December 20, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Lobbying Florida: “The Florida House Speaker Who Attacks Special Interests Spends Their Money Lavishly – and Won’t Apologize” by Adam Smith and Eli Zhang for Tampa Bay Times New York: “JCOPE Tweaks Proposed Lobbying Regulations” by Chris Bragg for Albany […]
Lobbying
Florida: “The Florida House Speaker Who Attacks Special Interests Spends Their Money Lavishly – and Won’t Apologize” by Adam Smith and Eli Zhang for Tampa Bay Times
New York: “JCOPE Tweaks Proposed Lobbying Regulations” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
South Carolina: “Lobbying Is Completely Unregulated in Most S.C. Cities, Leaving Room for Possible Corruption” by Abigail Darlington for Charleston Post and Courier
Campaign Finance
“Surge in Out-of-State Donors Fuels Dems in Special Elections” by Ben Wieder and Alex Roarty for McClatchy DC
“Federal Regulators Approve Narrow Facebook Ad Disclosure” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today
“In Small Win for Democrats, the Final Tax Bill Will Not Include a Provision Allowing Churches to Endorse Political Candidates” by Heather Long for Washington Post
New Mexico: “Public Financing System Undercut by Budget Holes” by Andrew Oxford for Santa Fe New Mexican
Wyoming: “Did Lawmakers Accidentally Open the Flood Gates for Political Dark Money in Wyoming?” by Arno Rosenfeld for Casper Star-Tribune
Ethics
Michigan: “Businessman Gets 21 Months in Macomb Corruption Scandal” by Robert Snell for Detroit News
Texas: “Board’s Handling of Ethics Policy Called a ‘Mockery’ by Concerned Citizens” by Diane Smith for Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Wisconsin: “Judge Acknowledges He Shouldn’t Have Authorized Release of Ethics Probe Details” by Matthew DeFour for Wisconsin State Journal
December 19, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Ethics Montana: Judge Eases Rules on Ethics Complaints Confidentiality for Elected Officials by Phil Drake for Great Falls Tribune North Carolina: Does A ‘Good Ol’ Boy’ Culture Pervade The North Carolina General Assembly? By Jeff Tiberii for KUNC South Carolina: […]
Ethics
Montana: Judge Eases Rules on Ethics Complaints Confidentiality for Elected Officials by Phil Drake for Great Falls Tribune
North Carolina: Does A ‘Good Ol’ Boy’ Culture Pervade The North Carolina General Assembly? By Jeff Tiberii for KUNC
South Carolina: Corruption Probe Evidence Suggests Pervasive Pattern of Political Meddling by Powerful Quinns by Glenn Smith for Charleston Post and Courier
South Dakota: South Dakota Lawmakers to Train in Sexual Harassment Prevention by Dana Ferguson for Sioux Falls Argus Leader
West Virginia: WV House Leaders Back Bill Amending Ethics Act to Include Volunteers by Jake Zuckerman for Charleston Gazette
Lobbying
Executives of Springfield Nonprofit Linked to $1 Million in Illegal Political Activity by Harrison Keegan and Alissa Zhu for Springfield New-Leader
Utah: Salt Lake Hires Ex-Utah League of Cities and Towns Director by Katie McKellar for Deseret News
Virginia: Dorothy McAuliffe Put Aside Pomp as Hard-Lobbying Virginia First Lady by Laura Vozzella for Washington Post
Campaign Finance
Fallout from Allegations of Tea Party Targeting Hamper IRS Oversight of Nonprofits by Robert O’Harrow Jr. for Washington Post
Washington: Spokane City Council Passes Local Campaign Finance Reform Laws by Kip Hill for Spokane Spokesman-Review
December 18, 2017 •
Monday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Campaign Finance US Senate Hopeful Opens Coffers to Bitcoin Donations by Chuck Raasch for St. Louis Dispatch Ethics Has Ivanka Trump Repeatedly Broken Ethics Laws Since Joining The White House? By Cristina Silva for Newsweek Nevada Democrat, facing ethics probe, […]
Campaign Finance
US Senate Hopeful Opens Coffers to Bitcoin Donations by Chuck Raasch for St. Louis Dispatch
Ethics
Has Ivanka Trump Repeatedly Broken Ethics Laws Since Joining The White House? By Cristina Silva for Newsweek
Nevada Democrat, facing ethics probe, won’t seek re-election by The Associated Press for The New Jersey Herald
Canada: ‘Watch me, you’ll see,’ under fire, new ethics czar vows to let his record do the talking on Trudeau, Morneau investigations by Abbas Rana and Peter Mazereeuw for The Hill Times
