Campaign Finance

National: “Oaktree Fined $100,000 by SEC Over Conflicted Political Giving” by Jesse Westbrook for Bloomberg.com

California: “More Campaign Money Could Flow to California Legislative Leaders Under New Bill” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

Maryland: “Baltimore City Council Passes Public Financing Charter Amendment” by Talia Richman for Baltimore Sun

Missouri: “VP Pence’s Top Aide, Tied to Greitens, Targeted in New Missouri Ethics Complaint” by Jack Suntrup and Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Rhode Island: “R.I. Gubernatorial Hopeful Trillo ‘Confused’ by Election Board’s Guidance on Ads” by Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal

Ethics

National: “Why Was a Citizenship Question Put on the Census? ‘Bad Faith,’ a Judge Suggests” by Michael Wines (New York Times) for MSN

Alabama: “Two Years After Sentencing, Hubbard Appeal Still Pending in State Court” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser

Kentucky: “Bevin Administration Relents. Kentucky Capitol Opened to Poor People’s Campaign.” by Jack Brammer for Lexington Herald-Leader

Oklahoma: “Rule Change Conceals Statewide Candidates’ Personal Finances” by Trevor Brown for Oklahoma Watch

Lobbying

National: “Ex-Lawmakers See Tough Job Market with Trade Groups” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Virginia: “Dominion Claims Lobbying Costs Soared to Fight ‘Fake News’” by Alan Sunderman (Associated Press) for The News-Leader

Campaign Finance

Ohio: “At Last, Some Answers About Cincinnati Councilman Jeff Pastor’s Campaign Finances” by Sharon Coolidge for Cincinnati Enquirer

Elections

Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Treasurer Candidate Says He Was Fired from Banking Job After Mounting Campaign” by Molly Beck and Max Bayer for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Ethics

National: “Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s Supreme Court Pick, Has Sided with Broad Views of Presidential Powers” by Ann Marimow for Washington Post

Colorado: “Denver Council Approves Ethics Exemption After Debate Over City-Provided Air Travel, Freebies” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

Delaware: “Connections Severs Ties with Politicians” by Christine Jedra for Wilmington News Journal

Oklahoma: “Scott Pruitt, Fallen E.P.A. Chief, May Rise Again in Oklahoma” by Richard Fausset (New York Times) for MSN

Washington D.C.: “Federal Prosecutors Abruptly Dismiss All 39 Remaining Inauguration Day Rioting Cases” by Keith Alexander (Washington Post) for Los Angeles Times

Lobbying

National: “Giuliani Works for Foreign Clients While Serving as Trump’s Attorney” by Josh Dawsey, Tom Hamburger, and Ashley Parker (Washington Post) for The News-Times

National: “Atypical Lobbying Shop Targets Lawmakers from Poorest Districts” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call

Campaign Finance

New York: “Cuomo Campaign Amends ‘All-You-Can-Drink’ Fundraiser Invite” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

Oregon: “Portland Campaign Spending Measure Petitions Submitted” by Jim Redden for Portland Tribune

Rhode Island: “Bristol Lawmaker Discloses Thousands in Previously Unreported Campaign Contributions” by Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal

Ethics

National: “From Kellyanne Conway to Stephen Miller, Trump’s Advisers Face Taunts from Hecklers Around D.C.” by Paul Schwartzman and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) for San Jose Mercury News

National: “Some Contractors Housing Migrant Children Are Familiar to Trump’s Inner Circle” by Ben Protess, Manny Fernandez, and Kitty Bennet (New York Times) for MSN

Michigan: “Feds Charge Ousted Troy City Manager with Bribery” by Robert Snell for Detroit News

Lobbying

National: “Government Work Done, Tax Policy Writers Decamp to Lobbying Jobs” by Alan Rappaport (New York Times) for MSN

Florida: “Mayors Push to Strengthen Lobbying Laws in Broward” by Meryl Kornfield for South Florida Sun Sentinel

Missouri: “KC Mayoral Candidate Proposes Limiting Gifts to $5: Ethical Move or Political Ploy?” by Bill Turque for Kansas City Star

The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust selected Jose J. Arrojo as its new executive director.

