June 19, 2018 •
Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Elections National: “Trump Associate Roger Stone Reveals New Contact with Russian National during 2016 Campaign” by Manuel Roig-Franzia and Rosalind Helderman (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune Ethics National: “Facebook’s New Political Algorithms Increase Tension with Publishers” by Ben Sisario (New […]
Elections
National: “Trump Associate Roger Stone Reveals New Contact with Russian National during 2016 Campaign” by Manuel Roig-Franzia and Rosalind Helderman (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune
Ethics
National: “Facebook’s New Political Algorithms Increase Tension with Publishers” by Ben Sisario (New York Times) for WRAL
National: “For Pruitt Aides, the Boss’s Personal Life Was Part of the Job” by Eric Lipton, Steve Eder, Lisa Friedman, and Hiroko Tabuchi (New York Times) for WRAL
California: “ACLU Suit Targets Law That Bars Horn Honking at Protests” by Teri Figueroa for San Diego Union Tribune
New York: “SUNY Poly Chief’s Corruption Trial Will Shine Harsh Light on Cuomo Upstate Development Efforts” by Stephen Rex Brown for New York Daily News
South Carolina: “An Unintentional Facebook ‘Like’ Shakes the South Carolina Governor’s Race” by Andy Shain for Charleston Post and Courier
Lobbying
National: “Pence Turns VP’s Office into Gateway for Lobbyists to Influence the Trump Administration” by Michael Scherer, Josh Dawsey, and Anu Narayanswami (Washington Post) for San Francisco Chronicle
Arkansas: “Legislator-Graft Case Spotlights Arkansas Ethics-Law Flaws” by Doug Thompson for Arkansas Online
Florida: “Skybox Hopping, Connections with Adam Corey Draw Elected Officials into Ethics Report” by Jeffrey Schweers for Tallahassee Democrat
Texas: “Council Approves Changes to Anti-Lobbying Ordinance” by Jack Craver for Austin Monitor
Redistricting
National: “Supreme Court Punts on Two Cases Regarding Partisan Election Districts” by Richard Wolf for USA Today
June 18, 2018 •
Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Elections Maine: Election Reformers Cheer as Maine Again Approves Ranked-Choice Voting by Allegra Kirkland for Talking Points Memo Minnesota: Supreme Court Strikes Down Political Dress Code at Polls in Latest Decision Involving Voting by Richard Wolf for USA Today Ethics […]
Elections
Maine: Election Reformers Cheer as Maine Again Approves Ranked-Choice Voting by Allegra Kirkland for Talking Points Memo
Minnesota: Supreme Court Strikes Down Political Dress Code at Polls in Latest Decision Involving Voting by Richard Wolf for USA Today
Ethics
National: Customs and Border Protection Agent Faces Inquiry After Questioning Reporter About Her Sources by Shane Harris, Matt Zapotosky, and Jack Gillum for Washington Post
California: ACLU Suit Targets Law That Bars Horn Honking at Protests by Teri Figueroa for San Diego Union Tribune
Florida: Skybox Hopping, Connections with Adam Corey Draw Elected Officials Into Ethics Report by Jeffrey Schweers for Tallahassee Democrat
New York: While Putnam Residents Pay Full Fare at Golf Clubhouse, County Executive, Ally Get Breaks by David McKay Wilson for The Journal News
Lobbying
Georgia: Candidate for Georgia Governor Bought Condo from Lobbyist by Kevin Sack for New York Times
June 15, 2018 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 15, 2018
Federal: Meet the Guys Who Tape Trump’s Papers Back Together Politico – Annie Karni | Published: 6/10/2018 Under the Presidential Records Act, the White House must preserve all memos, letters, emails, and papers the president touches, sending them to the […]
Federal:
Meet the Guys Who Tape Trump’s Papers Back Together
Politico – Annie Karni | Published: 6/10/2018
Under the Presidential Records Act, the White House must preserve all memos, letters, emails, and papers the president touches, sending them to the National Archives for safekeeping as historical records. But President Trump has an odd and enduring habit of ripping up papers when he is done with them – what some people described as his unofficial “filing system.” White House aides realized early on they were unable to stop Trump. Instead, staffers have the fragments of paper collected from the Oval Office, as well as the private residence, and send it to the records management office to reassemble. “We got Scotch tape, the clear kind,” said Solomon Lartey, a records management analyst. “You found pieces and taped them back together and then you gave it back to the supervisor.”
