Lobbying

“Report Shows ‘Untapped Power’ of Constituent Advocacy” by Bridget Bowman for Roll Call

Florida: “These Lawmakers Are On the Payroll of Firms That Lobby the Legislature” by Zac Anderson for Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Campaign Finance

“Business Roundtable Softening Stance on Political Transparency?” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

“Supreme Court Set to Eye Challenge to FEC Disclosure Rules” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA

Oregon: “Legislation Would Prohibit Campaign Contributions by State Contractors” by Paris Achen for Portland Tribune

Tennessee: “Amid Ongoing Durham Scandal, Probe Shows Problems with Law” by Joel Ebert and Dave Boucher for The Tennessean

Ethics

“With Michael Flynn’s Resignation, a New Focus on the Logan Act” by Charlie Savage for New York Times

Connecticut: “Commission: Hinchey, Bilda and other NPU officials violated ethics” by Ryan Blessing for Norwich Bulletin

Kentucky: “GOP Senators Want to Cut Sex Harassment Training” by Morgan Watkins for Louisville Courier-Journal

Montana: “House Endorses Cutting Office That Oversees Campaign Rules” by Matt Volz (Associated Press) for The Missoulian

Elections

New Hampshire: “NH Prosecutor: State can’t investigate all voter fraud claims” by Kathleen Ronayne (Associated Press) for Boston.com

North Carolina: “N.C. Supreme Court Blocks Law Stripping Governor of Election Oversight Powers” by Richard Craver for Winston-Salem Journal

Campaign Finance

California: “Republicans Face $30,000 Fine from California Campaign Regulators” by Jim Miller for Sacramento Bee

Mississippi: “Senate Passes Its Campaign Finance Reform” by Geoff Pender for Jackson Clarion-Ledger

Tennessee: “Jeremy Durham Spent Campaign Funds on Suits, Sunglasses and Spa” by Dave Boucher and Joel Ebert for The Tennessean

Elections

“Rural Americans Felt Abandoned by Democrats in 2016, So They Abandoned Them Back. Can the Party Fix It?” By David Weigel for The Washington Post

Ethics

“Lawyer at Major D.C. Firm Accused in Scheme to Sell Sealed Lawsuit to Suit’s Target” by Spencer Hsu for The Washington Post

Minnesota: “Auditor: U.S. Bank Stadium Authority violated core ethical principles with free tickets for friends and family” by Rochelle Olson for Minneapolis Star Tribune

Lobbying

Florida: “Want to Build a Marina in Miami? Lobbying Required.” By David Smiley for Miami Herald

New Mexico: “Lobbyist Loophole Fix Stalls in Senate Committee” by Sandra Fish and Trip Jennings for New Mexico In Depth

Tech and Social Media

Maryland: “Gov. Hogan’s Office Has Blocked 450 People from His Facebook Page in Two Years” by Ovetta Wiggins and Fenit Nirappil for The Washington Post

Lobbying

Arizona: “How The Wrong Letterhead Exposed Phoenix’s Toothless Lobbying Rules” by Rob O’Dell and Dustin Gardner for Arizona Republic

Arkansas: “Bill Would Let Foreigners Foot Bill for Some Lawmaker Travel” by Michael Wickline for Arkansas Online

Campaign Finance

South Carolina: “Upstate’s Judge’s Race Raises Judicial Ethics Question” by John Monk for The State

Washington: “Seattle Candidates Already on Hunt for ‘Democracy Vouchers’” by Daniel Beekman for Seattle Times

Ethics

“Trump Aide’s Deal with Chinese Firm Raises Fear of Tangled Interests” by Sharon LaFraniere, Michael Forsythe, and Alexandra Stevenson for New York Times

“Resistance from Within: Federal workers push back against Trump” by Juliet Eilperin, Lisa Rein, and Marc Fisher for Washington Post

Montana: “Campaign Regulator Can Remain Until Replacement Is Confirmed” by Matt Volz (Associated Press) for McClatchyDC.com

South Dakota: “South Dakota Senate Sends Ethics Law Repeal to Governor” by James Nord for Associated Press