Arrojo is currently a Chief Assistant State Attorney and will be the third director of the commission since it was created in 1996.

Arrojo, will assume the post when Joseph Centorino steps down at the end of August.

Ethics

National: “As Tariffs Near, President Trump’s Business Keeps Profiting from Chinese Ties” by Jonathan O’Connell and David Fahrenthold for San Jose Mercury News

Arizona: “Corporation Commission Director Resigns Amid Concerns of Conflict with APS” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic

Illinois: “Federal Judge Orders Illinois to Adopt Ethics Rules for Environmental Regulators” by Michael Hawthorne for Chicago Tribune

Indiana: “Attorney General Curtis Hill Under Investigation Following Calls by Top Indiana Republicans” by Tony Cook and Ryan Martin for Indianapolis Star

South Dakota: “Critics Concerned About Power of Initiative’s Ethics Panel” by the Associated Press for Mitchell Republic

Lobbying

National: “Countries Hosting Trump Businesses Have Added Lobbyists at Rapid Pace Since Inauguration” by Frank Bass for MapLight.org

National: “EPA’s Acting Administrator Has Long Lobbying Record on Issues Before the Agency” by Steven Mufson (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune

Procurement

Canada: “Construction Magnate Antonio Accurso Sentenced to 4 Years for Fraud, Corruption” by Paul Cherry for Montreal Gazette

After receiving at least three-fifths of the vote in each chamber, the North Carolina Senate gave final approval to a proposed constitutional amendment to alter the way the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement is appointed.

The proposal switches the power to make appointments to the board from the governor to the Legislature.

Previously, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper had sued Republican legislative leaders multiple times over legislation creating different versions of the joint board.

The amendment requires a simple majority at the ballot box to become effective on January 1, 2019.

National:

Ethics Charges Could Hurt Fight Against Legionnaires’ Disease
Detroit Free Press – John Wisley | Published: 7/5/2018

Conflict-of-interest charges could derail a nationwide effort to curb outbreaks of deadly Legionnaires’ disease. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and representatives of the Mayo Clinic have withdrawn from a scientific committee that has been working on the topic for years. At issue is NSF International, a nonprofit research company that has been coordinating an effort to develop new plumbing standards to reduce the growth of legionella bacteria inside buildings. NSF has said one of its for-profit ventures was partnering with Homeyer Consulting Services to help companies meet the new standard once it is approved.

Is This the Year Women Break the Rules and Win?
New York Times – Kate Zernike | Published: 6/29/2018

This year’s midterm elections have produced a surge of women like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who defeated U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley, across the country: progressive candidates running outsider campaigns powered by strong personal narratives and women’s activism that began with massive marches the day after President Trump’s inauguration and has grown through protests against gun violence and immigration policies that divide families. Whether other women become overnight stars like Ocasio-Cortez –or Stacey Abrams, whose win in the Democratic primary for Georgia governor – in Georgia sparked similar excitement – depends on the dynamics of each state or district.

Federal:

EPA Leader Scott Pruitt Out After Numerous Scandals
CNBC – Tom DiChristopher | Published: 7/5/2018

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt resigned after months of controversies over his lavish spending, ethical lapses, and contentious management decisions eroded President Trump’s confidence in one of his most ardent Cabinet members. Pruitt’s litany of ethics scandals included questions about taxpayer-funded first-class travel, a discounted condominium rental from a lobbyist, the installation of a $43,000 soundproof phone booth in his office, and asking staff to help search for a six-figure job for his wife. In recent weeks, an exodus of trusted staffers left Pruitt increasingly isolated, and some once-loyal Republican lawmakers wearied of defending him. There are more than a dozen federal inquiries into Pruitt’s spending and management of the agency.

