National:

One Person, One Algorithm, One Vote: Campaigns are doing more with data, for better or worse
Capital Times – Katelyn Farrell | Published: 1/3/2017

After an election where political campaigns were blamed or credited for relying on voter data to an unprecedented degree, Young Mie Kim, a professor and researcher at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, is studying how campaigns used that data across the country. Much like how businesses market products, political campaigns are increasingly focusing on sophisticated data-driven calculations, used to persuade voters and get them to the polls. Those predictions inform campaign strategy and often dictate how a candidate interacts with the electorate.

Federal:

House Republicans, Under Fire, Back Down on Gutting Ethics Office
New York Times – Eric Lipton and Matt Flegenheimer | Published: 1/3/2017

House Republicans abruptly withdrew a proposal to weaken an ethics watchdog in a rocky start to the new Congress. The 115th session had not even formally gaveled in before House leaders held an emergency meeting to discuss blowback against the GOP’s vote to eviscerate the independent the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE). The reversal came hours after President-elect Donald Trump issued a series of tweets questioning the timing of the changes, which would put the OCE under oversight of the House Committee on Ethics. Even before Trump weighed in, a barrage of negative headlines and public outcry made it difficult for Republicans to stand by the measure.

House Votes to Require Disclosure of Presidential Library Donations
The Hill – Megan Wilson and Cristina Marcos | Published: 1/4/2017

The U.S. House passed a bill that would give the public a better view of donations going to presidential libraries. It is the fourth time since 2002 that the House has approved the bipartisan legislation, known as the Presidential Library Donation Reform Act. The bill has died in the Senate each time it has been introduced. The bill would require quarterly disclosure of donations to presidential libraries totaling $200 or more. While lobbyists and organizations that hire them must file semi-annual reports listing all political donations, which include any financial or in-kind gifts to presidential library nonprofits, those foundations are not required to disclose their donors. Lawmakers of both parties said letting the public know who is donating to outgoing presidents’ libraries would shine light on potential “pay-to-play” attempts.

Rep. Duncan Hunter’s Team Responds to Uproar Over Rabbit Expenses
Yahoo News – Michael Walsh | Published: 1/4/2017

U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter spent $600 of his campaign funds in “cabin rabbit transport fees.” The pet travel was part of $62,000 in personal or not properly documented campaign expenses that Hunter has reimbursed his campaign for. The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) conducted a review of Hunter’s campaign spending last year. According to Hunter spokesperson Joe Kasper, there was “no intent” by Hunter to misuse campaign funds on personal matters. Hunter’s team intentionally floated the rabbit story to demonstrate how, from its perspective, the OCE has misconstrued simple mistakes as unethical conduct.

Trump and Julian Assange, an Unlikely Pair, Unite to Sow Hacking Doubts
New York Times – Scott Shane | Published: 1/4/2017

President-elect Donald Trump recently tweeted praise for a man most Republicans wanted nothing to do with – Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. It was not the first time Trump had praised WikiLeaks. During his campaign for president, he highlighted emails stolen from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Since then, Trump has continued praising the radical transparency group, harshly criticized by President Obama and other officials for what they describe as damaging national security leaks. And Trump has been in sync with conservative media, once critical of WikiLeaks, which increasingly embraces Assange as a hero.

Trump to Face Sworn Deposition in Coming Days
Politico – Josh Gerstein | Published: 1/5/2017

With President-elect Donald Trump’s swearing-in fast approaching, many of the high-profile lawsuits that entangled him during the campaign are all but certain to carry on through his inauguration and into his tenure at the White House, and he will even inherit some new ones. Trump and his companies face scores of pending lawsuits, including cases claiming skimming of tips at his New York SoHo hotel, seeking refunds of millions of dollars in membership fees charged by his country club in Jupiter, Florida, and alleging his security personnel assaulted protesters outside Trump Tower. And in a bizarre twist, Trump’s Justice Department will find itself defending against a slew of lawsuits relating to Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while she was secretary of state.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama – Governor Bentley Has Former Rep. Terry Spicer Removed from State Job
Dothan Eagle; Staff –   | Published: 1/4/2017

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley says a former state representative, who pleaded guilty to bribing a lobbyist, will no longer work at a state liquor store. Bentley said he told his chief of staff to advise the Alcohol Beverage Control Board that former Rep. Terry Spicer will not be employed. Spicer pleaded guilty in 2011 to taking cash and a ski vacation from a lobbyist. Spicer, a former school superintendent and community college employee, needs more time in state employment to draw his pension.

Arkansas – Arkansas State Legislator Neal Pleads Guilty in Kickbacks Scheme
Arkansas Online – Doug Thompson | Published: 1/5/2017

Arkansas Rep. Micah Neal pleaded guilty to directing state funds to two nonprofit organizations in exchange for kickbacks. As part of his plea, Neal admitted that between January 2013 and January 2015, while serving in the House, he conspired with a state senator to use their official positions to appropriate budget surplus funds, known as General Improvement Fund money, to two nonprofit organizations in exchange for bribes. The unnamed state senator involved is described in court documents as serving “in the Arkansas Senate from 2013 to the present. Prior to his service in the Arkansas Senate, Senator ‘A’ serves as a representative in the Arkansas House of Representative from 2007 to 2012.” Four members of the state Senate have political careers that fit that description.

