February 15, 2013 •
North Dakota Holds Committee Hearing on Ethics Commission
House Bill 1442 would create an oversight body
The House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee held hearings on February 14, 2013, regarding the establishment of an ethics commission to investigate alleged acts of wrongdoing by elected officials and lobbyists.
House Bill 1442 would create an ethics commission consisting of nine members. Four members are to be appointed by legislators and the remaining five would be appointed by the governor.
North Dakota is currently one of nine states without an ethics commission.
February 8, 2013 •
Palm Beach County Commission Votes to Expand Ethics Commission
From five members to seven
The Palm Beach County Commission voted in favor of a proposal to expand the county’s ethics commission from five members to seven. County Commissioner Priscilla Taylor pushed for the change, saying the commission needed more diversity.
The proposal will go before the committee responsible for drafting changes to the county code, and then back to the county commission for a final vote.
Independent community groups are responsible for selecting the ethics commission’s members.
January 14, 2013 •
Oklahoma Ethics Commission Hires New Executive Director
Lee Slater
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission has hired Lee Slater as its new executive director.
According to The Oklahoman, Mr. Slater will begin working part time with the commission on February 1 and become the full time executive director on July 1, 2013.
The position recently became vacant when Marilyn Hughes retired as executive director after 25 years with the agency.
January 11, 2013 •
Idaho Legislature Explores Creation of Independent Ethics Commission
Commission would be formal standing committee
The Idaho Legislature is exploring the idea of creating an independent ethics commission. The new speaker of the house, Representative Scott Bedke, says that house lawmakers are working on the details of what such a commission would look like.
The commission would be a formal standing ethics committee, although Rep. Bedke did not specify whether a proposed commission would be completely independent of the legislature.
Idaho is among the small minority of states that do not have an ethics commission.
Photo of the Idaho Capitol Rotunda by Kencf0618 on Wikipedia.
January 9, 2013 •
Wednesday Campaign Finance and Lobbying News
Keep up with the latest articles on campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics!
Lobbying
“Matt Walker Heads to the National Restaurant Association” by Alex Roarty in National Journal.
Campaign Finance
“Coalition Presses for Rules on Corporate Political Spending” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
“Campaign finance fight lands at the SEC’s door” by Anna Palmer and Zachary Warmbrodt in Politico.
District of Columbia: “Campaign finance reform bills introduced at D.C. Council” by Alan Blinder in The Examiner.
Ethics
Georgia: “Senate committee meets on ethics rules” by Melissa Roberts on CBS Atlanta.
Kansas: “GOP conservatives’ ire at ethics commission likely to result in proposals to revamp watchdog” by John Hanna in The Republic.
South Carolina: “Sanford set for political comeback trail” by Cameron Joseph in The Hill.
Legislative Issues
“The Hill’s 2012 New Members Guide” in The Hill.
“Americans prefer Nickelback, root canals to Congress” by Breanna Edwards in Politico.
“Rhode Island Likely to Lose a House Seat” by Katherine Q. Seelye in The New York Times.
Michigan: “Michigan Legislature starts new session Wednesday” by David Eggert (Associated Press) in the Lansing Journal.
Vermont: “As new legislative session starts, a look at the old Statehouse” by Terri Hallenbeck in the Burlington Free Press.
Wisconsin: “Wis. lawmakers reach no deal on changing rules” by Scott Bauer in the La Crosse Tribune.
Government Tech
“Who has the worst web presences in politics?” by Steve Friess in Politico.
December 17, 2012 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics news articles:
Campaign Finance
“The Question at the Heart of Citizens United” by Paul Sherman in Jurist.
“D.C. campaign finance misdeeds call for further inquiry” opinion piece by Colbert I. King in the Washington Post.
Lobbying
“New lobbying firm spans both sides of the aisle” by AnnMarie Timmins in the Concord Monitor.
Ethics
“House Ethics Confirms Cases of Owens, Schock” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
Oklahoma: “Ethics Commission top post to be offered to 1 of 4 finalists” by Michael McNutt in Tulsa World.
South Carolina: “Haley tells ethics panel their work will produce results” by Tim Smith in the Greenville News.
Legislative Issues
Maine: “Campaign tracking becoming year-round practice in Maine” by Glenn Adams (Associated Press) in the Bangor Daily News.
North Dakota: “Finding room at the inn isn’t always easy for legislators” by Nick Smith in the Bismarck Tribune.
Texas: “Seeking Fresh Policies and Faces, Lawmakers Push for Term Limits” by Ross Ramsey in the New York Times.
Open Government
South Dakota: “Open government receives boost” by David Montgomery in the Argus Leader.
December 10, 2012 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics news articles:
Campaign Finance
“2012 presidential election nearing all-time record, final campaign finance reports show” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.
Arkansas: “3 GOP lawmakers fined by Ark. ethics commission” in the San Francisco Chronicle.
District of Columbia: “Reneging on campaign finance reform” column by Jonetta Rose Barras in the Examiner.
Texas: “Contributions Blackout Serves Many Functions” by Ross Ramsey in The New York Times.
“Bad News for Campaign Finance” editorial by David Firestone in The New York Times.