West Virginia: “Potential Conflicts Also Issue for New WV Commerce Secretary” by Andrew Brown for Charleston Gazette

Elections

“Trump Rattles Statehouse Order” by David Siders for Politico

Procurement

“White House Says LGBT Protections for Federal Workers Will Remain” by Juliet Eilperin and Sandhya Somashekhar for Washington Post

Tech and Social Media

“Fatigued by the News? Experts Suggest How to Adjust Your Media Diet” by Christopher Mele for New York Times

Lobbying

“Trump’s Trade Pick May Face Hurdle Over Past Lobbying for Brazil” by Bill Allison for Bloomberg.com

“Trump Ethics Rules Curtail Lobbyists, While Also Loosening Some Obama Restrictions” by Matea Gold for Washington Post

Tennessee: “In Tennessee, Lobbyists’ Employers Face Few Disclosure Rules” by Dave Boucher for The Tennessean

Campaign Finance

“Trudeau to End Controversial Cash-for-Access Fundraisers” by Robin Fife and Steven Chase for The Globe and Mail

Ethics

“Countries Where Trump Does Business Are Not Hit by New Travel Restrictions” by Rosalind Helderman for Washington Post

Missouri: “On the Trail: Greitens banking on lawmakers to pass tighter ethics rules” by Jason Rosenbaum for St. Louis Public Radio

Oklahoma: “Evidence Shows EMSA Had Contractor Make Political Donations, Government Says” by Nolan Clay for The Oklahoman

Elections

“Koch Network Could Serve as Potent Resistance in Trump Era” by Matea Gold and James Hohmann for Washington Post

“As Democrats Take to the Streets, Lawmakers Rush to Keep Up” by Jonathan Martin for New York Times

See what’s happening in government relations this week in our News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!

National:

Angry Democrats Study the Tea Party’s Playbook
New York Times – Jonathan Martin | Published: 1/23/2017

Eight years after Republicans united after a stinging electoral defeat to oppose President Barack Obama, Democrats are channeling an even deeper anxiety over President Trump into a newfound burst of organizing. Party leaders, eyeing the recent huge protests and growing worries over the promised repeal of the Affordable Care Act, are hoping to recreate the mass movement that sprang up in 2009 and swept Republicans to power in the House and in governor’s races across the country – a tea party equivalent from the left.

Report Cites Growing Corruption, Sees Link with Rising Populism
Reuters – Andrea Shalal | Published: 1/25/2017

Those who turn to populist politicians that promise to upset the status quo and end corruption may only be feeding the problem, a watchdog group warned. Transparency International said in its annual Corruption Perceptions Index for 2016 that in countries with populist or autocratic leaders, “instead of tackling crony capitalism, those leaders usually install even worse forms of corrupt systems.”

Federal:

At Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, the Price for Joining the ‘Winter White House’ Has Doubled
Washington Post – Drew Harwell | Published: 1/25/2017

Mar-a-Lago, the Palm Beach resort owned by the Trump Organization, doubled its new-member fee to $200,000 following the election of Donald Trump as president. Mar-a-Lago has assumed a prized role in Trump’spresidency, rivaling Trump Tower as a focal point of his lifestyle and ambitions. The price jump was slammed by watchdogs, who have criticized Trump’ lack of separation between his private finances and public power. Asked if having Trump in the White House has meant greater interest in outsiders joining the club –  including people who might want access to the president – Bernd Lembcke, the managing director of the club, said, “t enhances it.”

Companies Drafting Emergency Plans for Trump Tweets
The Hill – Megan Wilson and Melanie Zanona | Published: 1/19/2017

President Donald Trump has used social media to criticize American businesses, often for off-shoring jobs or manufacturing facilities, and many expect him to keep up the broadsides in the Oval Office. Being attacked by Trump is not only bad publicity but also it can also cause a sudden drop in a company’s stock price. Businesses that have yet to tangle with Trump are fearful they might be next, and have turned to consultants and lobbyists in Washington, D.C. to prepare for the possibility.

