Campaign Finance Delaware: “How Hall-Long’s Refusal to Release Audit Findings Sparked Elections Reform Talks” by Amanda Fries (Delaware News Journal) for Yahoo News National: “Ex-Fundraiser for George Santos Pleads Guilty to Posing as Congressional Aide to Raise Campaign Cash” by Dave Collins for Associated Press News Elections Georgia: “Ex-Trump Allies Detail Efforts to Overturn Election in Georgia Plea Videos” by Amy Gardner and Holly Bailey (Washington Post) for MSN National: “Democrats Plan to Spend Millions to Weaken Republican Supermajorities” by Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) for DNyuz Ethics Florida: “Mayor Suarez’s Secret Side Gigs Included Advising Associates of Kremlin-Linked Oligarch” by Shirsho Dasgupta (Miami Herald) for Yahoo News National: “Trump Compares Political Opponents to ‘Vermin’ Who He Will ‘Root Out,’ Alarming Historians” by Soo Rin Kim and Lalee Ibssa for ABC News Lobbying National: “‘Curveball Like No Other:’ Johnson’s rise has K Street trying to keep up” by Caitlin Reilly (Roll Call) for MSN Procurement Illinois: “Clout-Heavy Contractor Linked to Federal Investigations at City Hall and in the Suburbs” by Jason Meisner, A.D. Quig, Sarah Freishtat, and Gregory Pratt (Chicago Tribune) for MSN

City Council members voted unanimously to pass a policy requiring the members to post their calendar online.

The postings will list any meetings that occur with lobbyists, developers, union representatives, and residents.

This policy comes following an FBI statement concluding Anaheim City Hall appears to be heavily influenced by Disneyland resort interests and their lobbyists.

The new policy will begin January 2024.

Campaign Finance

Illinois: “Brandon Johnson Wasn’t Supposed to Take Campaign Money from City Contractors, but He Did” by Robert Herguth and Tim Novak for Chicago Sun-Times

New York: “FBI Seized Phones, iPad from New York Mayor Eric Adams in Escalation of Fundraising Investigation” by Jake Offenhartz (Associated Press) for ABC News

Elections

National: “Tim Scott Suspends Struggling Presidential Primary Bid” by Meryl Kornfield, Marianne LeVine, and Hannah Knowles (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “MAGA-Dominated State Republican Parties Plagued by Infighting, Money Woes” by Isaac Arnsdorf, Josh Dawsey, Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Patrick Marley, and Amy Gardner (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

California: “Prominent S.F. Developer and Two Others Charged with Bribery in Widening Corruption Scandal” by St. John Barned-Smith (San Francisco Chronicle) for MSN

National: “The Supreme Court Says It Is Adopting a Code of Ethics for the First Time” by Mark Sherman (Associated Press) for MSN

Legislative Issues

Missouri: “Rod Jetton’s Political Career Ended in Scandal. Now He’s Dean Plocher’s Chief of Staff” by Jason Hancock for Missouri Independent

Lobbying

California: “Anaheim Officials to Publicly Post Online Who They Meet With” by Hosam Elattar for Voice of OC

On November 13, the United States Supreme Court issued its first Code of Conduct to regulate its own ethical behavior.

In a statement from the Court, it said, “The absence of a Code . . . has led in recent years to the misunderstanding that the Justices of this Court, unlike all other jurists in this country, regard themselves as unrestricted by any ethics rules. To dispel this misunderstanding, we are issuing this Code, which largely represents a codification of principles that we have long regarded as governing our conduct.”

The code is broken into five canons of behavior and includes commentary of the canons.

The canons address upholding the integrity and independence of the judiciary; avoiding impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all activities; performing the duties of office fairly, impartially, and diligently; engaging in extrajudicial activities that are consistent with the obligations of the judicial office; and refraining from political activity.

The code is substantially derived from the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges but adapted for the Court.

To assist the Justices in complying with these Canons, the Chief Justice has directed Court officers to undertake an examination of best practices of other federal and state courts.

The Office of Legal Counsel plans on providing annual training to the Justices, staff, and Court personnel regarding recurring ethics and financial disclosure issues.

In addition to the Code of Conduct, Justices are directed to comply with various federal laws and rules, including the current Judicial Conference Regulations on gifts; foreign gifts and decorations; outside earned income, honoraria, and employment; and financial disclosure.

Campaign Finance

National: “Donald Trump Exempt from Campaign Finance Laws: FEC commissioner” by Kate Plummer (Newsweek) for MSN

Kentucky: “Weddle’s Excess Giving to Beshear, Kentucky Democratic Party Under Investigation” by Tom Loftus for Kentucky Lantern

Elections

National: “Democrats, No Longer Squeamish on Abortion, Lean into Searing Personal Ads” by Rebecca Davis O’Brien and Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) for DNyuz

West Virginia: “Senate Democrat Joe Manchin Says He Will Not Seek Reelection” by Liz Goodwin, Amy Wang, and Michael Scherer (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

Alabama: “Right-Wing Site’s Reporting on Mayor Raises Ethics Questions After His Death” by Jonathan Edwards (Washington Post) for MSN

Maryland: “Ex-Baltimore Prosecutor Marilyn Mosby Guilty in Federal Perjury Trial” by Dan Morse (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

New York: “Adams’ Compliance Lawyer Has Lobbied City Hall While Doing Work for His Campaign” by Chris Sommerfeldt (New York Daily News) for MSN

Procurement

Florida: “City Council Members Expand Oversight After Criticizing Lobbying Contract” by David Bauerlein (Florida Times-Union) for Yahoo News

National/Federal

To Help 2024 Voters, Meta Says It Will Begin Labeling Political Ads That Use AI-Generated Imagery

ABC News – David Klepper (Associated Press) | Published: 11/8/2023

Facebook and Instagram will require political ads running on their platforms to disclose if they were created using artificial intelligence (AI). Under the new policy by Meta, labels acknowledging the use of AI will appear on users’ screens when they click on ads. The rule takes effect January 1 and will be applied worldwide. The development of new AI programs has made it easier to quickly generate lifelike audio.

Congress Urges Judiciary to Take Final Steps to Clamp Down on Amicus Brief Lobbying

Courthouse News Service – Benjamin Weiss | Published: 11/3/2023

Lawmakers who for years have demanded the federal judiciary prevent organizations from swaying judges by gaming a common court practice urged the U.S. Judicial Conference to wrap up proposed rulemaking that would serve as a major check on such activity. Members of Congress, particularly Democrats, have long raised concerns that lobbying groups and other organizations use coordinated groups of amicus briefs to push courts toward favorable rulings.

Federal Trial of Pelosi Attack Suspect Renews Focus on Political Violence

DNyuz – Tim Arango and Holly Secon (New York Times) | Published: 11/9/2023

David DePape lived a solitary life, worked carpentry jobs and was seemingly obsessed with right-wing conspiracy theories on the internet. Then in October 2022, police said, DePape, broke into Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco home and bludgeoned her husband when she was still House speaker. The authorities said he told investigators he intended to take hostage Pelosi, long a subject of virulent attacks by right-wing leaders and pundits. DePape’s trial spotlights the online disinformation cycle that has been fed by conspiracy theorists, conservative activists, elected officials, and media outlets.