US Lifts Secrecy on Foreign Lobbying Opinions
Talking Points Memo – Chad Day and Eric Tucker (Associated Press) | Published: 6/8/2018
For the first time, the U.S. Justice Department began releasing advisory opinions about the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The law requires lobbyists to detail their involvement in advocating for foreign governments. The release included memos issued since 2010. The department had kept the opinions secret for decades, a point of contention for transparency advocates and lawyers who specialize in advising clients on complying with the law. The opinions provide an unprecedented view into the thinking of a specialized Justice Department unit whose influence has grown in recent years, propelled by more aggressive enforcement and a special counsel investigation focused on foreign influence operations inside the U.S.
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama: John Merrill Questions Alabama Ethics Commission’s Waivers of Fines
AL.com – Mike Cason | Published: 6/8/2018
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill is questioning the state Ethics Commission’s decision to waive fines for violations of campaign finance law. The penalties are in force for the first time with the 2018 elections. The commission voted to waive civil fines levied against 33 candidates and political committees by Merrill’s office. The fines were for late filing of campaign finance reports, which are required by the Fair Campaign Practices Act to show who contributes to campaigns and how that money is spent. The filing requirements are not new. But a 2015 law aimed to step up enforcement, giving the secretary of state the authority to levy fines and the Ethics Commission the authority to investigate campaign finance violations.
Arkansas: Former Arkansas Lobbyist Pleads Guilty in Bribery Scheme
WRAL – Kelly Kissell (Associated Press) | Published: 6/7/2018
Former lobbyist Milton “Rusty” Cranford pleaded guilty to bribing elected officials in Arkansas. Cranford admitted paying bribes to former state Sen. Jon Woods, former state Rep. Henry Wilkins IV, and a legislator identified only as “Arkansas Senator A.” According to federal prosecutors, the lawmakers diverted state funds and performed legislative favors for Cranford and companies he represented, at times holding up state agency budgets. Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson, a nephew of Gov. Asa Hutchinson, matches the description of “Senator A.”
California: Radical Plan to Split California Into Three States Earns Spot on November Ballot
Los Angeles Times – John Myers | Published: 6/12/2018
A proposal to partition California into three separate states earned enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot. The initiative calls for splitting the Golden State into northern and southern regions, as well as the central coast and Los Angeles Basin. “Three states will get us better infrastructure, better education, and lower taxes,” said Tim Draper, the Silicon Valley venture capitalist who sponsored the ballot measure. The proposal faces an uphill battle. If Californians vote for the separation, the state Legislature would have to approve it, and then Congress would still have to ratify the measure. If approved, it would be the first division of an existing U.S. state since West Virginia was formed out of a part of Virginia in 1863.
Colorado: Federal Judge Finds Portions of Colorado’s Campaign Finance Complaint Process Are Unconstitutional in Ruling Likely to Prompt Big Change
Denver Post – Jesse Paul | Published: 6/13/2018
U.S. District Court Judge Raymond Moore ruled that Colorado’s procedure for bringing campaign finance complaints is unconstitutional. The law allows anyone in the public to file a complaint that is automatically forwarded, without review for merit by the secretary of state’s office, to an administrative law judge. Moore’s ruling essentially means there now has to be some kind of screening mechanism put in place to prevent frivolous cases that can leave defendants facing high attorney fees. Colorado’s deputy secretary of state, Suzanne Staiert, said the decision now means her office has to find a way to satisfy the vetting requirements.
Florida: Ethics Commission: Fernandez misused position to get FSU tickets, catering discount
Tallahassee Democrat – Jeff Burlew | Published: 6/13/2018
The Florida Commission on Ethics said former Tallahassee City Manager Rick Fernandez violated the state’s ethics laws when he accepted Florida State University football tickets from a local lobbyist and a four-figure catering discount from the city-backed Edison restaurant. The panel said Fernandez solicited the football tickets and catering discount in violation of Florida’s gift law, and he either knew or should have known the gifts were given to influence his official action as city manager. The commission did not find probable cause on several other allegations involving a former Edison employee who was given a job at City Hall after Fernandez got the catering discount.
Florida: Lobbyists Face New Requirements at Citizens
WPEC – Jim Turner (News Service of Florida) | Published: 6/13/2018
Lobbyists who represent clients at the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. will have to comply with a new registration process. A registration website will be available August 1, with lobbyists expected to comply with the policy starting September 1, said Citizens President Barry Gilway. All lobbyists currently registered with the executive branch will receive a letter advising them of the changes, Gilway said. The rules would apply to anyone that wants to sway Citizens policy or contracting and who contacts Citizens staff or board members. The rules will not apply to attorneys, agents, adjusters, or other people representing clients in insurance claims or judicial proceedings.
