Lobbying

“Trump Appointee Is a Saudi Government Lobbyist” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity

Ethics

“‘Give Me a Chance,’ Trump Associate-Turned-Housing-Official Says” by Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times

“E.P.A. Official Pressured Scientist on Congressional Testimony, Emails Show” by Coral Davenport for New York Times

“FBI Has Questioned Trump Campaign Adviser Carter Page at Length in Russia Probe” by Devlin Barrett for Washington Post

Florida: “For Those Suspected of Corruption Elsewhere, South Florida Still a Magnet” by Kyra Gurney for Miami Herald

Michigan: “Marijuana Licensing Board Members Must Disclose Their Finances – but What Will Be Public?” by Paul Egan for Detroit Free Press

New York: “Yankee Stadium Charity Is Called into Question” by Micah Hauser for New York Times

Vermont: “Feds Looking into Jane Sanders Over Real Estate Deal” by Wilson Ring (Associated Press) for Burlington Free Press

Elections

“‘It’s the End of Small Talk in Washington’” by Daniel Lippman and John Harris for Politico Magazine

Lobbying

“Ex-Lobbyists Swarm Trump Administration, despite ‘Drain the Swamp’ Pledge” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today

California: “San Jose Politicians Can Soon Accept Gifts Up to $470, a Major Change in City Rules” by Ramona Giwarges for San Jose Mercury News

Illinois: “Ald. King Defends Husband Who Faces Fine for Lobbying Violation” by Hal Dardick for Chicago Tribune

Missouri: “Ethics Complaint Accuses Missouri Senate Leader’s Ally of Unregistered Lobbying” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Campaign Finance

Connecticut: “State Elections Watchdogs: No campaign cash for Ganim” by Brian Lockhart and Bill Cummings for Connecticut Post

Pennsylvania: “Philadelphians Could Be on the Hook for Political Campaign Expenses” by Claudia Vargas for Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethics

Florida: “Using Ethics Loophole, Sen. Lauren Book Votes to Give Her Nonprofit $1.5 Million” by Francisco Alvarado for FloridaBulldog.org

New Mexico: “State Ethics Panel Is a Work in Progress” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

New York: “Lack of Reforms at NY Capitol Called ‘Pathetic’” by Joseph Spector for Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin

Elections

“Obama’s Secret Struggle to Punish Russia for Putin’s Election Assault” by Greg Miller, Ellen Nakashima, and Adam Entous for Washington Post

Lobbying

Kentucky: “Ethics Panel Appeals Ruling That Allows Lobbyists to Give Gifts, Money to Lawmakers” by Jack Brammer for Lexington Herald-Leader

Campaign Finance

Florida: “The Miami Beach Mystery PAC Is Under State Investigation” by Nicholas Nehamas, Joey Flechas, and David Ovalle for Miami Herald

Ethics

“Trump Seeks Sharp Cuts to Housing Aid, Except for Program That Brings Him Millions” by Shawn Boburg for Washington Post

“Despite Concerns About Blackmail, Flynn Heard C.I.A. Secrets” by Matt Apuzzo, Matthew Rosenberg, and Adam Goldman for New York Times

Kentucky: “Consultant Sentenced to Prison for Part in Kickback Scheme” by Adam Beam (Associated Press) for U.S. News & World Report

Colorado: “As Pot Comes Out of the Black Market, Regulators Face Scrutiny” by Associated Press for Boston Herald

New York: “New York Ethics Agency Hit with Harassment Lawsuit” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Oregon: “Oregon Ethics Commission Resumes Investigation of John Kitzhaber and Cylvia Hayes” by Hillary Borrud for Portland Oregonian

Pennsylvania: “Two Executives with Allentown Contracts Plead Guilty in FBI Corruption Investigation” by Emily Opilo and Peter Hall for Allentown Morning News

Elections

“Some States Beat Supreme Court to Punch on Eliminating Gerrymanders” by Thomas Fuller and Michael Wines for New York Times

Lobbying

California: “Lobbying Firm Fined $4,000 for Violating Gift Limit Buying Dinner for Former State Sen. Ronald Calderon” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times

Campaign Finance

Tennessee: “Amid Investigation, Tennessee Legislative Leaders Call for Review of Double Dipping” by Joel Ebert and Dave Boucher for The Tennessean

Ethics

“The Not-So-Bitter Rivalry of Dean Baquet and Marty Baron” by Joe Pompeo for Politico

