July 10, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – July 10, 2015

National: Is This Cold, Rural State Home to the Nation’s Healthiest Democracy? Washington Post – Niraj Chokshi | Published: 7/7/2015 After taking 22 factors into account – including broad access to voting, equal representation in state government, and a limited concentration […]

National:

Is This Cold, Rural State Home to the Nation’s Healthiest Democracy?
Washington Post – Niraj Chokshi | Published: 7/7/2015

After taking 22 factors into account – including broad access to voting, equal representation in state government, and a limited concentration of influence over the political system – Maine’s democracy ranks healthiest in the nation, according to the Center for American Progress Action Fund. Alabama’s was weakest, though all states are far from perfect. “One of the messages throughout this report is that every state has room to improve,” said Lauren Harmon, the report’s author. The study noted that restricting influence over the political system is a particularly weak area. A dozen states have no limits on campaign contributions. Just 15 states offer public campaign financing, while 37 require some waiting period between leaving office and taking a lobbying job.

The Most Liberal and Conservative CEOs
Yahoo Finance – Rick Newman | Published: 7/8/2015

Many chief executive officers of major corporations donate money across the political spectrum for pragmatic business reasons rather than personal ideological ones. Crowdpac analyzed campaign contributions from CEOs of the 100 largest public U.S. companies to find out just how liberal or conservative these executives really are.

Washington Gridlock Drives Lobby Shops to Focus on State Policy Battles
Washington Post – Catherine Ho | Published: 7/7/2015

As getting anything done in Washington, D.C. has become increasingly difficult, K Street-based lobbying firms are trying their luck representing clients seeking changes on a state rather than federal level. The idea of pivoting to capture state-level work is not new. But some lobbyists say it is taking on increased importance now that policy fights over some of the biggest issues are moving more quickly at the local level.

Federal:

Court Upholds Ban on Contractor Political Contributions
New York Times; Associated Press – | Published: 7/7/2015

A federal court upheld a longstanding prohibition on contractors making political contributions, handing a rare win to proponents of stronger campaign finance restrictions. The ban applies to individuals, corporations, and firms that are negotiating or working under federal contracts. While doing do, they cannot give money to federal candidates, parties, or committees. Chief Judge Merrick Garland of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said recent corruption scandals involving members of Congress point to the continuing danger of “quid pro quo” corruption. He agreed with the FEC that the law protects the integrity of merit-based government contracting.

GOP Leaders Fear Damage to Party’s Image as Donald Trump Doubles Down
Washington Post – Karen Tumulty, Philip Rucker, and Robert Costa | Published: 7/8/2015

Republican National Committee Chairperson Reince Priebus, faced with growing pressure from inside the party to quiet Donald Trump, called the provocative presidential candidate recently and asked him to speak in more measured tones. Days of round-the-clock cable news coverage of Trump’s incendiary claims about criminals coming across the border from Mexico forced Priebus to show alarmed Republicans that he was taking action. But the call also highlighted the limits of what could be done to rein in Trump.

Here Are the Secret Ways Super PACs and Campaigns Can Work Together
Washington Post – Matea Gold | Published: 7/6/2015

For the first time, nearly every top presidential hopeful has a personalized super PAC that can raise unlimited sums and is run by close associates or former aides. The widespread cooperation, which many campaign finance experts say stretches the legal boundaries, indicates that candidates and their advisers have little fear they will face serious scrutiny from law enforcement, despite the Justice Department’s successful prosecution this year of a campaign operative for illegal coordination. One main reason is that under FEC rules, there is no wall dividing candidates and independent groups. In practice, it is more like a one-way mirror, with a telephone on each side for occasional calls.

