May 19, 2015 •
Georgia Special Election Set for State House District 24
The Office of the Secretary of State has given notice of a special election for state House District 24. The election will be held on June 16, 2015, with a runoff election on July 14, 2015, if needed. The vacancy […]
The Office of the Secretary of State has given notice of a special election for state House District 24.
The election will be held on June 16, 2015, with a runoff election on July 14, 2015, if needed.
The vacancy was created by the May 11 resignation of Mark Hamilton, who announced plans to accept a private sector job in Tennessee.
May 13, 2015 •
King County, WA Elections Director Will Not Seek Re-Election
Sherill Huff, Elections Director for King County, Washington, announced she will not seek re-election after six years in office. Huff cited personal and health reasons for the decision. The elections director position will appear on the November 3, 2015 general […]
Sherill Huff, Elections Director for King County, Washington, announced she will not seek re-election after six years in office.
Huff cited personal and health reasons for the decision.
The elections director position will appear on the November 3, 2015 general election ballot.
May 6, 2015 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying Connecticut: “Malloy Urged Protection for Pharmaceutical Firms in Trade Pact” by Ana Radelat for CT Mirror Tennessee: “ALEC’s Influence in the Tennessee Legislature” by Richard Locker for Knoxville News Sentinel Texas: “Senate Tightens Up Reporting Requirements for Lobbyists” by […]
Lobbying
Connecticut: “Malloy Urged Protection for Pharmaceutical Firms in Trade Pact” by Ana Radelat for CT Mirror
Tennessee: “ALEC’s Influence in the Tennessee Legislature” by Richard Locker for Knoxville News Sentinel
Texas: “Senate Tightens Up Reporting Requirements for Lobbyists” by Terrence Stutz for Dallas Morning News
Campaign Finance
Minnesota: “Gov. Mark Dayton Vows to Veto GOP Campaign Cash Changes” by Rachel Stassen-Berger for St. Paul Pioneer Press
New York: “Albany Shivers after Bharara Flips a Major Donor” by Jimmy Vielkind for Capital New York
Ethics
New Jersey: “With Bridge Case Charges, a Cloud Descends on Christie’s White House Hopes” by Michael Barbaro for New York Times
New Jersey: “Forget Bridgegate. New Jersey’s Actually the Most Ethical State.” by Nicholas Kusnetz for Washington Post
Pennsylvania: “Loopholes in Pennsylvania’s Ethics Act Allow Family Hires” by Andrew Staub (PA Independent) for Watchdog.org
Elections
“Mike Huckabee Joins Republican Presidential Race” by Trip Gabriel for New York Times
“Campaign Coverage via Snapchat Could Shake Up the 2016 Elections” by Jonathan Mahler for New York Times
May 5, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying Tennessee: “Out-of-State Groups Seek Influence in Tennessee” by Tom Humphrey (Knoxville News Sentinel) for The Tennessean Campaign Finance “Hollywood Bundlers Are Losing the Spotlight” by Todd Purdum for Politico “F.E.C. Can’t Curb 2016 Election Abuse, Commission Chief Says” by […]
Lobbying
Tennessee: “Out-of-State Groups Seek Influence in Tennessee” by Tom Humphrey (Knoxville News Sentinel) for The Tennessean
Campaign Finance
“Hollywood Bundlers Are Losing the Spotlight” by Todd Purdum for Politico
“F.E.C. Can’t Curb 2016 Election Abuse, Commission Chief Says” by Eric Lichtblau for New York Times
California: “L.A. Port Police Chief Indicted in Alleged Fraud Scheme” by Matt Hamilton for Los Angeles Times
Connecticut: “Wolcott Man Gets Prison in Chris Donovan Campaign Case” by Nicholas Rondinone for Hartford Courant
New Jersey: “Chris Christie Vetoes Anti-Corruption Law to Limit Wall Street Campaign Cash” by David Sirota and Andrew Perez for International Business Times
New Jersey: “State of Corruption: N.J.’s most infamous political scandals” by Jonathan Salant (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star-Ledger
New Jersey: “Key Christie Ally Pleads Guilty to Role in Bridgegate, Two Others Indicted” by Rosalind Helderman and Robert Costa for Washington Post
New York: “Dean Skelos, New York Senate Leader, and Son Are Arrested on Corruption Charges” by William Rashbaum, Thomas Kaplan, and Susanne Craig for New York Times
Elections
“Ben Carson Says He’ll Seek 2016 G.O.P. Nomination” by Trip Gabriel for New York Times
“Carly Fiorina Announces 2016 Presidential Bid” by Amy Chozik for New York Times
Legislative Issues
“Antagonist-in-Chief Stickland Faces His Foes” by Morgan Smith for Texas Tribune
