Lobbying

“K Street Files: Both Sides Rev Up for Wage War” by Elizabeth Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

“K Street’s gravy train runs dry as Georgian leaders move past election” by Kevin Bogardus and Julian Pecquet in The Hill.

“Former Sen. Jon Kyl joins lobby shop at Covington” by Catherine Ho in the Washington Post.

New York: “Best-paid lobbyists, spenders unveiled” by Chris Bragg in Crain’s New York.

Pennsylvania: “Pa.’s Corbett and wife disclose gifts from lobbyists and businesses” by The Associated Press in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Pennsylvania: “Corbett’s acceptance of gifts give rise to calls for laws on gift bans” by Jan Murphy in the Patriot-News.

Campaign Finance

“Study shows Super PACs made mockery of campaign law” by Taylor Lincoln in The Hill.

Arizona: “Arizona senate approves contribution limits to recall campaigns” by Howard Fischer in the East Valley Tribune.

Kentucky: “Ky. House passes bill to publicly finance state SC races” by Jessica M. Karmasek in Legal Newsline.

Ethics

Florida: “Florida lawmakers vote for ethics and early voting changes” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Tampa Bay Times.

Legislative Issues

Missouri: “Mo. House endorses change to term limits” by The Associated Press in the News Tribune.

South Dakota: “SD Senate approves boost in expenses for lawmakers” in the Rapid City Journal.

Open Government

“Sen. Del Marsh says GOP committee members did not violate Open Meetings Act” by Mike Cason in the Birmingham News.

Redistricting

Kentucky: “House redistricting plan would create new Lexington district” by Jack Brammer and Beth Musgrave in the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Lobbying

“Lobbyists predict rebound in 2013” by Kevin Bogardus and Ben Goad in The Hill.

Minnesota: “Minnesota lobbyists spent $65.2M in 2011, report says” by Bill Salisbury in the Pioneer Press.

Campaign Finance

California: “New Campaign Finance Tracker Helps You Follow the Money in L.A. Elections” on Community Television of Southern California.

Texas: “Bill Would Double Campaign Finance Disclosures” by Ryan Murphy in the Texas Tribune.

Ethics

“Ethics commission agrees to seek outside investigator in Gessler case” by Tim Hoover in the Denver Post.

Florida: “Will lawmakers pass campaign reform or just face-lift?” by Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.

Florida: “Ethics legislation could be passed on opening day” by The Associated Press in the Miami Herald.

Social Media

“Are hashtags a political #wasteoftime?” by Steve Friess in Politico.

Lobbying

“Home Sweet K Street” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

Campaign Finance

“Political campaign finance reform advocates to hold ‘K Street 5K’ in DC, Apr 13” by Karen Ruben in The Examiner.

Arizona: “Arizona House legislation would allow for campaign finance changes” by Howard Fischer in the East Valley Tribune.

Georgia: “Florida’s ethics reforms offer glimpse of Georgia’s future” by Chris Joyner in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

New York: “NYC public advocate: State, local governments must lead efforts to regulate dark money” by Michael Beckel in the Center for Public Integrity.

Vermont: “New twist on campaign finance debate” by Peter Hirschfeld in the Times Argus.

West Virginia: “Senate President supports public campaign finance bill” on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Ethics

“Suit Over How Larry Craig Paid Legal Bills Heads To Court” by Jessica Robinson in Boise State Public Radio.

Florida: “Bill would strengthen Florida Commission on Ethics enforcement” by Jeff Marcu in First Coast News.

Tennessee: “Rep. Curry Todd lived rent-free in lobbyist’s home” by Nate Rau in The Tennessean.

Utah: “Senate panel advances bill for executive branch ethics commission” by Dennis Romboy in the Deseret News.