News Media Paid Melania Trump Thousands for Use of Photos in ‘Positive Stories Only’
NBC News – Andrew Lehren, Emily Siegel, and Merritt Enright | Published: 7/2/2018

First lady Melania Trump reportedly earned between $100,000 and $1 million in royalties from Getty Images in 2017 for the use of photographs that under a licensing could only be used in “positive coverage.” At least 12 news organizations last year used some of the photos. Several said they were not aware the images were part of a licensing deal that profited the first lady. While it is not unusual for celebrities to sign deals governing the use of their images, it is unusual for the first lady to be party to such an agreement. Getty’s licensing agreement does not offer any hint that money is also paid to the Trumps, and the arrangement did not appear to have become public until the income was listed in President Trump’s May financial filing.

Supreme Court Defeat for Unions Upends a Liberal Money Base
Seattle Times – Noam Schreiber (New York Times) | Published: 7/1/2018

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that requiring nonmembers to make union payments violated their First Amendment rights, since much of what unions do could be considered political activity at odds with their beliefs. In addition to unions, the decision will impact a network of groups dedicated to advancing liberal policies and candidates. Together, they have benefited from tens of millions of dollars a year from public-sector unions, funding now in jeopardy because of the prospective decline in union revenue. Liberal activists argue that closing that pipeline was a crucial goal of the conservative groups that helped bring the case. “If the progressive movement is a navy, they’re trying to take out our aircraft carriers,” said Ben Wikler, Washington director of MoveOn.org.

Trump Docket: New justice could sway court on president’s personal cases
Politico – Josh Gerstein | Published: 7/5/2018

Lawsuits pending over Donald Trump’s personal and business conduct could put his nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court in an awkward position: deciding whether to cast potentially pivotal votes on legal matters of keen importance to the president. Virtually all justices wind up ruling on policy issues affecting the president who appointed them. But Trump is enmeshed in more than half a dozen significant court cases involving everything from his alleged sexual behavior before taking office to claims his businesses are profiting from his presidency and allegations he misused funds through his charitable foundation. The justices also could be asked to rule on whether Robert Mueller’s probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election was legally authorized or whether Trump has the authority to dismiss the special prosecutor.

From the States and Municipalities:

Florida: Where Does She Live? A Miami Lawmaker’s Bizarre Attempt to Reside in Her District
Miami Herald – Sarah Blaskey and David Smiley | Published: 7/3/2018

State Sen. Daphne Campbell, longtime owner of a home inconveniently located outside the community she has represented as a member of the Florida House and Senate, has been difficult to find at home over the last 30 months. More accurately, her home has been difficult to find. That is until late June, when she switched her voter registration to a house in North Miami Beach. It is one of at least four addresses she has listed over the last six years after a statewide redrawing of House districts placed her own home outside the boundaries and forced her into a series of temporary residences. The extent to which she has actually lived at any of them is questionable.

Georgia: Campaign Contributions to Top Candidates Raise Questions
Washington Times; Associated Press –   | Published: 6/29/2018

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found donations of more than $325,000 to Secretary of State Brian Kemp’s campaign from people tied to licensees and companies regulated by his office. The newspaper found contributions of more than $240,000 to Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle’s campaign before the beginning of the 2018 legislative session from lobbyists, members of their family, or their firms, as well as another $40,000 donated after the session ended. Kemp and Cagle are locked in a runoff for the Republican nomination for governor. Critics say donations to Kemp by people with ties to businesses under the oversight of his licensing or securities divisions could undermine the credibility of one of the state’s top regulators.