April 14, 2015 •
States Look to Move Presidential Primaries
Several states have introduced legislation changing their primary election dates to early March in preparation for the 2016 presidential election. Michigan has already enacted such legislation with the passage of Senate Bill 44 and Senate Bill 45. Both senate bills […]
Several states have introduced legislation changing their primary election dates to early March in preparation for the 2016 presidential election. Michigan has already enacted such legislation with the passage of Senate Bill 44 and Senate Bill 45. Both senate bills change the presidential primary election to the second Tuesday in March. The bills take effect in time for the 2016 presidential primary election. In Minnesota, Senate File 1205, currently in committee, proposes to change the presidential primary election to the last Tuesday in March. If passed, this bill will also take effect in time for the 2016 election. A pair of companion bills have been introduced in the Washington State Legislature. House Bill 2139 and Senate Bill 5978 each propose to change the date of the presidential primary election to the second Tuesday in March. Senate Bill 5978, introduced at the request of Secretary of State Kim Wyman, passed the Senate on March 3, 2015, and was referred to the House Committee on State Government where a hearing on the bill was held on March 12. In New Mexico, House Bill 346 proposes to change the state’s primary date to the third Tuesday in March. If passed, this bill will take effect July 1, 2015, again in time for the 2016 presidential election.
In what is being dubbed the “SEC” presidential primary, many Southern states are also considering legislation to change their primary election dates. Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp is leading an effort to do so, and urging his counterparts in Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Alabama to adopt similar measures. Kemp’s proposal is a regional primary election scheduled for the first Tuesday in March. In Mississippi, companion bills adopt Kemp’s proposal, amending the state’s primary election date to the first Tuesday in March. Senate Bill 2531 passed the Senate and reported favorably from the House Apportionment and Elections Committee; House Bill 933 passed the House and eventually died in the Senate.
Other states considering similar legislation include Oklahoma (Senate Bill 233), Idaho (Senate Bill 1066), Florida (House Bill 7035), and Vermont (Senate Bill 76).
April 9, 2015 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “K St. Firms on Edge about Hacking Threat” by Elise Viebeck for The Hill “Lobbyist Spending Is Concentrated at the Top” by Ian Lind for Honolulu Civil Beat “CSKT Accused of Unethical Lobbying” by Tristan Scott for Flathead Beacon […]
Lobbying
“K St. Firms on Edge about Hacking Threat” by Elise Viebeck for The Hill
“Lobbyist Spending Is Concentrated at the Top” by Ian Lind for Honolulu Civil Beat
“CSKT Accused of Unethical Lobbying” by Tristan Scott for Flathead Beacon
“Governor Signs Measure on Lobbyist Records” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal
Campaign Finance
“California Teachers Unions Face New Legal Challenge over Dues” by Emma Brown for Washington Post
“Legislative Committees Approve Bills to Close Campaign Finance Loopholes” by Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal
Ethics
“Raucous Akron City Council Meeting Rallies behind Councilman Bob Hoch” by John Harper (Northeast Ohio Media Group) for Cleveland Plain Dealer
“Kate Brown’s Ethics Reforms Begin March through Oregon Legislature” by Dennis Theriault for Portland Oregonian
“Activists Push to Restore Oversight of Legislators” by Jennifer Bogdon for Providence Journal
Elections
“Chicago Waiting to See if Runoff Truly Has Humbled Rahm Emanuel” by Monica Davey for New York Times
April 8, 2015 •
Writ Issued for Provincial General Election in Alberta
Chief Electoral Officer Glen Resler confirms writs were delivered today to administer elections across Alberta. Although Alberta has a fixed election set for spring 2016, Lt. Gov. Donald Ethell agreed to dissolve the Legislative Assembly at the premier’s request. Candidate […]
Chief Electoral Officer Glen Resler confirms writs were delivered today to administer elections across Alberta. Although Alberta has a fixed election set for spring 2016, Lt. Gov. Donald Ethell agreed to dissolve the Legislative Assembly at the premier’s request.