California – Political Donations Flow as Rick Caruso Seeks Approval for a 20-Story Tower Near the Beverly Center
Los Angeles Times – David Zahniser | Published: 12/28/2016

Real estate developer Rick Caruso has been a reliable benefactor at Los Angeles City Hall, giving big donations to the city’s politicians and their pet causes. Now, Caruso wants the mayor and city council to approve a 20-story residential tower on a site where new buildings are currently limited to a height of 45 feet. Opponents of the project view Caruso’s political contributions with alarm, saying the steady stream of money has undermined their confidence in the city’s planning process.

Florida – Ron Book Is Big Winner in Local Government Lobbying Contracts
Miami Herald – Steve Bousquet | Published: 1/3/2017

The Florida House is now posting copies of contracts between lobbyists and local governments online and nearly half of the first set of contracts posted are with Ron Book, who has been a fixture in the halls of the Capitol for four decades and has built local government lobbying work into a cottage industry in the state. Lobbyists hired to represent local governments often get unparalleled access to the powerful because they make campaign contributions, which cities and counties cannot do.

Indiana – State Senator Introduces Ethics Bill to Ban All Gifts from Lobbyists
WTHR – Bob Segall | Published: 1/3/2017

Indiana Sen. Mike introduced a bill that would make it illegal for lawmakers to accept a gift from a lobbyist. Gifts prohibited by the proposed legislation would include anything that has value, such as tickets to athletic events, and anything that may be classified as entertainment. The bill would also require lobbyists to keep a public log of all communication with lawmakers, and lobbyists would have to update those logs frequently. Texts and emails between lobbyists and state lawmakers would for the first time become public records.

Missouri – Missouri Campaign Contribution Limits Remain in Place After Latest Hearing
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Kurt Erickson | Published: 12/29/2016

In a federal court hearing, opponents of a new Missouri law limiting campaign contributions withdrew a request to block the caps. U.S. District Court Judge Catherine Perry said she wants to first hear arguments about the merits and pitfalls of the new limits before deciding whether to place a temporary hold on the caps while the lawsuit moves through the legal system. Under the change to the state constitution, Missouri voters capped donations to individual candidates at $2,600 per election. Maximum contributions to a political party would be set at $25,000.

Montana – Montana Fails to Retain Decades of Emails Despite Open Government Law
The Missoulian – Jayme Fraser | Published: 1/2/2017

The state archives are supposed to be the final destination for the most important records about Montana government and how leaders made their decisions. Experts say the fact that no emails are saved there is a sign something is wrong. They describe a two-pronged problem: agencies are deleting emails too soon and the archives do not have the storage or equipment to accept them. As a result, Montanans have lost decades of public information. Retention decisions are made by individual state agencies, and few of them have preserved emails consistently, if at all.

New York – Why Developers of Manhattan Luxury Towers Give Millions to Upstate Candidates
ProPublica.org – Cezary Podkul and Derek Kravitz (ProPublica), and Will Parker (The Real Deal) | Published: 12/30/2016

ProPublica and The Real Deal mapped contributions from limited liability companies and individuals tied to the 60 biggest developers of New York City rental properties receiving a lucrative state subsidy. While it has long been known that developers donate a lot of money to state elections, the analysis shows for the first time just how tactical the industry is about bankrolling candidates across the state that are friendly to its cause. The state oversees New York City’s system of capping rent increases, known as rent stabilization. By influencing state elections, developers have undermined rent stabilization and preserved a key tax break that saves them far more money than they spend on political campaigns.

South Carolina – South Carolina’s Pending Ethics Commission Isn’t All That Independent, Experts Say
Charleston Post and Courier – Maya Prabhu | Published: 1/3/2017

South Carolina lawmakers voted last year to create an eight-member Ethics Commission that will be appointed by April 1. While outside groups applauded the move in the wake of scandals in the state, others cautioned there is still room for politics to creep in. Many give South Carolina credit for taking a step, however small, toward having its suspect lawmakers investigated by a separate entity when accused of wrongdoing.

Tennessee – Attorney General Says Political Fundraisers at TN Governor’s Mansion, State Property Legal
Chattanooga Times Free Press – Andy Sher | Published: 1/5/2017

Holding campaign fundraisers at the governor’s mansion and other state property is legal, said an opinion issued by Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery. In an unrelated opinion, Slatery said social media accounts that are created and maintained by a municipality can be a matter of public record.

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: “Ron Book Is Big Winner in Local Government Lobbying Contracts” by Steve Bousquet for Miami Herald

Indiana: “State Senator Introduces Ethics Bill to Ban All Gifts from Lobbyists” by Bob Segall for WTHR

Campaign Finance

“Rep. Duncan Hunter’s Team Responds to Uproar Over Rabbit Expenses” by Michael Walsh for Yahoo News

Ethics

“Trump’s Agenda Would Boost His Bottom Line” by Darren Samuelsohn for Politico

Montana: “Montana Fails to Retain Decades of Emails Despite Open Government Law” by Jayme Fraser for The Missoulian

Oregon: “Two of Kate Brown’s Staffers Resign Following Conflict of Interest Questions” by Hillary Borrud for The Oregonian

South Carolina: “South Carolina’s Pending Ethics Commission Isn’t All That Independent, Experts Say” by Maya Prabhu for The Post and Courier

Elections

“It Started with a Retiree. Now the Women’s March Could Be the Biggest Inauguration Demonstration.” by Ben Stein and Sandhya Somashekhar for The Washington Post