Montana: Governor Signs Executive Order Targeting Dark Money
Montana Public Radio – Corine Cates-Carney | Published: 6/8/2018
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock signed an executive order that aims to shine more light on political donations. Contractors will have to disclose if they have made campaign contributions in excess of $2,500 in the last two years to so-called dark money organizations. Those are groups that are not legally required to make their donor lists public. Any state contractor selling more than $25,000 in services, or $50,000 worth of goods to the state will have to report dark money contributions. According to the governor’s office, there are roughly 500 to 600 state contractors who would fall under the new disclosure requirements.
New York
IDC-Independence Party Campaign Finance Deal Declared Illegal
Albany Times Union – David Lombardo | Published: 6/7/2018
A fundraising agreement between a statewide third party and the New York Senate’s now-defunct Independent Democratic Conference has been deemed invalid by a state Supreme Court justice. The arrangement with the Independence Party boosted then-party leader Jeff Klein’s ability to raise and spend campaign money, as the new account was able to accept six-figure donations and transfer unlimited amounts to candidates. The increased fundraising muscle was flexed in 2016 and had been expected to play a pivotal role in September, when the eight former members of the conference may face Democratic primaries.
New York: New York Files Suit Against President Trump, Alleging His Charity Engaged in ‘Illegal Conduct’
Chicago Tribune – David Fahrenthold (Washington Post) | Published: 6/14/2018
New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood filed a lawsuit against President Trump, the Donald J. Trump Foundation, and members of the Trump family, alleging the charity violated federal and state law. The complaint alleges the foundation provided illegal support to Trump’s 2016 presidential bid by using public funding to promote his candidacy, and raised more than $2.8 million to support the campaign. The lawsuit also says Trump used the foundation to cover legal fees and to promote his properties and businesses. Underwood asked a state judge to dissolve the foundation and sent referral letters to the IRS and FEC for possible further action.
Ohio: Court: States can purge voters who don’t vote or respond to warnings
USA Today – Richard Wolf | Published: 6/11/2018
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled states can clean up their voting rolls by targeting people who have not cast ballots in a while. The justices rejected arguments in a case from Ohio that the practice violates a federal law intended to increase the ranks of registered voters. A handful of other states also use voters’ inactivity to trigger a process that could lead to their removal from the voting rolls. Ohio asks people who have not voted in two years to confirm their eligibility. If they do, or if they show up to vote over the next four years, voters remain registered. If they do nothing, their names eventually fall off the list of registered voters. Justice Stephen Breyer, writing in dissent, said the 1993 law prohibits removing someone from the voting rolls “by reason of the person’s failure to vote. In my view, Ohio’s program does just that.”
Oklahoma: Oklahoma Ethics Commission Raises Fees to Stay in Operation
The Oklahoman – Nolan Clay | Published: 6/9/2018
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted to raise its registration fees from $150 to $250. The change goes into effect July 1. Commissioners acted after they learned the agency could run out of money next fiscal year. They already voted in May to sue over the lack of funding the commission got from the state Legislature. Lawmakers are making the ethics agency use its revolving fund to operate. The fund is made up of the fees collected from lobbyists, candidates, political parties, and PACs.
Washington: Why Google Won’t Run Political Ads in Washington State for Now
Seattle Times – Jim Brunner and Christine Clarridge | Published: 6/7/2018
Google stopped accepting political ads in Washington, the same day that changes to the state’s campaign finance reporting requirements and enforcement procedures took effect. Google acted days after Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson sued the company, along with Facebook, saying the firms are not obeying state law on political ad transparency. The Public Disclosure Commission issued guidelines related to the new law and passed an emergency rule that clarified that digital ad companies like Google are subject to state law requiring them to maintain publicly available information about political ads, just like television stations and other media.
June 14, 2018 •
Guam Election Commission Approves Special Election
The Guam Election Commission approved a special election for August 25. The special election will fill the seat vacated by Public Auditor Doris Brooks. Brooks resigned her position, effective June 22, to run as a candidate for congressional delegate. The […]
The Guam Election Commission approved a special election for August 25.
The special election will fill the seat vacated by Public Auditor Doris Brooks. Brooks resigned her position, effective June 22, to run as a candidate for congressional delegate.
The winner of the special election will complete the remaining two years of Brooks’ term.