Illinois: ‘I Snookered Them’: Illinois Nazi candidate creates GOP dumpster fire
Politico – Natasha Korecki | Published: 6/29/2018

Illinois Republicans botched four opportunities to stop an avowed Nazi from representing their party in a Chicago-area congressional district. Now they are paying the price. Arthur Jones, a Holocaust denier who will appear on the November ballot as the GOP candidate against U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, has become campaign fodder for Democrats as they seek to defeat Gov. Bruce Rauner. And some Republicans even fear the taint from Jones‘s extremist views poses a threat to the party up and down the ticket.

Indiana: New Pay-to-Play Ban Approved
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette – Rosa Salter Rodriguez | Published: 6/28/2018

The Fort Wayne City Council overrode a veto to approve a bill that aims to prevent the appearance of “pay-to-play” practices in the awarding of certain city contracts. The ordinance prohibits “business entities” from bidding on city contracts if any officer, partner, or principal with more than a 10 percent ownership share in the entity and subsidiaries controlled by it contributes more than $2,000 a year to a political campaign of someone with ultimate responsibility for awarding city contracts.

Kentucky: Kentucky Broke Law by Blocking Poor People’s Campaign from Capitol, Beshear Says
Lexington Herald-Leader – Jack Brammer | Published: 7/2/2018

Anti-poverty demonstrators were illegally restricted from entering the Capitol in June under a policy that is not an official state regulation, Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear said. The opinion deferred constitutional questions raised by the policy, suggesting those could be addressed if Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration completes the process for establishing regulations on access to the Capitol. The Kentucky Poor People’s Campaign staged a series of seven demonstrations. During each standoff at the Capitol’s front door, scores of demonstrators asked if they could enter as a group. But they were blocked by a large state police presence and told of a new policy that allowed two members of the group to be in the building at a time.

New Jersey: New Jersey to Spend $5 Million on Reviving Local Journalism
WPG Talk Radio – Michael Symons | Published: 7/3/2018

New Jersey’s new state budget includes $5 million for a first-of-its-kind nonprofit effort to help finance local journalism in cities and towns where it has been decimated. Some of the money could be used to strengthen traditional media sources, such as newspapers and radio stations, and existing local websites. Funds might be used for seed investments in startups in areas without local news, or even media literacy programs. “Studies have shown what happens when local news coverage dries up or disappears. Fewer people vote. Fewer people volunteer. Fewer people run for public office. Corruption increases,” said Mike Rispoli of the media reform advocacy group Free Press.

New York: Upcoming SCOTUS Case Could Complicate NY Effort to Close Double Jeopardy ‘Loophole’
New York Law Journal – Colby Hamilton and Dan Clark | Published: 7/2/2018

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case a case challenging the legal principle that the federal government and those of the states represent “separate sovereigns,” a long-held doctrine that has provided a work-around for state and federal prosecutors faced with constitutional double jeopardy concerns. It comes at a critical moment for supporters of changes to New York’s double jeopardy protections. Under certain circumstances, individuals close to President Trump, facing federal prosecution, could see a pardon absolve them of not only federal charges, but bar state prosecutors from bringing a similar case under New York law.

Oregon: Black Oregon Legislator Says Campaigning in Own District Triggered 911 Call
Portland Oregonian – Everton Bailey Jr. | Published: 7/3/2018

A black state representative in Oregon said one of her constituents called the police on her while she was canvassing a neighborhood in her district. Rep. Janelle Bynum said someone called the police on her to report that she “was going door to door and spending a lot of time typing on my cell phone after each house.” Bynum is up for re-election in November and said she was taking notes on her phone from conversations with constituents. A number of incidents in which police were called on people of color doing normal activities have gained widespread attention in recent months.

Virginia: Lobbying Firm to Va. Lawmakers: If you refuse Apco money, you won’t get any from us
Richmond Times-Dispatch – Patrick Wilson | Published: 6/25/2018

The law and lobbying firm Hunton Andrews Kurth said it would no longer make campaign contributions to Virginia lawmakers unless they also accept donations from one of the firm’s clients, Appalachian Power Co. The move affects legislators who signed a pledge saying they will not accept political money from the state’s regulated energy companies – Dominion Energy and Appalachian – to avoid the appearance of the companies’ undue influence on lawmakers. Whitt Clement, who heads the state government relations practice group at Hunton Andrews Kurth, said the lawmakers who do not accept contributions from Appalachian are being shortsighted because the company is an important corporate citizen in Virginia.