Virginia: “The GOP Race for Lieutenant Governor Is Getting Ugly in Virginia” by Laura Vozzella for The Washington Post

Wisconsin: “One Person, One Algorithm, One Vote: Campaigns are doing more with data, for better or worse” by Katelyn Farrell for The Capital Times

Legislative Issues

Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania House Revises Rules for Expelling Members” by Karen Langley for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Lobbying

Maryland: “Interim City Solicitor Pays Rent to Powerful Lobbyist’s Firm” by Doug Donovan for Baltimore Sun

Nevada: “Nevada High School Students Learn the Legislative Ropes and Pass Real Laws” by Sandra Chereb for Las Vegas Review-Journal

Campaign Finance

California: “Political Donations Flow as Rick Caruso Seeks Approval for a 20-Story Tower Near the Beverly Center” by David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times

Ethics

“House GOP Reverses Course on Gutting Ethics Panel” by Rachel Bade for Politico

Indiana: “Critics Want Tighter Restrictions on Post-Legislative Work” by Hayleigh Colombo for Indianapolis Business Journal

Montana: “Political Practices Commissioner to Remain in Office for Now” by Matt Volz (Associated Press) for The Missoulian

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma House Has Sketchy Recent History with Policing Its Own” by Barbara Hoberock for Tulsa World

Texas: “Senator Goes for Low-Hanging Fruit in Ethics Reform” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune

Elections

Minnesota: “In Minneapolis City Council Races, So Far There’s Left, and Further Left” by Adam Betz for Minneapolis Star Tribune

Legislative Issues

Maine: “1-Sentence Draft Bills Criticized for Lack of Transparency” by Marina Villeneuve (Associated Press) for Fairfield Citizen

Campaign Finance

Missouri: “Missouri Campaign Contribution Limits Remain in Place After Latest Hearing” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

New York: “Why Developers of Manhattan Luxury Towers Give Millions to Upstate Candidates” by Cezary Podkul and Derek Kravitz (ProPublica), and Will Parker (The Real Deal) for ProPublica.org

Ethics

“With No Warning, House Republicans Vote to Gut Independent Ethics Office” by Eric Lipton for The New York Times

“Advertising’s Moral Struggle: Is online reach worth the hurt?” by Sapna Maheshwari for The New York Times

“The Enemy Within: Bribes bore a hole in the U.S. border” by Ron Nixon for The New York Times

Alabama: “After Release from Prison, Former Alabama Rep. Terry Spicer Lands Another State Job” by Jim Cook for Dothan Eagle

Connecticut: “Ethics Opinion: Aresimowicz can be House speaker, union staffer” by Mark Pazniokas for Connecticut Mirror

New York: “How Cuomo’s Signature Economic Growth Project Fell Apart in Utica” by Vivian Yee for The New York Times

Elections

“David Fahrenthold Tells the Behind-the-Scenes Story of His Year Covering Trump” by David Fahrenthold for The Washington Post

North Carolina: “Judge Puts NC GOP Elections Board Makeover on Hold after Roy Cooper Sues” by Anne Blythe and Colin Campbell for Raleigh News & Observer

National:

When One Party Has the Governor’s Mansion and the Other Has the Statehouse
New York Times – Trip Gabriel | Published: 12/26/2016

Governors outgunned by veto-proof majorities in their Legislatures have successfully used the bully pulpit of their office, going over the heads of part-time lawmakers to directly appeal to citizens. Other times, governors have profited from a basic law of politics: they are usually more popular than legislative bodies, whose job favorability is little higher than that of perpetrators of Ponzi schemes. And governors in control of the bureaucracy of the executive branch have found that, like President Obama in the face of congressional obstruction, they can pull the levers of executive action to advance an agenda.

Wielding Claims of ‘Fake News,’ Conservatives Take Aim at Mainstream Media
New York Times – Jeremy Peters | Published: 12/25/2016

Until now, the term “fake news” had been understood to refer to fabricated news accounts that are meant to spread virally online. But conservative cable and radio personalities, top Republicans, and President-elect Donald Trump, incredulous about suggestions that fake stories may have helped swing the election, have appropriated the term and turned it against any news they see as hostile to their agenda. In defining “fake news” so broadly and seeking to dilute its meaning, they are capitalizing on the declining credibility of all purveyors of information. And conservatives, seeing an opening to undermine the mainstream media, a longtime foe, are more than happy to dig the hole deeper.

Federal:

Donald Trump Plans to Shut Down His Charitable Foundation, Which Has Been Under Scrutiny for Months
Washington Post – Mark Berman and David Fahrenthold | Published: 12/24/2016

President-elect Donald Trump announced he intends to dissolve his charitable foundation, his latest move aimed at settling ethical conflicts that have already dogged the incoming administration. The Donald J. Trump Foundation has come under scrutiny this year after a series of news reports detailing its practices, including cases in which Trump apparently used the charity’s money to settle lawsuits involving his for-profit businesses. New York’s attorney general has been investigating the charity after some of these reports, and a spokesperson for that office said the foundation could not officially shut down until that probe is over.

Inside the Trump Organization, the Company That Has Run Trump’s Big World
New York Times – Megan Twohey, Russ Buettner, and Steve Eder | Published: 12/25/2016

With entanglements around the world, many packaged in a network of licensing agreements and limited liability companies, the Trump Organization poses a raft of potential conflicts for a president-elect who has long exerted tight control over his business. Donald Trump, owner of all but the smallest sliver of the privately held company, has said while the law does not require it, he is formulating plans to remove himself from the company’s operations. But amid rising pressure, Trump and his advisers have been debating further steps. Yet an examination of the company underscores the challenges of taking Donald Trump out of the picture. His company is a distinctly family business fortified with longtime loyalists that operates less on standardized procedures and more on a culture of its leader.

