Campaign Finance

National: “Michael Cohen Says He Arranged Payments to Women at Trump’s Direction” by William Rashbaum, Maggie Haberman, Ben Protess, and Jim Rutenberg (New York Times) for MSN

National: “GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter and Wife Indicted on Charges of Misusing Campaign Funds” by John Bresnahan and Rachel Bade for Politico

California: “L.A. Ethics Commission Tables Proposed Ban on Developer Donations” by Emily Alpert Reyes and David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times

Idaho: “Idaho Panel: Implement fines for campaign finance violations” by Kimberlee Kruesi (Associated Press) for Twin Falls Times-News

New Mexico: “Another Year in Prison for Griego” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

Washington D.C: “Trayon White Paid Back Constituent Fund for ‘Inappropriate’ Nation of Islam Donation” by Fenit Nirappil for Washington Post

Elections

North Carolina: “Court Blocks 2 Amendments From North Carolina Ballot After Governor’s Lawsuit” by Lynn Bonner (Tribune News Service) for Governing

Ethics

National: “Mueller Wins More Than a Conviction in Manafort Case” by Darren Samuelsohn and Josh Gerstein for Politico

Kentucky: “Loophole Allows Organizations to Pay for Legislators’ Out-of-State Travel Without Disclosing Amounts” by Joe Sonka for Insider Louisville

Campaign Finance

National: Michael Cohen Says He Arranged Payments to Women at Trump’s Direction by William Rashbaum, Maggie Haberman, Ben Protess, and Jim Rutenberg (New York Times) for MSN

Florida: “After a Florida Democrat Said She’d Take Donations from the Marijuana Industry, Wells Fargo Closed Her Bank Account” by Christopher Ingraham for Washington Post

Elections

National: “New Russian Hacking Targeted Republican Groups, Microsoft Says” by David Sanger and Sheera Frenkel (New York Times) for MSN

Ethics

National: “After Collins Indictment, House Members Seek to Crack Down on Lawmakers’ Board Service” by Mike DeBonis (Washington Post) for Connecticut Post

New York: “Cuomo Signs Bill Banning Use of Paid Intermediaries to Win State Pension Fund Business” by Kenneth Lovett for New York Daily News

West Virginia: “How One West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Gave Natural Gas a Big Victory and Shortchanged Residents” by Ken Ward Jr. for ProPublica

Lobbying

National: “Elizabeth Warren Unveils Plans to Root Out Corruption in Washington, Ensure Federal Government Works for Americans” by Shannon Young for MassLive.com

Canada: “Lobbying Czar Calls for Federal Investment after Decade of Stagnant Funding” by Nicholas Russell for Richland Standard

California: “Female Lobbyist Lodges Complaint That State Sen. Joel Anderson Threatened to Hit Her” by Melanie Mason for Los Angeles Times

On August 21, Sen. Elizabeth Warren is introducing a 289-page bill with various changes to federal lobbying and ethics laws.

Among the changes included in the “Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act” are an expanded definition of “lobbyist”. The new definition covers individuals employed for compensation making at least one lobbying contact or engaging in lobbying activities that do not include making lobbying contacts. The bill creates the definition of “corporate lobbyist”, which are lobbyists compensated by for-profit entities and 501(c)(6) organizations like chambers of commerce, but does not include other 501(c) entities or political organizations.

Reporting by lobbyists would expanded to include disclosure of specific bills, policies, and governmental actions attempted to be influenced, meetings with public officials and documents provided to those officials.

The bill permanently bans all foreign lobbying by both foreign actors and American lobbyists. American lobbyists would be prohibited from accepting money from foreign governments, foreign individuals, and foreign companies to influence United States public policy.

Other changes include a life-time ban on lobbying by former presidents, vice presidents, cabinet secretaries, members of Congress, and federal judges. All other federal employees would be banned from lobbying their former office, department, agency, or Congress after leaving their position until the end of the Administration, but for no less than two years or at least six years for corporate lobbyists. The bill prohibits companies from immediately hiring senior government officials from an agency or office recently lobbied by that company. The law similarly would prohibit large companies, measured by annual revenue or market capitalization, from hiring former senior government officials for four years after they leave the government.