Lawmakers Admonish Ethics Official Over Tweets About Trump
Business Insider – Matthew Daley (Associated Press) | Published: 1/23/2017

Lawmakers from both parties admonished a federal ethics official who sent a series of tweets commenting on President Donald Trump’s potential conflicts-of-interest. Members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee said the tweets by Walter Shaub Jr., director of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), were inappropriate and could compromise the agency’s objectivity. Committee Chairperson Jason Chaffetz called Shaub’s comments “highly unethical” and summoned him to a closed-door meeting. Chaffetz and committee Democrats also met with Shaub for more than an hour, an unusual meeting prompted by Republicans’ frustration with the ethics office and its operations, rather than Trump.

Liberal Watchdog Group Sues Trump, Alleging He Violated Constitutional Ban
Washington Post – David Fahrenthold and Jonathan O’Connell | Published: 1/23/2017

To fight what it called a “grave threat” to the country, a watchdog group filed a lawsuit alleging President Donald Trump is violating the Constitution by allowing his business to accept payments from foreign governments. The lawsuit claims Trump is violating a clause in the Constitution that prohibits him from receiving money from diplomats for stays at his hotels or foreign governments for leases of office space in his buildings. The language in the clause is disputed by legal experts, and some think the suit will fail, but it signaled the start of a legal assault by Trump critics on what they see as unprecedented conflicts between his business and the presidency.

Trump’s Flashy Executive Actions Could Run Aground
Politico – Isaac Arnsdorf, Josh Dawsey, and Seung Min Kim | Published: 1/25/2017

The breakneck pace of President Donald Trump’s executive orders might please his supporters, but critics are questioning whether the documents are being rushed through without the necessary review from agency experts and lawmakers who will bear the burden of actually carrying them out. People familiar with Trump’s planning say he wanted daily events to show supporters he would follow through on his campaign agenda, but the process is playing out chaotically. Inside the West Wing, it is almost impossible for some aides to know what is in the executive orders, staffers say. They have been written by Stephen Miller, the senior adviser for policy, and Steve Bannon, Trump’s chief strategist, according to people familiar with the matter. By contrast, the Obama White House ran executive orders through a painstaking process of soliciting feedback from agencies and briefing lawmakers.

We Rely on the Government for Lots of Data. What Happens to That in the Era of ‘Alternative Facts’?
Washington Post – Mark Berman | Published: 1/23/2017

For wary journalists, it seemed only a matter of time before Donald Trump’s presidency would lead to a standoff between his administration and the news media. On the first weekend of the administration, Trump declared himself in “a running war with the media” and the president’s press secretary, Sean Spicer, used his first appearance on the White House podium to deliver a fiery jeremiad against the press. Worse, many journalists said, were the falsehoods that sprang from the lips of both Trump and Spicer. False statements, lies, and evasions are not unique to any one politician or political operative, nor are they the province solely of those who work in politics. But they take on an unmistakably different tenor when delivered with the imprimatur of the federal government, something that remains true even given the times government agencies and officials have been dishonest with the American people.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alaska – As Clock Ticked Toward Session, Alaska Lawmakers Turned to Lobbyists for Cash
Alaska Dispatch News – Nathaniel Herz | Published: 1/22/2017

While state law prohibits Alaska lawmakers from collecting campaign money during the legislative session, fundraisers held on the eve of the session have long been a tradition in Juneau. Lobbyists are banned from donating directly to legislative candidates, except those seeking to represent the lobbyist’s own House or Senate district. But they can give thousands of dollars at the pre-session events, which technically raise money for party committees, not lawmakers’ campaigns, though the parties often distribute cash to the campaigns of individual legislators.

Colorado – Colorado Ethics Commission Tells Aurora Councilwoman to Follow State Ethics Rules Because of Job
Denver Post – Jon Murray | Published: 1/23/2017

The Colorado Independent Ethics Commission said a state employee who also serves as an Aurora City Council member should follow Amendment 41 rather than her city’s less-stringent gift rules. Councilperson Angela Lawson works by day as the lobbyist program manager in the secretary of state’s office. She has been waiting more than a year for an advisory opinion following her election in November 2015. The request was delayed after the commission decided first to sort out how to approach home-rule cities that have their own ethics codes and do not follow the state’s Amendment 41, passed by voters in 2006. The ethics panel issued a recent position statement on the issue sparking outcry from the Colorado Municipal League and local government attorneys.