Navy Repeatedly Dismissed Evidence That ‘Fat Leonard’ Was Cheating the 7th Fleet
Washington Post – Craig Whitlock | Published: 12/27/2016

The Navy allowed the worst corruption scandal in its history to fester for several years by dismissing evidence that a Singapore-based contractor, Leonard Francis, was cheating the service out of millions of dollars and bribing officers with alcohol, prostitutes, and lavish dinners. Staffers at U.S. Pacific Fleet headquarters were so worried about the potential for trouble that they drafted a new ethics policy to discourage Navy personnel from accepting favors from Francis. But their effort was blocked for more than two years by admirals who were friendly with the contractor. It took officials years to gather enough evidence to charge Francis and arrest him. He has pleaded guilty to defrauding the Navy of $35 million.

U.S. Punishes Russia for Election Hacking, Ejecting Operatives
New York Times – David Sanger | Published: 12/29/2016

The Obama administration announced new measures in retaliation for what officials have characterized as Russian interference in American elections, ordering the removal of 35 Russian government officials from the U.S. and sanctioning agencies and individuals tied to the hacks. The announcement culminates a debate over whether and how to respond to Russia’s unprecedented election-year provocations, ranging from the hacks of the Democratic National Committee to the targeting of state electoral systems. President-elect Donald Trump suggested the U.S. should drop its effort to retaliate against Russia, and cast doubt on intelligence agencies’ conclusion that Russia was behind the hacks.

From the States and Municipalities:

California
How to Influence the California Legislature? New Spending Details Revealed
Sacramento Bee – Taryn Luna and Jim Miller | Published: 12/28/2016

The third quarter of 2016, which included the end of the legislative session, was so important that companies, unions, trade associations, and other groups paid $84.4 million to lobby California officials on bills and regulations during the three-month period. Much as campaigns for candidates seek to win over voters, the disclosure filings underline the extent to which special-interest groups employ some of the same resources to make their cases to lawmakers and state officials. They also for the first time provide details about which political consultants, public-relations experts, advertising firms, and other non-lobbyist advocates are being paid to influence policy.

California
Santa Clara County Bosses Let Workers Take Toys Meant for Needy Kids
San Jose Mercury News – Ramona Girwagis | Published: 12/23/2016

Expensive toys intended as Christmas presents for poor children were handed out instead to dozens of Santa Clara County employees, and the county executive’s office says they do not need to return them. County employees walking to their cars from work saw the items being unloaded from trucks at the Santa Clara County building as part of a toy drive. County Executive Jeff Smith insisted that county employees who took the toys understood they needed to donate them to a nonprofit or church. But he could provide no documentation that workers were told to donate them. Smith acknowledged the county has no way of knowing whether the employees donated the gifts or kept them for themselves. “Had we realized that this was going on we probably would have organized it differently,” said Steve Preminger, a special assistant to Smith.

Florida
Shining a Light on Lobbyists, New Efforts to Curb Their Influence
Tallahassee Democrat – James Call | Published: 12/18/2016

It is a new era in Washington, D.C. and Tallahassee, and the winners of the November election are imposing new realities on how lobbyists can operate. New lobbyist-disclosure requirements approved by the Florida House aim to reveal how paid advocates and lawmakers interact behind the scenes. The rules place the lobbying corps in a delicate situation. They clearly target their product – influence – yet opposition would alienate House Speaker Richard Corcoran, the official with the ability to see that their bill, amendment, or request never gets heard. Lobbyists said they are figuring out how to navigate the new working conditions.

Missouri
With Greitens’ Blessing, Lawmakers Aim for Lobbyist-Gift Ban
Springfield News-Leader – Summer Ballentine (Associated Press) | Published: 12/25/2016

Maybe this year, with support from Gov.-elect Eric Greitens, Missouri lawmakers will be able to keep lobbyists from giving officeholders expensive dinners or concert tickets. If lawmakers fail to deliver in the 2017 session, it would break a campaign promise from Greitens, who largely focused on how he would tackle corruption in the Capitol, which in recent years has been marred by ethics scandals, and said such a ban is his first goal. It is also among the top priorities for House Speaker Todd Richardson, who said he was personally disappointed when an ethics bills did not pass last session.

New York
De Blasio Signs Measures Limiting Political Contributions
Newsday – Matthew Chayes | Published: 12/22/2016

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed campaign finance reform legislation recently. Included in the bills are limits on contributions by donors with business before the city to elected officials’ political nonprofits, ostensibly aimed at a group like the mayor’s now-defunct Campaign for One New York. Other legislation eliminates public matching funds for contributions bundled by people doing business with the city, limits amounts donated for transition and inauguration activities, and changes eligibility requirements for certain activities like debates.

New York
JCOPE Settles with Firms Caught Up in Skelos, Silver Cases
Albany Times Union – Casey Seiler | Published: 12/28/2016

The New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics reached settlements over lobbying violations with companies involved in the corruption cases of former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and ex-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Glenwood Management will pay a $200,000 fine and Administrators for the Professions will pay $70,000. Glenwood failed to disclose meetings and other lobbying activities before Skelos, and recommended to a company that it hire his son as a consultant. Glenwood also retained a law firm knowing a portion of the fees it paid would be shared with Silver. Administrators for the Professions admitted in the course of lobbying Skelos, it employed his son in an arrangement designed to curry favor with the senator.