Candidate nominations for the 29th provincial general election begin today and end at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17. Polling day is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, 2015.
The 2011 Election Amendment Act requires elections to be held in the fourth calendar year after the preceding election. However, this law does not affect the powers of the lieutenant governor to dissolve the Legislature before the four years has expired.
March 30, 2015 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Buying Government with Lobbying Money” by Mike Collins in Forbes “Ed Whitfield’s Ties to Lobbyist Wife Subject of House Ethics Probe” by Hannah Hess in Roll Call “Reid leaving network of lobbyists behind” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill […]
Lobbying
“Buying Government with Lobbying Money” by Mike Collins in Forbes
“Ed Whitfield’s Ties to Lobbyist Wife Subject of House Ethics Probe” by Hannah Hess in Roll Call
“Reid leaving network of lobbyists behind” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill
Minnesota: “Leap from legislator to lobbyist a short one in Minnesota” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger and Dan Bauman in the Pioneer Press
Minnesota: “Legislators to lobbyists: A database of their clients and cash” by Dan Bauman in the Pioneer Press
Campaign Finance
“How potential presidential candidates are raising campaign cash” by Reena Flores on CBS News
“Are women giving enough money to political campaigns?” by Stefanie Murray in The Tennessean
Colorado: “Campaign finance rules get overhaul” by Anthony A. Mestas in The Pueblo Chieftain
Montana: “House passes bill to toughen campaign finance laws” in The Montana Standard
Ohio: “Campaign finance fines rarely collected, often reduced” by Amanda Seitz in the Dayton Daily News
Utah: “Utah cities can adopt stricter campaign finance rules” by The Associated Press in KSL.com
Ethics
New York: “Deal Is Reached on New York State Budget; Ethics Measures Are Included” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times
Texas: “Analysis: Trying to Spark Ethics Reform, Without a Scandal” by Ross Ramsey in The Texas Tribune
Elections
“Why Some Lawmakers Want to Abolish the 17th Amendment” by Alan Greenblatt in Governing
Government Tech and Social Media
Utah: “In Utah, Participatory Democracy Powered by Loomio and NationBuilder” by Jessica McKenzie in TechPresident
March 25, 2015 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Campaign Finance “How to Decide When to Announce You’re Running for President” by Rebecca Kaplan and Jake Miller for CBS News “Hillary Turns Down Invite to Secretive Donor Meeting” by Kenneth Vogel and Tarini Parti for Politico “‘Dark Money’ Bill […]
Campaign Finance
“How to Decide When to Announce You’re Running for President” by Rebecca Kaplan and Jake Miller for CBS News
“Hillary Turns Down Invite to Secretive Donor Meeting” by Kenneth Vogel and Tarini Parti for Politico
“‘Dark Money’ Bill Fails in Voice Vote” by Lisa Hammersly and Claudia Lauer for Arkansas Online
Connecticut: “Five-Month Prison Sentence for Lisa Wilson-Foley” by Dave Collins (Associated Press) for CBS Connecticut
Virginia: “Deep Feud Splitting Virginia’s GOP Evident in Party’s Fundraising Woes” by Jenna Portnoy and Paul Schwartzman for Washington Post
Wisconsin”Wisconsin Lawmakers Hear Advice for Changing Complex Campaign Spending, Fundraising Law” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) for Greenfield Daily Reporter
Wisconsin: “Secret $1.5 Million Donation from Wisconsin Billionaire Uncovered in Scott Walker Dark-Money Probe” by Michael Isikoff for Yahoo! Politics
Ethics