“In Trump’s Washington, Public Business Increasingly Handled Behind Closed Doors” by Philip Ricker and Ed O’Keefe for Washington Post

“How the Russia Investigation Entangled a Manafort Protégé” by Nicholas Confessore and Barry Meier for New York Times

Alabama: “Alabama Ethics Commission Levies More Than $100,000 in Fines” by Mike Cason for AL.com

Kentucky: “Fired Lawyer to Get Settlement from Kentucky Over Her ‘Whistleblower’ Case About Sex Toys” by Deborah Yetter for Louisville Courier-Journal

North Carolina: “Is North Carolina the Future of American Politics?” by Jason Zengerle for New York Times

Elections

Georgia: “Republican Karen Handel Defeats Democrat Jon Ossoff in Georgia’s 6th Congressional District” by Robert Costa, Paul Kane, and Elise Viebeck  for Washington Post

On June 22, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia will resume following an election without any clear mandate for the direction of the government.

The provincial election held last month produced no party winning with a majority in the 87-seat Assembly. A proclamation calling for the convening of the Assembly was confirmed by Judith Guichon, the 29th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and the representative of the Crown in the province, and was released on June 12.

A speech from the Throne is expected in the afternoon of the 22nd.

Campaign Finance

Missouri: “Questions Mount on List of Charity Donors at Center of Greitens Ethics Fine” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

New Mexico: “Secretary of State Planning New Campaign Funding Rules” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

Elections

Virginia: “Northam Wins Democratic Gubernatorial Primary in Virginia” by Gregory Schneider for Washington Post

Ethics

“Special Counsel Starts Investigating Trump for Possible Obstruction of Justice, Officials Say” by Devlin Barrett, Adam Entous, Ellen Nakashima, and Sari Horwitz for Washington Post

“After the Shootings, Calls for Unity Amid Recriminations and Finger-Pointing” by Dan Balz for Washington Post

“Democrats in Congress to Sue Trump Over Foreign Business Dealings” by Sharon LaFraniere for New York Times

Maryland: “Baltimore County Council Bills Target Public Meetings, Ethics, Developer Contributions” by Pamela Wood for Baltimore Sun

Vermont: “Scott Calls New Ethics Law a Step to Restore Trust in Government” by Dan Schwartz for VTDigger.org

West Virginia: “Union’s Organizing Restricted Days After Calling for WV DHHR Chief’s Ouster” by Jake Zuckerman for Charleston Gazette

Lobbying

“Seizing on Opioid Crisis, a Drug Maker Lobbies Hard for Its Product” by Abby Goodnough and Kate Zernike for New York Times

Illinois: “Ethics Board Finds Two More Lobbying Violations Tied to Emanuel Emails” by Bill Ruthhart for Chicago Tribune

Kentucky: “State Senator Says Judges Ruling Against Kentucky’s Strict Legislative Ethics Code a Victory for Free Speech” by Don Weber for Spectrum News

Ethics

“Jeff Sessions Testifies: Refuses to say whether he spoke to Trump about Comey’s handling of Russia investigation” by Sari Horwitz, Devlin Barrett, and Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

“Religious Liberals Sat Out of Politics for 40 Years. Now They Want in the Game.” by Laurie Goodstein for New York Times

“COVFEFE Act Would Make Social Media a Presidential Record” by Joe Uchill for The Hill

Arizona: “Now Under Indictment, Gary Pierce Was Known for Unpopular Decisions as Utility Regulator” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic

Florida: “No Charges Filed in Mysterious Autism Charity Case” by Monique Madan for Miami Herald

Montana: “Anger Management but No Jail in Gianforte Body-Slam Saga” by Bobby Caina Calvan and Amy Beth Hanson (Associated Press) for KWWL

Oregon: “Oregon Bill Will Set Public Records Deadlines” by Hillary Borrud for Portland Oregonian

Elections

“Russian Cyber Hacks on U.S. Electoral System Far Wider Than Previously Known” by Michael Riley and Jordan Robertson for Bloomberg.com

Legislative Issues

“Senate Republicans Back Off Proposed Restrictions on Media” by Alexander Bolton for The Hill

South Carolina: “Lack of Guidance from South Carolina Lawmakers on Lieutenant Governor’s Role Clouds Start of 2018 Elections” by Maya Prabhu for Charleston Post and Courier

 Becky Campbell is here to deliver all the government relations and ethics news you can use from around the country in this weeks video digest!