New York
NYCLU, ACLU Sue New York Over Ethics Law
Albany Times Union – Chris Bragg | Published: 12/22/2016

A civil liberties group has joined in the call for a federal judge to strike down new donor-disclosure provisions in New York that allegedly stray from their anticorruption goals, hurting the protected speech rights of both nonprofits and donors. The new law mandates the public disclosure of all donors and contributions to a 501(c)(3) in excess of $2,500 whenever that organization makes an “in-kind donation” of over $2,500 to certain 501(c)(4)s engaged in lobbying activity. For 501(c)4 disclosure, the law lowers the threshold from $50,000 to $15,000 in annual lobbying spending. Unless the lawsuits succeed in getting an injunction, the first lobbying reports with the new disclosure requirements are due at the end of January.

Oklahoma
An Oklahoma Newspaper Endorsed Clinton. It Hasn’t Been Forgiven.
New York Times – Manny Fernandez | Published: 12/26/2016

The Enid News & Eagle, a red newspaper in a red county in what is arguably the reddest of states went blue this campaign season and endorsed Hillary Clinton for president. The editorial board wrote that Donald Trump lacked “the skills, experience or temperament to hold office.” It was the first Democratic endorsement for president in the modern history of the newspaper, which was founded in 1893. Enid was stunned, and this slow-paced agricultural town of 52,000 near the Kansas state line has not been the same since. Around the country, as newspapers big and small are struggling to keep subscribers, a handful of papers with conservative editorial boards made news by either endorsing Clinton or urging readers to back anybody but Trump.

South Carolina
Possibility of More S.C. Lawmakers Charged with Corruption Looms
Aiken Standard – Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) | Published: 12/24/2016

Following the 30-count indictment of a former state House majority leader, questions over who else may face corruption charges will loom over South Carolina’s 2017 legislative session. The misconduct and ethics charges against Rep. Jim Merrill, the first since former Speaker Bobby Harrell pleaded guilty and resigned more than two years ago, ended all speculation that lawmakers could breathe easy. And prosecutor David Pascoe made clear he is not done. “This is still an ongoing investigation,” Pascoe said in a recent statement.

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

“Lobbying Is Not Enough to Build Influence Among U.S. Lawmakers” by Michael Gottlieb and Elise Gurney for Harvard Business Review

New York: “JCOPE Settles with Glenwood, Malpractice Insurer Over Lobbying Violations” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

Campaign Finance

Illinois: “Illinois Governor Donates $50M to His 2018 Campaign Fund” by the Associated Press for The New York Times

New Mexico: “Campaign Finance Reform on Agenda Again in NM” by the Associated Press for Las Cruces Sun News

Ethics

“Wielding Claims of ‘Fake News,’ Conservatives Take Aim at Mainstream Media” by Jeremy Peters for The New York Times

“Inside the Trump Organization, the Company That Has Run Trump’s Big World” by Megan Twohey, Russ Buettner, and Steve Eder for The New York Times

“Navy Repeatedly Dismissed Evidence That ‘Fat Leonard’ Was Cheating the 7th Fleet” by Craig Whitlock for The Washington Post

Montana: “Montana Governor, Legislators Condemn Plans for White-Nationalist March” by David Weigel for The Washington Post

New York: “A Song for Bill de Blasio Sounds a Sour Note for Watchdogs” by William Neuman for The New York Times

Ohio: “Company Must Pay $100,000 to Columbus in Red-Light Bribery Scheme” by Earl Rinehart and Rick Rouan for The Columbus Dispatch

Elections

“Trump Inauguration Security Planners Brace for Wave of Protesters” by Nicholas Fandos for The New York Times

Lobbying

Missouri: “With Greitens’ Blessing, Lawmakers Aim for Lobbyist-Gift Ban” by Summer Ballentine (Associated Press) for Springfield News-Leader

New York: “Ex-Prisoners Get an Advocate from Their Own Ranks” by Benjamin Weiser for New York Times

Campaign Finance

“Trump Rewards Big Donors with Jobs and Access” by Isaac Arnsdorf for Politico

Vermont: “Donovan Taking Hard Look at AG’s Campaign Finance Case” by Morgan True for VTDigger.org

Ethics

“Donald Trump Plans to Shut Down His Charitable Foundation, Which Has Been Under Scrutiny for Months” by Mark Berman and David Fahrenthold for Washington Post

California: “Santa Clara County Bosses Let Workers Take Toys Meant for Needy Kids” by Ramona Girwagis for San Jose Mercury News

Maryland: “Botsaris Appointed Executive Director of Anne Arundel County Ethics Commission” by Amanda Yeager for Capital Gazette

South Carolina: “Possibility of More S.C. Lawmakers Charged with Corruption Looms” by Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) for Aiken Standard

Elections

Oklahoma: “An Oklahoma Newspaper Endorsed Clinton. It Hasn’t Been Forgiven.” by Manny Fernandez for New York Times

Legislative Issues

“Ryan Proposes Fines, Ethics Moves on Grandstanding House Members” by Billy House for Bloomberg.com

North Carolina: “When One Party Has the Governor’s Mansion and the Other Has the Statehouse” by Trip Gabriel for New York Times