Indiana: “Another Loophole for Ex-INDOT Official?” by Ryan Sabalow and Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star
New Jersey: “Chris Christie Gets Corvette for NJ Radio News Director Who Interviews Him” by Christopher Zara and David Sirota for International Business Times
New York: “Cuomo Focuses on Ethics Reform, Not on Funding” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times
Washington: “Washington Auditor Says He’s Cooperating with Investigation” by Rachel La Corte (Associated Press) for Raleigh News & Observer
Elections
Wisconsin: “U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Take Up Challenge to Wisconsin Voter ID Law” by Jason Stein and Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
March 24, 2015 •
Wisconsin Voter ID Law Remains, But Not for Spring Election
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to hear a case alleging the state’s 2011 voter ID law is unconstitutional. Following the decision, the Government Accountability Board consulted with the Wisconsin Department of Justice and determined photo ID will not […]
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to hear a case alleging the state’s 2011 voter ID law is unconstitutional.
Following the decision, the Government Accountability Board consulted with the Wisconsin Department of Justice and determined photo ID will not be required for the April 7 Spring Election.
Photo ID will be required for subsequent elections, including any special elections in 2015.
March 19, 2015 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying New Mexico: “Freshman Lawmaker Determined to ‘Pay My Own Way’ at the Roundhouse” by Matt Grubs for KRQE Vermont: “Senate Grumbles about Lobbyist Disclosure Bill” by Terri Hallenbeck for Seven Days Washington: “Zombie Lobby Descends on Capitol to Rally […]
Lobbying
New Mexico: “Freshman Lawmaker Determined to ‘Pay My Own Way’ at the Roundhouse” by Matt Grubs for KRQE
Vermont: “Senate Grumbles about Lobbyist Disclosure Bill” by Terri Hallenbeck for Seven Days
Washington: “Zombie Lobby Descends on Capitol to Rally for Expanding Film and TV Tax Incentive Program” by Rachel LaCorte (Associated Press) for The Daily Journal
Campaign Finance
“State Legislatures Taking Aim at Dark Money, Disclosure” by Peter Olsen-Phillips for Sunlight Foundation
“Meet the Man Taking Aim at Campaign Finance Regulations” by Cameron Joseph for The Hill
Montana: “‘Dark Money’ Bill Heard by House Panel” by Charles Johnson for Montana Standard
Ethics
Connecticut: “Rowland Sentenced to 30 Months, a Decade after Last Imprisonment” by Kristin Hussey and Marc Santora for New York Times
New York: “Income Disclosure, Pension Forfeiture and Attendance Verification All Part of 2-Way Ethics Deal” in Legislative Gazette
Elections
Ohio: “Federal Judge: Ohio’s new ballot access limits for 3rd parties are constitutional” by Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) for Greenfield Daily Reporter
March 16, 2015 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying New Mexico: “Stripped-Down Lobbying Disclosure Goes to Senate” by Gwyneth Doland for New Mexico In Depth Washington: “Lawmakers Kill Proposed Lobbyist ‘Cooling Off’ Period for State Officials” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times Campaign Finance Arkansas: “Campaign E-Filing Bill […]
Lobbying
New Mexico: “Stripped-Down Lobbying Disclosure Goes to Senate” by Gwyneth Doland for New Mexico In Depth
Washington: “Lawmakers Kill Proposed Lobbyist ‘Cooling Off’ Period for State Officials” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times
Campaign Finance
Arkansas: “Campaign E-Filing Bill Falls Short in 1st Vote” by Lisa Hammersly and Claudia Lauer for Arkansas Online