Additionally, lobbyists would be prohibited from making political contributions to candidates or members of Congress, giving gifts to the executive and legislative branch officials being lobbied, and from working for any contingency fee.

The bill also contains changes to the federal rule-making process, expands the open record laws, creates ethics requirements for the judicial branch, including the Supreme Court, and creates an independent U.S. Office of Public Integrity for enforcement. An additional part of the bill addresses conflict of interest laws for federal office holders and employees, including a ban on stock ownership, while in office or employed, by members of Congress, federal judges, and White House staff and senior agency officials.

Also, the legislation includes the “Presidential Conflicts of Interest Act”, which requires sitting presidents and vice presidents to place conflicted assets into blind trusts to be sold.

Campaign Finance

National: “Tax Cuts Are a Hit with One Pivotal G.O.P. Group: Rich donors” by Jim Tankersely and Michael Tackett (New York Times) for MSN

National: “Contractor Scrutinized for Giving $10K to James Super PAC” by Melissa Nann Burke for Detroit News

National: “Inside a Super PAC That Spends on Everything but Winning” by Brian Slodysko for Associated Press

Ethics

National: “Collins Indictment Spotlights Lawmaker Legal Defense Spending” by Elizabeth Olson for Bloomberg Law

National: “GOP Fundraiser Broidy Under Investigation for Alleged Effort to Sell Government Influence: Sources” by Carol Leonng, Devlin Barrett, Ellen Nakashima, and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune

California: “Developer Whose Wife Sat on Ethics Commission Faces $15,000 Fine Over Political Donations” by Emily Alpert Reyes and David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times

Pennsylvania: “Former Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer Faces Trial Monday in FBI Case That Snagged Ed Pawlowski” by Peter Hall for Allentown Morning Call

Rep. Dillon Bates resigned today after being accused of manipulating students into sexual relationships while he was a teacher.

After learning of the investigation by the Portland Police Department, Speaker Sara Gideon called for his immediate resignation.

Bates denies the allegations and said he resigned because there are few hours of work left as a legislator this year, and he wants to spend this time clearing his name.

Campaign Finance

National: Despite Year-of-the-Woman Buzz, Female Candidates Lag Behind Men in Pulling in Campaign Cash by Michelle Ye Hee Lee and Anu Narayanswamy for Washington Post

Alabama: Obscure Names, Big Dollars: How Alabama chain PACs power campaigns & veil donors by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser

Missouri: Ethics Commission Says Greitens Campaign Broke the Law. Prosecutor Won’t File Charges by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Montana: Montana’s Campaign-Contribution Limits Appealed to U.S. Supreme Court by Mike Dennison for KXLH

Elections

Georgia: Georgia Voting Rights Activists Move to Block a Plan to Close Two-Thirds of Polling Places in a Majority Black County by Vanessa Williams (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune

Ethics

National: White House Counsel, Don McGahn, Has Cooperated Extensively in Mueller Inquiry by Michael Schmidt and Maggie Haberman for New York Times

National: Commerce Faces Scrutiny for Investments, Not Selling Certain Holdings by Steven Mufson for Washington Post

Lobbying

New York: A Corrupt Lobbyist’s Influence in the Cuomo Administration Is Revealed in Newly Disclosed Emails by Jesse McKinley for New York Times

State and Federal Communications Intern Sam Waller is here with the fastest two minutes in this week’s government news!

National:

Independents Uneasy About Taking Cash, Even from Indie Group
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Marina Villeneuve (Associated Press) | Published: 8/9/2018

Hoping to capitalize on voter frustration over growing polarization in politics, a group fueled partly by what critics call “dark money” plans to spend $3 million this year to support and elect independents. But some lawmakers are declining their help. Unite America is endorsing and providing polling for independent gubernatorial and legislative candidates across the country. Some independents, however, are reluctant to accept the support because they distrust influence by any outside, special interest group. They are also wary of any link to so-called dark money, contributions from groups such as nonprofits that do not have to disclose their donors under federal law.