I.R.S. Expected to Stand Aside as Nonprofits Increase Role in 2016 Race
New York Times – Eric Lichtblau | Published: 7/5/2015

Regulators at the IRS appear certain to delay trying to curb campaign finance abuses at nonprofits until after the 2016 election. Agency officials concede the rules for nonprofit groups are vague and difficult to enforce. Audits for excessive campaign work are extremely rare, even for groups spending huge chunks of their budgets to support candidates. The IRS remains wounded by the scandal that began two years ago over its scrutiny of nonprofits tied to the tea party and other political causes, both conservative and liberal. “It’s anything goes for the next couple of years …,” said Paul Streckfus, a former nonprofit specialist at the IRS.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – Aide to California Senate Leader Accepted Pot Gifts from Marijuana Lobbyist
BuzzFeed News – Amanda Lewis | Published: 7/8/2015

Ethics experts said a California Democratic Party staffer did not violate disclosure laws by accepting edible marijuana and an e-cigarette filled with hash oil from a lobbyist for the marijuana industry. The aide, Josh Drayton, works for the party’s Senate Democrats on political campaigns. BuzzFeed News reported that after accepting the gifts, Drayton said Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon needed to learn more about marijuana. Lawmakers and employees of the Senate are subject to gift reporting and limits. Drayton, however, is exempt because he is not employed by the Senate but by the party, said Gary Winuk, a former enforcement chief at the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Hawaii – How Hawaii Lawmakers Spend Up to $13,000 a Year – Each
Honolulu Civil Beat – Nathan Eagle | Published: 7/8/2015

Many Hawaii lawmakers have been less than thrilled with state Ethics Commission Executive Director Les Kondo’s strict opinions on what gifts they are allowed to accept from lobbyists, or what events they can attend with complimentary tickets. Legislative allowances have been another sore point. But a review of nearly $4 million in state lawmakers’ expenses over the past four years shows they are changing their habits based on the commission’s advice even if they do not like it, including not billing taxpayers for their dry cleaning or charitable donations.

Missouri – More Questions than Answers in Intern Investigation at Mo. Capitol
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Alex Stuckey | Published: 7/6/2015

In March, two interns abruptly left Missouri Sen. Paul LeVota’s office. But since then, the University of Central Missouri launched a Title IX investigation and the Senate began its own investigation and hired an attorney to assist with a “workplace harassment complaint.” Meanwhile, it appears unlikely the university, or even the Senate, could inflict punishment if wrongdoing has taken place. History has shown that harassment in the Capitol is rarely reported and difficult to prove.

New Hampshire – New Hampshire Voters Bemoan Size of G.O.P. Field
New York Times – Patrick Healy and Maggie Haberman | Published: 7/4/2015

The likely field of 16 Republican candidates is stirring frustration in New Hampshire, particularly among voters who say they feel more overwhelmed, even ambivalent, than ever before about their long-cherished responsibilities in holding the nation’s first primary. Some voters said they were already dreading the weeks of political fliers stuffed in their mailboxes, of campaign volunteers at their doors during the day, and of television ads and automated phone calls all through the night. Others said they already had candidate fatigue.

Oklahoma – Ethics Commission to Crack Down on Late Campaign Filers
Tulsa World – Curtis Killman | Published: 7/3/2015

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission approved a series of new and increased fees designed to help the agency go after late filers. The new fees, coupled with a boost in state funding, should provide enough revenue to permit the agency to hire two new staff members dedicated to compliance, said commission Executive Director Lee Slater. The new staff will assist with the collection of late filing fees assessed to candidate committees, PACs, and other entities charged with disclosing campaign finance activities.

Oklahoma – House Freshmen, Senate Leadership Accept Thousands in Lobbyist Meals, Gifts
Oklahoma Watchdogs – Arthur Kane | Published: 7/8/2015

Lobbyists in Oklahoma lobbyists spent more than $300,000 this year on meals, gifts, and receptions for state lawmakers. Lobbyists spent the most on mass events for large groups of legislators. Those parties and caucus meals cost nearly $170,000. Rep. Casey Murdock received nearly $2,900 in meals and gifts, the most of any member of the Legislature. Murdock said being courted by lobbyists is not as glamorous as some may assume. “I’m looking forward to next year when I won’t be a freshman and won’t have to go to many dinners,” Murdock said. “It gets old. Often you’re not the least bit interested in what they’re selling and you’re going through the motions.”