Florida – Lee Clerk Wants Audit of County Lobby Logs
The News-Press – Patricia Borns | Published: 1/24/2017

Clerk of Court Linda Doggett plans to audit Lee County commissioners’ logs to find out if they and their staff are being transparent about their conversations with lobbyists. A media investigation of Commissioner Larry Kiker’s lobby logs found discrepancies between his calendars, emails, and text messages showing meetings and phone calls with paid and unpaid lobbyists were not always noted. A second investigation, after Kiker cleaned up the lobby log, showed the problem persisted.

New Mexico – Loophole Cuts Lobbyist Spending Reporting
New Mexico In Depth – Sandra Fish | Published: 1/19/2017

New Mexico Lobbyists and their employers spent more than $595,000 on gifts, meals, and more for lawmakers and other public officials in 2016. But that number is likely tens of thousands of dollars too low because of a loophole created during the last legislative session. That loophole removed a requirement for lobbyists to report any expenses spent on individual lawmakers below a certain threshold. Previously, lobbyists had to report all spending, itemizing expenses spent above $75 per lawmaker and aggregating expenses below $75 per lawmaker. Now lobbyists do not have to report any spending below $100 per lawmaker. That took effect July 1, 2016.

South Dakota – South Dakota Legislators Seek Hasty Repeal of Ethics Law Voters Passed
New York Times – Monica Davey and Nicholas Confessore | Published: 1/25/2017

South Dakota voters approved a ballot measure last November that would create an independent state ethics commission, impose tougher limits on campaign contributions and lobbyists’ gifts to lawmakers, increase disclosure by independent political groups, and set up a system to publicly finance elections. But the state’s Republican Legislature is racing to set aside that new law by using its emergency powers, prompting cries of protest from voters and critics, who are calling the hasty efforts an antidemocratic power grab. In effect, they say, the state’s residents are being told their votes do not matter. Lawmakers demanding repeal say the ethics regulations are irretrievably flawed and include provisions that may be unconstitutional.

Texas – Once-Dead Ethics Reforms Could Curb Lobbying Tricks, Increase Disclosures and Punish Criminal Lawmakers
Dallas News – J. David McSwane | Published: 1/25/2017

Ethics reform bills have been introduced in the Texas Legislature. Sen. Van Taylor and Rep. Charlie Geren are each filing substantial bills in their chambers, along with smaller measures dedicated to specific ethics reforms outlined in the larger bills. That scattershot approach increases the likelihood that at least some of the new regulations will reach the governor’s desk. The reforms include lowering the dollar threshold for when lobbyists must report paying for meals or transportation for officials. Lobbyists would also be required to itemize the total bill paid on behalf of elected officials or their families. This closes a loophole that allows lobbyists to split large bar and restaurant tabs, among several lobbyists to avoid reporting thresholds.

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

Florida: “Lee Clerk Wants Audit of County Lobby Logs” by Patricia Borns for The News-Press

Pennsylvania: “Governor Fires Head of State Drug and Alcohol Office” by Angela Couloumbis and Karen Langley for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Texas: “Once-Dead Ethics Reforms Could Curb Lobbying Tricks, Increase Disclosures and Punish Criminal Lawmakers” by J. David McSwane for Dallas News

Campaign Finance

California: “Contra Costa DA Slapped with $45,000 Fine as Criticism Builds” by Nate Gartrell for East Bay Times

Ethics

“An Early Test of Trump’s Ethics Pledge Is a Glittering New Foreign Tower” by Drew Harwell, Alan Freeman, and Jenny Peng for Washington Post

“White House, Trump Organization Name Ethics Advisers” by Bernard Condon and Chad Day (Associated Press) for WRAL

Utah: “Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes’ Name Dragged into the Criminal Case of Former A.G. John Swallow” by Jennifer Dobner and Tom Harvey for Salt Lake Tribune

Elections

“Trump Seeks ‘Major Investigation’ into Unsupported Claims of Voter Fraud” by Jenna Johnson and Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

Nebraska: “Nebraska Lawmaker Quits After Unsavory Women’s March Tweet” by Grant Schulte (Associated Press) for ABC News

South Carolina: “South Carolina Lawmaker Accused of Beating His Wife Resigns” by Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) for ABC News

A special election will be held on February 7, 2017, to fill the House of Delegates District 71 vacancy.