Procurement

California: “Bid-Rigging Indictment Alleges California Government Contracting Scheme” by Adam Ashton for Sacramento Bee

Lobbying

Florida: “Shining a Light on Lobbyists, New Efforts to Curb Their Influence” by James Call for Tallahassee Democrat

Illinois: “Players Ask Favors Big and Small in Emanuel Emails” by Rick Pearson, David Heinzmann, and Jeff Coen for Chicago Tribune

New York: “NYCLU, ACLU Sue New York Over Ethics Law” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Campaign Finance

New York: “De Blasio Signs Measures Limiting Political Contributions” by Matthew Chayes for Newsday

Washington: “‘Everybody Is in Violation of the PDC,’ Says Activist as Attorney General Files Complaint” by Lisa Pemberton for The Olympian

Ethics

“Trump’s Son, Fearing ‘Quagmire,’ to Stop Soliciting for Charity” by Eric Lipton and Maggie Haberman for New York Times

California: “No Charges for Government Critic Who Penned Racist Comments and Images about L.A. City Council Member” by Matt Hamilton and Dakota Smith for Los Angeles Times

Elections

“Do It for The Country? Or Don’t Do It at All? The Dilemma Facing Artists at Trump’s Inauguration.” by Monica Hesse for Washington Post

National:

Suspected of Corruption at Home, Powerful Foreigners Find Refuge in U.S.
Miami Herald – Kyra Gurney, Analji Tsui, David Iaconangelo, and Selena Cheng | Published: 12/9/2016

Wealthy politicians and businesspeople suspected of corruption in their native lands are fleeing to a safe haven where their wealth and influence shield them from arrest. They have entered this country on a variety of visas, including one designed to encourage investment. Some have applied for asylum, which is intended to protect people fleeing oppression and political persecution. The increasingly popular destination for people avoiding criminal charges is no pariah nation. It is the United States.

The Future of Campaign Finance Reform Is at The State and Local Level
Huffington Post – Paul Blumenthal | Published: 12/20/2016

Portland’s passage of an ordinance establishing public funding for campaigns came on the heels of similar victories in South Dakota and Missouri, as well as in Berkeley, California, and Howard County, Maryland. These successes showcase the broad bipartisan support across the country for campaign finance reform that boosts the power of small donors to counter the dominance of big money. These wins, while big in their own right, were supposed to be overshadowed by changes at the U.S. Supreme Court level. Donald Trump is likely to appoint someone whose thought process lines up with that of late Justice Antonin Scalia, meaning the five-vote majority that wrote Citizens United would maintain its power and campaign finance laws would continue to fall. So reformers rest their hopes where they can: at the state and local levels.

Federal:

Access to Donald Trump, for $500,000: Pitfalls for Presidents’ Families
New York Times – Eric Lipton | Published: 12/20/2016

The initial invitation from Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump dangled a rare opportunity for donors willing to give $500,000 and more: a private reception with the new president the day after his inauguration and a hunting or fishing excursion with one of the brothers. But after the details about the “camouflage & cufflinks”-themed fundraiser first leaked, a spokesperson for President-elect Donald Trump said neither he nor his adult sons were involved in plans for the event. The confusion over the family’s connection to the fundraiser showed the degree to which Trump has failed to set rules that would protect his family from allegations of influence-peddling or draw clear lines between himself and the interests of his children, who will take over management of his business empire, watchdog groups said.

Donald Trump Is Holding a Government Casting Call. He’s Seeking ‘The Look.’
Washington Post – Philip Rucker and Karen Tumulty | Published: 12/21/2016

The parade of potential job-seekers passing the media cameras at Trump Tower has the feel of a casting call. It is no coincidence that a disproportionate share of the names most mentioned for jobs at the upper echelon of the new administration are familiar faces to viewers of cable news. Given Donald Trump’s own background as a master brander who ran beauty pageants as a sideline, it was probably inevitable he would be looking beyond their résumés for a certain aesthetic in his supporting players. “You can come with somebody who is very much qualified for the job, but if they don’t look the part, they’re not going anywhere,” said a person familiar with the transition team’s deliberations.

Former Philadelphia Congressman Chaka Fattah Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison
Philadelphia Inquirer – Jeremy Roebuck | Published: 12/13/2016

Former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, who was convicted in June of more than 20 counts corruption, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Fattah repeatedly bribed others and stole campaign contributions, charitable donations, and federal grant money, prosecutors said. He will pay $614,000 in damages and will be supervised for three years after his release. Fattah’s son is serving a five-year prison sentence for defrauding Philadelphia banks and the IRS to cover gambling debts and other personal expenses.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alaska
New Alaska House Leaders Embrace Loophole to raise Campaign Cash from Lobbyists
Alaska Dispatch News – Nathaniel Herz | Published: 12/18/2016

Republican leaders of Alaska’s incoming House majority coalition are embracing a fundraising loophole that allows them to collect money from lobbyists, who are otherwise restricted from donating to legislators and candidates. House Democrats, who joined with the Republicans to form the majority coalition, have been some of the most vocal supporters of legislation to limit the flow of special-interest money into the state’s campaigns. But they are now collaborating with the fundraising efforts of their new GOP colleagues, Reps. Gabrielle LeDoux and Paul Seaton.