Democratic Plan to Subpoena Supreme Court Justices’ Allies Faces Pushback

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 11/8/2023

Democrats in Congress have tried unsuccessfully to press the Supreme Court to strengthen its ethics rules following revelations that some justices accepted and did not report free luxury travel, real estate deals, and gifts from wealthy benefactors. The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to vote to subpoena two wealthy benefactors, along with a judicial activist who helped shape the court’s conservative supermajority. But the path to obtaining the information Democrats are seeking will be contentious.

Campaign Fundraisers Are Hitting High Notes at Taylor Swift and Beyoncé Concerts

MSN – Hailey Fuchs (Politico) | Published: 11/8/2023

In a twist on the meet-and-greet events that routinely dot the fundraiser party circuit, some members of Congress are shaking hands with donors and others at concert venues, in VIP boxes, or suites. Just as the Federal Reserve credits Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour for boosting the tourism industry and the overall economy, Swift and Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour have been a means for lawmakers to boost their own campaign coffers.

Trump and Media Want a Televised Trial in D.C. The U.S. Doesn’t.

MSN – Spencer Hsu and Tom Jackman (Washington Post) | Published: 11/4/2023

A coalition of news organizations asked U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan to make an exception to the rule barring cameras from federal courtrooms for Donald Trump’s election subversion case and permit the televising, recording, or same-day release of video and audio recordings of his trial. Federal courts have long prohibited cameras in the courtroom, wary of feeding what the Supreme Court called a “carnival atmosphere” of publicity that could intimidate witnesses, sway jurors, or deprive criminal defendants of their due process rights.

A Law That Helped End Slavery Is Now a Weapon to End Affirmative Action

MSN – Julian Mark (Washington Post) | Published: 11/6/2023

The Civil Rights Act of 1866, which established citizenship for newly emancipated slaves, has become central to the legal battle over what is fair and equal when it comes to race in the workplace. In recent years, and especially since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned race-conscious college admissions in June, the Reconstruction-era law has emerged as a critical tool for conservatives intent on dismantling race-specific programs that promote “diversity, equity and inclusion,” or DEI.

Trump Appointee Sentenced to Nearly 6 Years for Attacking Police on Jan. 6

MSN – Rachel Weiner and Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 11/3/2023

A Trump appointee to the State Department who assaulted multiple police officers at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, was sentenced to nearly six years in prison by a fellow veteran of the administration. Judge Trevor McFadden said he was “disturbed” that Federico Klein considered it part of his “duties” to attend the rally that day and join the protesters at the Capitol agitating for lawmakers to throw the election to Donald Trump. Officers testified Klein was at the front of the violent mob for nearly two hours, first helping to break a police line and then joining a Battle against officers guarding a tunnel into the building.

Trump Belief That 2020 Election Was Stolen Is Not a Defense, DOJ Says

MSN – Rachel Weiner, Spencer Hsu,and Tom Jackman (Washington Post) | Published: 11/6/2023

Prosecutors said they plan to show at trial that Donald Trump lied repeatedly about the results of the 2020 election as part of a conspiracy to subvert the legitimate results. But they also said they do not need to prove whether Trump believed he lost the race. Legal experts have debated the importance of Trump’s state of mind in his federal election subversion case, with some arguing that to win a conviction the government must pin down the true beliefs of a politician who amassed a long record of making false or misleading claims while president.

AI Policy Yields a Goldmine for Lobbyists

Yahoo News – Hailey Fuchs and Brendan Bordelon (Politico) | Published: 11/4/2023

Lobbyists are rushing to sign up artificial intelligence (AI) companies as clients and K Street firms also are being enlisted by industries and interest groups that want help influencing AI policy. Groups as disparate as the NFL Players Association, Nike, Amazon, and the Mayo Clinic have enlisted help from firms to lobby on the matter. Some lobbyists compared the boom in business opportunities to the cryptocurrency policy debate. But AI has the potential to be even bigger.

Appeals Courts Temporarily Lifts Trump’s Gag Order as He Fights the Restrictions on His Speech

Yahoo News – Alanna Durkin Richer and Eric Tucker (Associated Press) | Published: 11/3/2023

A federal appeals court temporarily lifted a gag order on Donald Trump in his 2020 election interference case in Washington, the latest twist in the legal fight over the restrictions on the former president’s speech. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit decision puts a hold on the limited gag order to give the judges time to consider Trump’s request for a longer pause on the restrictions while his appeals play out.

From the States and Municipalities

Oceania – Lobbying and Communications Firm Senate’s ‘Wildly Inappropriate’ Contracts at Commerce Commission Revealed

Radio New Zealand – Guyon Espiner | Published: 11/6/2023

A public relations and lobbying firm was embedded at New Zealand’s Commerce Commission, working on highly sensitive areas of competition policy at the heart of an inflation crisis. Staff from the Wellington consultancy SenateSHJ worked in the physical offices of the competition watchdog and were given Commerce Commission email addresses and devices. While Senate lobbied for private sector clients, the commission did not pay it for lobbying, only for communications and media training. Documents showed Senate worked on commission projects in the energy sector, despite representing private sector energy clients.

Arizona – Two Groups Making New Bid to Hide Names of Donors in Political Races

Arizona Capitol Times – Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) | Published: 11/7/2023

Attorney Scott Freeman acknowledges that Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott McCoy rejected his bid to void Proposition 211. The judge ruled in June there is nothing unconstitutional about the voter-approved measure designed to prohibit “dark money” in campaigns. McCoy said Freeman’s clients could seek an exemption. The judge noted that would require either group to show “reasonable probability that disclosure of its contributors’ names will subject them to threats, harassment, or reprisals from either government officials or private parties.”

Arizona – Arizona Rep. Leezah Sun Decries ‘False Statements’ as Court Grants Restraining Order Against Her

Yahoo News – Ray Stern (Arizona Republic) | Published: 11/3/2023

Democratic leaders in the Arizona House filed an ethics complaint against Rep. Leezah Sun, who allegedly harassed and made a death threat to employees with the city of Tolleson. Sun recently denied an allegation claiming that she said she would throw a Tolleson lobbyist off a balcony to “kill her.” The complaint alleges Sun made threats against officials with the city, interfered with a lawful court order, violated state custodial interference laws, and engaged in disorderly conduct.

California – Judge Finds Eastman Culpable for Ethics Breaches in 2020 Bid to Keep Trump in Power

MSN – Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 11/3/2023

A California judge made a “preliminary finding” that attorney John Eastman breached professional ethics when he aided Donald Trump’s bid to overturn the 2020 election, a milestone in the proceedings over whether Eastman should lose his license to practice law. Now, state bar officials are preparing to present “aggravation” evidence aimed at justifying their call to strip Eastman, a veteran conservative attorney who once clerked for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, of his law license.

California – Oakland’s Conflict of Interest Tracking System Isn’t Working

Oaklandside – Eli Wolfe | Published: 11/7/2023

There are state and local laws in California that prohibit government workers from having conflicts-of-interest. Local governments like Oakland require city employees and elected officials to disclose their personal finances so the public can be sure there is no hidden agenda behind a decision. The Oakland Public Ethics Commission is supposed to act as a bulwark against public corruption, and it can investigate and fine officials who violate the law. But the commission is struggling to make use of the city’s most basic conflict-of-interest tool, a document called Form 700.