Campaign Finance

National: Five Years Ago, the FEC’s Top Lawyer Resigned. No Permanent Replacement Has Yet Been Named. By Dave Levinthal and Suhauna Hussein for Center for Public Integrity

Missouri: Email Appears to Show Coordination by Greitens Campaign, Office, Dark-Money Nonprofit by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Elections

Oregon: Black Oregon Legislator Says Campaigning in Own District Triggered 911 Call by Everton Bailey Jr. for Portland Oregonian

Ethics

National: Rep. Jim Jordan Accused of Ignoring Allegations of Sexual Abuse While a Coach at Ohio State by Deirdre Shesgreen and Jessie Balmert for USA Today

National: Pruitt Ally Decides Which of His Records See the Light of Day by Anthony Adragna and Emily Holden for Politico

National: Associated Press May Have Led FBI to Manafort Storage Locker by Josh Gerstein for Politico

New Jersey: New Jersey to Spend $5 Million on Reviving Local Journalism by Michael Symons for WPG Talk Radio

Lobbying

National: K Street Staffs Up for a Democratic Takeover by Theodoric Meyer for Politico

Campaign Finance

National: “Libertarians Can Continue Contribution Limits Challenge” by Kayla Goggin for Courthouse News Service

National: “Russia Investigators Likely Got Access to NRA’s Tax Filings, Secret Donors” by Greg Gordon and Peter Stone for McClatchy DC

National: “Federal Officials Struggle to Drag Political Ad Rules into the Internet Age” by Ashley Balcerzak for Center for Public Integrity

Kansas: “Kansas Candidate’s Father Spends $100,000 in Effort to Get Son Elected to Congress” by Bryan Lowry for Kansas City Star

Elections

National: “Is This the Year Women Break the Rules and Win?” by Kate Zernike for New York Times

Florida: “Where Does She Live? A Miami Lawmaker’s Bizarre Attempt to Reside in Her District” by Sarah Blaskey and David Smiley for Miami Herald

Illinois: “‘I Snookered Them’: Illinois Nazi candidate creates GOP dumpster fire” by Natasha Korecki for Politico

Ethics

New York: “Upcoming SCOTUS Case Could Complicate NY Effort to Close Double Jeopardy ‘Loophole’” by Colby Hamilton and Dan Clark for New York Law Journal

Campaign Finance

National: “Campaign Contributions to Top Candidates Raise Questions” by Associated Press for Washington Times

Pennsylvania: “Ed Pawlowski Co-Defendant Scott Allinson Sentenced to More Than Two Years in Prison Sentence” by Peter Hall and Emily Opilo for Allentown Morning Call

Texas: “Ethics Commission Backs Use of Campaign Money to Pay for Candidates’ Child Care” by Mrk Lisheron for Texas Monitor

Elections

National: “Russian Charged with Manafort Is Key Figure” by Jeff Horwitz and Maria Danilova for Detroit News

Ethics

National: “News Media Paid Melania Trump Thousands for Use of Photos in ‘Positive Stories Only’” by Andrew Lehren, Emily Siegel, and Merritt Enright for NBC News

Kentucky: “Kentucky Broke Law by blocking Poor People’s Campaign from Capitol, Beshear Says” by Jack Brammer for Lexington Herald-Leader

New York: “After Ethics Warning, MTA Chairman Gets O.K. for Outside Jobs in an Email” by Emma Fitzsimmons (New York Times) for WRAL

Lobbying

Ireland: “Watchdog Fears Public Servants Moving into Lobbying Roles Too Easily” by Conor Gallagher for Irish Times