Lobbying
With Billions at Stake in Tax Debate, Lobbyists Played Hardball by Kenneth Vogel and Jim Tankersley for The New York Times
Tax lobbying keeps on giving by Theodoric Meyer for Politico
Analysis: 2017 Has Been Nutty for K Street, but 2018 Could Be Insane by Kate Ackley for Roll Call
Illinois: Lake Forest city manager: Nearly $200K spent lobbying without council OK by Daniel Dorfman for The Lake Forester
South Carolina: Lobbying is completely unregulated in most S.C. cities, leaving room for possible corruption by Abigail Darlington for The Post and Courier
December 14, 2017 •
Member Lobbying Prohibition Bill Introduced in New Brunswick, Canada
On December 13, a bill was entered in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick prohibiting sitting lawmakers from engaging in lobbying in New Brunswick or elsewhere during and for 12 months after their tenure in office. Additionally, after a member […]
On December 13, a bill was entered in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick prohibiting sitting lawmakers from engaging in lobbying in New Brunswick or elsewhere during and for 12 months after their tenure in office.
Additionally, after a member is first sworn in, the member would be prohibited from being employed in or entering into a personal service contract with a business or organization engaging in lobbying in New Brunswick or elsewhere. The prohibition to lobbying for the 12 months after leaving office applies to “lobbying in New Brunswick or elsewhere in relation to a matter having a real and substantial connection to New Brunswick.”
Bill 38, An Act to Amend the Members’ Conflict of Interest Act, also creates a detailed definition of lobbying, which includes communications with public office holders in attempts to influence legislative proposals, public bills, grants, and other matters, arranging meetings between public office holders of any jurisdiction and another person, and communicating with public office holders in an attempt to influence the awarding of government contracts.
December 14, 2017 •
Thursday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Campaign Finance Indiana: “Council Defeats Pay-to-Play Veto” by Dave Gong for Fort Wayne Journal Gazette Ethics “‘Fake News,’ Trump’s Obsession, Is Now a Cudgel for Strongmen” by Steven Erlanger for New York Times Maryland: “General Assembly to Track Sexual Harassment […]
Campaign Finance
Indiana: “Council Defeats Pay-to-Play Veto” by Dave Gong for Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Ethics
“‘Fake News,’ Trump’s Obsession, Is Now a Cudgel for Strongmen” by Steven Erlanger for New York Times
Maryland: “General Assembly to Track Sexual Harassment Complaints Against Lawmakers” by Erin Cox for Baltimore Sun
Mississippi: “Moore Resigns Facing Sex Harassment Probe in House” by Geoff Pender for Jackson Clarion-Ledger
Missouri: “Former Jackson County Exec Sanders Used Disabled Friend to Run Illegal Kickback Scheme” by Mike Hendricks and Steve Vockrodt for Kansas City Star
Pennsylvania: “James Hickey, Co-Defendant of Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges” by Emily Opilo and Peter Hall for Allentown Morning Call
South Carolina: “Rep. Rick Quinn Pleads Guilty in S.C. Corruption Case in Deal That Drops Charges for Kingpin Father” by Seanna Adcox and Glenn Smith for Charleston Post and Courier
Texas: “This Texas Lawmaker Could Finish His Term from Jail” by Alana Rocha for Texas Tribune
Texas: “Fort Worth School Board President Says Relationship with Linebarger Firm ‘Not an Issue’” by Diane Smith for Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Elections
“Smith to Take Franken’s Senate Seat, Run in 2018” by Brian Bakst and Tim Pugmire for Minnesota Public Radio
December 13, 2017 •
Alabama Lobbyist Online Registration Available Early
Online registration for Alabama lobbyists is available beginning December 13, 2017. Normally, registration is not available until the beginning of January. In addition, 2018 lobbyist trainings will be held on January 24, March 14, and May 16, 2018. New lobbyists […]
Online registration for Alabama lobbyists is available beginning December 13, 2017.