June 14, 2018 •
Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance Colorado: “Federal Judge Finds Portions of Colorado’s Campaign Finance Complaint Process Are Unconstitutional in Ruling Likely to Prompt Big Change” by Jesse Paul for Denver Post North Carolina: “Digital Ad Disclosure Bill Squeaks Past Key House Panel” by […]
Campaign Finance
Colorado: “Federal Judge Finds Portions of Colorado’s Campaign Finance Complaint Process Are Unconstitutional in Ruling Likely to Prompt Big Change” by Jesse Paul for Denver Post
North Carolina: “Digital Ad Disclosure Bill Squeaks Past Key House Panel” by Laura Leslie for WRAL
Elections
National: “Republican Voters Embrace Trump-Style Candidates” by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns (New York Times) for WRAL
California: “Radical Plan to Split California Into Three States Earns Spot on November Ballot” by John Myers for Los Angeles Times
Ethics
National: “EPA Chief Scott Pruitt Tapped Aide, Donors to Help Wife Land Job at Conservative Group” by Juliet Eilperin, Josh Dawsey, Brady Dennis, and Shawn Boburg (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune
Florida: “Ethics Commission: Fernandez misused position to get FSU tickets, catering discount” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat
New York: “Ex-Lawmaker Pleads Guilty to Misusing Superstorm Sandy Funds” by Associated Press for New York Daily News
Lobbying
Canada: “Lobbying Czar Calls for Federal Investment after 10 Years of Stagnant Funding” by Teresa Wright (Canadian Press) for CTV News
Florida: “Lobbyists Face New Requirements at Citizens” by Jim Turner (News Service of Florida) for WPEC
Redistricting
Pennsylvania: “Amendment to State Redistricting Bill May Scuttle” by Liz Navratil, Gillian McGoldrick, and Jonathan Lai for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
June 12, 2018 •
Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance Alabama: “John Merrill Questions Alabama Ethics Commission’s Waivers of Fines” by Mike Cason for AL.com Arizona: “Critics Slam Michele Reagan Over Election Funding Site ‘That Doesn’t Work’” by Dustin Gardiner for Arizona Republic Colorado: “Judge Dismisses Campaign Complaint […]
Campaign Finance
Alabama: “John Merrill Questions Alabama Ethics Commission’s Waivers of Fines” by Mike Cason for AL.com
Arizona: “Critics Slam Michele Reagan Over Election Funding Site ‘That Doesn’t Work’” by Dustin Gardiner for Arizona Republic
Colorado: “Judge Dismisses Campaign Complaint Against Denver Council President, Saying State Law Doesn’t Apply to City” by Jon Murray for Denver Post
Elections
National: “Court: States can purge voters who don’t vote or respond to warnings” by Richard Wolf for USA Today
Ethics
National: “Meet the Guys Who Tape Trump’s Papers Back Together” by Annie Karni for Politico
Florida: “Ousted Tallahassee City Manager Rick Fernandez Slapped with State Ethics Violations” by Jeff Burlew and Jeffrey Schweers for Tallahassee Democrat
Illinois: “Rauner Signs Ethics Overhaul Amid Harassment Allegations at the Capitol” by Monique Garcia for Chicago Tribune
Missouri: “Jean Peters Baker Declines to File Charges against Eric Greitens” by Steve Vickrodt, Bryan Lowry, and Allison Kite for Kansas City Star
Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Ethics Commission Raises Fees to Stay in Operation” by Nolan Clay for The Oklahoman
June 7, 2018 •
Unopposed Kansas Primaries Sets Candidates for November Special Election
The filing deadline to run for the Kansas Senate seat in District 13 passed setting up unopposed elections for both the Democratic and Republican primaries on August 7. Incumbent state Sen. Richard Hilderbrand will run against the primary winners in […]
The filing deadline to run for the Kansas Senate seat in District 13 passed setting up unopposed elections for both the Democratic and Republican primaries on August 7.
Incumbent state Sen. Richard Hilderbrand will run against the primary winners in the special election set for November 6.
Hilderbrand was appointed last year when former Sen. Jacob LaTurner accepted the position of state treasurer.
The winner of the special election will complete the remaining two years of LaTurner’s term.
