug use and election-law violations by a sheriff who was murdered earlier this year. As part of his plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to drop an earlier charge that Mingo County Circuit Court Judge Thornsbury misused his office on several occasions over five years to try to illegally imprison the husband of his former secretary after she ended an affair with him.
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.
April 20, 2013 •
News You Can Use Digest – April 20, 2013
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
From the States and Municipalities:
California – Legislative Staffers Lavished with Gifts
Indiana – Indiana Speaker Pro Tem Turner Defends Supporting Company Daughter Represents as Lobbyist
Kentucky – Kentucky Group Is the PAC That Couldn’t Shoot Straight
Montana – Montana House Panel Kills Bill to Disclose ‘Dark Money’ in Campaigns
Nebraska – Golf Tops List of Gifts Dave Heineman Reported
New Jersey – Bergen County Freeholders Introduce Plan to Relax Pay-to-Play Restrictions
New Jersey – In N.J. Governor’s Race, Christie and Buono Choose to Keep Some Donors Secret
New York – Sandra Lee OK’d for Takeoff
Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania Turnpike Scandal Has Some Eyeing a Pay-to-Play Law
Pennsylvania – Senate Passes Three Bills to Strengthen Transparency and Efficiency in State Government
South Carolina – National GOP Campaign Arm Withdraws Sanford’s Financial Support
Tennessee – Bill Fails That Would Raise Campaign Contribution Limits, Allowing Direct Corporate Donations
Texas – Exotic Trips, Luxury Gifts Are Perks of Elective Office
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.
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.