The seat became available after Del. Jennifer McClellan won a special election earlier in the month for Senate District 9. District 71 includes downtown Richmond, the city’s north side, and a portion of Henrico County.

After McClellan won the special election, Richmond School Board member Jeff Bourne announced his candidacy to replace her.

Lobbying

“Companies Drafting Emergency Plans for Trump Tweets” by Megan Wilson and Melanie Zanona for The Hill

Ethics

“Intercepted Russian Communications Part of Inquiry into Trump Associates” by Michael Schmidt, Matthew Rosenberg, Adam Goldman, and Matt Apuzzo for The New York Times

California: “Former L.A. Coliseum Executive at the Center of Corruption Scandal Sentenced to 3 Years of Probation” by Melissa Gerber for Los Angeles Times

California: “Short-Staffed SF Ethics Panel’s Backlog of Cases Growing” by Emily Green for San Francisco Chronicle

Maryland: “Hogan Proposes Maryland Government Ethics Reforms” by Pamela Wood for The Baltimore Sun

Rhode Island: “Ex-R.I. Rep. Palumbo Charged with Embezzling; 2nd Ex-Lawmaker Arrested in a Week” by Katie Mulvaney for Providence Journal

Legislative Issues

Maryland: “Hogan Seeks Background Checks for Appointed Lawmakers” by Pamela Wood and Erin Cox for The Baltimore Sun

Campaign Finance

“With Morale in Tatters, Federal Election Commission Eyes Changes” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

“‘Soft Money’ Era Not Back Yet as Few Companies Contribute” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA

Pennsylvania: “In First Act, New Pa. Treasurer Cracks Down on Pay-to-Play Fees” by Craig McCoy and Mark Fazlollah for Philadelphia Inquirer

Elections

“From Headline to Photograph, a Fake News Masterpiece” by Scott Shane for The New York Times

Lobbying

“The Trump Lobbying Purge That Wasn’t” by Maggie Severns and Isaac Arnsdorf for Politico

Colorado: “Denver City Council Committee Stalls Vote Again on Ethics Changes” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

Massachusetts: “Could Lobbying Rules Have Saved Boston from Ill-Fated Grand Prix?” by Andrew Ryan for Boston Globe

Missouri: “House Passes HB 60 to Limit Lobbyist Gifts” by Benjamin Peters for Missouri Times

South Dakota: “Senators Reluctantly Allow Lobbyists to Stay” by Dana Ferguson for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Campaign Finance

“SEC Settles with 10 Public Fund Money Managers Over Pay-to-Play Violations” by Hazel Bradford for Pensions & Investments

Ethics

South Carolina: “Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster Paying Off Ethics Penalties Before Becoming Governor” by Andy Shain for Charleston Post & Courier

Texas: “State Rep. Dawnna Dukes Indicted by Grand Jury” by Alex Samuels for Texas Tribune

Elections

Kansas: “Kobach Seeks Authority for Bifurcated Elections; Downplays Issue of Missing Registrations” by Peter Hancock for Lawrence Journal World

Legislative Issues

“How a Mother-in-Law Inspired a Bill to Protect Drivers” by Cleve Wootson Jr. for Washington Post

Lobbying

Michigan: “From Lawmaker to Lobbyist. Should the State Slow Down the Revolving Door?” by Craig Mauger and Ted Roelofs for Bridge Magazine

Campaign Finance

California: “La Jolla Car Dealer Sentenced for Role in Funneling Illegal Contributions to San Diego Mayor’s Race” by Greg Moran for San Diego Union Tribune