June 7, 2018 •
Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance National: “‘The Movement Now Transcends the Kochs.’ What David Koch’s Departure Means for the Political Network He Helped Build.” by James Hohmann and Amy Gardner for Washington Post Alabama: “Ethics Commission Says Campaign Funds Can Pay Child Care” […]
Campaign Finance
National: “‘The Movement Now Transcends the Kochs.’ What David Koch’s Departure Means for the Political Network He Helped Build.” by James Hohmann and Amy Gardner for Washington Post
Alabama: “Ethics Commission Says Campaign Funds Can Pay Child Care” by Mike Cason for AL.com
Elections
California: “Democrats Poised to Claim Ballot Slots in Nearly All House Districts in California” by David Weigel, Mike DeBonis, David Fahrenthold, and Elise Viebeck for Washington Post
Ethics
National: “Scott Pruitt Enlisted an EPA Aide to Help His Wife Find a Job – with Chick-fil-A” by Juliet Eilperin, Brady Dennis, and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) for MSN
Colorado: “Former Secretary of State Scott Gessler Loses Ethics Fight in Colorado Supreme Court” by Marianne Goodland (ColoradoPolitics.com) for Colorado Springs Gazette
Florida: “Sources: Ethics Commission prosecutor recommends charges against Fernandez” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat
Louisiana: “Louisiana Lawmakers Are Pushing Bills That Benefit Their Own Businesses. And It’s Perfectly Legal.” by Rebekah Allen (New Orleans Advocate) for ProPublica
Lobbying
United Kingdom: “Most Charities Say Lobbying Act Has Made Their Work Harder, Says Report” by Liam Kay for Third Sector
Missouri: “In About-Face, New Missouri Gov. Parson Says He Won’t Accept Lobbyist Gifts” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star
June 6, 2018 •
Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance Washington: “Attorney General Bob Ferguson Sues Facebook and Google Over Political Ad Records” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times Elections National: “Surge of Obama Alumni Running for Office in Wake of President Trump’s Election” by Nicole Gaudiano for […]
Campaign Finance
Washington: “Attorney General Bob Ferguson Sues Facebook and Google Over Political Ad Records” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times
Elections
National: “Surge of Obama Alumni Running for Office in Wake of President Trump’s Election” by Nicole Gaudiano for USA Today
Ethics
National: “Aide Sought a New Apartment for Pruitt, as Well as an ‘Old Mattress’ From Trump Hotel” by Lisa Friedman and Eric Lipton (New York Times) for WRAL
National: “Mueller Accuses Paul Manafort of Attempted Witness Tampering” by Matt Apuzzo (New York Times) for MSN
Colorado: “Hickenlooper Vetoes Bill to Reduce Conflicts of Interests on Colorado’s Sex-Offender Management Board” by Christopher Osher for Denver Post
South Carolina: “S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson Hasn’t Severed Ties to Controversial Quinn Family” by Kirk Brown (Anderson Independent Mail) for Greenville News
Lobbying
Canada: “Lobby Wrap: Facebook’s Chan on registry along with his boss” by Sartah Turnbull for iPolitics.b
Kentucky: “Kentucky Senator Was on Trip at Center of FBI’s Probe of Ohio Speaker” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier Journal
June 4, 2018 •
Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Elections National: “Trump Ran as a Renegade. Now He’s Trying to Keep Them at Bay.” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times Ethics National: “Lawsuit Says Citizenship Question on Census Targets Minorities for Political Gain” by Michael Wines for New […]
Elections
National: “Trump Ran as a Renegade. Now He’s Trying to Keep Them at Bay.” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times
Ethics
National: “Lawsuit Says Citizenship Question on Census Targets Minorities for Political Gain” by Michael Wines for New York Times
Arizona: “Bribery Trial Involving Ex-Utility Regulator, Three Others Begins” by Michael Kiefer for Arizona Republic
Illinois: “Lawmaker Resigns from Madigan’s Leadership Team Following Allegations of Retaliation, Verbal Abuse” by Monique Garcia, Ray Long, and Kim Grieger for Chicago Tribune
New York: “The #MeToo Movement Came to Albany. But Will It Stick?” by Vivian Wang for New York Times
New York: “Mangano Corruption Trial Ends in Mistrial on Long Island” by Colin Moynihan for New York Times
Lobbying
Florida: “Gillum Meeting with FBI Undercover Agents Took Shape During Costa Rica Trip with Lobbyists” by Jeffrey Schweers for Tallahassee Democrat
Procurement
Kansas: “After Backlash, Kansas DCF Strikes New Rule Banning Opposition to Agency” by Sherman Smith for Hayes Daily News
May 25, 2018 •
News You Can Use Digest – May 25, 2018
Federal: The Princes, the President and the Fortune Seekers Seattle Times – Desmond Butler and Tom LoBianco (Associated Press) | Published: 5/21/2018 Two Americans sought to leverage access to President Trump while angling for lucrative contracts from two Gulf countries […]
Federal:
The Princes, the President and the Fortune Seekers
Seattle Times – Desmond Butler and Tom LoBianco (Associated Press) | Published: 5/21/2018
Two Americans sought to leverage access to President Trump while angling for lucrative contracts from two Gulf countries wanting to shift U.S. foreign policy against Qatar. Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy and businessperson George Nader reportedly worked to catch the president’s ear by passing along praise from the princes of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Broidy and Nader, who marketed themselves as having a back channel to the Oval Office, sought million-dollar contracts with the two Gulf countries for their efforts, according to the Associated Press investigation. The AP previously reported that Broidy and Nader sought to pass an anti-Qatar bill through Congress, while trying to hide their money trail related to such efforts. Nader is now reportedly cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller’s team of investigators, who are said to be examining foreign influence inside the Trump White House.