Lobbying
“Think Tanks or Partisan Advocates? Distinction Is Getting Harder to See” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.
Florida: “Former lobbyist Allison Tant joins race to lead Florida Democratic Party” by Adam C. Smith in the Tampa Bay Times.
Texas: “Ex-Arlington lawmaker forms lobbying firm” by Maria Recio, Anna M. Tinsley and Scott Nishimura in the Star-Telegram.
Wyoming: “Groups challenge Wyoming lawmakers’ lack of transparency with ALEC” by Joan Barron in the Star-Tribune.
Ethics
District of Columbia: “DC lottery contract is subject of federal probe” by Ben Nuckols in Bloomberg BusinessWeek.
West Virginia: “W.Va. Ethics Commission director gets exemption” by The Associated Press in the Herald-Dispatch.
Redistricting
“Redrawn districts complicate inquiries to incoming representatives” by Brad Shannon in The Olympian.
“Redistricting fight puts Doggett in awkward situation” by Tim Eaton in the Austin American-Statesman.
Government Social Media
“North Carolina Archives Social Media” by Colin Wood in Government Technology.
November 28, 2012 •
San Francisco Ethics Commission Announces Recommended Reforms
Discussion topics will consider following L.A.’s example
The Ethics Commission will conduct two interested persons meetings following a report comparing the city’s campaign finance, enforcement, and lobbying laws with the laws of the city of Los Angeles.
Discussion topics include whether or not the city should increase pay-to-play restrictions, prohibit political contributions from lobbyists, and whether to adopt more stringent enforcement policies.
The meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 408 of City Hall and for Monday, December 10, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 416 of City Hall.
Feedback may also be sent by email to ethics.commission@sfgov.org.
November 20, 2012 •
Executive Director for OK Ethics Commission to be Selected Soon
Current Director Leaves November 30
A new executive director for the Oklahoma Ethics Commission may be selected next week.
According to The Oklahoman, commissioners intend to interview the final four applicants, all from Oklahoma, for the position on November 27.
Outgoing executive director Marilyn Hughes, who has held the position for nearly 25 years, is leaving the job on November 30.
Also retiring on November 30 are the Ethics Commission’s general counsel, Rebecca Adams, and its investigator, Darey Roberts. Ms. Adams was general counsel for the last 21 years and Mr. Roberts its investigator for 17 years.
November 16, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – November 16, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
If Your Side Lost The Election, Time to Secede from The Union?
Super-Sized Majorities Shift Legislative Power
Federal:
Campaign Finance Reformers Get Back to Work after Record Election Spending
Is Part of Voting Rights Act Outdated, Unfair? High Court to Decide
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
Tougher Campaign Finance Disclosure Laws Sought
California
After Election, State Lawmakers and Interest Groups Travel in Tandem
Georgia
Georgia Lawmakers Get Luxury-Box Tickets to Dome
Maryland
Ethics Oversight Board Hasn’t Met in Years
Ohio
Ohio Elections Panel Again Clears Gerald McFaul in Controversial Campaign Finance Case
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Ethics Commission Narrows Field of Applicants
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
June 18, 2012 •
News from the Ethics Commissions
Take a look at these articles from four states:
Florida: “Ethics commission wants power to collect fines – and respect” by Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.
Georgia: “Former director, assistant file lawsuits against ethics commission” by Aaron Gould Sheinin and Chris Joyner in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Missouri: “Ethics Commission wants state ethics laws modernized” by Mike Lear in Missourinet.
South Carolina: “Haley ethics probe shines light on dark side of S.C. politics” by Gina Smith in The State.
February 15, 2012 •
Latest News in Ethics Oversight
Here is a look at what has appeared in the last few days from the state ethics commissions:
Arizona: “Ariz. lawmakers want elected officials to disclose use of public funds” by Howard Fischer in the East Valley Tribune.
Georgia: “Advocates push for ethics funding” by Charles Edwards on WABE News.
“Watchdog groups demand more money for ethics board” by in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Maryland: “Maryland Ethics Panel Suggests Reducing Local Disclosure” by Brian Witte (Associated Press) on NBC Washington.
“Bill would require online disclosure” by Michael Dresser in the Baltimore Sun.
Minnesota: “Lobbying violations vex understaffed Minnesota regulator” by Brad Schrade in the Star Tribune.
North Carolina: “Dome: Few ethics complaints probed, report shows” by John Frank in The News & Observer.
Commission Meetings Must Adhere to New Limitations
The Palm Beach County Ethics Commission has voted to limit the public’s ability to speak on items during final hearings prior to a vote or comment at closed-door sessions where decisions on the pursuit of ethics complaints are made.
The limits are intended to limit decisions being made by members of the commission to the guidance of the ethics code and avoid allowing influence from outside the code to be taken into consideration at a final vote.
Public comment will still be allowed concerning commission policies and on other issues being considered.
The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust has named Joseph Centorino as its finalist for the position of executive director.
Centorino has served as chief of the Public Corruption Division of the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office since 1995 and was a prosecutor within the organization an additional nine years. Centorino will succeed Robert Meyers, who has held the post since the Ethics Commission was established.
Meyers announced his resignation earlier this year, but will assist in the transition over the next several weeks.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