Colorado
Denver Officials Move Closer to Listing Their Gifts Online and Tightening Ethics Rules
Denver Post – Jon Murray | Published: 12/20/2016

Denver is moving closer to adopting ethics code reforms and revamping lobbyist and gift disclosure rules that will make it easier for citizens to see who is wooing officials with meals and tickets. Besides discussing a new dollar limit on event tickets from each donor with a city interest, the most significant proposed changes also may be the simplest: make elected and appointed officials’ gift disclosures available online, and do it more often, every six months instead of annually.

Louisiana
Lobbyists Spent Nearly Half a Million Dollars to Woo Louisiana Legislators in 2016
New Orleans Advocate – Elizabeth Crisp | Published: 12/18/2016

Nearly $500,000 has been spent entertaining state legislators this year, roughly $3,300 in lobbyist spending per lawmaker, as the Louisiana Legislature spent a record-setting 19 weeks in session sorting through the state’s fiscal woes. A review of disclosure data shows the $476,019.20 tab that lobbyists have run up in 2016 far outpaced the amount spent in any of the eight years since the state began requiring more detailed expenditure reporting. At least 593 registered lobbyists pushed for or against legislation as it made its way through the Capitol this year. “Every interest pretty much has a lobbyist in Baton Rouge,” said Pearson Cross, a political science professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Massachusetts
Appeals Court Overturns Convictions in Probation Department Scandal
Boston Globe – Milton Valencia | Published: 12/19/2016

A U.S. appeals court judge overturned the convictions of three former Massachusetts Probation Department officials accused of running a rigged hiring scheme. Probation Commissioner John O’Brien and his deputies, Elizabeth Tavares and William Burke, were convicted in July 2014. Prosecutors said they hired employees based on political connections, not merit, then lied when they certified the hires were done correctly. Judge Juan Torruella in his ruling said O’Brien and others misran the department and made efforts to conceal the patronage hiring system. “But not all unappealing conduct is criminal,” Torruella wrote. He said the government did not adequately prove O’Brien accepted a gratuity since there was not sufficient linkage between O’Brien’s offering favored candidates a job and him getting a specific item of value in return.

New Jersey
Lawmakers’ Revolt Sinks Book Deal, Newspaper Bill
Bergen Record – Salvador Rizzo | Published: 12/19/2016

A book deal for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will have to wait. State lawmakers said they would not vote on a measure changing an ethics law that barred Christie from cashing in on a book deal while in office, at the same time giving millions of dollars in pay raises to lawmakers’ staff, judges, and other officials. The measure had buy-in from leaders in the Democrat-led Legislature and was on a fast track to the governor’s desk at the same time as a measure viewed by some as a vendetta by Christie against the state’s newspapers. But rank-and-file members all but revolted in closed-door meetings when faced with the book-deal legislation, and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto said a separate bill that would end the requirement that government legal notices be published in newspapers will be postponed until next year.

New York
De Blasio Is Fined $48,000 for Campaign Finance Violations
New York Times – J. David Goodman | Published: 12/15/2016

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has been fined almost $48,000 for violating spending rules during his 2013 mayoral campaign. The city council also passed a bill to limit the activities of outside nonprofit political groups, a measure aimed squarely at the Campaign for One New York, a nonprofit political group created by de Blasio and his aides that is at the center of state and federal inquiries into his fundraising.

New York
N.Y. Pay-to-Play Plot Fueled by Bribes, U.S. Says
Bloomberg.com – Bob Van Voris and Chris Dolmetsch | Published: 12/21/2016

A former official at the country’s third-largest pension fund and two broker-dealers were charged in what a federal prosecutor described as a classic bribery scheme. Navnoor King, the former head of the New York State Common Retirement Fund’s fixed income trades, received more than $100,000 worth of bribes from broker-dealers Deborah Kelley and Gregg Sconhorn, prosecutors said. Regulators found Kang steered about $2 billion in fixed-income trades to firms represented by Kelley and Schonhorn, resulting in millions of dollars in commissions. Prosecutors said in exchange, Kang received a $10,000 all-expenses-paid trip to Montreal, tickets to a Paul McCartney concert, a $17,420 Panerai wristwatch, dinners at upscale restaurants, prostitutes, and cocaine.

North Carolina
North Carolina Governor Signs Bill Limiting His Successor’s Power
Governing – Pat Jarvis (Raleigh News & Observer) | Published: 12/19/2016

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory signed bills that will limit the authority of his successors and reduce Democrats’ power over election regulation in the wake of two contentious special sessions. Senate Bill 4 would create a commission merging the current State Board of Elections, State Ethics Commission, and the lobbying-regulation functions of the secretary of state’s office. Protesters disrupted a House debate about the changes to election law, chanting and prompting House Speaker Tim Moore to order police to clear the public gallery.

South Carolina
Rep. Jim Merrill Indicted in S.C. Statehouse Probe; Suspended from Office
Charleston Post & Courier – Schuyler Kropf and Glenn Smith | Published: 12/15/2016

South Carolina Rep. Jim Merrill was indicted on 30 charges that accuse him of misconduct in office as far back as 2002 as well as a series of ethics violations. The indictment says Merrill illegally used his office to pocket at least $1.3 million, either directly or through his business, Geechie Communications. He also failed to disclose receiving payments of more $673,000 from trade, advocacy, and political groups in violation of state ethics law, according to the indictment. Crangle, head of South Carolina Common Cause, said he suspects as many as three or four more people are facing indictments.