Trump Violated the Constitution When He Blocked His Critics on Twitter, a Federal Judge Rules
Tampa Bay Times – Brian Fung and Hamza Shaban (Washington Post) | Published: 5/23/2018
U.S. District Court Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald ruled President Trump cannot block people from viewing his Twitter feed over their political views. Buchwald said the president’s Twitter account is a public forum and blocking people who reply to his tweets with differing opinions constitutes viewpoint discrimination, which violates the First Amendment. The government does not dispute that Trump blocked the Twitter users for political reasons, but the Justice Department had argued the president was largely acting in a personal capacity. Buchwald did not order Trump to unblock his followers, saying clarification of the law is sufficient to resolve the dispute. Should the president ignore the ruling, analysts say, future litigation could force Twitter to unblock Trump’s followers unilaterally.
Washington Lobbyists Put on Notice Over Foreign Agent Law
Associated Press – Chad Day and Eric Tucker | Published: 5/22/2018
The prosecution of a Pakistani man in Maryland reflects what current and former U.S. Justice Department officials say is an aggressive enforcement strategy against unregistered foreign agents that began even before special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation exposed a shadowy world of international influence peddling. Officials say they are not interpreting any differently the little-known law called the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires people to disclose when they lobby in the U.S. on behalf of foreign governments or political entities. But they have been taking a more aggressive approach, asking more probing questions of people and firms they suspect need to register, requesting more documents, and conducting investigations with an eye toward bringing criminal charges when appropriate.
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama: Reform Commission Begins Work on Alabama Ethics Law
AL.com – Mike Cason | Published: 5/17/2018
A committee created to propose changes to the law governing ethics for Alabama officials, public employees, lobbyists, and others is aiming to have a proposal ready in October, allowing time to fine tune it before the 2019 legislative session starts March 5. Deputy Attorney General Mike Duffy was the main author of an ethics bill that was introduced during the 2018 legislative session. Lawmakers decided to set it aside and created the Ethics Reform Commission with the goal of passing reforms next year. Duffy said meetings with people affected by the law helped identify areas of concern that were addressed in the bill, such as more clearly defining who is considered a “principal.”
Arizona: Array of Arizona Politicians, Lobbyists Connected to Bribery Case
Arizona Capitol Times – Katie Campbell | Published: 5/18/2018
The trial of a former regulator, a utility owner, and a lobbyist has tentacles that stretch to many others in Arizona’s political universe. Eighty-two prospective witnesses may be called to testify at the trial scheduled to begin May 30. Former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce and his wife, Sherry, along with lobbyist Jim Norton and Johnson Utilities owner George Johnson, face charges of felony conspiracy, bribery, and fraud. Barry Aarons, who has lobbied at the Legislature for 40 years, said the public is in for a bad impression of Arizona politics no matter the outcome of the trial. “It reinforces that sense people have that the whole thing is corrupt,” said Aarons.
Florida: Florida’s Porous Campaign Finance Laws: ‘You can do almost anything’
Tampa Bay Times – Gary Fineout (Associated Press) | Published: 5/21/2018
So far, at least $13 million has been spent on television ads in the Florida governor’s race that includes six candidates vying for the job that will be vacated by Rick Scott. Television ads are poised to play a crucial role in the race since polls continue to show a majority of the state’s voters do not really know the Republican or Democratic candidates vying to replace him. Some of the ads are being paid for by groups that insist they have no legal obligation to disclose who is paying for them. Other ads are being coordinated with campaigns relying on their own legal interpretation to sidestep laws and rules intended to place limits on ad campaigns being funded by large donors. Mark Herron, an election law attorney based in Tallahassee, said: “You can do almost anything in Florida if you put it in the right bucket.”
Florida: Want to Speak at a Miami Beach Meeting? For Business Owners, That Could Cost $850
Miami Herald – Kyra Gurney | Published: 5/24/2018
Businesses owners who want to speak to public officials in Miami Beach are required to register as lobbyists under Miami-Dade County law and the city charges lobbyists a $500 registration fee plus $350 for each issue on which they plan to lobby. Most cities waive lobbying fees for business owners speaking on their own behalf. While the Miami Beach fees might not be a problem for big businesses and the lobbying firms hired to represent them, they have deterred several “mom-and-pop” business owners from speaking at a city commission meeting.
Georgia: Stacey Abrams Wins Georgia Democratic Primary for Governor, Making History
MSN – Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns (New York Times) | Published: 5/22/2018
Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams won the Democratic primary, bringing her a step closer to becoming the nation’s first African-American woman governor. By defeating Stacey Evans, Abrams also became the state’s first black nominee for governor. The general election is sure to draw national attention as voters determine whether a black woman can win in the Deep South, a region that has not had an African-American governor since Reconstruction. Abrams has signaled she is unlikely to spend much time persuading rural whites to return to a Democratic Party they have largely abandoned. She has embarked instead on a strategy of energizing a coalition of young and nonwhite Georgians who represent a growing share of the state’s population.