South Carolina – South Carolina House Votes to Remove Confederate Flag from Statehouse Grounds
Washington Post – Elahe Izade and Abby Phillip | Published: 7/9/2015

The Confederate battle flag that has flown at the South Carolina Statehouse for more than 50 years will soon be gone after lawmakers capped a tension-filled session and voted to remove it from the Capitol grounds. The final vote in the House of Representatives was well above the two-thirds majority that was required to move the bill toward the desk of Gov. Nikki Haley, who called for the flag to come down after the massacre at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston. Photographs emerged of the now-indicted shooter, an avowed white supremacist, posing with the emblem. Advocates for the flag’s removal say it represents a racist legacy and a dark chapter in the nation’s history, while defenders insist it symbolizes Southern heritage and honors fallen soldiers.

Jim Sedor State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

July 2, 2015 • Written by Jonathan Spontarelli

Amount Allowed to Spend on Louisiana Officials Increased by $2

On July 1, the maximum value for food, drink, or refreshment an individual may provide to an elected official or public employee in Louisiana for a single event increased from $58 to $60. This threshold value is adjusted each year […]

June 30, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update

Lobbying “Lobbying Typos and Misdemeanors” by James Panichi for Politico “How Marco Rubio Turned Political Star Power into a Soaring Personal Income” by Tom Hamburger and Sean Sullivan for Washington Post Ohio: “Lobbyist a Constant in Columbus’ Politics” by Mark […]

June 29, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday News Roundup

Lobbying New York: “IG: State vendor lavished OMIG director with gifts, booze” by Brendan Lyons for Albany Times Union Wisconsin: “Madison City Council Member Will Seek to Ban Registered Lobbyists from Serving on City Committees” by Dean Mosiman for Wisconsin […]

June 22, 2015 • Written by Jonathan Spontarelli

Oklahoma Ethics Commission Considers Changing Financial Disclosure Rule

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission is reconsidering a disclosure requirement for non-compensated state officers. The purpose of the rule in question is to reveal potential conflicts of interest between public duties and private economic interests of state officers and employees. Proponents […]

June 17, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday Government Relations News

Lobbying “Where the Billions Spent on Lobbying Come From, in Maps” by Philip Bump for Washington Post Texas: “Ethics Commission Seeks to Force Empower Texans to Turn over Records” by Tim Eaton for Austin American-Statesman Campaign Finance “State and Local […]

June 16, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update

Lobbying “Lobbyists Were Quick to Donate to Both Baker, Coakley” by The Associated Press for WCVB “Lobbyists Spend $5.8 Million at 2015 Montana Legislature” by Alison Noon (Associated Press) for Montana Standard “Education Reforms Spur N.Y. Lobbying ‘Arms Race’” by Jon […]

June 9, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update

Lobbying California: “Businesses with Stake in California Politics Utilize Capitol Grounds” by Jeremy White for Sacramento Bee Campaign Finance “Two FEC Officials Implore Agency to Curb 2016 Election Abuse” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today “Why So Many Women Are […]

June 4, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday News Roundup

Lobbying California: “California Senate OKs Scaled-Down Travel Disclosure Bill” by Judy Lin (Associated Press) for Santa Cruz Sentinel California: “Law Students Propose Bill to Close Lucrative Capitol Lobbying Loophole” by Melanie Mason for Los Angeles Times Hawaii: “Antiquated Law Spares […]

June 1, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday News Roundup

Lobbying “JCOPE’s New Guidance, or: You might be a lobbyist if …” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union Campaign Finance Connecticut: “House Passes Significant Campaign Reforms; Will the Senate Take Up the Bill?” by Christine Stuart for CTNewsJunkie.com Louisiana: […]