Lax State Ethics Rules Leave Health Agencies Vulnerable to Conflicts
Politico – Brianna Ehley, Sarah Karlin-Smith, Rachana Pradhan, and Jennifer Haberkorn | Published: 8/12/2018

A lack of transparency in state ethics laws prevents the public from having visibility into conflicts by officials who may oversee millions of dollars in spending and make decisions that affect thousands of people. A review of ethics rules found that in one out of five states, top public health officials are not subject to any disclosure for financial holdings. Even when states do have rules on the books, they vary widely, and loopholes abound. Watchdogs and ethics experts say the uneven rules, and ill-defined consequences if problems are identified, make it virtually impossible to know whether officials might have conflicts that skew their decision-making, or to hold them accountable if lapses do occur.

Federal:

Charges Against Rep. Chris Collins Highlight Lack of Trading Limits for Congress
Chicago Tribune – Bill Allison and Erik Wasson (Bloomberg) | Published: 8/9/2018

The indictment of U.S. Rep. Christopher Collins on insider trading charges, along with his colleagues’ holdings in the biotechnology company at the center of the case, highlight how members of Congress face few restrictions on their investments and service on corporate boards, creating the potential for conflicts-of-interest. Unlike executive branch officials, who must resign from outside positions and divest assets that could pose conflicts, Congress relies on public disclosure as the main mechanism for keeping lawmakers honest. In the past, that has led to a number of scandals involving investment decisions that resulted in charges of self-enrichment and insider trading.

Trump Offers White House Staffers a Special Perk at His Golf Club
Politico – Annie Karni and Eliana Johnson | Published: 8/13/2018

White House staffers who displayed proof of their administration job are getting discounted merchandise from the pro shop at President Trump’s Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club. The administration officials get discounts ranging from 15 percent on regular merchandise to 70 percent off clearance items. The discount amounts to the same perk given to Bedminster members who pay a reported $350,000 annually. Watchdogs raised concerns about the practice, noting it amounts to a conflict-of-interest and is considered a gift if the discount is not available to all government employees.

Voting Rights Advocates Used to Have an Ally in the Government. That’s Changing.
MSN – Michael Wines (New York Times) | Published: 8/12/2018

During the Obama administration, the U.S. Justice Department would often go to court to stop states from taking steps to suppress voter rights. But 18 months into President Trump’s term, there are signs of change: the department has launched no new efforts to roll back state restrictions on the ability to vote, and instead often sides with them. In the national battle over voting rights, the fighting is done in court, state by state, over rules that can seem arcane but have the potential to sway the outcome of elections. The Justice Department’s recent actions point to a decided shift in policy at the federal level toward an agenda embraced by conservatives who say they want to prevent voter fraud.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – Ex-Assemblyman Matt Dababneh, Under Legislative Investigation on Sexual Misconduct Allegations, Sues Lobbyist for Defamation
Los Angeles Times – Melanie Mason | Published: 8/14/2018

Former California Assemblyperson Matt Dababneh, who resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment and assault, is suing the lobbyist who accused him of pushing her into a hotel bathroom and masturbating in front of her. Dababneh sued Pamela Lopez for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He is seeking unspecified damages. A letter from the Assembly Rules Committee said an investigator determined Lopez’s allegation was “substantiated” and in violation of Assembly policy.

California – It’s an Election Year, and California’s Campaign Watchdogs Are Busy Fighting Among Themselves
Sacramento Bee – Taryn Luna | Published: 8/13/2018

After years of limiting commissioners to $200 per month, members of the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) moved in February to pay themselves on an hourly basis. They have debated whether to loosen campaign finance restrictions on lawmakers and argued over how much power to give their chairperson. As the FPPC focuses on internal issues, they are missing an opportunity to become one of the leading campaign finance agencies in the country, said Jessica Levinson, a political ethics expert at the Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. “They are not only missing that opportunity, they watched it go by, they waved at it and they kept arguing about how much they were going to charge per diem,” Levinson said.