Campaign Finance

National: Supreme Court Defeat for Unions Upends a Liberal Money Base  by Noam Scheiber (New York Times) for Seattle Times

Arizona: Clean Elections Commission to Sue, Says Arizona Lawmakers Are Misleading Voters by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star

Indiana: New Pay-to-Play Ban Approved by Rosa Salter Rodriguez for Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

Ethics

National: Emails Reveal Close Rapport Between Top EPA Officials, Those They Regulate by Juliet Eilperin (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune

Arkansas: Arkansas Senators in New Panel on Ethics Get to Work by Michael Wickline for Arkansas Online

Missouri: Engineer Profits from City Projects and Sits on Panel to Vet Them. Is That a Problem? by Bill Turque for Kansas City Star

Ohio: Firm Hired to Investigate Lawmaker Also Donated to Him by Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) for Seattle Times

Lobbying

Virginia: Lobbying Firm to Va. Lawmakers: If you refuse Apco money, you won’t get any from us by Patrick Wilson for Richmond Times Dispatch

National:

Voting Machine Vendor Treated Election Officials to Trips to Vegas, Elsewhere
McClatchy DC – Greg Gordon, Amy Renee Leiker (Wichita Eagle), Jamie Self (The State), and Stanley Dunlap (Macon Telegraph) | Published: 6/21/2018

Election Systems and Software (ES&S), the nation’s largest voting equipment vendor, has sought to cement relationships with government officials, some of whom play roles in the award of millions of dollars in contracts. Ethics experts and election watchdogs say the company’s hospitality and hobnobbing with government officials is potentially corrupting. ES&S has for years invited state and local elections officials to serve on an “advisory board” that gathers twice annually for company-sponsored conferences. “It’s highly inappropriate for any election official to be accepting anything of value from a primary contractor …,” said Virginia Canter, chief ethics counsel for the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

Federal:

New Emails Suggest Scott Pruitt Discussed Hiring a Friend of Lobbyist Landlord
MSN – Lisa Friedman and Hiroko Tabuchi (New York Times) | Published: 6/24/2018

The lobbyist whose wife rented Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt a room in a Capitol Hill condominium at a discounted rate lobbied Pruitt’s chief of staff to hire a family friend. The exchange is among several previously undisclosed interactions that show how J. Steven Hart, who served as chairperson of the law firm Williams & Jensen until earlier this year, sought to exert influence over decisions at the agency even as his spouse was renting Pruitt a $50-a-night room in an upscale condo blocks from the Capitol. Emails also appear to undermine initial arguments that Hart had not lobbied the EPA during Pruitt’s tenure.

The Latest Sign of Political Divide: Shaming and shunning public officials
MSN – Mary Jordan (Washington Post) | Published: 6/24/2018

Few laws expressly prohibit a business from refusing service to a customer because of political views. Civil rights lawyers said while there have been many cases in recent history involving establishments barring black people, women, or members of the LGBT community, shunning people for their political ideology or affiliation has been relatively uncommon – until now. And in a time of intense political division, social media is magnifying the confrontations. Many who disagree with the policies and tone of President Trump and his administration think silence is complicity. But others, even those who vehemently oppose the administration’s politics, do not agree with such aggressive pushback.

Who Should File as a Foreign Agent Is a Tough One to Figure Out
Bloomberg Government – Ken Doyle | Published: 6/26/2018

Until recently, advisory letters from the U.S. Department of Justice on the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) were kept confidential. Now that more than 50 of them have been made public, the trove of documents shows how complicated it is to hew to the law. Is there an easy explanation of who’s a foreign agent? “The short answer is no,” said attorney Jason Abel, who specializes in lobbying and ethics law at the firm Steptoe & Johnson. Legislation in the House would end an exemption from FARA for those who register as lobbyists with the House Clerk’s Office and Secretary of the Senate. It also would give the Justice Department new subpoena power to investigate possible FARA violations.