Arkansas: “Paul Bookout, Former Arkansas State Senator from Jonesboro, Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud Charge” by Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) for Daily Journal
New Mexico: “Senate Panel Passes Bill to End Campaign Donation Limits” by Steve Terrell (Santa Fe New Mexican) for Las Cruces Sun-News
Ethics
“Drugmakers Turn Heat on Insurers by Backing Copay Limits” by Alex Wayne for Bloomberg News
“Big Costs to See Public Documents Hider Access” by Michael Felberbaum (Associated Press) for USA Today
“Lawmaker Facing Spending Probe Benefited from Donor Projects” by Jeff Horwitz and Stephen Braun (Associated Press) for Philadelphia Inquirer
“Jeb Bush’s Emails Detail Communications with Top Donors” by Ronnie Green and Steve Peoples (Associated Press) for Raleigh News & Observer
“Committee Says No to Ethics Commission” by Nick Smith for Bismarck Tribune
Elections
“Absence of 2016 Competition for Clinton Raises Stakes for Democrats” by Dan Balz for Washington Post
March 5, 2015 •
Los Angeles, California Voters Approve Incumbents and Amendments
City Council incumbents and Charter amendments fared well in this year’s March city elections. Five incumbent City Council members retained their seats by receiving over 50 percent of the vote, but a May runoff will be necessary in the 4th […]
City Council incumbents and Charter amendments fared well in this year’s March city elections.
Five incumbent City Council members retained their seats by receiving over 50 percent of the vote, but a May runoff will be necessary in the 4th District to replace termed-out Councilman Tom LaBonge.
Voters passed Charter amendments intended to increase voter turnout by moving city and school board elections to even-numbered years when presidential and gubernatorial races are held, beginning in 2020.
Photo of the Los Angeles skyline by Nserrano on Wikimedia Commons.
March 2, 2015 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying Montana: “Senator’s Aide Asked to Leave after Registering as Lobbyist” by Laura Lundquist and Troy Carter for Bozeman Chronicle Campaign Finance Florida: “Fundraising Binge Begins for Lawmakers” by Jeremy Wallace for Sarasota Herald-Tribune Montana: “Senate Panel Advances Major Campaign-Finance […]
Lobbying
Montana: “Senator’s Aide Asked to Leave after Registering as Lobbyist” by Laura Lundquist and Troy Carter for Bozeman Chronicle
Campaign Finance
Florida: “Fundraising Binge Begins for Lawmakers” by Jeremy Wallace for Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Montana: “Senate Panel Advances Major Campaign-Finance Reform Bill” by Mike Dennison for Montana Standard
Ohio: “Campaign Contributors Can Give More Cash in Ohio” by Jackie Borchardt (Northeast Ohio Media Group) for Cleveland Plain Dealer
Ethics
“Foreign Governments Gave Millions to Foundation While Clinton Was at State Dept.” by Rosalind Helderman and Tom Hamburger for Wasington Post
“Aaron Schock Didn’t Report Gifts, Meals in London” by Anna Palmer, John Bresnahan, and Jake Sherman for Politico
Idaho: “Idaho Lawmakers Narrowly Agree to Consider New Inspector General for Complaints, Corruption” by Betsy Russell (Spokane Spokesman-Review) for Idaho Statesman
Mississippi: “Ex-Prison Boss and Businessman Admit to Bribery Scheme” by Jeff Amy (Associated Press) for The Sun-Herald
New Jersey: “Hard Work or Abuse of Power? Joseph Ferriero Corruption Trial Opens with Widely Varying Portrayals” by Peter Sampson for Bergen Record
New Mexico: “Ethics Commission Moves Forward” by Michael Reichbach for New Mexico Political Report
Oregon: “Cylvia Hayes Sues Oregonian to Keep Records Secret” by Hannah Hoffman for Salem Statesman-Journal
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