Delaware – Ethics Agency Says Delaware Officials Improperly Paid Employees to Care for Seized Farm Animals

MSN – Randall Chase (Associated Press) | Published: 11/6/2023

Delaware’s ethics agency determined the state agriculture secretary and one of his top deputies violated the law by entering into no-bid agreements with Department of Agriculture employees to care for farm animals seized by animal welfare officials. The Public Integrity Commission ruled Agriculture Secretary Michael Scuse improperly agreed to pay one of his employees more than $90,000 as part of a no-bid agreement to take care of a flock of poultry after almost 500 birds were seized in May.

Florida – Miami Commissioner’s Campaign Pays City Staffer’s Company $100k. It’s Legal

WLRN – Joshua Ceballos | Published: 11/6/2023

Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes is facing a longshot opponent in this year’s race who spent only a few hundred of his own dollars on his campaign. Yet the Reyes campaign has spent more than $200,000, and steered more than half the money to a public relations company that is owned by the wife of his chief of staff. County ethics rules do not prohibit government employees from working on campaigns if they do not use government resources or time, but the payments to Reyes’ top employee constitute the highest spending in what appears to be a less than competitive race.

Illinois – Edward M. Burke, ‘Figurehead of the Old Regime,’ Faces Historic Corruption Trial

Chicago Sun-Times – Jon Seidel | Published: 11/6/2023

Edmund Burke, Chicago’s longest serving city council member, is on trial, charged with racketeering, bribery, and extortion. The case is the result of an aggressive probe into the same old-school Chicago-style politics through which Burke built his power, and which he personified for decades. If found guilty, Burke would be the fourth current or former member of the council to be convicted in federal court in five years.

Illinois – City Summons Reporter to Court After He Asked Too Many Questions

DNyuz – Rebecca Carballo (New York Times) | Published: 11/6/2023

Officials in a Chicago suburb issued citations to a local news reporter after he persistently contacted elected officials about a flooding issue. The Daily Southtown published an article by Hank Sanders about consultants informing officials in Calumet City that storm water facilities were in “poor condition” before a recent flood swept through the community. Sanders continued to inquire about flooding issues after the article was published. His calls and emails drew complaints from Calumet City officials, including Mayor Thaddeus Jones, who is also a state representative.

Indiana – Indiana AG’s Remarks About Abortion Doctor Amount to Misconduct, Court Finds

MSN – Maria Luisa Paúl (Washington Post) | Published: 11/3/2023

Shortly after Roe v. Wade was overturned last year, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita accused a doctor who had helped a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio terminate her pregnancy of being an “abortion activist” with “a history of failing to report” similar procedures to state officials. Those comments, which Rokita made about Caitlin Bernard during an appearance on Fox News, amounted to “attorney misconduct,” the Indiana Supreme Court ruled.

Kansas – Kansas Officials Downplayed Involvement in Marion Raid. Here’s What They Knew.

Kansas Reflector – Sherman Smith | Published: 11/6/2023

Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody enlisted the support of local and state law enforcement officials in the days before he led raids on the local newspaper office, the publisher’s home, and the home of a city council member. The Bureau of Investigation, Department of Revenue, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal, along with the county attorney and a magistrate judge, were complicit in the raid or knew it was imminent. But in the days that followed, they largely downplayed their involvement.

Kentucky – Democrat Andy Beshear Wins Reelection for Governor in Kentucky

MSN – Hannah Knowles and Dylan Wells (Washington Post) | Published: 11/7/2023

Democrat Andy Beshear defeated his Republican opponent Daniel Cameron to win reelection as Kentucky’s governor, securing a stark victory in a state Donald Trump won by 26 points. The results are a stark blow to Trump and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, both of whom endorsed Cameron, the state attorney general who tried to nationalize the race and remind voters of their party lines. He and his allies promoted an endorsement from Trump and attacked Beshear as a Joe Biden ally who clashed with Republicans on culture war issues.

Louisiana – New Orleans Employees May Have Violated State Laws with ‘Smart City’ Contract, Report Says

NOLA.com – Joseph Cranney | Published: 11/8/2023

Two city employees should not have participated in last year’s controversial selection of a public wi-fi contract and may have violated state ethics laws by not disclosing their ties to the winning bidder the New Orleans Office of Inspector General (OIG) said in a report. The OIG largely backed the conclusions of an earlier investigation by two outside firms hired by the city council, though neither probe found evidence of self-dealing. The state ethics board also cleared the employees, IT staffer Christopher Wolff and former Utilities Director Jonathan Rhodes, of any violations.

Louisiana – Decimated by Division, Louisiana Democrats Lost Before Balloting

Yahoo News – Emily Cochrane (New York Times) | Published: 11/4/2023

Before a ballot was cast, Louisiana Democrats knew they could not win control of the state Legislature this year. It was mathematically impossible because a lack of candidates meant they were not even contesting the majority of districts. Their best hope for political success was that Shawn Wilson would force a runoff against Jeff Landry, the state attorney general, in an open primary for governor. But when Landry won a majority of the primary vote, eliminating the need for a runoff, the results instead laid bare the bleak conditions of a state Democratic Party decimated by internal divisions, paltry fundraising, totals, and a disenchanted voter base.

Maine – Voters Pass Ban on Foreign Spending on Referendum Campaigns

Portland Press Herald – Randy Billings | Published: 11/7/2023

Maine voters approved a referendum to ban foreign governments and affiliated organizations from spending money on state and local referendum campaigns. Federal and state election laws already prohibit foreign nationals from contributing to candidates seeking office in Maine, but they do not ban foreign governments or entities from spending money to influence state and local referendums or elections.

Michigan – Divided House Passes Highly Debated Transparency Bills in Wee Hours of Morning

Detroit News – Beth LeBlanc | Published: 11/9/2023

The Michigan House approved financial disclosure requirements that opponents argued violated the spirit of the voter-mandated transparency reforms. The legislation would require annual financial disclosures of several statewide elected officials and lawmakers starting in April, meeting the requirements of the ballot measure approved a year ago. But the bills neglected to require similar disclosures from an official’s spouse and failed to close long-acknowledged loopholes in Michigan’s transparency laws.

Michigan – Detroit Enacts Ethics Reforms Following Free Press Investigation

MSN – Dave Boucher (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 11/8/2023

Detroit board members who set salaries for the mayor and other elected leaders are among many public officials who must now file new ethics disclosures in light of a Detroit Free Press investigation. Each member of the Elected Officials Compensation Commission – along with mayoral appointees on boards that oversee police, the water department, and other entities – will need to file new disclosures early next year.

Minnesota – Trump Can Appear on 2024 Primary Ballot in Minnesota, State Supreme Court Rules

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 11/8/2023

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Donald Trump can appear on the primary ballot next year but left open the possibility he could be struck from the general election ballot because of the attack on the U.S. Capitol. The Minnesota case is one of several interlocking challenges that argue Trump cannot serve again under Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which bars insurrectionists from holding office.

Missouri – Phelps County Judge Rules Missouri City Tried to ‘Intimidate’ Woman with Ban on City Hall Visits

Missouri Independemt – Rudi Keller | Published: 11/8/2023

A small Missouri town’s attempt to “intimidate and silence” a critic violated both her First Amendment rights and the state’s Sunshine Law, a judge ruled. Edgar Springs, a town of 200 in Phelps County, must pay a nominal fine of $150 to Rebecca Varney for banning her from City Hall for four years, and for holding several closed meetings with business that should have been conducted in public, Judge John Beger decided.