Ethics

“Trump’s Cabinet Pick Invested in Company, Then Introduced a Bill to Help It” by Manu Raju for CNN

Arkansas: “North Little Rock Attorney Says No Ethics Violation in Dallas Cowboys Tickets Given to Police Officers” by Jake Sandlin for Arkansas Online

Iowa: “Kent Sorenson Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Role in Caucus Scandal” by Grant Rodgers for Des Moines Register

New Mexico: “Will Independent Ethics Oversight Catch On in 2017?” by Trip Jennings for New Mexico In Depth

Pennsylvania: “DA Williams Fined $62,0000 for Ethics Violations” by Claudia Vargas for Philadelphia Inquirer

Virginia: “Lengthy New Ethics Bill Targets Redskin Tickets Loophole” by Travis Fain for The Daily Press

Elections

“Rolling in the Red Carpet: Many Pennsylvania Avenue firms to ignore Trump parade” by Stephanie Mansfield for Washington Times

Campaign Finance

“Corporations Open the Cash Spigot for Trump’s Inauguration” by Nicholas Fandos for New York Times

New Mexico: “Leadership Shift Sparks Hope for Supporters of Campaign Finance Reform” by Sandra Fish for New Mexio In Depth

Wisconsin: “Former Wisconsin Judges Seek Rules on Campaign Donations” by Patrick Marley and Bill Glauber for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Ethics

“Trump’s Administration Will Regulate Trump’s Businesses, Raising Prospect of Conflicts” by Rosalind Helderman, Drew Harwell, and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post

California: “Sweetwater School District Gets $8.2 Million in Settlement Over Pay-to-Play Scandal” by Greg Moran for San Diego Union Tribune

Colorado: “Colorado Ethics Commission Puts Denver, Aurora and Other Cities on Notice in Turf Battle Over Gift Rules” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

New Jersey: “Christie Selects Campaign Donor as New Ethics Watchdog” by Salvador Rizzo for Bergen Record

Canada: “Ethics Watchdog Opens Probe into Trudeau’s Vacation at the Aga Khan’s Island” by Alex Ballingall for Toronto Star

Elections

“‘Kompromat’ and the Danger of Doubt and Confusion in a Democracy” by Amanda Taub for New York Times

National:

Russian Hackers Find Ready Bullhorns in the Media
New York Times – Max Fisher | Published: 1/8/2017

Reporters have always relied on sources who provide critical information for self-interested reasons. The duty is to publicize information that serves the public interest without falling prey to the source’s agenda. But in 2016, the source was Russia’s military intelligence agency – operating through shadowy fronts who worked to mask that fact – and its agenda was to undermine the American presidential election. By releasing documents that would tarnish Hillary Clinton and other U.S. political figures, but whose news value compelled coverage, Moscow exploited the very openness that is the basis of a free press.

Federal:

DOJ Watchdog Opens Review of Comey’s Clinton Email Investigation
Politico – Josh Gerstein | Published: 1/12/2017

The Justice Department’s internal watchdog will investigate FBI Director James Comey’s decision to publicly release information about the bureau’s investigation into Hillary Clinton’s handling of classified material. The inquiry by the department’s inspector general will focus on whether “policies or procedures were not followed” when Comey held a July 5 news conference to discuss the case, and when he sent letters to Congress just before the election that disclosed his agents were reviewing newly discovered emails pertinent to the Clinton case. Some in Clinton’s campaign blamed Comey’s actions for halting her momentum shortly before the election and helping in Donald Trump’s presidential victory.

How a Sensational, Unverified Dossier Became a Crisis for Donald Trump
New York Times – Scott Shane, Nicholas Confessore, and Matthew Rosenberg | Published: 1/11/2017

As they prepared to brief President Obama and President-elect Donald Trump on Russian interference in the 2016 election, U.S. intelligence officials decided to mention the salacious allegations that Moscow had compromising information on the incoming president. That triggered coverage of allegations that news organizations had tried to run down for months but could find no basis for publishing until they were summarized and included alongside a classified report assembled by the nation’s intelligence services. Parts of the story remain out of reach – most critically the basic question of how much, if anything, in the dossier is true. But it is possible to piece together a rough narrative of what led to the current crisis, including lingering questions about the ties binding Trump and his team to Russia.