From the States and Municipalities:

California: California Lawmakers Approve Revamp of Sex Misconduct Policy
Sacramento Bee – Kathleen Ronayne (Associated Press) | Published: 6/25/2018

A committee of California lawmakers approved a new policy for how the Senate and Assembly will investigate sexual harassment complaints. Under the new rules, an investigative unit would look at all complaints, collect evidence, and interview witnesses. A panel of outside experts would determine whether allegations are substantiated and make recommendations on potential consequences. Aspects of the policy may require formal approval from the full Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown, which could take a vote on the matter by August, said Legislative Counsel Diane Boyer-Vine.

Colorado: Ethics Board Asks Councilman to Pull Bill That Could Allow Expensive Gifts Within City
Colorado Public Radio – Ben Markus | Published: 6/22/2018

In a letter to City Councilperson Kevin Flynn, the Denver Board of Ethics requested he withdraw an amendment designed to revise the city’s ethics code, calling it the “wrong solution.” Flynn’s amendment redefines parameters of Denver’s gift policy. It would allow exchanges of things like expensive flight tickets, jackets, and other items between city agencies and elected officials. A media investigation found Denver International Airport has provided more than $420,000 expensive international business class tickets and hotel rooms to the mayor’s office and city council for a variety of purposes, including fact finding trips before key airport contract votes. Outside ethics experts have called the practice into question.

Florida: Ethics Board Member: Report shows top-down ethical ignorance at City Hall
Tallahassee Democrat – Jeffrey Schweers | Published: 6/23/2018

The investigative report and audiotaped interviews produced as part of the state investigation of former Tallahassee City Manager Rick Fernandez point to a top-down culture of easy ethics at City Hall, said key members of the city’s ethics board. The Florida Commission on Ethics unanimously found probable cause that Fernandez misused his position to accept gifts. Bill Hollimon of Tallahassee’s Independent Ethics Board, said the records show an environment in which it was a common practice to attend Florida State football games in the luxury skybox of a local lobbyist, rub elbows with celebrity chefs, and chat with developers about their projects and what they need from the city.

Kentucky: Kentucky Reviewing State Contract after Bribery Trial
Bowling Green Daily News – Adam Beam (Associated Press) | Published: 6/25/2018

An Illinois-based company’s million-dollar contract with Kentucky could be in trouble after one of its executives testified it paid a state lobbyist on a “success basis” during a recent federal bribery trial. Kentucky pays Cannon Cochran Management Services, Inc. (CCMSI) about $1 million a year to manage the state’s workers compensation claims. The company won the contract in 2005 and has kept it ever since. State officials recently renewed the contract for another two years. But that was before Jerry Armatis, CCMSI’s executive vice president for sales, testified during James Sullivan’s federal bribery trial. Armatis said how much money they paid Sullivan’s consulting firm depended on whether the company won a state contract.

Maine: Maine Ethics Panel Sharply Cuts Payments to Publicly Financed Candidates
Bangor Daily News – Michael Shepherd | Published: 6/27/2018

The Maine ethics commission moved to cut what could be final payments to taxpayer-funded political campaigns by nearly three-quarters if Gov. Paul LePage and Republican allies in the Legislature have their way in an ongoing dispute. The Clean Election program is in danger of being reduced to near ineffectiveness for the November election. LePage has refused to sign routine financial orders allowing the commission to increase the amount of already appropriated money that it can spend before June 30. House Republicans also have held up a bill fixing a legislative drafting error that would keep the fund from spending money as of July 1.