South Carolina
Smarter Corruption: How Lost Trust evolved into ‘Capitol Gains’
Charleston Post & Courier – Tony Bartelme and Doug Pardue | Published: 12/17/2016

“Operation Lost Trust” in 1990 ended much of the overt vote selling that went on at the South Carolina Legislature. But the recent indictment of a powerful state lawmaker showed, prosecutors believe other forms of graft and influence-peddling have taken its place, schemes that are more difficult to pierce. Where cash once was transferred in brown bags and envelopes, prosecutors now say money moves through a murky system of legislative caucuses, PACs, campaign accounts, and private businesses – and enormous sums are at stake.

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

Louisiana: “Lobbyists Spent Nearly Half a Million Dollars to Woo Louisiana Legislators in 2016” by Elizabeth Crisp for New Orleans Advocate

Campaign Finance

“Offer of Access to Trump and Family at Fundraiser Is Pulled Back, But Ties Remain” by Matea Gold and David Fahrenthold for The Washington Post

“DeVos Heads into Confirmation with a Megadonor’s Advantage” by Michael Stratford for Politico

Ethics

“Suspected of Corruption at Home, Powerful Foreigners Find Refuge in U.S.” by Kyra Gurney, Anjali Tsui, David Iaconangelo, and Selina Cheng for Miami Herald

“There’s Already a Big Problem with Trump’s ‘No New Deals’ Pledge” by Drew Harwell for The Washington Post

Massachusetts: “Appeals Court Overturns Convictions in Probation Department Scandal” by Milton Valencia for Boston Globe

New Jersey: “Lawmakers’ Revolt Sinks Book Deal, Newspaper Bill” by Salvador Rizzo for Bergen Record

New York: “Grand Juries Said to Hear Testimony on Inquiries into de Blasio Fund-Raising” by William Rashbaum for The New York Times

South Carolina: “Rep. Jim Merrill Indicted in S.C. Statehouse Probe; Suspended from Office” by Schuyler Kropf and Glenn Smith for Charleston Post & Courier

Virginia: “Residents Push to Change Law That Lets Norfolk Treasurer Anthony Burfoot Stay in Office” by Eric Hartley for The Virginian-Pilot

Elections

“Electoral College Settles Donald Trump’s Victory, but Little Else” by Jonathan Martin and Michael Wines for The New York Times

Campaign Finance

“Activists Brace for Fight Over Campaign Finance Law” by Alex Roarty for Roll Call

Arkansas: “Old Advice on State Judicial Donors Cut, Not Revised” by Lisa Hammersly for Northwest Arkansas News

Oregon: “Portland to Revive Public Campaign Financing in 2019” by Jessica Floum for Portland Oregonian

Ethics

Pennsylvania: “Former Philadelphia Congressman Chaka Fattah Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

Illinois: “Ald. Willie Cochran Indicted on Thefts from Ward Charity” by Jason Meisner, Jeremy Gorner, and Hal Dardick for Chicago Tribune

Indiana: “Former Lawmaker Lands Job with Vaping Group That Benefited from His Vote” by Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star

Kentucky: “Tim Longmeyer Pleads Guilty to State Felony” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal

New York: “Reform Group Sues Over New Disclosure Law” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Ethics Commissioner Resigns in Disgust” by Jason Stein for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Elections

“Electoral College Settles Donald Trump’s Victory, but Little Else” by Jonathan Martin and Michael Wines for New York Times

“All This Talk of Voter Fraud? Across U.S., Officials Found Next to None” by Michael Wines for New York Times

Lobbying

“Longtime Business Lobbyist Laments Loss of ‘Smoke-Filled Rooms’ in Washington” by Carl Hulse for New York Times

Campaign Finance

Alaska: “New Alaska House leaders embrace loophole to raise campaign cash from lobbyists” by Nathaniel Herz for Alaska Dipatch News

Arizona: “Arizona Supreme Court to review Tom Horne’s campaign-finance case” by Bob Christie (Associated Press) for Arizona Republic

Massachusetts: “Campaign finance among bills passed” by Bob Katzen for Sentinel & Enterprise

New York: “De Blasio Is Fined $48,000 for Campaign Finance Violations” by J. David Goodman for New York Times

Ethics

“Trump’s billionaire-loaded cabinet will face a government ethics test after confirmation” by Kevin Hall for The Charlotte Observer

Illinois: “Lawmakers push package of ethics reform bills intended to mesh with Greitens’ goals” by Will Schmitt for Springfield News-Leader

South Carolina: “Companies say they weren’t trying to buy SC legislator’s influence” by Avery Wilks for SCNow

Elections

“North Carolina Governor Signs Bill Limiting His Successor’s Power” by Craig Jarvis for Governing

On Monday, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and retired State Senator and Judge Quentin L. Kopp filed a lawsuit in the Sacramento Superior Court seeking to invalidate Senate Bill 1107. SB 1107 was passed this fall and allows any municipality the option to create systems for publicly funded campaigns.

Prior to SB 1107, only six charter cities were allowed to offer limited public funds to match small campaign donations. The suit requests an injunction to stop the new provisions from taking effect on January 1, 2017. The plaintiffs are also requesting SB 1107 be ruled invalid and sent to voters on a statewide ballot.

On December 14, Portland City Council voted 3-2 to pass the Open and Accountable Elections package to create a public campaign finance matching system.

The publicly funded election system is modeled on New York City’s public campaign financing program. The city will provide matching funds to eligible candidates for mayor, city commissioner and auditor, with funding starting in 2019 for the 2020 election.