May 29, 2015 • Written by Jonathan Spontarelli

News You Can Use Digest – May 29, 2015

National: Meet the ‘Dark Money’ Phantom Center for Public Integrity – Carrie Levine | Published: 5/26/2015 David Langdon is a behind-the-scenes player among the small army of lawyers working to keep secret the origins of millions of dollars flowing to candidates. […]

National:

Meet the ‘Dark Money’ Phantom
Center for Public Integrity – Carrie Levine | Published: 5/26/2015

David Langdon is a behind-the-scenes player among the small army of lawyers working to keep secret the origins of millions of dollars flowing to candidates. Langdon is also a legal soldier for conservative, often Christian, nonprofit organizations that together spend millions more to influence public policy and wield great influence among evangelical voters. Since the 2010 election cycle, at least 11 groups connected to Langdon or his firm have collectively spent at least $22 million on federal and state elections and ballot initiatives around the country.

Should We Pay Politicians More?
Politico – Kevin Hartnett | Published: 5/27/2015

The prime minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong, makes $1.7 million a year, more than four times as much as the next highest paid national executive – Barack Obama, who earns $400,000 a year. In Singapore, the salaries are seen as an anti-corruption measure. In the U.S., the idea of paying elected officials like corporate chief executives is politically unthinkable. But Renee Bowen, an economist at Stanford, and Cecilia Mo, a political scientist at Vanderbilt, used a game-theory model to argue that when elected representatives are paid more, they are more invested in keeping their jobs, and more likely to pursue citizen-friendly policies.

Federal:

FEC Deadlocks on Wealthy Donor Giving Limits
Washington Times – Tom Howell, Jr. | Published: 5/21/2015

The FEC deadlocked on a proposal to write new rules in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s McCutcheon decision last year that struck down aggregate campaign finance limits, freeing wealthy Americans to contribute money to as many candidates and political parties as they want. Democrats on the FEC signaled they had been chastened by another effort last year to impose campaign finance rules on Internet videos, after 5,000 comments poured in to commissioners telling them to lay off Internet speech as they considered post-McCutcheon rules.

K Street’s Gains Felt at Boutique Firms, Too
The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 5/27/2015

The surge in business on K Street during the first months of 2015 was not limited to Washington’s biggest lobby shops as many smaller lobby and law firms also saw gains. Smaller firms have long decried the standard practice of evaluating Washington’s top shops by earnings alone, arguing it puts them at a disadvantage by appearing to not keep up with their much larger counterparts. When looking at the figures posted by K Street for the first three months of the year, analysts instead ranked industry players on year-over-year increases in total and average per-client revenue, fees per lobbyist, and client retention rates.

Supreme Court to Weigh Meaning of ‘One Person One Vote’
New York Times – Adam Liptak | Published: 5/26/2015

The U.S. Supreme Court said it will decide an important “one person, one vote” case next term to determine whether states should consider total population – or only eligible voters – when drawing roughly equal legislative districts. A shift from using total population would have an enormous impact in states with large immigrant populations, where greater numbers are children or noncitizens. It would shift power from urban areas to more rural districts. The Supreme Court in 1964 ruled states must divide electoral districts population-wise so that political power is equally shared. But it did not specify whether total population or eligible voters was the standard to use.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona – Phone Records Show Close Contact between Regulator, APS and ‘Dark Money’
Arizona Republic – Ryan Randazzo | Published: 5/21/2015

Debates over solar energy, and a flood of money from non-profit groups into the campaigns for those who sought to regulate utilities, marked the 2014 Arizona Corporation Commission election. During that time, commission Chairperson Bob Stump sent more than 50 private text messages to an Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) executive and 46 to a political “dark money” organizer, according to a non-profit investigating the commission. Critics say regulators should not have such close contact with the utilities they oversee, and the utilities should not be participating in political campaigns, which could violate election laws and rules that prevent elected officials from campaigning with public resources. APS is widely believed to have contributed to groups that supported two Republicans in the Corporation Commission race, but utility officials will neither confirm nor deny such contributions.