Colorado – Backers of Denver Campaign Finance Ballot Measure Agree to Deal That Would Delay Public Financing, Lower Limits
Denver Post – Jon Murray | Published: 8/14/2018

Backers of a Denver campaign finance initiative have agreed to a deal with city officials that would replace the measure on the November ballot with a revised version that delays the changes until after next year’s municipal election. Voter approval for the new proposal this fall would bring about drastically lower contribution limits for candidates seeking city offices and would ban direct corporate and union contributions. It also would institute a voluntary public financing system. While the gist of those elements is unchanged, the city council is set to begin the process of referring a replacement measure to the ballot that would make several changes to dates and details such as how quickly the city must issue public funds.

Georgia – Atlanta City Council Seeks to Require Lobbyists to Register with the City
Staff, Atlanta Daily World –   | Published: 8/13/2018

A pair of ordinances were introduced in the Atlanta City Council that would require individuals and principles to register as lobbyists if they seek to influence legislative or administrative actions and encourage council members to report any violations of Georgia’s lobbying law. Atlanta currently doe not have any rules on lobbying in the city.

Illinois – Mayoral Hopeful Who Gave Thousands in Cash, Checks: ‘I’m just tired of white people telling me what to do.’
Chicago Tribune – Gregory Pratt | Published: 8/9/2018

Responding to what his Chicago mayoral campaign called an investigation by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, a defiant Willie Wilson defended his recent cash giveaways and said there is “nothing wrong” with his charitable foundation’s paperwork. The controversy stems from a church event in July, where Wilson handed out more than $200,000 in cash and checks. Gov. Bruce Rauner was at the event and later criticized the giveaway, but the state election board said Wilson apparently did not violate any election laws. Noting he was raised in the Jim Crow South, Wilson, who is black, said, “I’m just tired of white people telling me what to do.”

Maine – Maine Ethics Regulators Vote to Re-Open Taxpayer Campaign Funding for 2018
Bangor Daily News – Michael Shepherd | Published: 8/16/2018

Maine’s ethics commission said it will release about $3 million in public campaign funds for one gubernatorial candidate and over 200 legislative candidates. The commission voted to release the money held up by a typo in a budget law. Gov. Paul LePage’s administration recently agreed to comply with a judge’s order to release over $1 million in public campaign funding that LePage held up by refusing to sign routine financial orders. Several commissioners said that same logic should apply to more money held up because lawmakers did not fix the error.

Michigan – Michigan Senate Winner Still Shrouded in Mystery Following Primary Shocker
Detroit News – Jonathan Oosting | Published: 8/10/2018

Betty Jean Alexander of Detroit remains shrouded in mystery after scoring a shocking win over state Sen. David Knezek in a Democratic primary race that few thought would be competitive. Alexander, whom several local party leaders say they had never heard of, did not report spending any money on her campaign and has not granted any media interviews since her surprise victory. Lamar Lemmons III, a former state lawmaker and current Detroit school board member, is under scrutiny for his role in electing Alexander, whom he describes as a 53-year-old single mother with two children who works in an administrative job.

Pennsylvania – Could Abuse Report Lead to Laws Extending Rights to Sue the Church?
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Liz Navratil and Angela Couloumbis | Published: 8/15/2018

In its report detailing a coverup of child sex abuse by Catholic bishops across Pennsylvania, a grand jury recommended giving older adults the right to file lawsuits for abuse they suffered as children. Political disagreements and lobbying have repeatedly stalled bills that would have retroactively loosened the statute of limitations for claims against the Catholic Church, leading to questions of whether the new findings would lead to change. While victims say the ability to sue could help them access services to cope with the trauma, lobbyists for the church and the insurance industry have opposed such legislation, saying a flood of lawsuits would deliver a crushing financial blow.

