Campaign Finance

Illinois: “Aldermen Named in Secretly Recorded Chat Admit Sending Business to Reyes’ Firm” by Fran Spielman for Chicago Sun-Times

Mississippi: “Lt. Governor Candidate Hughes Sidesteps Campaign Finance Reform Law He Pushed for in 2017” by Luke Ramseth for Jackson Clarion-Ledger

Ethics

Arkansas: “State Lawmakers Roll Out Ethics Reform Package to Address Capitol Corruption” by Wesley Brown for talkbusiness.net

Louisiana: “Politics and the Suite Life for Saints Playoffs? Insiders Got Wish Granted by Gov. Edwards” by Tyler Bridges for New Orleans Advocate

Lobbying

Alabama: “Economic Developers Seek Extension, Expansion of Lobbying Exemption” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser

California: “Sebastian Ridley-Thomas’ Work as a Lobbyist Sparks Criticism in California Capitol” by Melody Gutierrez for Los Angeles Times

Connecticut: “When the Governor’s Adviser Is Married to a Lobbyist” by Mark Pazniokas for Connecticut Mirror

New Mexico: “Bill Would Reveal the Cost of a Free Lunch for Lawmakers” by Dan McKay for Albuquerque Journal

Lobbying

Florida: “Lobbying firms pull in cash as year ends” by Jim Saunders in the Tallahassee Democrat

Hawaii: “Lobbying Law Proposed For Kauai” by Chad Blair in the Honolulu Civil Beat

Idaho: “Bill would make university, state agency lobbyists report their spending” by Betsy Russell in the Spokesman Review

New Hampshire: “Political Wrangling Over ‘People’s Pledge’ in New Hampshire” by Simone Pathé in Roll Call

New Mexico: “Campaign finance fix bill triggered by KOB investigation 1 step away from clearing legislature” by Ryan Luby in KOB 4

Ethics

New Mexico: “Ethics commission proposal faces scrutiny in Senate panel” by Dan Boyd in the Albuquerque Journal

Virginia: “Senators vote to undo parts of ethics reform law” by Jim Nolan in the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Elections

“DCCC Names First 16 Candidates to ‘Red to Blue’ Program” by Simone Pathé in Roll Call

Florida: “With Safe Districts Gone, Two Florida Lawmakers Taking Their Time on 2016 Decision” by Eli Yokley in Roll Call

Ohio: “Bill would ban switching political parties in Ohio primary elections” by Robert Higgs in the Plain Dealer

Procurement

Texas: “Some contractors say new Texas disclosure law confusing” by The Associated Press in KXAN

Legislative Issues

Alaska: “Longtime Alaska Lawmaker Max Gruenberg Dies” by Nathaniel Herz in Governing

Arizona: “Arizona lawmakers seek ability to more easily overturn ballot measures” by Howard Fischer in the Daily Courier

Lobbying

New York: “Ethics Watchdog Clarifies Expanded Lobbying Definition” by Marie French for Albany Business Review

Campaign Finance

“O’Malley Campaign Secures Public Cash before Dropping Out” by John Fritze for Baltimore Sun

“Campaign Reform Group Calls White House Response to Secret Money Petition ‘Offensive’” by Juliet Eilperin for Washington Post

“The Politico 100: Billionaires dominate 2016” by Kenneth Vogel and Isaac Arnsdorf for Politico

Kentucky: “Grand Jury Brings Fresh Scrutiny to Alison Grimes’ Campaigns” by John Cheves for Lexington Herald-Leader

Michigan: “Judge Puts Michigan ‘Gag Order’ Election Law on Hold” by Kathleen Gray and Lori Higgins for Detroit Free Press

Ohio: “Weak Controls Led to Corruption while Boyce Was State Treasurer, Report Says” by Jim Siegel and Randy Ludlow for Columbus Dispatch

Elections

California: “Finding Statewide Office Hard to Attain, Tea Party Stakes Claim to City, County Races” by Phil Willon for Los Angeles Times

Maryland: “Trone Fires Campaign Staffers Who Tried to Plant Themselves with Opponents” by John Fritze for Baltimore Sun

North Carolina: “Federal Court Invalidates Maps of Two NC Congressional Districts” by Anne Blythe, Craig Jarvis, and Jim Morrill for Raleigh News & Observer