Hawaii – Under Fire: Hawaii ethics director defends his strict ethical views
Honolulu Civil Beat – Ian Lind | Published: 5/27/2015

The Hawaii Ethics Commission is evaluating its executive director, Les Kondo, following complaints that he was going too far with ethics rules. House Speaker Joseph Souki sent a letter to the commission complaining about its “recent attempts to prohibit common and regular practices,” including receiving gifts, meals, and charitable fundraiser tickets of a certain value. Teachers also have been upset about a recommendation that educators who organize and chaperone educational trips should not get a free ride from tour companies. “It’s not my job to tell people what they want to hear or let them do what they want to do; it’s my job to do what’s right, not what’s popular,” Kondo told his colleagues.

Missouri – Lawmakers Fail to Ramp up Ethics Laws for Missouri Officials
Columbia Missourian – Summer Ballentine (Associated Press) | Published: 5/24/2015

Despite months of discussions and assurances from legislative leaders who said this year would be different, ethics reform fell apart in the last few weeks of the session. That means Missouri for at least another year will remain the only state with the trio of unlimited campaign contributions, uncapped lobbyist gifts, and no laws preventing legislators from leaving office and immediately becoming lobbyists. Lawmakers’ failure to pass ethics bills comes as the Capitol is under increased scrutiny after the House ended the legislative session in scandal. Former House Speaker John Diehl admitted to exchanging sexually suggestive text messages with a 19-year-old Capitol intern and resigned the last day of the session.

Montana – Court Reverses Ruling on Montana Campaign Contribution Limits
The Missoulian – Matt Volz (Associated Press) | Published: 5/26/2015

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals invoked the Supreme Court’s Citizen United decision to raise the bar for states to justify limiting campaign donations. States can limit contributions if they have a legitimate interest in doing so. But proving that interest has changed since the Citizens United decision that said corporations can spend unlimited amounts in elections, said the three-judge panel. Before Citizens United, states only had to show they aimed to curb the influence of big money on politicians. After Citizens United, states must show more specifically that their laws are stopping an exchange of money for political favors, according to the opinion. The ruling by the Ninth Circuit was made in a case that challenged Montana’s contribution limits as violating donors’ rights to free speech.

New York – JCOPE’s New Guidance, or: You might be a lobbyist if …
Albany Times Union – Chris Bragg | Published: 5/27/2015

Proposed rules issued by the Joint Commission on Public Ethics said political consultants who take certain actions related to lobbying efforts must register, even if they do not directly ask lawmakers or agencies to act on bills or regulations. That could force firms that currently enjoy close relationships with New York lawmakers, and which simultaneously have clients with interests before those legislators, to start disclosing more interactions with them. Another provision directs firms who control the message and content of grassroots lobbying campaigns to register as lobbyists.

Oregon – Forget Fines – Oregon Prefers Warnings for Public Officials Guilty of Ethics Violations
Portland Oregonian – Nick Budnick and Laura Gunderson | Published: 5/26/2015

The Portland Oregonian found the state ethics commission has deliberately lightened up on those accused of abusing their public positions. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission has negotiated reduced penalties for every case it has handled involving a public official since 2008. “The commission is not one where we stand there looking to punish someone,” said Chairperson Kenny Montoya. Ron Bersin, the agency’s executive director, said the commission relies on education and training to keep public officials honest, but the panel hammers errant public officials when it is justified.

Tennessee – Ethics Panel Fading to Obscurity 10 Years after Tenn. Waltz
Albany Times Union – Erik Schelzig (Associated Press) | Published: 5/25/2015

May 26 marked the 10th anniversary of the arrest of five former lawmakers in the FBI’s sting operation called “Tennessee Waltz.” The case involved a scheme by state lawmakers to collect money in exchange for shepherding through bills on behalf of E-Cycle Management, which was an FBI front company. Following the scandal, lawmakers were spurred into trying to improve transparency and ethics in the statehouse. A decade later, most of those efforts have faded.