Vermont – Christine Hallquist Wins Vermont Primary, Becoming First Openly Transgender Major Party Nominee for Governor
Washington Post – Samantha Schmidt and Kayla Epstein | Published: 8/15/2018

Christine Hallquist won the Democratic gubernatorial primary in Vermont, becoming the first openly transgender candidate to be nominated for governor by a major party in the U.S. Hallquist, a first-time candidate, won in a crowded field of four Democrats. She is part of a progressive wave of political novices, women, and LGBTQ candidates running in this year’s midterm elections, many of them galvanized by the election and behavior of President Trump. But from here, her path to the governor’s office could be a narrow one, even though she is a Democrat running in a progressive state.

West Virginia – Lawmakers Impeach All 4 W.Va. Court Justices Over Spending
MSN, Associated Press – | Published: 8/14/2018

The West Virginia House voted to impeach all the justices on the state Supreme Court, a decision prompted by reports of extravagant spending on office renovations. If the justices are convicted in the Senate and removed, replacements will be named by Gov. Jim Justice. Most of the articles involved Chief Justice Allen Loughry, who has been suspended since June and is facing a federal indictment on charges of fraud and false statements. The court as a whole was impeached for not creating policies to rein in the wasteful spending. Two justices were charged with overpaying retired judges who fill in to hear cases, and Justice Robin Davis was charged with wasteful spending on her office remodeling. A fifth justice, Menis Ketchum, resigned in July before pleading guilty to fraud, having taken a state car for personal use.

Campaign Finance

California: “California Democratic Party and Open-Government Groups Fight Proposal to Lift Contribution Limits for Legislative Leaders” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times

Missouri: “In Missouri, Group Wants to Bar Lawmakers from Fundraising in Capitol” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

New York: “Mayoral Charter Revision Commission Votes to Create Final Ballot Proposals” by Samar Khurshid for Gotham Gazette

Elections

Kansas: “Kobach Is Republican Nominee for Kansas Governor after Colyer Concedes” by Bryan Lowry, Hunter Woodall, Jonathan Shorman, Styeve Vockrodt, and Allison Kite (Kansas City Star) for MSN

Vermont: “Christine Hallquist Wins Vermont Primary, Becoming First Openly Transgender Major Party Nominee for Governor” by Samantha Schmidt and Kayla Epstein for Washington Post

Ethics

National: “Pentagon Spokeswoman Under Investigation for Misusing Staff, Retaliating Against Complaints” by Barbara Starr (CNN) for MSN

California: “Ex-Assemblyman Matt Dababneh, Under Legislative Investigation on Sexual Misconduct Allegations, Sues Lobbyist for Defamation” by Melanie Mason for Los Angeles Times

Indiana: “Attorney General Curtis Hill May Have Violated Indiana Ethics Law by Using His Name in Official Television Ad” by Dan Carden for Northwest Indiana Times

Iowa: “Kim Reynolds Says Reusing Iowa State Fair Booth with Her Photos Is OK, Despite New Law Banning Self-Promotion” by Barbara Rodriguez for Des Moines Register

Campaign Finance

Colorado: “Backers of Denver Campaign Finance Ballot Measure Agree to Deal That Would Delay Public Financing, Lower Limits” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

New Mexico: “Cannabis Industry Grows as Source of Campaign Funds” by Steve Terrell (Santa Fe new Mexican) for Las Cruces Sun-News

South Dakota: “With Sutton Amendment, South Dakota Committees Now Face Some Restrictions on Campaign Spending” by Bob Mercer for Capital Journal

Ethics

National: “‘Everyone Signed One’: Trump is aggressive in his use of nondisclosure agreements, even in government” by Josh Dawsey and Ashley Parker (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Trump Offers White House Staffers a Special Perk at His Golf Club” by Annie Karni and Eliana Johnson for Politico

New Jersey: “Tougher Ethics Rules for Council that Guides Public Pension Investments” by John Reitmeyer for NJ Spotlight

Pennsylvania: “Ex-Reading Official Pleads Guilty to Taking Bribe from Former Mayor” by Peter Hall for Allentown Morning Call

West Virginia: “Lawmakers Impeach All 4 W.Va. Court Justices Over Spending” by the Associated Press for MSN

Lobbying

Georgia: “Atlanta City Council Seeks to Require Lobbyists to Register with the City” by the Staff for Atlanta Daily World