New York – Grievances, Insults, Tangents: Trump brings his 2024 campaign into the courtroom

MSN – Marianne LeVine (Washington Post) | Published: 11/6/2023

Donald Trump portrayed himself as the victim of “election interference” and a “political witch hunt.” He decried the “weaponization” of a judicial system he alleges, without evidence, is unfairly targeting him. But the former president was not speaking at a campaign rally. Instead, he was inside a courtroom. New York Attorney General Letitia James was alleging he and his company falsely inflated property values to gain lending advantages, and Trump was on the witness stand.

New York – FBI Raids Home of NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ Top Campaign Fundraiser as Part of Federal Corruption Probe

MSN – Chris Sommerfeldt, Thomas Tracy, and Michael Gartland (New York Daily News) | Published: 11/3/2023

FBI agents raided the home of Brianna Suggs, the manager of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign fundraising operation who has claimed credit for collecting more than $19 million for his political efforts over the years. The raid is part of a federal public corruption investigation into whether Adams’ 2021 campaign conspired with the Turkish government and a Brooklyn construction firm to funnel foreign money into the campaign’s coffers via straw donors.

North Carolina – In Earls Investigation, Federal Judge Wrangles with Key Question: How political can NC Supreme Court justices get?

WRAL – Will Doran | Published: 11/2/2023

North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls is suing the state’s Judicial Standards Commission to stop an ethics investigation targeting her for critiques she made about racial, gender, and political biases at the state’s highest court. She says it is a violation of her First Amendment rights, and little more than an attempt to intimidate her into silence. The commission says judges are banned from making comments that might make people lose faith in the integrity of the judicial system. U.S. District Court Judge William O’Steen will decide whether to shut down the investigation.

Ohio – Ohio Voters Guarantee Abortion Rights 16 Months after U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Roe

MSN – Laura Hancock and Andrew Tobias (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 11/7/2023

Ohio voters passed a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion rights and became the seventh state to side with reproductive rights since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Republican leaders in the General Assembly scheduled an August special election intended to thwart the abortion rights amendment by requiring all future constitutional amendments pass with a supermajority at the ballot box. That was defeated and Ohio’s abortion rights amendment only needed to pass with a simple majority.

Ohio – LaRose Uses State Newsletter to Promote Senate Campaign

Ohio Capital Journal – Marty Schladen | Published: 10/30/2023

Frustrated former employees told the press that in their office “everything revolved around” Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s run for U.S. Senate. Now, LaRose appears to be using the taxpayer-funded office’s newsletter in that campaign. As a state official, LaRose is not supposed to use state resources in his political campaigns. As secretary of state, it is important that he wall off politics from his official duties because LaRose administers elections, including those in which he is running.

Pennsylvania – Democrat Cherelle Parker Will Become Philadelphia’s First Female Mayor

MSN – Sean Collins Walsh (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 11/7/2023

Democrat Cherelle Parker defeated Republican David Oh to become the 100th mayor of Philadelphia. She will be the first woman to hold the office when her four-year term begins in January. A former state representative and city council majority leader, Parker coasted to victory in the general election with a compelling personal story, a tough-on-crime platform, and strong backing from the Democratic establishment and organized labor.

South Dakota – South Dakota Governor Asks State Supreme Court About Conflict of Interest After Lawmaker Resigns

ABC News – Associated Press | Published: 11/3/2023

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem requested guidance from the state Supreme Court about conflict-of-interest rules for lawmakers, several weeks after a lawmaker resigned and agreed to repay $500,000 in federal COVID-19 relief she received for her day care business. Jessica Castleberry was a senator when she received the stimulus funding. Doing so violated a state Supreme Court advisory warning lawmakers it is unconstitutional for them to accept federal pandemic funding.

Utah – A Utah Lake Dredging Critic Got Dragged into a Lawsuit with a Private Company. Did He Also Lose a Public Grant?

MSN – Leia Larsen (Salt Lake City Tribune) | Published: 11/8/2023

The private company behind a plan to dredge Utah Lake and turn it into an island city sued a leading critic, ecology professor Ben Abbott, for defamation. Abbott countersued, alleging the company was trying to stifle public debate about the proposal. Then, months later, Abbott found out his grant for a $500,000 watershed study funded by the Legislature had been canceled. “We were totally taken by surprise,” said Abbott, who teaches at Brigham Young University. “… I thought, ‘Does this have something to do with the islands situation?'”

Virginia – Virginia Democrats Projected to Sweep General Assembly, Dealing Blow to GOP

MSN – Gregory Schneider and Laura Vozzella (Washington Post) | Published: 11/7/2023

Virginia voters rejected Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s costly efforts to take control of the Virginia General Assembly in the November 7 elections, flipping the House of Delegates to Democratic control and preserving a blue majority in the state Senate that can block his conservative agenda. Youngkin raised record sums of money and spent personal political capital pushing for full GOP control of both chambers. Whether Virginians rewarded or resisted Youngkin’s campaign was considered an indicator of voter attitudes ahead of next year’s presidential election.

Washington – The Financing of 6 Proposed WA Ballot Initiatives Is Being Investigated by the State PDC

Yahoo News – Shauna Sowersby (The Olympian) | Published: 11/7/2023

Six controversial ballot initiatives that are still in the signature-gathering process are under formal investigation by the Washington Public Disclosure Commission (PDC). The six initiatives are the efforts of Let’s Go Washington and sponsored by Brian Heywood, a Republican donor. Two allegations are listed on the PDC website, one for failing to accurately file reports that reflect “in-kind contribution details for the expenditures made, and which initiatives were supported” and the other for “failing to properly disclose the identity of a vendor for some of the in-kind contributions received from Brian Heywood.”

Campaign Finance Arizona: “Two Groups Making New Bid to Hide Names of Donors in Political Races” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) for Arizona Capitol Times National: “Campaign Fundraisers Are Hitting High Notes at Taylor Swift and Beyoncé Concerts” by Hailey Fuchs (Politico) for MSN Maine: “Voters Pass Ban on Foreign Spending on Referendum Campaigns” by Randy Billings for Portland Press Herald National: “To Help 2024 Voters, Meta Says It Will Begin Labeling Political Ads That Use AI-Generated Imagery” by David Klepper (Associated Press) for ABC News Elections Pennsylvania: “Democrat Cherelle Parker Will Become Philadelphia’s First Female Mayor” by Sean Collins Walsh (Philadelphia Inquirer) for MSN Ethics National: “Democratic Plan to Subpoena Supreme Court Justices’ Allies Faces Pushback” by Ann Marimow (Washington Post) for MSN Michigan: “Detroit Enacts Ethics Reforms Following Free Press Investigation” by Dave Boucher (Detroit Free Press) for MSN Utah: “A Utah Lake Dredging Critic Got Dragged into a Lawsuit with a Private Company. Did He Also Lose a Public Grant?” by Leia Larsen (Salt Lake City Tribune) for MSN