Normally, registration is not available until the beginning of January.
In addition, 2018 lobbyist trainings will be held on January 24, March 14, and May 16, 2018. New lobbyists are required to attend one training.
December 13, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Elections Doug Jones Declared Victor in Alabama Race for Senate; Roy Moore May Seek Recount by Sean Sullivan, David Weigel, and Michael Sherer for Washington Post Ethics Trump Attacks Gillibrand in Tweet Critics Say Is Sexually Suggestive and Demeaning by […]
Elections
Doug Jones Declared Victor in Alabama Race for Senate; Roy Moore May Seek Recount by Sean Sullivan, David Weigel, and Michael Sherer for Washington Post
Ethics
Trump Attacks Gillibrand in Tweet Critics Say Is Sexually Suggestive and Demeaning by Ashley Parker, John Wagner, and Ed O’Keefe for Washington Post
‘Journalism for Rent’: Inside the secretive firm behind the Trump dossier by Jack Gillum and Shawn Boburg for Washington Post
Florida: Women in Florida Politics Fear #MeToo Moments Will Backfire by Mary Ellen Klas for Miami Herald
Pennsylvania: Ex-State Legislator Marc Gergely Sentenced to 18 Months House Arrest Stemming from Gambling Probe by Kate Giammarise for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Wisconsin: Dem and GOP Ethics Regulators Say Attorney General Brad Schimel Needs to Correct Inaccuracies in John Doe Report by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Lobbying
Liberals and Conservatives Agree: Ex-congressmen should put brakes on lobbying careers by Ashley Balcerzak for Center for Public Integrity
After Manafort’s Indictment, Firms Are Suddenly Registering Their Foreign Lobbying by Lachlan Markay for Daily Beast
For Female Lobbyists, Harassment Often Accompanies Access by Trip Gabriel and Julie Bosman for New York Times
Colorado: Sen. Tate’s Supporters Lobbied in Front of His Committee, Gave to His Campaign by Ashley Jefcoat for KUNC
Missouri: Lobbyist Play Part, Spend Cash in Jefferson City by Jason Hunsicker for Kirksville Daily Express
Pennsylvania: Ethics Complaint Filed Against Wolf Aide Who’s Married to Gas Industry Lobbyist by Marie Cusick for StateImpact Pennsylvania
Campaign Finance
Washington: PDC Complaints Becoming Weapons in Political Wars by Jim Camden for Spokane Spokesman Review
December 12, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Lobbying Canada: “Ethics, Lobbying Commissioners Can Work More Closely Together: Nominee” by Beatrice Britneff for iPolitics.ca Kentucky: “Law Which Prohibits Legislators Accepting ‘Anything of Value’ from Lobbyists Has Been Ruled Unconstitutional by U.S. District Court Judge” by Don Weber for […]
Lobbying
Canada: “Ethics, Lobbying Commissioners Can Work More Closely Together: Nominee” by Beatrice Britneff for iPolitics.ca
Kentucky: “Law Which Prohibits Legislators Accepting ‘Anything of Value’ from Lobbyists Has Been Ruled Unconstitutional by U.S. District Court Judge” by Don Weber for Spectrum News
Campaign Finance
“State Lawmakers Blur Line Between Public, Personal Interests” by Ryan Foley (Associated Press) and Liz Essley Whyte for Center for Public Integrity
“Aide to U.S. Rep. Bob Brady Pleads Guilty in Probe of Payoff to 2012 Campaign Rival” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer
Pennsylvania: “Sands Shareholder Challenging Pennsylvania’s Ban on Casino Industry Political Giving” by Peter Hall and Steve Esack for Allentown Morning Call
Ethics
Alabama: “Birmingham Water Works Chair, Others Charged on Corruption Probe” by John Archibald for AL.com
California: “Matt Dababneh Will Resign from California Assembly After Sex Assault Allegation” by Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee
Florida: “Flagler Prevails in Fight over ‘Malicious’ Ethics Complaints” by Matt Bruce for Daytona Beach News-Journal