Louisiana: New Orleans City Council to Investigate Entergy for Paying Actors to Lobby for Power Plant
New Orleans Times-Picayune – Beau Evans | Published: 5/18/2018
In the wake of Entergy’s admission of waging an “astroturf” lobbying campaign leading up to the approval of a power plant in New Orleans, the city council will change public comment cards and introduce legislation to require lobbying groups register. Entergy conducted an internal investigation that found one of its contractors, Hawthorn Group, hired Crowds on Demand, which admitted to paying actors to testify in support of the power plant. The investigation also found Entergy’s contractors coordinated to have other people paid to sit in the audience of a council meeting to show support for the plant with handmade signs.
Maine: Legislative Typo Threatens to Undermine Clean Elections Campaigns
Lewiston Sun Journal – Kevin Miller (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 5/21/2018
Maine lawmakers left dozens of measures in limbo when they adjourned the 2018 legislative session. Advocates for the state’s public campaign finance system and a state ethics commission official warn that a little-noticed victim of the partisan rancor could have significant financial ramifications for the November 2018 elections. Lawmakers failed to pass a routine “errors and inconsistencies” bill to correct unintended budget language that prevents the ethics panel from disbursing additional money to clean elections candidates starting on July 1. As a result, more than 200 legislative candidates and potentially three gubernatorial campaigns will be unable to tap into at least $3 million, money that lawmakers already have budgeted for the public campaign finance system, in the final months of the election season.
Missouri: Missouri Lawmakers Can Keep Accepting Lobbyist Gifts After Failing to Pass Amendment
Kansas City Star – Allison Kite and Jason Hancock | Published: 5/18/2018
Missouri lawmakers can keep accepting free meals, drinks, and event tickets after the House defeated a proposed constitutional amendment. Sen. Jason Holsman had sought to ban lobbyist gifts and alter legislative term limits. The House brought up the proposal in the last hour of the legislative session only to move on moments later after some lawmakers tried to attach tried to attach amendments and sink the proposal. When the session ended, the proposal died.
Montana: Appeals Court Upholds Montana Campaign Finance Reform Law
Washington Times; Associated Press – | Published: 5/23/2018
A three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Montana’s 2015 law to increase campaign reporting and disclosure meets constitutional muster. A group called Montanans for Community Development was unwilling to register and disclose its donors and spending as required under the statute. The appeals panel called the group’s constitutional claims against the law “scattershot.” It also called the group’s argument “absurd” that the law’s requirement to file electronic campaign reports may be unconstitutional.
New York: From the E.R. to the Garden, M.T.A. Chief Holds Unusually Powerful Perch
New York Times – Brian Rosenthal | Published: 5/22/2018
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo last June selected Joseph Lhota to head the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). But Lhota would only agree to return to the position he held in 2012 on the condition that he could keep his full-time job as the chief of staff of one of the state’s biggest hospital networks, and also retain the prerogative to join any other paid board he wanted. While Lhota remains a respected official, his growing web of jobs has led to potential conflicts-of-interest and competition for his time, complicating the still-flailing effort to resuscitate a transit system used by millions of people every day. Nobody has ever led the MTA while balancing as many other leadership posts as Lhota.
Oklahoma: Many Felons Can’t Vote, But They Can Lobby at the Capitol
Oklahoma Watchdog – Paul Monies | Published: 5/16/2018
Questions have come up in recent years about who can be barred from becoming a registered lobbyist in Oklahoma and whether elected officials should be banned from accepting jobs as lobbyists shortly after leaving office. An Ethics Commission rule requiring a two-year waiting period before certain officials could become lobbyists was rejected by the Legislature this year, with some lawmakers saying it was unjust to deny people the freedom to seek private employment. The issue becomes trickier when it involves someone convicted of a felony. Nothing in state law or ethics rules prohibits lawmakers convicted of felonies from lobbying their former colleagues, but their ability to do so depends largely on prosecutors’ demands.
Pennsylvania: Pa. House GOP Leaders Planning to Impose Sanctions Against Rep. Nick Miccarelli
PennLive.com – Jan Murphy | Published: 5/17/2018
Pennsylvania House Republican leaders said they were moving to take away committee assignments from Rep. Nick Miccarelli, who is accused of abusing two women who dated him, including a fellow lawmaker who is now assigned a bodyguard while she is at the statehouse. The GOP leaders accused Miccarelli of repeatedly violating a caucus policy against retaliation, even after he was told several times about it. Rep. Tarah Toohil obtained a protective order against Miccarelli in March and House leaders provided her with a security escort when she is in the Capitol. The leaders said they also are moving Miccarelli’s desk on the chamber floor, so it will be farther from Toohil’s.