Texas – House Passes Ethics Bill, Senate Showdown Likely
Texas Tribune – Jay Root | Published: 5/26/2015

The Texas House approved an ethics bill that would force disclosure of “dark money” in campaigns. The legislation would also lower the amount lobbyists can spend to entertain state officials without disclosing the names of the politicians. But the House turned down an amendment to close a loophole that allows lobbyists to easily evade that disclosure by teaming up with other lobbyists to spend far more than the current $114, lowered to $50 in the House bill. The measure faces a showdown with the Senate over the details of their competing versions.

Vermont – Legislative Wrap: Lobbyist disclosure tops transparency effort
VTDigger.org – Erin Mansfield | Published: 5/22/2015

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin is expected to sign Senate Bill 93, which increases the number of times per year that lobbyists and their employers must file expenditure reports from three to seven. Lobbyists are already required to register with the secretary of state’s office, but they only need to report spending once during the legislative session – April 25, when the session is almost over. The new law would require monthly reporting while lawmakers are in Montpelier. The bill also requires lobbying groups to disclose the name of the organization in ads and file a report within 48 hours of running an advertising campaign worth $1,000 or more.

Virginia – Conservative Group Paying Ken Cuccinelli’s Campaign
Washington Post – Rachel Weiner | Published: 5/26/2015

Former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli won a legal victory against a conservative PAC he accused of duping campaign donors. Cuccinelli and the Conservative StrikeForce PAC reached a settlement that will prohibit the PAC from using a candidate’s name for future fundraising efforts against the candidate’s wishes. The PAC also agreed to pay Cuccinelli’s failed gubernatorial campaign $85,000 and give it exclusive rights to the PAC’s direct mail and email donor lists. Cuccinelli said the PAC used his name without his permission to mislead “thousands of innocent Americans” who thought they were helping his campaign.

Jim Sedor State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

May 28, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday News Roundup

Lobbying “K Street’s Gains Felt at Boutique Firms, Too” by Megan Wilson for The Hill Campaign Finance “Campaign Finance Watchdogs Push Justice Dept. to Investigate Jeb Bush’s PAC” by Ed O’Keefe for Washington Post “Arkansas AG Rejects Language for Campaign […]

May 27, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday Government Relations News

Lobbying Georgia: “Legislators and Corporate Lobbyists Meet in Secret at Georgia Resort” by Brendan Keefe and Michael King for WXIA Vermont: “Legislative Wrap: Lobbyist disclosure tops transparency effort” by Erin Mansfield for VTDigger.org Campaign Finance “Meet the ‘Dark Money’ Phantom” […]

May 22, 2015 • Written by Jonathan Spontarelli

News You Can Use Digest – May 22,2015

National: Albany Corruption Inquiry Hurts Arizona Company That Hired Dean Skelos’s Son New York Times – Susanne Craig | Published: 5/18/2015 Dean Skelos, then the leader of the New York Senate, and his son, Adam, were arrested on extortion, fraud, and […]

National:

Albany Corruption Inquiry Hurts Arizona Company That Hired Dean Skelos’s Son
New York Times – Susanne Craig | Published: 5/18/2015

Dean Skelos, then the leader of the New York Senate, and his son, Adam, were arrested on extortion, fraud, and bribe solicitation charges recently. The company at the center of the scandal is AbTech Industries, a small environmental firm based in Arizona. Prosecutors say AbTech hired Adam Skelos to gain influence in its attempt to win government work. The company’s stock has fallen more than 70 percent since the scandal was first reported. In recent weeks it has seen work suspended on a big contract in Nassau County. Separately, AbTech says the Corvais Group, a property management firm, canceled a partnership it had with it. In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission has begun to scrutinize AbTech.