Federal:

Conservative Justices Voice Skepticism on Voting Law

Lobbyists Fear Shakedown If Supreme Court Lifts Campaign Contributions Cap

From the States and Municipalities:

California – California Campaign Finance Reporting Ripe for Abuse

Florida – In David Rivera Investigation, Suspected Ringer Charged in Federal Court in $81,486Scheme

Florida – Universal Rolls out Red Carpet for GOP Lawmakers, Lobbyists, State-Party Donors

Georgia – Lobbyist Spending Down 1 Month after New Georgia Rule

Georgia – State House Backs Banning Some Lobbyist Spending

Illinois – Michael Bloomberg’s Super PAC Declares Victory in Illinois Special Election

New York – NY Comptroller Drops Suit as Qualcomm Agrees to Disclose More about Political Spending

Ohio – Ohio Campaign Contribution Limits Continue to Rise

West Virginia – Gainer, State Agency Officials Appear in Online Visa ‘P-card’ Marketing Campaign; State Ethics Act Limits Such Endorsements

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.

Lobbying

“Web Entrepreneur Tries to Bridge K Street and Grass-Roots Advocacy” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“K Street Files: Manufacturers, Citing Job Losses, Oppose Carbon Tax” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“Lobbying World” in The Hill.

“Lincoln actor joins museum leaders lobbying in DC” by The Associated Press in the Peoria Journal Star.

Campaign Finance

“Pay to play?” by Allison MacDonald on MSNBC.

Arizona: “Clean Elections consolidation bill advances” by The Associated Press in the Arizona Daily Sun.

Montana: “Montana Senate endorses limit on corporate campaign spending” by The Associated Press in the Missoulian.

Ethics

“Feinstein asks court for campaign treasurer’s records” by John Myers in KXTV News 10.

Open Government

Minnesota: “Social media tests Minn. open meeting law” by Brian Bakst in Minnesota Public Radio.

South Carolina: “S.C. legislators wouldn’t be able to keep communication secret under altered House bill” by Stephen Largen in the Post and Courier.

Redistricting

North Carolina: “Attorneys wrap up arguments in NC redistricting” by Gary D. Robertson in the Winston-Salem Journal.

Campaign Finance

“Justices reject campaign finance appeal over corporate contributions” by Bill Mears on CNN.

California: “California campaign-finance reporting ripe for abuse” by Steve Harmon in the San Jose Mercury News.

New York: “Tax loopholes cited in push for NY campaign reform” by The Associated Press in the Albany Times Union.

Lobbying

“Rules of the Game: Sequester Spells Bitter K Street Failure” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

Michigan: “Lobby spending increases in Michigan” by The Associated Press in Upper Michigan Source.

Rhode Island: “Former R.I. House speaker joins Twin River lobbying team” by Katherine Gregg in the Providence Journal.

Ethics

Georgia: “Week Ahead: Ga. lawmakers take up ethics, juvenile justice” by Walter C. Jones in the Augusta Chronicle.

Washington: “State Senate Democrats’ campaign chief accused of financial misconduct” by The Associated Press in the News Tribune.

Campaign Finance

“Watchdogs call for new campaign regulator to replace ‘woefully inept’ FEC” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“Campaign Finance Poll Finds Most Support Donation Limits” by Emily Swanson in the Huffington Post.

Arizona: “2 Arizona bills target campaign finances” by Mary Jo Pitzl in the Arizona Republic.

Montana: “Campaign finance reforms bills pass Montana House vote” by Marnee Banks in KBZK News.

New York: “Conference to tackle lobbying and campaign finance” by Ilene Fleischmann in the UB Reporter.

Lobbying

Alaska: “Alaska: Who’s lobbying Alaska’s lawmakers? And for how much?” by Laurel Andrews in the Alaska Dispatch.

Florida: “Lobbying a lucrative cap for a legislator’s career” by Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.

Georgia: “Lobbying Restrictions Vote Scheduled” by The Associated Press in Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Ethics

Utah: “Ethics bill emerges in wake of probes of Utah Lt. Gov Bell, Swallow” by Robert Gehrke in the Salt Lake Tribune.