Campaign Finance

National: “Independents Uneasy About Taking Cash, Even from Indie Group” by Marina Villeneuve (Associated Press) for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

California: “It’s an Election Year, and California’s Campaign Watchdogs Are Busy Fighting Among Themselves” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

Elections

National: “Voting Rights Advocates Used to Have an Ally in the Government. That’s Changing.” by Michael Wines (New York Times) for MSN

Michigan: “Michigan Senate Winner Still Shrouded in Mystery Following Primary Shocker” by Jonathan Oosting for Detroit News

Ethics

National: “Representative Chris Collins Suspends Bid for Re-election After Insider Trading Charges” by Shane Goldmacher (New York Times) for WRAL

California: “Ethics Commission Levies Hefty Fine for ‘Egregious’ Conflict-of-Interest Violations” by David Garrick for San Diego Union Tribune

Hawaii: “Maui Ethics Board Warns Against Accepting Tournament Gifts” by Associated Press for Sacramento Bee

Lobbying

National: “Lax State Ethics Rules Leave Health Agencies Vulnerable to Conflicts” by Brianna Ehley, Sarah Karlin-Smith, Rachana Pradhan, and Jennifer Haberkorn for Politico

Elections

Kansas: “Kobach Plans to Recuse Self from Vote after Colyer Campaign Raises Concern” by Bryan Lowry, Hunter Woodall, Lindsay Wise, Steve Vockrodt, and Allison Kite (Kansas City Star) for Wichita Eagle

Wyoming: “Ban on Political ‘Robocalls’ Unconstitutional, Judge Rules in Wyoming” by Elaine Povich (Stateline) for Governing

Ethics

National: “Charges Against Rep. Chris Collins Highlight Lack of Trading Limits for Congress” by Bill Allison and Erik Wasson (Bloomberg) for Chicago Tribune

Florida: “FDLE Closed Jack Latvala Case without Gathering New Info” by Mary Ellen Klas (Miami Herald) for Tampa Bay Times

Illinois: “Mayoral Hopeful Who Gave Thousands in Cash, Checks: ‘I’m just tired of white people telling me what to do.’” by Gregory Pratt for Chicago Tribune

New Mexico: “Ex-Legislator Takes Plea Deal on New Charges” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

Texas: “Report: Mayor’s aide received cut of nonprofit’s contracts with city” by Elizabeth Findell for Austin American Statesman

West Virginia: “The Entire W.Va. Supreme Court Faces Impeachment for Alleged Corruption: Gas money, restaurant lunches, an antique desk” by Isaac Stanley-Becker for Washington Post

You don’t want to miss this weeks News You Can Use Video Digest from State and Federal Communications intern Abigail Siegfried!

National:

Accused of Harassment, and Seeking Redemption at the Ballot Box
MSN – Julie Turkewitz and Alan Blinder (New York Times) | Published: 8/5/2018

Almost a year into an anti-harassment movement that has prompted a coast-to-coast cultural reckoning, more than a dozen politicians who have been accused of misconduct and are running for state legislative seats again anyway. Some candidates hope voters will accept their apologies. Others believe constituents will dismiss the allegations as untrue or deem them unimportant at a time when state Legislatures could play crucial roles either in advancing the Trump administration’s agenda or forming bulwarks against it. Apologies alone do not satisfy some of those who are working to ensure candidates accused of harassment do not retain political power.

Federal:

GOP Rep. Chris Collins Charged with Securities Fraud
Politico – Kyle Cheney, Jimmy Vielkind, and Laura Nahmias | Published: 8/8/2018

U.S. Rep. Christopher Collins was indicted on charges he used inside information about a biotechnology company to make illicit stock trades. The indictment charges Collins and his son, Cameron, and Stephen Zarsky, who is the father of Cameron Collins’ fiancée, with conspiracy, wire fraud, and other counts. Rep. Collins was Innate Immunotherapeutics’ largest shareholder and served on its board. He received an email from Innate’s chief executive alerting him the company’s highly touted drug had failed in clinical trials. Rep. Collins is alleged to have passed that information to his son, who notified Zarsky. Prosecutors say the three avoided about $768,000 in losses because of the information.