Lobbying

Arizona: “Arizona Attorney General Investigating Phoenix Law Firm’s Falsified Lobbying Documents” by Dustin Gardiner and Rob O’Dell for Arizona Republic

Campaign Finance

“Why the High Court Sidestepped a Soft Money Case” by Joseph Williams for U.S. News & World Report

Maryland: “Mayor Pugh Calls Gary Brown ‘a Good Employee,’ Stands by Him Following Guilty Finding” by Yvonne Wagner for Baltimore Sun

Missouri: “Campaign Finance Decision Being Appealed” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Pennsylvania: “Claiming ‘Taco Bell’ Tastes, Philly DA Williams Drew Questions Early on with Elaborate Campaign Spending” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethics

“A Vocal Defender of Ethics Has Fans – and Foes” by Nicholas Fandos for New York Times

Massachusetts: “Former Top Mass. Lawmaker Often Helped His Business, Family” by Andrea Estes for Boston Globe

New York: “Ex-Sterne Agee Executive Admits to N.Y. Pension Fund Bribes” by Christian Berthelson for Bloomberg.com

New York: “Appeals Court Vacates Former State Senator’s Conviction and Fine” by Benjamin Weiser for New York Times

Oregon: “Republican Confirmed to State Ethics Panel Despite Democrats’ Outcry” by Gordon Friedman for Portland Oregonian

Elections

Ohio: “High Court to Review Ohio’s Method for Removing Voters from Registration Rolls” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

Connecticut: “Divided House Forwards Campaign Bill to Senate” by Christine Stuart for CTNewsJunkie.com

Missouri: “Missouri Pay-to-Play Allegations Heat Up Over New Links Between Lawmaker, Megadonor” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Ohio: “Dayton Mayor Using Uncapped Mayoral Campaign Fund for Gubernatorial Bid, AP Reports” by Associated Press for Cleveland Plain Dealer

Ethics

“Jared Kushner Now a Focus in Russia Investigation” by Matt Zapotosky, Sari Horwitz, Devlin Barrett, and Adam Entous for Washington Post

Alabama: “Mike Hubbard Appeals Ethics Convictions; Says Prosecutors Misinterpreted Law” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser

Arizona: “Ex-Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce, Lobbyist Jim Norton Indicted” by Rachel Leingang and Hank Stephenson for Arizona Capitol Times

California: “Taxpayer Money Wasted on Bar Tabs, Trips to Las Vegas and Expensive Electronics in South El Monte, Audit Shows” by Adam Elmahrek for Los Angeles Times

South Carolina: “More Than 50 Accusations Against Public Officials Await Stalled South Carolina Ethics Commission” by Maya Prabhu for Charleston Post and Courier

Texas: “Bills Aimed at Restricting Lobbyists Die in Texas House” by Sean Collins Walsh for Austin American-Statesman

Elections

“The GOP Inherits What Trump Has Wrought” by Karen Tumulty and Robert Costa for Washington Post

“‘Anyone … with a Pulse’: How a Russia-friendly adviser found his way into the Trump campaign” by Tom Hamburger and Rosalind Helderman for Washington Post

Lobbying

Missouri: “Greitens Nonprofit Lobbies for Legislation, But Isn’t Registered to Lobby” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post Dispatch

National:

Sean Hannity Done Talking About Seth Rich and WikiLeaks ‘for Now’ as Fox News Retracts Story
Washinton Post – Kristine Phillips and Peter Holley | Published: 5/24/2017

Fox News retracted a story linking the murder of a Democratic National Committee staff member with the email hacks that aided Donald Trump’s campaign, effectively quashing a conspiracy theory that had taken hold across the right-wing news media. The story of the murdered aide, Seth Rich, who was 27 when he was shot near his Washington, D.C. home in July, has been seized on by conservative pundits as an alternative narrative to the cascade of damaging revelations about the Trump administration’s ties to Russian officials who meddled in the presidential election. No evidence to support that theory has emerged, and the Washington Metropolitan Police Department is still investigating the case.

Work and Politics: What rights do employees have?
USA Today – Charisse Jones and Michael Izzo | Published: 5/16/2017

A U.S. House member’s letter that helped push a New Jersey attorney to resign after her boss was told she was a grassroots “ringleader,” sparked questions about how much an employer can clamp down on an employee’s activism. In an era of heightened political tensions, when many Americans are marching and boycotting for perhaps the first time, the case is showing how politics and the workplace can collide.