Trump Won’t Drop Business Ties
Politico – Josh Dawsey and Darren Samuelsohn | Published: 1/11/2017

Donald Trump, insisting he will not divest himself of his vast business empire as he prepares to assume the presidency, plans instead to turn over all of his business operations to a trust controlled by his two oldest sons and a longtime associate. He will donate to the U.S. government all profits from foreign government payments to his hotels. The Trump Organization will also refrain from entering into any new deals with foreign partners, backing off from an earlier claim by Trump that his company would have “no new deals” of any kind during his presidency. The business will have to clear any new transactions with an ethics adviser. The moves fell short of the recommendations of ethics experts who have said the only way for Trump to genuinely eliminate potential conflicts is to place all his real estate holdings and other ventures in a blind trust over which neither he nor his family has any control.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – How This Former Aspiring Screenwriter Became One of California’s Campaign Finance Experts After Losing His Day Job
Los Angeles Times – Christine Mai-Duc | Published: 1/9/2017

Three years ago, Rob Pyers was as far away from politics as one could imagine: a college dropout who had been laid off from his job, binge-watching Netflix to pass the time. Today, from his one-bedroom apartment in West Hollywood, Pyers anchors one of the most trusted compendiums on state politics and is becoming the ultimate insider in the often-opaque world of campaign finance. His passion for organizing massive amounts of data has transformed the California Target Book and made his Twitter feed a go-to resource for some of Sacramento’s top operatives.

California – L.A. Politicians Propose Banning Campaign Contributions from Developers
Los Angeles Times – David Zahniser and Emily Alpert Reyes | Published: 1/10/2017

A group of Los Angeles City Council members proposed banning contributions to council campaigns from developers with projects currently or recently before the city. The motion also would consider whether to expand the city’s definition of developer to include building contractors and subcontractors, and whether to increase the enforcement staff at the city Ethics Commission to ensure more frequent audits and inspections. With the council approval of the motion, it is now up to the ethics panel and other city staff to craft implementing ordinances to bring back to the council in coming months.

Colorado – Denver Council Approves Gift-Report Rules That Require More Frequency, Better Access
Denver Post – Jon Murray | Published: 1/9/2017

The Denver City Council voted in favor of requiring more frequent reporting, more detail, and easier-to-access records of the meals, tickets, and most other gifts they receive from donors with a city interest. The new rules replace a system of annual reporting in which those gifts and other financial disclosures were not viewable by the public until seven months after the end of the reporting period, and could be obtained only by visiting the clerk’s office and paying for copies. The ordinance was one of three ethics measures considered by the council in recent months. It approved another proposal that will make lobbyists’ registrations and bimonthly reports of spending on city lobbying activities available online.

Connecticut – CT’s Largest Lobbying Firms Led by Women
HartfordBusiness.com – Patricia Daddona | Published: 1/9/2017

Paddi LeShane is an equal partner with Patrick Sullivan running Connecticut’s third largest lobbying firm – Sullivan & LeShane Inc. – with 47 registered clients. But she is not the only high-profile woman lobbyist running her own shop. In a profession long-dominated by men, women operate three of the five largest lobbying firms in Connecticut, based on number of registered clients, and their presence at the Capitol is growing. In fact, women lobbyists are far from an anomaly in the government relations field these days, industry experts say.

Kentucky – Report: Beshear officials shook down 16 workers
Louisville Courier-Journal – Tom Loftus | Published: 1/11/2017

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin’s investigation of former Gov. Steve Beshear’s administration has found state employees were solicited for campaign contributions both during and after working hours. The investigators interviewed 16 non-merit employees from six departments in the Beshear administration. Witnesses said “virtually all non-merit employees” in the executive branch were expected to make a financial contribution, according to the report. Kentucky law forbids specifically targeting state employees for campaign donations, unless the solicitation is part of a larger plan that includes non-state employees.