Federal:

‘Campaigns’ Aren’t Necessarily Campaigns in the Age of ‘Super PACs’
New York Times – Nicholas Confessore and Eric Lichtblau | Published: 5/17/2015

The 2016 contenders are exploiting loopholes and regulatory gray areas to transform the way presidential campaigns are organized and paid for. Their campaigns are intricate constellations of political committees, super PACs, and tax-exempt groups, engineered to avoid fundraising restrictions imposed on candidates and their parties after the Watergate scandal. Major costs of each candidate’s bid, from television advertising to policy development, are now being shifted to legally independent organizations that can accept unlimited contributions from wealthy individuals, corporations, and labor unions.

Critics Hear E.P.A.’s Voice in ‘Public Comments’
New York Times – Eric Lipton and Coral Davenport | Published: 5/18/2015

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy told a Senate committee in March that the agency had received more than one million comments about its proposed rule intended to protect the nation’s drinking water, and nearly 90 percent favored the agency’s plan. McCarthy is expected to cite those comments to justify the final rule. But critics say there is a reason for the overwhelming result: the EPA had a hand in manufacturing it. In a campaign that tests the limits of federal lobbying law, the agency orchestrated a drive to counter political opposition from Republicans and enlist public support in concert with liberal environmental groups and a grassroots organization aligned with President Barack Obama.

Hillary’s Speech Disclosures Come Under Fire
Politico – Josh Gerstein | Published: 5/20/2015

The Clinton Foundation said it will release details on nearly 100 speeches made by Hillary Clinton, her husband, Bill, and daughter Chelsea that ended up in the account of the global charity. Aides to the Clintons contend that when they delivered such speeches, the former president and former secretary of state were acting as officials of the Clinton Foundation, so the disclosure requirement for payments directed to charity by a government official, presidential candidate, or spouse do not apply. Several ethics lawyers told said they believe the Clintons’ speeches do not fall within the cited exception because there is little indication the addresses delivered across the U.S. and overseas had anything to do with the foundation.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona – Clean Elections Panel Advances New Dark-Money Spending Rules
Arizona Daily Sun – Bob Christie (Associated Press) | Published: 5/14/2015

The Arizona Clean Elections Commission voted to open up nearly a dozen proposed rule changes for public comment, including a contentious proposed rule change that would impose new criteria in determining whether a group’s primary purpose is electioneering. One rule would require outside groups to file reports if they spend more than $500 to advocate for or against a candidate or voter initiative. The reports would disclose spending and donors.

Arkansas – Fiscal 2016 Budget Cut Vexes Ethics Panel Chief
Arkansas Online – Spencer Willems | Published: 5/19/2015

During a monthly meeting of the Arkansas Ethics Commission, Director Graham Sloan said his staff will have less money than was budgeted this year and nearly a quarter less than was earmarked by legislators this past session. The cut, which Sloan said he learned of recently, would drop funding for the next fiscal year from about $900,000 to about $705,000, which is just under the commission’s current authorization for this year. Sloan said the cut comes at a point when the commission has never been busier and will cause his office to reduce staff and services.

California – Details Hidden On Legislative Lawyers Drafting Bills for Influential Groups
Capital Public Radio – John Meyers (CaliforniaReport.org) | Published: 5/20/2015

In California, so-called unbacked bills are draft laws with no guarantee of being introduced in either house of the Legislature. Capitol insiders portray the system as one with very few limits and in which legislative staffers sometimes submit proposals for vetting that their elected bosses would never publicly endorse. The process is also accessed by lobbyists, who seek the help of the government’s bill writing experts at the Office of Legislative Counsel. Insiders say these unpublicized bills may be held on to for any possible opening a lobbyist or interest group might see, including eleventh hour maneuvers before the Legislature adjourns.