Federal:

‘Soft Money’ Rules Upheld by Supreme Court
Bloomberg BNA – Kenneth Doyle | Published: 5/23/2017

The U.S. Supreme Court turned away a Republican challenge to a federal campaign finance restriction that prevents political parties from raising unlimited amounts of cash to spend on supporting candidates. The Republican Party of Louisiana had argued a provision of the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) violates its free speech rights. But the justices let stand a lower court’s ruling that rejected the challenge. BCRA barred state and local parties from taking unlimited donations for any activities concerning federal elections. Such contributions are often called soft money because they are unregulated.

Trump Asked Intelligence Chiefs to Push Back against FBI Collusion Probe after Comey Revealed Its Existence
Washington Post – Adam Entous and Ellen Nakashima | Published: 5/22/2017

President Trump called two of the nation’s top intelligence officials – Dan Coats, the director of National Intelligence, and Admiral Michael Rogers, director of the National Security Agency – and urged them to publicly deny there is any evidence of collusion between his campaign and the Russians. The requests came in the days after then-FBI Director James Comey publicly confirmed the FBI was probing the Trump-Russia connection in his testimony before the House Intelligence Committee on March 20. Coats and Rogers refused to comply with the requests, which they both deemed to be inappropriate.

White House Moves to Block Ethics Inquiry into Ex-Lobbyists on Payroll
New York Times – Eric Lipton | Published: 5/22/2017

The Trump administration is trying to block an effort from the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) to find out the names of lobbyists who have been granted waivers to work in the federal government. The White House sent a letter to OGE Director Walter Shaub, challenging the agency’s authority to see the waivers. President Trump in January signed an executive order that banned lobbyists hired in his administration from working with former clients or on issues they had been involved with for two years unless they received a waiver. Dozens of former lobbyists and industry lawyers are now working in the administration. Keeping the waivers confidential would make it impossible to know whether those officials are violating ethics rules or have been given a pass to ignore them.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona – Phoenix Moves to Implement New Rules for Lobbyists Following Republic Report
Arizona Republic – Rob O’Dell and Dustin Gardiner | Published: 5/23/2017

The city council gave preliminary approval to amending Phoenix’s lobbying ordinance so those who do not comply with its registration or expense disclosure rules can face sanctions, including fines of up to $2,500, suspension from lobbying, and possible jail time for repeated offenses. The new law also would apply rules to lobbyists’ communication with far more officials at the city. The council also approved a news definition of “lobbyist.” The council will hold one more vote to finalize the changes.

Arkansas – Panel: Dallas Cowboys owner violated Arkansas ethics law
Arkansas Online – John Lyon (Arkansas News Bureau) | Published: 5/20/2017

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who grew up in North Little Rock, paid for the city’s police officers and their families to attend a Cowboys home game of their choice late last season, with travel and lodging accommodations included. The gifts were in recognition of police service and volunteer work in the community. The Arkansas Ethics Commission ruled Jones had committed “an unintentional violation” by making the gift. Jones will receive a warning letter. No sanction was imposed because of his reliance on “the erroneous conclusion” in a North Little Rock City Council resolution. Through that resolution, the council accepted the gifts and subsequently passed them along to the officers as an employee benefit.

Iowa – Ethics Complaint Against Iowa Gun Owners Leader Dismissed
Des Moines Register – Brianne Pfannenstiel | Published: 5/22/2017

A man who has sometimes registered as a statehouse lobbyist was called a “liar” and “immoral,” but the House Ethics Committee dismissed a complaint against Iowa Gun Owners Executive Director Aaron Dorr. The complaint alleged Dorr was telling members of his group that he was lobbying lawmakers, but while Dorr has registered as a lobbyist in the past, he did not this year. Dorr gave documents to the committee saying he had not been designated as a lobbyist for Iowa Gun Owners and was not being paid to be its executive director. Committee Chairperson Rob Taylor said unless the panel decided to issue a subpeona for Dorr’s tax returns and bank records, they would have to accept that explanation.

Missouri – New Campaign Finance Rules Ignore Missouri Voters’ Decision
Governing – Kurt Erickson (Tribune News Service) | Published: 5/23/2017

The Missouri Ethics Commission issued an opinion saying campaign committees formed by party leaders in the House and Senate are no longer limited to contributions totaling $25,000 annually. Commission Executive Director James Klahr said those committees can once again receive unlimited donations. Under a November change to the state constitution, Missouri voters overwhelmingly capped contributions to individual candidates for office at $2,600 per election. Donations to a political party were capped at $25,000.