Judge’s Ruling Invalidates FEC Regulation Allowing Anonymous Donations to ‘Dark Money’ Groups
Politico – Brent Griffiths | Published: 8/4/2018

U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell struck down an FEC rule that allowed for anonymous donations to “dark money” groups. Howell ruled the FEC regulation allowing for those donors to remain anonymous fell below the standard that Congress meant to set when it passed laws on disclosing the sources of political donations. The ruling, which is likely to be appealed, means nonprofits could be required to reveal the identities of donors who give $200 or more toward affecting federal elections. The FEC has 45 days to issue temporary regulations that would require the so-called dark money groups to reveal more about their donors.

On Appeals Court, Kavanaugh Helped to Loosen Political Money Laws
National Public Radio – Peter Overby | Published: 8/8/2018

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has been on the U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Columbia, a frequent destination for cases involving the FEC. His decisions have effectively pulled the campaign finance system rightward, letting in more money with less regulation. He is been roughly in sync with Anthony Kennedy, the justice he once clerked for and now might succeed. “I think his record on money and politics should be right up there alongside the likelihood that he’ll overturn Roe or strike down the [Affordable Care Act],” said Chiraag Bains, director of legal strategies for the progressive advocacy group Demos.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona: Prosecutors Drop Bribery, Fraud Charges Against Former Utility Regulator, Others
Arizona Daily Star – Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) | Published: 8/7/2018

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Arizona filed a motion to dismiss the indictment of a former utility regulator and others who were charged in a bribery case that ended in a mistrial. Jurors could not agree whether former utility regulator Gary Pierce, his wife, Sherry, lobbyist Jim Norton, and water company owner George Johnson had participated in a bribery scheme, as prosecutors alleged. Taryn Jeffries served as the jury foreperson. She said she was not surprised the government decided not to retry the case, which she considered “weak.” Jeffries said the jurors deadlocked at seven-to-five with those believing the defendants were guilty in the minority.

Florida: Panel Finds ‘Probable Cause’ That Five Municipal Officials, Five Lobbyists Violated State Ethics Laws
Florida Watchdog – John Haughey | Published: 8/3/2018

The Florida Commission on Ethics found probable cause that five lobbying firms filed inaccurate financial disclosure reports for 2016. The evidence turned up in random audits of executive branch lobbying firms. Among the commission’s notable actions was finding probable cause that former Madeira Beach City Manager Shane Crawford “accepted prohibited gifts from lobbyists, or alternatively, failed to report discounts valued at more than $100 as gifts.”

Kansas: ‘That Is a Conflict’: Kobach should recuse himself from a recount, experts say
Kansas City Star – Bryan Lowry, Steve Vockrodt, Jonathan Shorman, and Hunter Woodall | Published: 8/8/2018

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach said he does not plan to recuse himself from a potential recount effort in the state’s Republican gubernatorial primary, despite being a candidate in the race. He said while his office oversees recounts, it does not directly participate in vote-counting, which is done at the county level. Kobach is leading Gov. Jeff Colyer by fewer than 200 votes in the closely watched race. If Colyer requests a hand recount after all provisional and mail-in ballots are counted, the secretary of state’s office will decide how much the governor’s campaign would have to pay for a recount. Kobach is not required by law to recuse himself, but legal and political experts said it would be in his best interest to do so.

Maine: After Court Battle, Maine’s Clean Elections Candidates to Get $1 Million In Campaign Funds
New England Public Radio – Steve Mistler | Published: 8/8/2018

Maine Gov. Paul LePage has complied with a court order that he release about $1.4 million in public campaign funding he had held up by refusing to sign routine financial orders. The move means about 120 candidates for the Legislature and one for governor will be getting money soon to help run their campaigns under the Maine Clean Election Act. Seven candidates and the Maine Citizens for Clean Elections sued LePage because he refused to release the funds, which would come from unspent money from the 2016 election cycle.