Campaign Finance Washington: “The Financing of 6 Proposed WA Ballot Initiatives Is Being Investigated by the State PDC” by Shauna Sowersby (The Olympian) for Yahoo News Elections National: “Trump Belief That 2020 Election Was Stolen Is Not a Defense, DOJ Says” by Rachel Weiner, Spencer Hsu, and Tom Jackman (Washington Post) for MSN National: “Abortion Rights Advocates Win Major Victories in Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia” by Hannah Knowles and Caroline Kitchener (Washington Post) for MSN Ethics California: “Oakland’s Conflict of Interest Tracking System Isn’t Working” by Eli Wolfe for Oaklandside Delaware: “Ethics Agency Says Delaware Officials Improperly Paid Employees to Care for Seized Farm Animals” by Randall Chase (Associated Press) for MSN New York: “Grievances, Insults, Tangents: Trump brings his 2024 campaign into the courtroom” by Marianne LeVine (Washington Post) for MSN South Dakota: “South Dakota Governor Asks State Supreme Court About Conflict of Interest After Lawmaker Resigns” by Associated Press for ABC News Lobbying National: “Congress Urges Judiciary to Take Final Steps to Clamp Down on Amicus Brief Lobbying” by Benjamin Weiss for Courthouse News Service

Campaign Finance

Florida: “Miami Commissioner’s Campaign Pays City Staffer’s Company $100k. It’s Legal” by Joshua Ceballos for WLRN

Elections

Ohio: “LaRose Uses State Newsletter to Promote Senate Campaign” by Marty Schladen for Ohio Capital Journal

Ethics

California: “Judge Finds Eastman Culpable for Ethics Breaches in 2020 Bid to Keep Trump in Power” by Kyle Cheney (Politico) for MSN

National: “Trump Appointee Sentenced to Nearly 6 Years for Attacking Police on Jan. 6” by Rachel Weiner and Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) for MSN

Illinois: “Edward M. Burke, ‘Figurehead of the Old Regime,’ Faces Historic Corruption Trial” by Jon Seidel for Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois: “City Summons Reporter to Court After He Asked Too Many Questions” by Rebecca Carballo (New York Times) for DNyuz

National: “A Law That Helped End Slavery Is Now a Weapon to End Affirmative Action” by Julian Mark (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

Oceania: “Lobbying and Communications Firm Senate’s ‘Wildly Inappropriate’ Contracts at Commerce Commission Revealed” by Guyon Espiner for Radio New Zealand

Campaign Finance

New York: “FBI Raids Home of NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ Top Campaign Fundraiser as Part of Federal Corruption Probe” by Chris Sommerfeldt, Thomas Tracy, and Michael Gartland (New York Daily News) for MSN

Elections

Louisiana: “Decimated by Division, Louisiana Democrats Lost Before Balloting” by Emily Cochrane (New York Times) for Yahoo News

Ethics

Arizona: “Arizona Rep. Leezah Sun Decries ‘False Statements’ as Court Grants Restraining Order Against Her” by Ray Stern (Arizona Republic) for Yahoo News

National: “Trump and Media Want a Televised Trial in D.C. The U.S. Doesn’t.” by Spencer Hsu and Tom Jackman (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Appeals Courts Temporarily Lifts Trump’s Gag Order as He Fights the Restrictions on His Speech” by Alanna Durkin Richer and Eric Tucker (Associated Press) for Yahoo News

Indiana: “Indiana AG’s Remarks About Abortion Doctor Amount to Misconduct, Court Finds” by Maria Luisa Paúl (Washington Post) for MSN

North Carolina: “In Earls Investigation, Federal Judge Wrangles with Key Question: How political can NC Supreme Court justices get?” by Will Doran for WRAL

Lobbying

National: “AI Policy Yields a Goldmine for Lobbyists” by Hailey Fuchs and Brendan Bordelon (Politico) for Yahoo News

National/Federal

Rep. George Santos Survives Effort to Expel Him from the House. But He Still Faces an Ethics Report

ABC News – Kevin Freking and Stephen Groves (Associated Press) | Published: 11/1/2023

U.S. Rep. George Santos survived a vote to expel him from the House as most Republicans and 31 Democrats opted to withhold punishment while both his criminal trial and a House ethics committee investigation proceed. The effort to expel Santos was led by his fellow New York Republicans, who are anxious to distance themselves from a colleague infamous for fabricating his life story and accused of stealing from donors, lying to Congress, and receiving unemployment benefits he did not deserve.

Prosecutors Withdraw Second Subpoena in Trump Fund-Raising Inquiry

DNyuz – Alan Feuer and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 10/26/2023

Federal prosecutors have withdrawn a subpoena seeking records from former President Trump’s 2020 campaign as part of their investigation into whether Trump’s political and fundraising operations committed any crimes as he sought to stay in power after he lost the election. The decision this week by special counsel Jack Smith to effectively kill the subpoena to the Trump campaign came on the heels of the withdrawal of a similar subpoena to Save America, the PAC that was formed by Trump’s aides shortly after he lost the race in 2020.

Supreme Court Skeptical of Lawyer’s Claim to Phrase ‘Trump Too Small’

MSN – Robert Barnes (Washington Post) | Published: 11/1/2023

Supreme Court justices across the ideological divide seemed skeptical that a California lawyer has a free speech right to trademark the double-entendre phrase “Trump Too Small” for use on T-shirts criticizing former President Trump. In fact, Chief Justice John Roberts opined, ruling for Trump critic Steve Elster could make it harder for others to create their own takes about the man running to reclaim his old job.

Trump’s Classified Documents Case Schedule May Be Delayed, Judge Cannon Says

MSN – Perry Stein and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 11/1/2023

The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s indictment for allegedly mishandling national security secrets suggested she might push back the planned trial timeline, as courts wrestle with the growing complexity of juggling four separate criminal cases and an ongoing civil trial against the former president. U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon listened to prosecutors argue at a hearing for keeping the schedule she set earlier this year, which includes a trial in May 2024. Lawyers for Trump insisted they needed more time to prepare.

This Conservative Appeals Court’s Rulings Are Testing the Supreme Court

MSN – Robert Barnes and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 10/26/2023

With a dozen judges nominated by Republican presidents, and only four by Democrats, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is the favored launchpad for right-leaning politicians and organizations seeking groundbreaking judicial decisions restricting abortion, limiting gun laws, and thwarting the ambitions of the Biden administration. The Fifth Circuit’s work is drawing more U.S. Supreme Court review than that of any other among the dozen regional appeals courts, which operate one step below the high court. In the new term, the justices already have said they will review eight decisions from the New Orleans-based court.

Hearings Begin as Trump Critics Attempt to Kick Him Off Ballots

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 10/27/2023

Judges are weighing an unprecedented and historic question: is former President Trump eligible to run for office again given his alleged role in the riot at the U.S. Capitol? A week-long hearing in Denver will explore whether January 6 qualified as an insurrection, which could bar Trump from the ballot in Colorado. The Minnesota Supreme Court will hear arguments about whether an obscure part of the Constitution might keep Trump off the ballot there. In coming weeks, courts around the country might hold similar proceedings.

Judge Reimposes Restrictions on Trump’s Speech in Jan. 6 Case

MSN – Rachel Weiner and Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 10/29/2023

A federal judge reimposed limits on Donald Trump’s public statements in advance of his trial on charges of conspiring to subvert the results of the 2020 election. U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan put back in place an order she had lifted nine days earlier to give Trump and prosecutors more time to argue whether the restrictions were unconstitutional, as attorneys for the former president had claimed. Trump can now ask a higher court for an emergency stay pending appeal, but in the meantime, he is bound by Chutkan’s limits.