Maryland – Federal Bribery Charges Filed over Prince George’s County Liquor Licenses
Washington Post – Lynh Bui, Ann Marimow, and Arelis Hernandez | Published: 1/5/2017

Federal investigators disclosed that two Maryland lawmakers, one now out of office, are targets of a public corruption probe and expected to be charged in a bribery scheme that already has resulted in charges against two Prince George’s County liquor board officials and two business owners. The two lawmakers were unnamed in federal affidavits that outlined a bribery conspiracy in which officials were paid for favorable liquor license actions. Among those charged were David Dae Sok Son, the liquor agency’s administrator. Son solicited and facilitated bribes ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 from lobbyists and business owners, according to prosecutors. It is alleged that Son facilitated payments to an elected official for help moving a business to the county and grants the official controlled.

Massachusetts – City Hall Promised Lobbying Reform. Nothing Happened.
Boston Globe – Mark Arsenault and Andrew Ryan | Published: 1/9/2017

A year after Boston Mayor Martin Walsh promised that regulations governing municipal lobbyists would be a priority, no plan has been approved. Since February, the initiative has sat untouched in a city council committee without a hearing. Wash and council leaders may have said they supported new lobbying rules, but it appears none of them made an effective effort to follow through. That means corporations and interest groups continue to employ lobbyists to quietly influence city government with practically no public scrutiny.

Missouri – Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley Announces New Ethics Policy
Kansas City Star – Jason Hancock | Published: 1/10/2017

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley banned his employees from accepting gifts from lobbyists. Hawley also will not accept campaign contributions from anyone who has a pending bid or application for state contract on which the attorney general’s office has decision-making authority. The new ethics policy comes one day after Gov. Eric Greitens signed an executive order banning state workers in the executive branch from accepting lobbyist gifts. It is unclear whether Greitens’ order is actually enforceable.

New York – AG Will Hold Off on Enforcing Parts of Lobbying Disclosure Law
Albany Times Union – Chris Bragg | Published: 1/12/2017

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman will not enforce certain parts of a new state ethics law requiring charitable organizations that give money to lobbying campaigns to disclose more of their donors while a federal lawsuit moves through the courts. One provision that is affected would require 501(C)3 charities to report their sources of funding when the group makes an in kind contribution or donation in excess of $2,500 to a 501(c)(4). The other provision mandates 501(c)(4) groups that spend more than $10,000 a year on any public policy communications report the name and address of donors who give $1,000 or more.

Pennsylvania – Calls Turn Developers into Donors for Peduto
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Rich Lord | Published: 1/8/2017

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto is making a bid for a second term, with no announced challenger. Like incumbents past, he has filled a campaign account in part by collecting from people who do business with the city. Pittsburgh’s top development official has asked developers to contribute to Peduto’s campaign, in a series of calls the administration contends were devoid of deal-making, but which others said are at odds with the spirit of reform the mayor once championed.

South Carolina – Merrill Indictment Casts Pall Over Opening of SC Legislature
The State – Avery Wilks | Published: 1/9/2017

As the South Carolina Legislature reconvenes, the top issues will include fixing the state’s roads and addressing an underfunded pension system. But a corruption investigation will cast a pall over the proceedings, raising a host of other issues. Two indictments during the past month mean the Republican-controlled Legislature will start its session without a pair of GOP legislators. Rep. Chris Corley was suspended after he was indicted on criminal domestic abuse charges. Rep. Jim Merrill was suspended after he was indicted on charges of using his public office to pocket at least $1.3 million from outside interest groups. Watchdogs say the behavior alleged in Merrill’s indictment is not all that unique at the statehouse and more indictments could be on the way.

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.

Last week, a panel of three judges granted Gov. Roy Cooper’s request for the state to temporarily refrain from overhauling the elections board until his active lawsuit is resolved.

Cooper proposed the constitutional separation of powers are overlooked in a new General Assembly law.

If Cooper fails to win the suit, and the law is not overturned, the five-member state Board of Elections will be reorganized into a team of eight under the state Ethics Commission.