Montana – Bullock Vetoes Bill to Raise Allowable Campaign Contributions
Billings Gazette – Holly Michels | Published: 5/19/2017

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock vetoed a bill that would have revised campaign finance laws in the state and made changes to the commissioner of political practices office. Bullock said Senate Bill 368 would undermine the agency’s effectiveness and raise contribution limits far above what residents think is acceptable. The legislation would have increased the filing fees for legislative candidates, changed laws related to investigation of campaign practices, created an appeal procedure for certain complaints, and prohibit the commissioner from filing criminal action against a candidate for some violations.

New Mexico – Loophole and Vague Laws Create Ambiguity in Lobbyist Reporting
New Mexico In Depth – Sandra Fish | Published: 5/19/2017

New Mexico’s lobbyist reporting law has been criticized as lacking transparency. A loophole in a 2016 reform effort changed the reporting requirements for organizations and people they hire who spend money to influence public officials in New Mexico. Critics also say the law’s vagueness results in a situation in which lobbyists are now free to report some expenses, or not. And how they report them depends on a lobbyist’s interpretation of the rules.

New York – JCOPE Settlement Expected to Reveal Glenwood Behind $690K
Albany Times Union – Chris Bragg | Published: 5/23/2017

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics reached a settlement with nonprofit lobbying group Pledge 2 Protect that is expected to require the group to disclose that real estate giant Glenwood was intended to force groups like Pledge 2 Protect, issue-oriented nonprofits with lobbying operations, to disclose their donors. But in a series of six transactions in 2013, nearly $700,000 was funneled from previously unknown donors to a newly founded boutique law firm, Marquart & Small, which then passed the funds on to Pledge 2 Protect. Only the name of Marquart & Small showed up on subsequent lobbying disclosure filings, not the names of the original donors.

North Carolina – Supreme Court Ruling Wipes Out Republican-Drawn House Districts in N.C.
USA Today – Richard Wolff | Published: 5/22/2017

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled North Carolina’s Republican-controlled Legislature unlawfully relied on race when drawing two of the state’s congressional districts. The decision continued a trend at the court, where justices have found racial considerations improperly predominated in redistricting decisions by GOP Legislatures in Virginia, Alabama, and North Carolina. Some involved congressional districts, others state legislative districts. The states had contended their efforts were partisan attempts to protect their majorities, which the Supreme Court in the past has allowed, rather than attempts to diminish the impact of minority voters, which is forbidden. But the justices declared North Carolina had relied too heavily on race in their efforts to “reshuffle,” voters from one district to another.

South Carolina – How South Carolina Lawmakers Are Re-examining Their Rule Book after Statehouse Probe Indictments
Charleston Post and Courier – Andy Shain | Published: 5/21/2017

The House and Senate ethics committees are reviewing their advisory opinions to determine if alterations or updates are needed to ensure state lawmakers get the proper guidance to stay within the boundaries of South Carolina’s ethics law. The law does not cover every potential personal conflict in a legislator’s campaign or legislative duties. So, lawmakers receive opinions from their ethics panels to fill the gaps and create a more complete rulebook for them to follow. Since 2014, four legislators have been indicted in an ongoing probe of statehouse corruption.

Virginia – A ‘Personal Friend’ Exemption on Gifts to Virginia’s Elected Officials Leaves Open an Unlimited Loophole
The Virginian-Pilot – Bill Bartel | Published: 5/23/2017

Changes to Virginia’s ethics laws that went into effect last year place a $100 annual limit on gifts from a lobbyist, his or her clients, or someone seeking business with the state. The reform ended a common practice of lobbyists providing lawmakers with unlimited gifts, such as expensive sports tickets or pricey dinners. A new ethics council was set up advise officials and to approve acceptance of specific gifts or travel costing more than $100. But there remained a large exception: there is no limit on gifts to an officeholder or immediate family members from a “personal friend” who is not a lobbyist, a lobbyist’s client, or someone seeking state business.

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.