Mike Pence Suspends His Struggling 2024 Campaign

MSN – Maeve Reston and Marianne LeVine (Washington Post) | Published: 10/28/2023

Former Vice President Mike Pence suspended his campaign for the GOP presidential nomination, facing the reality there was little appetite for his candidacy among the legions of Republican voters who remain loyal to Donald Trump and viewed Pence as a traitor because he refused to follow Trump’s demands to overturn the 2020 election results. Pence’s years-long descent from first in line for the presidency to an also-ran reached a conclusion at a high-profile summit which brought together some of the most powerful Republican donors in one room.

News on TikTok and Instagram Is Booming, Signaling a New Era

MSN – Taylor Lorenz (Washington Post) | Published: 10/31/2023

News consumption hit a tipping point around the globe during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, with more people turning to social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram than to websites maintained by traditional news outlets, according to the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. One in five adults under 24 use TikTok as a source for news. Britain’s Office of Communications said young adults in the United Kingdom now spend more time watching TikTok than broadcast media. As independent online producers of news programming rose to prominence, the ramifications for society are still coming into focus.

Democrats Plan to Subpoena Wealthy Benefactors of Supreme Court Justices

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 10/30/2023

Senate Democrats announced plans to vote to subpoena a pair of wealthy conservatives and a judicial activist who have underwritten or organized lavish travel for some U.S. Supreme Court justices, a move that adds to the pressure on the court to strengthen its ethics policies. The Judiciary Committee leaders will vote to authorize subpoenas for information from billionaire Harlan Crow, a close friend and benefactor of Justice Clarence Thomas, and from Leonard Leo, the conservative judicial activist.

High Court Struggles on Whether Officials May Block Social Media Critics

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 10/31/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court struggled to agree on how to determine when public officials can block critics from their private social media accounts, reviewing two cases that will have broad implications for citizen interactions with politicians online. All nine justices seemed to acknowledge the challenge and importance of defining when government employees are acting in an official capacity online, and therefore bound by First Amendment restrictions on censorship; and when they are acting as private citizens, with their own individual free speech rights.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Alabama Legislators Study Past Ethics Proposals Ahead of Planned Revision Bill

Alabama Reflector – Ralph Chapoco | Published: 10/26/2023

Members of the House Ethics and Finance Committee discussed efforts since 2010 to amend Alabama’s ethics law. The gathering was the third in a series of “work meetings” providing legislators planning to draft legislation to update the existing law after a report released in 2019 recommending changes that included tightening language in the state’s ethics code and offering graduated penalties for specific violations.

Alabama – Local Journalists Arrested in Small Alabama Town for Grand Jury Story

MSN – Paul Farhi (Washington Post) | Published: 11/1/2023

A newspaper publisher and a reporter were arrested for publishing an article that officials said was based on confidential grand-jury evidence, a move that press-freedom advocates are characterizing as an unconstitutional attack on the news media. Publisher Sherry Digmon and reporter Don Fletcher of the Atmore News in Alabama were arrested after a story by Fletcher disclosed details of an investigation into the local school board’s payments to seven former school-system employees.

Arizona – Complaint Alleges GOP Lawmaker Illegally Used Campaign Cash to Attend J6

Arizona Mirror – Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Published: 10/30/2023

An Arizona legislator who was among the rioting crowds at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, is facing a campaign finance complaint alleging he illegally used cash from a failed re-election bid to attend the insurrection, including airfare and a hotel stay. On January 5, Kern reported an expenditure for an airline ticket. On January 11, Kern reported an expenditure of $436.74 for travel and lodging at a Hyatt hotel.

Arizona – Arizona Prosecutors Ask About 2020 Pressure Campaign by Trump Allies

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 10/27/2023

The Arizona attorney general’s investigation into the coordinated attempt to overturn the 2020 election results by creating and sending documents to the federal government falsely declaring Donald Trump the winner is also zeroing in on the pressure placed on local officials by the former president’s key allies to help avert his loss. The investigation underscores the dramatically different approach that prosecutors from opposing parties have taken when weighing post-2020 activities.

California – Survey Says Residents Want More Information About Who’s Lobbying City Officials

Long Beach Post – Jason Ruiz | Published: 10/26/2023

Most respondents to a city survey about proposed changes to Long Beach’s lobbying rules said city officials should have to proactively disclose meetings with lobbyists, something they are not currently required to do. Those disclosures, respondents said, should be more frequent and robust than the law currently requires. The Long Beach Ethics Commission asked for the feedback as it is crafting changes to the city’s lobbying disclosure law. A new draft of the changes could be out as soon as November.

California – Free Speech Group Plans to Appeal S.F. Campaign Finance Law to U.S. Supreme Court

MSN – Bob Egelko (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 10/28/2023

San Francisco’s law requiring political ads to identify their top financial donors survived another challenge in federal appeals court, but nine conservative judges argued in dissent the law violates free speech. An attorney for opponents of the measure says he will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The law went beyond disclosure mandates in state law by requiring committees financing local campaign advertisements to identify in the ads their top two donors of $5,000 or more.

California – Facing Strong Opposition, Bill Gore Withdraws from Consideration for San Diego Ethics Board

MSN – Jeff McDonald (San Diego Union Tribune) | Published: 10/30/2023

More than a month after being nominated by Mayor Todd Gloria to serve on the San Diego Ethics Commission, former Sheriff Bill Gore has withdrawn his nomination in the face of overwhelming opposition. Gloria’s nomination generated immediate backlash from criminal justice reform advocates and family members of people who died in San Diego County jails in recent years. According to sheriff’s department records, more than 170 people died in county jails on Gore’s watch since he was first appointed sheriff in 2009.

Florida – Florida Fights a Ruling That Halts Its Lobbying Restriction

WMNF – Jim Saunders (News Service of Florida) | Published: 10/26/2023

Pointing to securing the “public trust,” Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody asked a federal appeals court to overturn a decision that blocked part of a 2018 state constitutional amendment imposing new restrictions on lobbying. U.S. District Court Judge Beth Bloom issued a permanent injunction against a restriction on state and local officials lobbying other government bodies while in office. Bloom said the constraint violated First Amendment rights.

Florida – No Ethics Charges for Ivey Over Election Scandal After Candidates Decline to Give Testimony

Yahoo News – Eric Rogers (Florida Today) | Published: 10/30/2023

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey will not face ethics charges related to allegations of interference in the 2022 elections, after the candidates who came forward declined to talk to state investigators, according to the Florida Commission on Ethics. Ivey admitted making offers to the candidates in an interview with investigators but denied it was meant to sway their decisions to run, the allegation at the heart of the ethics complaint.

Georgia – Georgia’s Congressional Map Violates Voting Rights Act, Court Finds

Yahoo News – Zach Montellaro (Politico) | Published: 10/26/2023

A federal court found Georgia’s congressional map violates the Voting Rights Act, the latest Southern state to have its map struck down for discriminating against Black voters. A judge ordered the state Legislature to redraw the lines by early December. The opinion said Black voters’ power had been diluted following extensive population growth in the state that has been disproportionately powered by Black residents. Gov. Brian calling the Legislature into special session on November 29 to handle redistricting.

