July 14, 2021 •
Lobbyists in Pennsylvania Will Be Required to Disclose Equities in Clients
Lobbyists in Pennsylvania will soon be required to disclose any equity held in a client they represent. House Bill 336, a state budget and operations bill that became law on July 9 without the signature of Gov. Tom Wolf, includes […]
Lobbyists in Pennsylvania will soon be required to disclose any equity held in a client they represent. House Bill 336, a state budget and operations bill that became law on July 9 without the signature of Gov. Tom Wolf, includes a provision requiring annual equity disclosures from lobbyists and lobbying firms. The disclosures must list each equity a lobbying firm or lobbyist holds in an entity for which they are lobbying.
The first equity report will be due with the Department of State on October 7, which is 30 days after this provision of law takes effect. Subsequent equity reports will be due by July 30 starting in 2022.
The Department of State will be permitted to request additional information from lobbyists, if needed.
April 8, 2020 •
Pennsylvania Governor Grants Extension For Lobbying Reports
Gov. Tom Wolf granted the Department of State’s request to extend the deadline for filing lobbying reports and temporarily waive the notarization requirement for campaign finance reports. The governor granted the request in response to COVID-19 and to minimize delays […]
Gov. Tom Wolf granted the Department of State’s request to extend the deadline for filing lobbying reports and temporarily waive the notarization requirement for campaign finance reports.
The governor granted the request in response to COVID-19 and to minimize delays in required reporting.
The lobbying disclosure report deadline for the first quarter is extended until July 30.
The reports are required on the same date as the second quarterly report but must be filed separately.
The governor also granted a temporary waiver of the notarization requirement for campaign finance reports and campaign finance statements filed by political committees and candidates for public office.
The waiver allows the required documents to be filed online until the COVID-19 health emergency subsides.
Filers must sign, either physically or typed, and date their report or statement cover sheet.
For filers who file on paper, the department will accept emailed campaign finance reports for the duration of the emergency.
Filers must email the campaign finance reports to: RA-stcampaignfinance@pa.gov.
March 27, 2020 •
Pennsylvania Lawmakers Pass Bill to Reschedule Primary
On March 25, the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 422 to move the state general and presidential primary election from April 28 to June 2. Lawmakers passed the postponement due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns. Additionally, Gov. Tom Wolf has indicated […]
On March 25, the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 422 to move the state general and presidential primary election from April 28 to June 2.
Lawmakers passed the postponement due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns.
Additionally, Gov. Tom Wolf has indicated his support for rescheduling the election and is expected to sign the bill into law.
June 6, 2016 •
Monday News Roundup
Ethics Maryland: “Mosby’s Newfound Popularity Made Her a Sought-After National Speaker in 2015” by Justin Fenton for Baltimore Sun Michigan: “Ex-Detroit Principal Gets Year in Prison for Kickbacks” by Jennifer Chambers for Detroit News New York: “Independent Budgeting a Little-Used […]
Ethics
Maryland: “Mosby’s Newfound Popularity Made Her a Sought-After National Speaker in 2015” by Justin Fenton for Baltimore Sun
Michigan: “Ex-Detroit Principal Gets Year in Prison for Kickbacks” by Jennifer Chambers for Detroit News
New York: “Independent Budgeting a Little-Used Practice for City Watchdog Agencies” by Aaron Holmes for Gotham Gazette
Ohio: “Fired Convention Center Caterer Sues Managers” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch
Oklahoma: “Ex-Oklahoma Reserve Deputy Sentenced to 4 Years in Killing” by Justin Juozapavicius (Associated Press) for Miami Herald
Pennsylvania: “Wolf Wants Lobbyist Legislation Tied to Campaign Finance Reform” by Brad Bumsted and Mike Wereschagin for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Texas: “Greg Abbott, Glenn Hegar Tell State Agencies to Stop Using Leave as Severance” by Lauren McGaughy and J. David McSwane for Dallas Morning News
Elections
“Inside Democrats’ Trump-Fueled Scramble to Take Back the House” by Ed O’Keefe and Mike DeBonis for Washington Post
“Doubts Creep into Trump-Clinton Polls” by Niall Stanage for The Hill
Colorado: “Raise the Bar Wants to Make It Harder to Change Colorado’s Constitution” by Marianne Goodland for Colorado Independent
January 21, 2015 •
Pennsylvania Governor Signs Two Executive Orders Promoting Ethics Reform
As promised, Gov. Tom Wolf has signed two executive orders to bring about ethics reform. The first order bans all employees, appointees, and officials of the executive branch from soliciting or accepting gifts from individuals attempting to influence decisions. The […]
As promised, Gov. Tom Wolf has signed two executive orders to bring about ethics reform. The first order bans all employees, appointees, and officials of the executive branch from soliciting or accepting gifts from individuals attempting to influence decisions.
The second creates a prohibition on no-bid contracts to law firms, requiring competitive bidding procedures be used for all legal services contracts.
Gov. Wolf signed the orders immediately following his inauguration address. Both executive orders are effective immediately.
Photo of Gov. Tom Wolf by Bruestle2 on Wikimedia Commons.
November 17, 2014 •
Pennsylvania Governor-Elect Wolf Bans Gifts to Transition Team
Gov.-elect Tom Wolf, fresh off of a victorious first campaign for public office, is already taking steps to ensure the ethical conduct of his administration. Wolf is requiring members of his transition team to sign a code of conduct including […]
Gov.-elect Tom Wolf, fresh off of a victorious first campaign for public office, is already taking steps to ensure the ethical conduct of his administration.
Wolf is requiring members of his transition team to sign a code of conduct including a ban on accepting gifts, one he plans to extend to the entire executive branch upon taking office.
The pledge also includes a requirement to disclose current and future conflicts of interest and a promise to not use their position for personal gain.
Photo of Gov.-elect Tom Wolf by Bruestle2 on Wikimedia Commons.
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