Hawaii – Ban Upheld on Political Donations by Government Contractors
Honolulu Civil Beat – Nick Grube | Published: 5/20/2015

A federal appeals court panel on upheld Hawaii’s ban on political donations by state and county contractors. The three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also upheld the state law requiring PACs to register after spending more than $1,000 to influence an election, something officials said is necessary to follow the money during campaign season.

Louisiana – Lobbyists Pay for Louisiana Officials’ Trip, Recipients Don’t Disclose It
New Orleans Times-Picayune – Lee Zurik (WVUE) and Ben Myers | Published: 5/18/2015

Two lobbyists with the Black Alliance for Educational Options reported to the Louisiana Board of Ethics in 2011 that they had spent $1,400 apiece on the same 15 individuals. They included nine state and local elected officials, an executive-branch member, and a few staffers and spouses. None of the officials disclosed the expenses to the state. Public officials, like the lobbyists seeking to influence them, are subject to disclosure laws.

Maine – Senator Accepted Flight from J.D. Irving While Promoting Looser Mining Laws
The Sun Journal – Lance Tapley (Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting) | Published: 5/20/2015

Maine Sen. Thomas Saviello, who has worked to pass legislation allowing J.D. Irving to develop an open-pit mine in the state, accepted a free plane ride from the company’s lobbyists and did not report it to the state ethics commission. Saviello said he did not have to report the 2013 trip ride because its value was not more than $300, the threshold for reporting gifts from lobbyists, and because the purpose was fact-finding. The lobbyists involved also did not report the trip, as required by the ethics commission.

Missouri – Missouri House Speaker Resigns; Intern Breaks Silence
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Virginia Young | Published: 5/14/2015

Missouri House Speaker John Diehl resigned one day after the revelation of sexually suggestive text messages he exchanged with a 19-year-old legislative intern. The college student with whom Diehl had exchanged messages had been an intern for another House member. She no longer works at the Capitol, and Missouri Southern State University also removed its three other interns from Jefferson City. Republicans chose Rep. Todd Richardson as the next speaker.

Rhode Island – R.I. Secretary of State Gorbea Seeks Lobbying Changes
Providence Journal – Jennifer Bogdan | Published: 5/19/2015

Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea’s lobbying reform proposal was the subject of a recent hearing before the House Judiciary Committee. The proposal would increase the fines for violating the law from $2,000 to $5,000. Violators could also see their lobbying privileges suspended for up to three years. The bill also would reduced the frequency with which lobbyists have to file reports during the legislative session from monthly to quarterly.

Texas – Analysis: Ethics at center stage, hurting for attention
Texas Tribune – Ross Ramsey | Published: 5/18/2015

In his State of the State speech, Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott tried to put ethics reform high on the agenda for state lawmakers He added it to his list of five so-called emergency items that could get expedited treatment by lawmakers. But not a lot has changed. Reform is still possible, but the most significant changes being proposed still have not been considered by the House, much less by a committee that would have to reconcile the Senate and House versions of reform.

Wisconsin – Records Indicate Scott Walker Was Copied on Letter Promising Loan to Donor
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Jason Stein and Patrick Marley | Published: 5/18/2015

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s office was copied on a letter acknowledging his job creation agency would give a $500,000 loan to a campaign donor’s construction company, raising questions about his statements that he was not aware of the deal. It was reported that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. gave Building Committee Inc. (BCI) the unsecured, taxpayer-backed loan in 2011. The now-defunct company’s owner, William Minahan, gave Walker’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign $10,000, the maximum individual contribution allowed under state law. BCI never repaid the loan and did not use the money to create any jobs, according to The Wisconsin State Journal.

Jim Sedor State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

News You Can Use Digest – July 10, 2015

Amount Allowed to Spend on Louisiana Officials Increased by $2

Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update

Monday News Roundup

Oklahoma Ethics Commission Considers Changing Financial Disclosure Rule

Wednesday Government Relations News

Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update

Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update

Thursday News Roundup

Monday News Roundup

News You Can Use Digest – May 29, 2015

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News You Can Use Digest – May 22,2015

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