Federal:

Jesse Jackson Jr. Pleads Guilty: ‘I lived off my campaign’

Justices Take Case on Overall Limit to Political Donations

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona – Arizona Senators Look to Revamp Lobbying Gift Ban

California – Prosecution of California Lobbyists on the Rise, FPPC Reports

Kansas – Lobbyists Vouch for Bill to Increase Spending Limits

Kentucky – Kentucky Bill Would Prohibit Lobbying during Legislative Session

Nebraska – Senators Want to Stop Lobbyist Contributions during Session

New York – Review Shows NY Pension Fund Fixed Ethics

North Carolina – Lawmakers’ Economic Interests Not Easily Tracked

Pennsylvania – Pa. Justice Convicted of Corruption

Virginia – Justices Consider Va. Limits on Access to Public Records

West Virginia – Ethics Commission Taps New Director

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.

Lobbying

California: “Prosecutions of California lobbyists on the rise, FPPC reports” by Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee.

Campaign Finance

“McCutcheon case could give Citizens United a run for its money in Supreme Court” by T.W. Farnam in the Washington Post.

Ethics

Oklahoma: “Bribery case against Oklahoma ex-legislators to move forward” by Nolan Clay in the Oklahoman.

West Virginia: “Ethics commission taps new director” by Dave Boucher in the Daily Charleston Mail.

Lobbying

“K Street Files: A Business-Labor Brotherhood?” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

Arizona: “Arizona senators look to revamp lobbying gift ban” by Bob Christie in Arizona Capitol Times.

Arkansas:  “Bill to delay ex-executive, judicial officials from lobbying advances” by Rob Moritz in the Arizona Times.

Campaign Finance

“David Axelrod blasts campaign finance system” by Tarini Parti in Politico.

“Citizens United Part II? Supreme Court takes up direct campaign donations” by Krissy Clark in American Public Media Marketplace.

Florida: “House Democrats to Oppose $10,000 Campaign Contribution Cap” by Jim Turner in Sunshine State News.

West Virginia: “Dozens protest Citizens United decision at state Capitol” by Paul J. Nyden in the Charleston Gazette.

Ethics

Florida: “Florida Senate Committee Weakens Ethics Bill” by Ashley Lopez in the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting.

Florida: “Ethics bill goes to full Florida Senate” by The Associated Press in the St. Augustine Record.

Lobbying

“Lobbyists Use Campaign-Style Opposition Research to Turn Tables on Rivals” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“Data mining is new lobbying gold” by Byron Tau in Politico.

“First ladies, first lobbyists?” by Kristin Donnelly in MSNBC.

Arizona: “Arizona senators look to revamp lobbying gift ban” by The Associated Press in the Arizona Daily Sun.

Colorado: “Colorado gun-control bills draw no big lobbying money — yet” by Karen E. Crummy in the Denver Post.

Florida: “Legislative lobbying hit $123 million last year” by Travis Pillow in the Tallahassee Democrat.

Georgia: “Vote possible on proposed Ga. lobbying rules” by The Associated Press in the Daily Citizen.

Kansas:  “Lobbyists vouch for bill to increase spending limits” by Andy Marso in the Topeka Capitol-Journal.

Nebraska: “Senators want to stop lobbyist contributions during session” by Kevin O’Hanlon in the Lincoln Journal Star.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: “Nutter asks Ethics Board for ruling on city lobbying regs” by Jan Ransom in the Philadelphia Inquirer-Daily News.

Campaign Finance

“Watchdog groups warn of fundraising scandal in Obama second term” by Alexander Bolton in The Hill.

Alaska:  “Democratic proposal seeks campaign finance change” by The Associated Press in the Anchorage Daily News.

California: “Proposal would repeal limits on campaign contributions in California” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.

New York: “Public Forum Discusses Campaign Finance Reform” by Adam Littman in the Nanuet Patch.

New York:  “Republican candidate George McDonald tries an unusual path to New York’s mayoralty: the brazenly defiant fundraising scofflaw” by Jonathan Lemire in the Daily News.

Ethics

Colorado: “Ethics commission delays release of Gessler probe once again” by Tim Hoover in the Denver Post.