Michigan: “Chuck Rizzo Sr. Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud Conspiracy in Macomb Trash-Hauling Probe” by Tresa Baldas and Ann Zaniewski for Detroit Free Press
Wisconsin: “John Doe Judge to Step Down Because of Tweets He Posted About the Case” by Patrick Marley and Jason Stein for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Elections
“For Trump Adviser at Center of Russia Probe, a Rapid Rise and Dramatic Fall in His Ancestral Land” by Griff White for Washington Post
Redistricting
“Supreme Court Will Take Up a Second Gerrymandering Case This Term” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post
December 8, 2017 •
NYCU Video Digest – December 8, 2017
Recapping a busy week in government, campaign finance and ethics news in this week’s video digest.
Recapping a busy week in government, campaign finance and ethics news in this week’s video digest.
December 8, 2017 •
Federal Judge Issues Injunction for Kentucky Campaign Finance and Ethics Laws Ruled Unconstitutional
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky has issued a permanent injunction, prohibiting certain portions of state campaign finance and ethics law from being enforced. Earlier this year, U.S. District Judge William Bertelsman ruled the prohibition on […]
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky has issued a permanent injunction, prohibiting certain portions of state campaign finance and ethics law from being enforced.
Earlier this year, U.S. District Judge William Bertelsman ruled the prohibition on lobbyists providing gifts and campaign contributions to lawmakers unconstitutional. The judge also found the definition of caucus campaign committee unconstitutional because it only refers to Republican or Democratic caucuses.
Pending appeal, the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance and the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission continued enforcing these statutory provisions. Now, KREF and KLEC are permanently enjoined from doing so.
December 8, 2017 •
Friday’s Government, Ethics and Campaign Finance News Roundup
Campaign Finance Democrat Doug Jones has raised and spent far more money than Roy Moore in bid for U.S. Senate seat by Brian Lawson for WHNT Missouri: Former Jackson County executive Mike Sanders accused of using disabled man to pocket […]
Campaign Finance
Democrat Doug Jones has raised and spent far more money than Roy Moore in bid for U.S. Senate seat by Brian Lawson for WHNT
Missouri: Former Jackson County executive Mike Sanders accused of using disabled man to pocket campaign donations by Dave D’Marko for Fox4KC
Rhode Island: Two lawmakers fined by R.I. Elections Board for campaign-finance breaches by Patrick Anderson for The Providence Journal
Ethics
House Ethics Committee To Investigate Blake Farenthold For Sexual Harassment Allegations by Shreesha Ghosh for The International Business Times
Ex-Ethics director to file second ethics complaint against Conway by John Bowden for The Hill
Rep. Trent Franks of Texas resigns amid Ethics investigation by Alan Fram for WJLA
Rep. Devin Nunes cleared of allegations that he disclosed classified information in Russia investigation by Sarah Wire for The Los Angeles Times
Lobbying
California: Backlash ripples through California politics after women denounce sexual harassment by Calmatters for The Press Enterprise
Canada: Premier’s chief of staff admits late filing, appears to break lobbying rules from Yahoo! News
Florida: Gubernatorial candidate Graham proposes reforms to prevent sexual harassment by Troy Kinsey for Spectrum News 9
December 7, 2017 •
Thursday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Campaign Finance Kentucky: Did Jeff Hoover Violate Campaign Finance Laws? It’s Unclear by Lisa Autry for WEKU New Jersey: N.J. power broker DiVincenzo settles campaign-finance case for $20,000 by Andrew Seidman for The Philadelphia Inquirer Ethics Arizona: Arizona, tax money […]