Lobbying

Iowa: “Ethics Complaint Against Iowa Gun Owners Leader Dismissed” by Brianne Pfannenstiel for Des Moines Register

Rhode Island: “Ethics Board: Former Senate President Paiva Weed must wait to lobby General Assembly” by Christine Dunn for Providence Journal

Virginia: “A ‘Personal Friend’ Exemption on Gifts to Virginia’s Elected Officials Leaves Open an Unlimited Loophole” by Bill Bartel for The Virginian-Pilot

Campaign Finance

Maine: “Maine Developer Will Face Jail Time, Fines for Illegal Political Donations” by Edward Murphy for Portland Press Herald

North Carolina: “Former NC Legislator, Fletcher Hartsell, Gets Probation in State’s Campaign Finance Case” by Anne Blythe for Raleigh News & Observer

Ethics

“Kushner Keeps Most of His Real Estate but Offers Few Clues About Potential White House Conflicts” by Amy Brittain and Jonathan O’Connell for Washington Post

Michigan: “Feds: Bag man delivered bribes to Macomb officials” by Robert Snell for Detroit News

New York: “Whose Job Is It to Investigate Legislature’s ‘Lulu’ System?” by Rachel Silberstein for Gotham Gazette

Elections

“Former C.I.A. Chief Reveals Mounting Concern Over Trump Campaign and Russia” by Matt Apuzzo for New York Times

“Trump Asked Intelligence Chiefs to Push Back against FBI Collusion Probe after Comey Revealed Its Existence” by Adam Entous and Ellen Nakashima for Washington Post

Lobbying

Maine: “Democrats Block Bill to Punish Lying at Maine State House” by Christopher Cousins for Bangor Daily News

New Mexico: “Loophole and Vague Laws Create Ambiguity in Lobbyist Reporting” by Sandra Fish for New Mexico In Depth

Ethics

“Work and Politics: What Rights Do Employees Have?” by Charisse Jones and Michael Izzo for USA Today

“F.B.I. Once Warned G.O.P. Congressman That Russian Spies Were Recruiting Him” by Matt Apuzzo, Adam Goldman, and Mark Mazzetti for New York Times

“Russia Probe Reaches Current White House Official, People Familiar with the Case Say” by Devlin Barrett and Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

“Trump Told Russians That Firing ‘Nut Job’ Comey Eased Pressure from Investigation” by Matt Apuzzo, Maggie Haberman, and Matthew Rosenberg for New York Times

California: “Former Admiral Sentenced to 18 Months in ‘Fat Leonard’ Case” by Craig Whitlock for Washington Post

Pennsylvania: “Township Supervisor Ordered to Pay $107,120 for Illegally Purchasing Surplus Items” by John Beauge for PennLive.com

Nevada: “Laxalt Defends Actions in Taped Conversation; Dems Not Convinced” by Seth Richardson for Reno Gazette-Journal

Elections

“For Voting Rights Advocates, Court Decision Is ‘Temporary Victory’” by Michael Wines for New York Times

Campaign Finance

Connecticut: “Preliminary Ruling: Ganim Ineligible for Public Financing” by Mark Pazniokas for Connecticut Mirror

Illinois: “Ken Griffin Gives Gov. Bruce Rauner’s Campaign Record $20 Million” by Rick Pearson for Chicago Tribune

Lobbying

Massachusetts: “City Council Debates Level of Transparency in Lobbying Act” by Beth Treffeisen for Spare Change News

Campaign Finance

California: “California Ethics Watchdog Nabs Its Former Leader” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

Ethics

“Comey Memo Says Trump Asked Him to End Flynn Investigation” by Michael Schmidt for New York Times

“At Mar-a-Lago, the Star Power of the Presidency Helps Charities – and Trump – Make More Money” by Drew Harwell and David Fahrenthold for Washington Post

Montana: “New Commissioner Takes Over at Political Practices Office” by Matt Volz (Associated Press) for U.S. News & World Report

New Hampshire: “N.H. Ethics Committee Has Fielded Dozens of Complaints, But Issued No Violations” by Casey McDermott for New Hampshire Public Radio

New Jersey: “‘P.S.: One of the ring leaders works in your bank!’: Is this congressman’s fundraising letter a threat?” by Amber Phillips for Washington Post

West Virginia: “State Rep. Rick Quinn Indicted by State Grand Jury” by Glenn Smith for Charleston Post & Courier

Vermont: “Vt. Political Ethics Bill Moves to Governor’s Desk” by April McCullum for Burlington Free Press

Elections

North Carolina: “Strict North Carolina Voter ID Law Thwarted After Supreme Court Rejects Case” by Adam Liptak and Michael Wines for New York Times