Florida: “Michelle Anchors appointed to Commission on Ethics” by Tom McLaughlin in the NWF Daily News.

North Carolina: “Lawmakers’ economic interests not easily tracked” by Mark Binker in WRAL.

Oklahoma:  “New Ethics Commission director eyes reforms” by James Coburn in the Edmund Sun.

Knox County, Tennessee:  “Panel to examine ethics commission makeup, scope of investigative powers” by Mike Donila in the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – Donor to Three Mayoral Candidates Hit with $170,000 Ethics Fine

Connecticut – Howls as Malloy Tries to Shorten Leash on Watchdogs

District of Columbia – D.C. Campaign Finance Proposals Await More Public Comment

Florida – Cashing in on State Contracts Becomes Growth Industry

Florida – Gov. Rick Scott Turns to Lobbyists to Help Push His Agenda

Georgia – New Lobbying Rules Would Prohibit Airfare Expenses

Illinois – Diluted Emanuel Ethics Proposal Finally Gets Nod

Kansas – Legislature Mulls Changing Official Lobbying Threshold

Massachusetts – Lynch, Markey Sign Pledge to Limit Third-Party Ads

New Jersey – Head of Lobbying Firm Hired by AshBritt Will Host Christie Fundraiser

New Jersey – N.J. Firms Donated over $700,000 to Republican Governors Association

New York – Lobby for Cuomo Keeps Donors Secret

South Carolina – South Carolina Attorney General Forwards Complaint against House Speaker Harrell to SLED

Texas – In Some Cases, Government Is All Relative

Virginia – Virginia General Assembly Displays State’s Exceptionalism and its Exceptional Weirdness

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.

Lobbying

Kansas: “Legislature mulls changing official lobbying threshold” by Vikaas Shanker in the Topeka Capital-Journal.

Louisiana: “Study ties Jindal tax plan to ALEC” in the Baton Rouge Advocate.

Maryland:  “Bills seek to slow the revolving door of public officials into lobbying” by Becca Heller in the Maryland Reporter.

Campaign Finance

“ABA Supports Disclosure of Secret Political Spending” by Ian Vandewalker in the Brennan Center for Justice Blog.

Hawaii: “Mayor donor fund took in $360,000; Ethics digging deeper” by Gina Mangieri in KHON2 News.

New Jersey: “N.J. firms donated over $700,000 to Republican Governors Association” by John Reitmeyer and Melissa Hayes in the Bergen Record.

Rhode Island: “Local Politicians Owe $1.3M in Campaign Fines” by Stephen Beale in GoLocal Prov.

Ethics

Connecticut: “Conflict of interest bill gains traction” by Ken Dixon in the Connecticut Post.

Iowa: “Ethics committee won’t reprimand Iowa state senator” by Mike Wiser in the Quad-City Times.

Kentucky: “Metro ethics bill passes House panel” by Joseph Gerth in the Courier-Journal.

Maine: “Maine bill seeks to end cozy relations between state officials, private firms” by Naomi Schalit and John Christie in the Portland Press Herald.

Rhode Island: “Drive to reinstate R.I. Ethics Commission power over legislators resumes” by Katherine Gregg in the Providence Journal.

Lobbying

“Wall Street tipsters brace for exposé on their industry, scrutiny from Capitol Hill” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Wisconsin: “Bill to prevent revolving door” by Alice Coyne in the Badger Herald.

Campaign Finance

“Congressman seeks to overturn Citizens United” by the Associated Press in U.S. News & World Report.

Arizona: “Phoenix launches searchable campaign-finance website” by Dustin Gardiner in the Arizona Republic.

Florida: “House moves ahead with plan to end slush funds, raise campaign contribution limits to $10,000” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.

Ethics

Florida: “Former state GOP chairman Jim Greer pleads guilty to theft, money laundering” by Lucy Morgan in the Miami Herald.

Social Media

Eric Brown’s Political Activity Law blog points out that next week is Social Media Week.

“Do Governments Need Personal Social Media Policies?” by Colin Wood in Government Technology.