Campaign Finance
Kentucky: Did Jeff Hoover Violate Campaign Finance Laws? It’s Unclear by Lisa Autry for WEKU
New Jersey: N.J. power broker DiVincenzo settles campaign-finance case for $20,000 by Andrew Seidman for The Philadelphia Inquirer
Ethics
Arizona: Arizona, tax money to be used for House ethics investigation by Howard Fischer for The Arizona Daily Sun
Florida: City introduces new ethics ordinances by Mariel Carbone for WCTV
Massachusetts: State Senate opens ethics inquiry into Stan Rosenberg by Joshua Miller for The Boston Globe
Vermont: Scott adds sexual harassment clause to code of ethics by Neal Goswami for WCAX
Lobbying
Lobbyists push GOP in last-minute scramble to save tax breaks by Theodoric Meyer, Aaron Lorenzo and Colin Wilhelm for Politico
Healthcare lobbyists not optimistic on changing GOP tax bill by Harris Meyer for Modern Healthcare
December 5, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Campaign Finance New York: Lawmaker’s business boosted by aide’s public campaign funds by Chris Bragg for The Albany Times Union Ohio: Columbus City Council May Clear Up Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements by Adora Namigadde for WOSU Elections Georgia: More elections […]
Campaign Finance
New York: Lawmaker’s business boosted by aide’s public campaign funds by Chris Bragg for The Albany Times Union
Ohio: Columbus City Council May Clear Up Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements by Adora Namigadde for WOSU
Elections
Georgia: More elections scheduled for January to fill state Senate and House seats by Mark Niesse for The Atlanta Journal Constitution
Minnesota: Special elections set to replace departed Minnesota lawmakers accused of sexual harassment by Erin Golden for The Minneapolis Star Tribune
Ethics
Obama’s Ethics Chief: Trump Lawyer’s Claim The President Can’t Face Obstruction Charge is “Baloney” by Harriet Sinclair for Newsweek
Conyers Won’t Seek Re-election in Wake of Harassment Claims, Relative Says by Yamiche Alcindor for The New York Times
Manafort Associate Has Russian Intelligence Ties, Court Document Says by Kenneth Vogel for The New York Times
Massachusetts: Rosenberg steps down as ethics probe begins by Christian Wade for The Salem News
Lobbying
Former Podesta, BGR lobbyists start new firm by Theodoric Meyer for Politico
Procurement
Govt flags new IT hardware procurement marketplace by Leon Spencer for ARN
December 4, 2017 •
Monday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Campaign Finance Trump Gives Rich Donors Massive Tax Cuts, Then Asks Them for Campaign Donations by Summer Meza for Newsweek Wisconsin: Southern Door County joins push for campaign finance reform by Liz Welter for Green Bay Press-Gazette Ethics Bush ethics […]
Campaign Finance
Trump Gives Rich Donors Massive Tax Cuts, Then Asks Them for Campaign Donations by Summer Meza for Newsweek
Wisconsin: Southern Door County joins push for campaign finance reform by Liz Welter for Green Bay Press-Gazette
Ethics
Bush ethics lawyer: Trump lawyer should be disbarred if he wrote Flynn firing tweet by Jacqueline Thomsen for The Hill
Ethics panel asks for details of past harassment cases against serving lawmakers by Cristina Marcos for The Hill
Georgia: Atlanta ethics office investigates airport conflict of interest issue by Kelly Yamanouchi for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Texas: Denton City Council to meet with ethics attorney by Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe for Denton Record-Chronicle
Texas: Laredo politicians undergo ethics training at TAMIU by Maria Salas for LMT Online
Lobbying
New Excise Tax Targets Big-Money Nonprofit Executives by Kate Ackley for Roll Call
Analysis: More than 6,000 lobbyists have worked on taxes in 2017 by Megan Wilson for The Hill
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.