Hawaii – Hawaii Ethics Commission Steps Up Training of Government Employees

Honolulu Civil Beat – Chad Blair | Published: 10/20/2023

Since a new law requiring state legislators and employees to complete live or online ethics training classes every four years went into effect January 1, the number of people taking the course has increased as compared to 2021. That is due in part because an online, self-directed version of the course was introduced in 2020, when the pandemic forced many people to work from home. But there are still hundreds of workers that have not taken the training, either online or live via webinar or in-person classes.

Illinois – How the Massive Power Ed Burke Wielded Paved the Way for His Alleged Corruption

WBEZ – Fran Spielman (Chicago Sun-Times) and Mariah Woelfel | Published: 10/31/2023

As Chicago Ald. Ed Burke prepares to stand trial on sweeping corruption charges in a racketeering indictment, the path to this moment was paved in part by the enormous power he gained through “scratch my back” politics, including aldermanic prerogative. Also known as aldermanic privilege, the practice is an entrenched, off-the-books power that gives council members unquestioned say over a broad range of decisions – from zoning matters to parking permits. Despite efforts to curb it, that tradition continues to this day.

Maine – Maine Considers Closing Loophole That Allows Foreign Government Spending on Referendums

The Hill – David Sharp (Associated Press) | Published: 11/2/2023

Maine voters will decide whether to ban foreign influence in elections, many of them irked over the $22 million a Canadian utility spent to fight state referendums on a hydropower transmission project. Hydro Quebec, owned by the Canadian province, exploited an election law loophole to fight attempts to stop the project on which the utility stood to gain $10 billion. If voters grant their approval on November 7, Maine would be the 10th state to close the loophole in federal election law that bans foreign entities from spending on candidate elections, yet allows donations for local and state ballot measures, said Aaron McKean of the Campaign Legal Center.

Maryland – Potomac Edison Faces Maryland Audit After Admitting It Charged Customers for FirstEnergy’s Bribes and Lobbying

Energy and Policy – Dave Anderson | Published: 10/26/2023

Maryland utility regulators ordered a new audit of Potomac Edison after the FirstEnergy-owned utility admitted in a rate case that it owes nearly $1.7 million in refunds to Maryland customers it wrongly charged for bribes, lobbying, corporate sponsorships, advertising, and other expenses. The new audit will seek to ensure that Potomac Edison’s wrongful charges to customers in Maryland are fully accounted for and refunded.

Michigan – Financial Disclosure Bills Pass Michigan Senate with Limited Revisions

MSN – Simon Schuster (MLive) | Published: 11/2/2023

The Michigan Senate passed legislation laying out what state politicians must show the public in new personal financial disclosures, after slightly expanding the requirements amid criticism the bills leave too much in the dark. Elected officials and candidates in the legislative and executive branches of state government will have to list their sources of income, but not the amount, and list assets and liabilities under the bills. A sticking point remains the amount of information candidates or elected officials must list about family members.

Mississippi – Gov. Tate Reeves’ Top Political Donors Received $1.4 Billion in State Contracts from His Agencies

Mississippi Today – Julia James, Geoff Pender, Bobby Harrison, Taylor Vance, and Adam Ganucheau | Published: 10/31/2023

Of the 88 individual or corporate donors who have given Gov. Tate Reeves’ campaigns at least $50,000, Mississippi Today identified 15 donors whose companies received a total of $1.4 billion in state contracts or grants since he took office in 2020. The investigation reveals how private companies, whose executives routinely donate large sums to politicians, can rake in hundreds of millions in taxpayer funds while having the ear of powerful elected officials.

Missouri – Missouri House Ethics Committee Begins Inquiry into Personnel Moves by Dean Plocher

Missouri Independent – Rudi Keller | Published: 10/27/2023

The Missouri House Ethics Committee met behind closed doors to discuss a “personnel inquiry” in a meeting that had been widely expected to focus on beleaguered House Speaker Dean Plocher. The committee, which reviews complaints against House lawmakers, is scheduled to meet again to discuss the same inquiry on November 8. The meeting came as Plocher, who is running for lieutenant governor in 2024, is facing calls to resign after reports surfaced he received government reimbursements over several years for expenses also paid for by his campaign. He has started to pay back the money he improperly received.

New Jersey – Corruption, Backroom Deals, Local Politics Mire N.J.’s Legal Weed Rollout, Businesses Say

MSN – Jelani Gibson (NJ Advance Media) | Published: 10/30/2023

New Jersey promised a fair and ethical cannabis industry in which mom-and-pop shops would thrive. The law crafted by state legislators allowed towns, with little oversight, to authorize who can sell the product legally. Cannabis entrepreneurs seeking a piece of the billion-dollar industry are saying they are being exposed to extortion and intimidation. Municipalities can set their own fees, licensing schemes, and preferences independent of state supervision in a way that exceeds virtually every other regulated industry including liquor licenses.

New Jersey – Head of NJ Elections Watchdog Retires After Surviving Murphy’s Ouster Attempt

MSN – Ashley Balcerzak (Bergen Record) | Published: 11/1/2023

Jeff Brindle, longtime executive director of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), officially retired, roughly a year after the Murphy administration sought to oust him from the position. Brindle filed two lawsuits this year against Gov. Phil Murphy, one alleging a conspiracy “to extort and force” his resignation and a second challenging the constitutionality of a controversial bill that overhauled ELEC. Deputy Director Joe Donohue will serve as acting executive director while the commission conducts a search for a replacement for Brindle.

New Jersey – How Menendez Tried and Failed to Place an Ally in a Key Federal Post

Yahoo News – Benjamin Weiser, Nicholas Fandos, and Tracy Tully (New York Times) | Published: 10/30/2023

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez went to great lengths to try to secure a friendly prosecutor in New Jersey’s top federal law enforcement position. Far from being routine politics, Menendez’s attempts to fill the position were part of a brazen scheme to sell his office for cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz convertible, a federal indictment says.

New York – Noncompete Campaign Raises Lobbying Questions

Albany Times Union – Joshua Solomon | Published: 10/27/2023

A dispute over whether the actions by the Public Policy Institute of New York State, the nonprofit arm of the state’s Business Council, are considered lobbying raises questions on what the nonprofit must report, including whether it has to disclose its donors for a campaign concerning noncompete agreements that is valued at more than five times the charity’s typical spending in a year. The nonprofit’s spokesperson, James Freedland, said the institute is not seeking to influence elected officials, a statement that government watchdogs dispute.

New York – N.Y. Ethics Watchdog Revising 2024 Legislative Agenda

Spectrum News – Kate Lisa | Published: 11/1/2023

State ethics commissioners worked on fine-tuning their legislative agenda for 2024, setting sights on how New York lawmakers can change policy to best regulate lobbying and ethical behavior of elected officials when they return to Albany in January. Members of the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government held a public roundtable and discussed plans to press the Legislature to better regulate ethics training required for lobbyists, including a daily late fee for lobbyists and clients who fail to complete it in the required timeframe.

Oklahoma – Ryan Walters Reported $5,000 Campaign Donation a Year Late. It May Cost Him

MSN – Nolan Clay (Oklahoman) | Published: 11/1/2023

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters finally disclosed a $5,000 donation to his 2022 campaign from a PAC one year after the report was due. The 1776 Project made the donation on October 31, 2022. It says on its website it is “committed to abolishing critical race theory … from the public school curriculum.” Walters was supposed to report the contribution within 24 hours because it was received just days before the general election.

