Lobbying

“Lobbyists Celebrate Democratic Party’s New Embrace at Convention” by Jay Newton-Small for Time

California: “Judge Questions Private Talks Between Coastal Commissioners and Developer’s Consultants” by Dan Weikel for Los Angeles Times

Campaign Finance

“George Soros Rises Again” by Kenneth Vogel for Politico

California: “‘Behested Payments’ Add Another Layer of Money in Politics” by Tracy Wood for Voice of OC

Indiana: “Eric Holcomb’s Access to Mike Pence’s Campaign Cash Might Be Restricted” by Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star

Ethics

Texas: “Texas AG Took Gift While Investigating Company” by Associated Press for Texarkana Gazette

Elections

“Donald Trump Calls on Russia to Find Hillary Clinton’s Missing Emails” by Ashley Parker and David Sanger for New York Times

“Bill Clinton Praises His Wife’s Feminine Side” by Patrick Healy for New York Times

“Democrats Discreetly Turn Attention to Presidential Prospects of the Future” by Michael Shear for New York Times

Gov. Mike Pence has cancelled a contract between the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and Express MVA and requested an investigation due to possible ethics violations.

Shawn Walters, formerly the BMV chief of staff, had approved Express MVA’s opening of a private license branch in 2010. However, when Walters moved from state employment to become the chief operating officer of Express MVA in 2014, he did not ask the state Ethics Commission if such a move would violate the state’s law requiring a one-year cooling-off period.

In addition to ending the contract, Pence has asked the inspector general to determine if Walters violated any ethics law by accepting a job with Express MVA.