Missouri: Lawsuit Seeks to Knock Gerrymandering Issue Off Missouri’s November Ballot
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Kurt Erickson | Published: 8/6/2018

An attorney who helped draw the boundaries of Missouri’s current legislative districts is trying to knock a question off the November ballot designed to end partisan gerrymandering. Eddie Greim said the proposed referendum violates a provision in the Missouri Constitution that prevents multiple subjects from being combined into one ballot proposal. The referendum asks whether voters want to tighten campaign contribution limits, ban lobbyist gifts, institute a two-year waiting period for lawmakers-turned-lobbyists, start a new redistricting system in 2020, and require lawmakers to adhere to the Sunshine Law.

Missouri: Slay’s Role as Lobbyist Raises Questions Over Conflict of Interest in Quest to Privatize Airport
St. Louis Public Radio – Melody Walker | Published: 8/6/2018

Francis Slay, just weeks before leaving office as mayor in April of last year, initiated the process that could lead to the privatization of St. Louis Lambert International Airport. In June of this year, Slay was hired by Ferrovial Airports, a company with experience in managing airports in Europe, and considered one of three top contenders in the bidding process for Lambert. Slay registered as a lobbyist in June “to lobby local elected officials.” His role as a lobbyist for a company seeking to lease the city’s largest asset through a process he initiated while mayor has raised some eyebrows, and some serious questions about a conflict-of-interest.

New York: BOE Approves Regulations That Could Hinder Independent Investigations
Albany Times Union – David Lombardo | Published: 8/8/2018

The New York State Board of Elections is moving to weaken the powers of an independent watchdog. The board voted to require the state’s independent enforcement counsel to justify in writing each subpoena they want to issue when investigating alleged campaign finance and election law cases. The board already had control over whether subpoenas could be issued in specific cases, but the new rule means the counsel must get approval on a subpoena-by-subpoena basis. Good-government groups criticized the move, which state Attorney General Barbara Underwood said will “gut” the counsel’s independence and lead to more corruption.

Texas: Dwaine Caraway Resigns from Dallas City Council, Pleads Guilty to Federal Corruption Charges
Dallas News – Robert Wilonsky, Holly Hacker, and Miles Moffeit | Published: 8/9/2018

Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway pleaded guilty to federal charges of receiving $450,000 in bribes and kickbacks and resigned from the city council. Caraway admitted taking the payments exchange for votes in favor of a camera company, Force Multiplier Solutions (FXS), which sought contract work with Dallas County Schools. At times, Robert Leonard, the owner of FXS, would pay Caraway in checks that he would cash at liquor stores and pawn shops. Leonard also admitted to paying Rick Sorrells, a former Dallas County school superintendent, more than $3 million in bribes and kickbacks. Their actions, prosecutors said, helped FXS secure more than $70 million in contracts and agreements with Dallas County Schools.

Texas: Texas Court Revives Lawsuit to Strip Ethics Regulators of Campaign, Elections Oversight
Dallas News – Lauren McGaughey | Published: 8/3/2018

A conservative advocacy group’s legal challenge to the Texas Ethics Commission took a leap forward after the lawsuit, dismissed in 2016 by a District Court judge, was revived by an appeals court. The decision by the Third Court of Appeals is the latest in an ongoing series of blows between Empower Texans, an influential group led by Michael Quinn Sullivan, and the commission, which years ago investigated the organization for alleged campaign law violations. The lawsuit asks whether the ethics panel has the legal authority to carry out many of its core functions, including enforcement and oversight of campaign finance rules.

Vermont: This 14-Year-Old Is Running for Governor Before He Can Even Vote
Washington Post – Kayla Epstein | Published: 8/8/2018

Unlike most states, Vermont has no age requirement for gubernatorial candidates, only a residency requirement. So, Ethan Sonneborn, who has lived in Bristol for 14 years – his entire life – makes the cut. Sonneborn declared his candidacy for governor back in August 2017, and then told his parents about it. After the secretary of state consulted with the attorney general, it was decided he would be allowed to run, but his parents would have to sign a form acknowledging they knew he was running and did not oppose him doing so.