Virginia – An Election Chief Says the ‘Big Lie’ Ended Her Career. She’s Fighting Back.

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 11/2/2023

Lynchburg Registrar Christine Gibbons was removed from her position, accused of corruption, taken to court, and reported to police for supposedly siphoning votes to Joe Biden in the 2020 election. A Republican who called for Gibbons’ firing and attended the “Stop the Steal” rally in Washington on January 6, 2021, was appointed as one of her bosses on the local election board. Gibbons filed a lawsuit, which contends the election board violated her First Amendment right to free political association by removing her for purely partisan reasons. It is among the first in the country to make that argument.

Virginia – Va. AG Will Probe Fundraising of Pro-Palestinian Group

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 10/31/2023

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced his office will investigate the fundraising of one of the nation’s most prominent nonprofit organizations dedicated to educating the public, lobbying Congress, and organizing rallies for pro-Palestinian causes. Miyares said his office has “reason to believe” the Northern Virginia-based American Muslims for Palestine may not be complying with state rules on charitable giving and will investigate allegations lodged in a federal civil suit that the group provides indirect support to Hamas. AMP denied the allegations and called them not only “defamatory, but dangerous.”

Virginia – Youngkin ‘Purge’ Removed Nearly 3,400 Legal Virginia Voters from Rolls

MSN – Laura Vozzella (Washington Post) | Published: 10/29/2023

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s elections team has admitted in the run-up to pivotal General Assembly elections that it removed nearly 3,400 qualified voters from the state’s rolls, far higher than the administration’s previous estimate of 270. Elections officials acknowledged what it called the mistaken removal five weeks after early voting began for the November 7 elections. The outcome will determine the fate of Youngkin’s conservative legislative agenda.

Washington – WA Lawmaker Plans Hiatus from Think Tank Job to Comply with Ethics Rules

Washington State Standard – Jerry Cornfield | Published: 10/27/2023

State Rep. Chris Corry appeared to satisfy concerns of an ethics panel so he can continue working for the Washington Policy Center without violating any conflict-of-interest laws. He became director of the conservative think tank’s Center for Government Reform in May. Corry could have faced an investigation and punishment by the Legislative Ethics Board if he kept both posts.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin’s Democratic Governor Sues Republican Legislature Over Blocking Basic Functions

ABC News – Scott Bauer (Associated Press) | Published: 10/31/2023

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers sued the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature, arguing it is obstructing basic government functions, including signing off on pay raises for university employees that were previously approved. Evers is asking the state Supreme Court to take the case directly, bypassing lower courts. Evers argues committees controlled by a few Republican lawmakers are being used by the Legislature to “reach far beyond its proper zone of constitutional lawmaking authority.”

Wyoming – Bills Would Add Voter Requirements, Expand Campaign Donor Reporting

Gillette News Record – Hannah Shields (Wyoming Tribune Eagle) | Published: 10/27/2023

The Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee advanced bill drafts that could create significant changes to existing Wyoming election laws. One bill would add a 30-day residency requirement prior to Election Day. Another would expand the definition of an organization to include “any group of two … or more persons that … pools or otherwise jointly expends funds totaling in aggregate more than ($1,000).” The proposed legislation would allow groups to report campaign expenditure or electioneering communication without registering as a PAC.

Campaign Finance

National: “Prosecutors Withdraw Second Subpoena in Trump Fund-Raising Inquiry” by Alan Feuer and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) for DNyuz

New Jersey: “Head of NJ Elections Watchdog Retires After Surviving Murphy’s Ouster Attempt” by Ashley Balcerzak (Bergen Record) for MSN

Elections

Florida: “No Ethics Charges for Ivey Over Election Scandal After Candidates Decline to Give Testimony” by Eric Rogers (Florida Today) for Yahoo News

Ethics

National: “High Court Struggles on Whether Officials May Block Social Media Critics” by Ann Marimow (Washington Post) for MSN

New Jersey: “How Menendez Tried and Failed to Place an Ally in a Key Federal Post” by Benjamin Weiser, Nicholas Fandos, and Tracy Tully (New York Times) for Yahoo News

Virginia: “Va. AG Will Probe Fundraising of Pro-Palestinian Group” by Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) for MSN

Legislative Issues

National: “Rep. George Santos Survives Effort to Expel Him from the House. But He Still Faces an Ethics Report” by Kevin Freking and Stephen Groves (Associated Press) for ABC News

Washington: “WA Lawmaker Plans Hiatus from Think Tank Job to Comply with Ethics Rules” by Jerry Cornfield for Washington State Standard

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Complaint Alleges GOP Lawmaker Illegally Used Campaign Cash to Attend J6” by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy for Arizona Mirror

Mississippi: “Gov. Tate Reeves’ Top Political Donors Received $1.4 Billion in State Contracts from His Agencies” by Julia James, Geoff Pender, Bobby Harrison, Taylor Vance, and Adam Ganucheau for Mississippi Today

Ethics

Alabama: “Alabama Legislators Study Past Ethics Proposals Ahead of Planned Revision Bill” by Ralph Chapoco for Alabama Reflector

California: “Facing Strong Opposition, Bill Gore Withdraws from Consideration for San Diego Ethics Board” by Jeff McDonald (San Diego Union Tribune) for MSN

National: “Democrats Plan to Subpoena Wealthy Benefactors of Supreme Court Justices” by Ann Marimow (Washington Post) for MSN

Illinois: “How the Massive Power Ed Burke Wielded Paved the Way for His Alleged Corruption” by Fran Spielman (Chicago Sun-Times) and Mariah Woelfel for WBEZ

National: “News on TikTok and Instagram Is Booming, Signaling a New Era” by Taylor Lorenz (Washington Post) for MSN

Legislative Issues

Wisconsin: “Wisconsin’s Democratic Governor Sues Republican Legislature Over Blocking Basic Functions” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) for ABC News

Campaign Finance

California: “Free Speech Group Plans to Appeal S.F. Campaign Finance Law to U.S. Supreme Court” by Bob Egelko (San Francisco Chronicle) for MSN

Wyoming: “Bills Would Add Voter Requirements, Expand Campaign Donor Reporting” by Hannah Shields (Wyoming Tribune Eagle) for Gillette News Record

Elections

National: “Mike Pence Suspends His Struggling 2024 Campaign” by Maeve Reston and Marianne LeVine (Washington Post) for MSN

Virginia: “Youngkin ‘Purge’ Removed Nearly 3,400 Legal Virginia Voters from Rolls” by Laura Vozzella (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Judge Reimposes Restrictions on Trump’s Speech in Jan. 6 Case” by Rachel Weiner and Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) for MSN

Hawaii: “Hawaii Ethics Commission Steps Up Training of Government Employees” by Chad Blair for Honolulu Civil Beat

Missouri: “Missouri House Ethics Committee Begins Inquiry into Personnel Moves by Dean Plocher” by Rudi Keller for Missouri Independent

New Jersey: “Corruption, Backroom Deals, Local Politics Mire N.J.’s Legal Weed Rollout, Businesses Say” by Jelani Gibson (NJ Advance Media) for MSN