May 24, 2018 •
Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Elections Alabama: “Competition Sparse in Many Alabama Legislative Districts” by Mike Cason for AL.com Georgia: “Stacey Abrams Wins Georgia Democratic Primary for Governor, Making History” by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns (New York Times) for MSN Ethics National: “Senate Anti-Harassment […]
Elections
Alabama: “Competition Sparse in Many Alabama Legislative Districts” by Mike Cason for AL.com
Georgia: “Stacey Abrams Wins Georgia Democratic Primary for Governor, Making History” by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns (New York Times) for MSN
Ethics
National: “Senate Anti-Harassment Bill Could See Fast Action” by Katherine Tull-McManus for Roll Call
National: “Michael Cohen’s Business Partner Agrees to Cooperate as Part of Plea Deal” by Danny Hakim, William Rashbaum, and Vivian Wang for MSN
Massachusetts: “Galvin Disciplines Employees for Performing Political Tasks on Government Time” by Matt Stout for Boston Globe
Ohio: “Cincinnati Councilman Jeff Pastor’s Campaign: Unusual donations, loans, gifts to churches” by Sharon Coolidge for Cincinnati Enquirer
Texas: “Democratic State Rep. Ron Reynolds Likely Headed to Jail after Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Refuses to Review His Case” by Jolie McCullough for Texas Tribune
Lobbying
National: “Lobbying Firm Shuttered, but Tony Podesta’s Fate in Mueller Probe Still a Mystery” by Trish Turner for ABC News
May 22, 2018 •
Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Elections National: “Trump Jr. and Other Aides Met with Gulf Emissary Offering Help to Win Election” by Mark Mazzetti, Ronen Bergman, and David Kilpatrick (New York Times) for MSN National: “Justice Department Calls for Inquiry after Trump Demands Probe into […]
Elections
National: “Trump Jr. and Other Aides Met with Gulf Emissary Offering Help to Win Election” by Mark Mazzetti, Ronen Bergman, and David Kilpatrick (New York Times) for MSN
National: “Justice Department Calls for Inquiry after Trump Demands Probe into Whether FBI ‘Infiltrated or Surveilled’ His Campaign” by Matt Zapotosky, Robert Costa, and David Nakamura (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “Blankenship to Run Third-Party Senate Campaign after Losing GOP Primary” by Ben Kamisar for The Hill
Ethics
National: “#MeToo Leader, also a California Lawmaker, Disciplined for Sexual Harassment” by John Myers (Tribune News Service) for Governing
Missouri: “Now What? Greitens Special Session Underway as House Intensifies Investigation” by Jack Suntrup for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Tennessee: “Diane Black Took Flight on Private Plane Linked to Company That Benefited from Her Politicking” by Joel Ebert and Dave Boucher for The Tennessean
Lobbying
Louisiana: “New Orleans City Council to Investigate Entergy for Paying Actors to Lobby for Power Plant” by Beau Evans for New Orleans Times-Picayune
Missouri: “Missouri Lawmakers Can Keep Accepting Lobbyist Gifts After Failing to Pass Amendment” by Allison Kite and Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star
May 21, 2018 •
Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance Missouri: “Greitens Won’t Face Charges for Allegedly Lying to State Ethics Commission” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star Ethics National: “Ethics Panel Gives Menendez Wide Latitude for Repayment of Gifts from Melgen” by Matt Friedman for Politico […]
Campaign Finance
Missouri: “Greitens Won’t Face Charges for Allegedly Lying to State Ethics Commission” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star
Ethics
National: “Ethics Panel Gives Menendez Wide Latitude for Repayment of Gifts from Melgen” by Matt Friedman for Politico
National: “Kushners Near Deal with Qatar-Linked Company for Troubled Tower” by Charles Bagli and Jesse Drucker (New York Times) for Seattle Times
Arizona: “Array of Arizona Politicians, Lobbyists Connected to Bribery Case” by Katie Campbell for Arizona Capitol Times
Kentucky: “In Two Years, Council Members Have Spent Over $20,000 on Gala Tickets for Themselves, Staff and Family” by Joe Sonka for Insider Louisville
Legislative Issues
Pennsylvania: “Pa. House GOP Leaders Planning to Impose Sanctions Against Rep. Nick Miccarelli” by Jan Murphy for PennLive.com
Lobbying
National: “Millions Flow to Fast-Growing Lobbying Firms with Ties to the Trump Administration” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today
Alabama: “Reform Commission Begins Work on Alabama Ethics Law” by Mike Cason for AL.com
Oklahoma: “Many Felons Can’t Vote, But They Can Lobby at the Capitol” by Paul Monies for Oklahoma Watchdog
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