Minnesota: Meet the Donors Who Give to Both DFL and GOP Candidates in Minnesota
Minnesota Post – Peter Callaghan and Greta Kaul | Published: 6/26/2018

According to the most current campaign finance reports by four leading candidates for governor, five lobbying firms and/or their registered lobbyists show up on the donor lists of at least one Democratic Farmer Labor Party candidate and one Republican candidate. In addition to lobbyists and lobbying firms, at least 14 donors have given money to the campaigns of candidates from both political parties. Many of those donors, based on the information listed on disclosure reports, are associated with developers and contractors. Some lobbyists, as well as those in businesses that can be highly dependent on government regulation, need relationships with elected officials regardless of their parties. As a result, they are more likely to spread contributions across party lines than donors who are motivated by ideology.

New York: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: The Democrat who challenged her party’s establishment – and won
Washington Post – David Weigel | Published: 6/27/2018

U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley, once seen as a possible successor to Nancy Pelosi as Democratic leader of the House, suffered a shocking primary defeat on June 26. Crowley was defeated by a political newcomer, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a former organizer for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, who had declared it was time for generational, racial, and ideological change. Ocasio-Cortez’s politics are substantially to the left of most of the party, and even Sanders. In her campaign videos and posters, she came out for universal Medicare, a federal jobs guarantee, free college tuition, and the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Ohio: Mike DeWine, Richard Cordray Donors Got Big Contracts from Ohio Attorney General’s Office
Cincinnati Enquier – James McNair (Ohio Center for Investigative Journalism) | Published: 6/26/2018

Ohio voters this year will choose between two candidates for governor: Attorney General Mike DeWine and his predecessor as attorney general, Richard Cordray. A review of records for the past 10 years found a strong correlation between the amount of campaign donations and the revenue received by law firms doing collection work for the attorney general’s office. Firms in the top quarter of contributors during DeWine’s tenure averaged 425 percent more revenue than those in the bottom quarter. During Cordray’s term, the top quarter of donors earned 156 percent more, on average, than the bottom quarter of contributors. Ohio does not screen and select collections contractors based on a formal scoring system. There is no competitive bidding process.

Texas: City Council Expands Campaign Disclosure Rules, Keeps Contribution Limits
Rivard Report – Iris Dimmick | Published: 6/21/2018

The San Antonio City Council approved a bill that will require anyone contributing $100 or more to a council member or mayoral campaign to disclose where they work and their title. Other measures require more frequent campaign finance reports and more contribution restrictions. The council rejected an ordinance that would have increased the donation limit for individuals.

Texas: Supreme Court Upholds Texas Voting Maps That Were Called Discriminatory
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Adam Liptak (New York Times) | Published: 6/25/2018

The U.S. Supreme Court handed a victory to Texas Republicans by reviving electoral districts drawn by the state Legislature that had been thrown out by a lower court for diluting the influence of black and Hispanic voters. The court’s conservative majority ruled the challengers had not done enough to show the Republican-led state Legislature acted with discriminatory intent when it adopted new electoral maps in 2013 for state legislative and congressional seats. The court did rule, however, that one of the state Legislature districts was unlawful.

West Virginia: House Votes to Consider Impeachment of Loughry, Possibly Other Supreme Court Justices
West Virginia Record – Chris Dickerson | Published: 6/26/2018

The West Virginia House of Delegates voted to begin an impeachment investigation into members of the state Supreme Court. The investigation will target Supreme Court Justice Allen Loughry, who was indicted on federal corruption charges, but may also involve other justices. House Resolution 201 empowers the Judiciary Committee to investigate the court and draw up proposed articles of impeachment if committee members decide that path is warranted. But how long the investigation may take is up in the air.

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission filed suit in the Oklahoma Supreme Court on Tuesday, asking the court to require the Legislature and Gov. Mary Fallin to increase the agency’s funding.

Lawmakers refused to provide the commission with any money from the state’s general revenue fund, leaving it with insufficient funding to complete its constitutional duties.

Earlier this month, the commission increased registration fees for lobbyists and political committees in an effort to increase revenue. Despite doing so, the fiscal year appropriation remains insufficient by more than $2 million.