Canada: “Trudeau Government Proposes Major Changes to Elections Law” by Aaron Wherry for CBC

Florida: “FEC Plans Crackdown on Zombie Campaigns” by Christopher O’Connell for Tampa Bay Times

California: “Former Lobbyist Gets 4 Months in Prison for Role in Azano Campaign Finance Scandal” by Greg Moran for San Diego Union-Tribune

Ethics

National: “Senate Democrats Question the Role of a Former For-Profit College Lobbyist at the Education Department” by Danielle Douglas-Gabriel (Washington Post) for Seattle Times

National: “Trump-Allied House Conservatives Draft Articles of Impeachment Against Rosenstein as ‘Last Resort’” by Robert Costa, Sari Horwitz, and Matt Zapotosky (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Mueller Has Dozens of Inquiries for Trump in Broad Quest on Russia Ties and Obstruction” by Michael Schmidt (New York Times) for MSN

Arkansas: “Wilkins, Former Arkansas Legislator, Pleads Guilty to Bribery” by Jan Cottingham for Arkansas Business

Kentucky: “She Advised KY House GOP During Hoover Scandal. Now She’ll Advise the Investigators.” by Daniel Desrochers for Lexington Herald-Leader

Procurement

Missouri: “Auditor: Missouri highway patrol officials with ties to transportation firm steered it business” by Sky Chadde for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Campaign Finance

National: “Watchdog Sues Paul Ryan-Aligned Dark Money Group” by Maggie Severns for Poltico

Ohio: “Lack of Campaign Fundraising Caps, Tracking Issues at City Hall Raise Concerns” by Doug Caruso and Rick Rouan for Columbus Dispatch

Rhode Island: “Mattiello Is Ordered to Repay $72K to Leadership PAC” by Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal

Tennessee: “Tennessee Lawmakers Still ‘Double-Dipping’ After Warning from Campaign Finance Official” by Joel Ebert for The Tennessean

Wisconsin: “Want to Give Digital Currency to a Political Campaign? State Ethics Panel Mulls If and How” by Mark Sommerhauser for Wisconsin State Journal

Ethics

National: “Mulvaney, Watchdog Bureau’s Leader, Advises Bankers on Ways to Curtail Agency” by Glenn Thrush for New York Times

New Jersey: “Video Shows Port Authority Commissioner Telling Cops: ‘You may shut the f— up!’” by Ted Sherman (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star-Ledger

Lobbying

National: “Skadden Lawyer Craig Leaves Firm After Inquiry on Ukraine Report” by Greg Farrell for Bloomberg.com

Kentucky: “Metro Council Member Doubles as Lobbyist in Frankfort” by Joe Sonka for Insider Louisville

Redistricting

National: “Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Texas Redistricting” by Rafael Bernal for The Hill

National:

AP Finds Legislatures Lack Public Records on Harassment
Arizona Daily Star – David Lieb (Associated Press) | Published: 4/11/2018

In the past 15 months, dozens of state lawmakers have been forced from office, removed from their leadership roles, reprimanded. or publicly accused of sexual misconduct in a mounting backlash against misbehavior by those in power. Yet the majority of state legislative chambers across the country have no publicly available records of any sexual misconduct claims over the past 10 years. They say no complaints were made, no tally was kept, or they do not legally have to disclose it. Some lawmakers and experts on sexual wrongdoing in the workplace say that suggests legislators are not taking the problem seriously.

Facebook Fallout Deals Blow to Mercers’ Political Clout
MSN – Nicholas Confessore and David Gelles (New York Times) | Published: 4/10/2018

The revelation that Cambridge Analytica improperly acquired the private Facebook data of millions of users has set off government inquiries, plunging Facebook into crisis. But it has also battered the nascent political network overseen by wealthy conservative donor Rebekah Mercer and financed by her father, Robert Mercer. Cambridge Analytica was co-founded by Robert Mercer. An advocacy group backing President Trump and controlled by Rebekah Mercer has gone silent following strategic disputes between her and other top donors. And no American candidate or super PAC has reported payments to Cambridge Analytica since the 2016 campaign.

Facebook’s New Rules Aim to Thwart the Kind of Ads Bought by Russian Trolls During the Election
Washington Post – Tony Romm | Published: 4/6/2018

Facebook announced a series of moves meant to improve the transparency of political ads and pages on its social media service. Facebook Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg said in a post that the company has started requiring advertisers to verify their identity and location before they can run political ads. That verification is meant to prevent foreign interference in U.S. elections. Facebook will also soon start verifying the identify and location of people who run large Facebook pages. Officials say Russian agents used pages to pose as Americans on different sides of the political spectrum in an attempt to spread misinformation before the election.

Federal:

Investigators Focus on Another Trump Ally: The National Enquirer
WRAL – Jim Rutenberg, Emily Steel, and Mike McIntire (New York Times) | Published: 4/11/2018

President Trump has deep connections with the country’s largest tabloid publisher, American Media Inc (AMI), which publishes The National Enquirer. The company’s chairperson, David Pecker, is a close friend of the president’s. Since the early stages of his campaign, Trump, his lawyer Michael Cohen, and Pecker have strategized about protecting him and lashing out at his political enemies. Now AMI has been drawn into an investigation of Cohen’s activities, including efforts to head off potentially damaging stories about Trump during his run for the White House. The inquiry presents thorny questions about AMI’s First Amendment protections, and whether its record in supporting Trump somehow opens the door to scrutiny usually reserved for political organizations.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama – Ivey Signs Ethics Exemption for Developers into Law
AP News – Kim Chandler | Published: 4/6/2018

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law a bill that will exempt economic developers from the state ethics law. Economic developers would not be considered lobbyists and would not register with the state and disclose their employers and activity as lobbyists do, under the legislation. Supporters said developers do not currently register, but the law needed to be clarified because of recent questions over whether they should. Critics had argued that anyone seeking deals with the state should not be exempted, and such exemptions could be exploited.

Arizona – Ducey Signs Bill Overriding Local Laws on Certain Campaign-Finance Disclosures
Arizona Daily Star – Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) | Published: 4/5/2018

Arizona cities are losing their right to demand that nonprofit groups seeking to sway local elections divulge who is financing the effort. Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation that pre-empts local ordinances requiring these groups to register as PACs. The measure, which takes effect this summer, also makes any effort to identify contributions off limits. It is not known whether Tempe will challenge the new law as an unconstitutional infringement on local powers. Tempe residents voted earlier this year to mandate disclosure of spending on local races.

Georgia – Man Gets Prison for Obstruction in Atlanta Bribery Probe
Washington Times – Kate Brumback (Associated Press) | Published: 4/9/2018

An Atlanta man who threw a concrete block through a city contractor’s window to discourage him from talking to federal investigators was sentenced to prison for obstructing their bribery probe. Shandarrick Barnes had pleaded guilty to obstructing justice. He is the fourth person to receive a prison sentence after entering a guilty plea in the ongoing federal investigation into a “pay-to-play” scheme for city contracts. U.S. Attorney Kurt Erskine said Barnes used “mob-like tactics” to try to keep construction contractor Elvin Mitchell Jr. from cooperating with investigators.

Hawaii – What’s Up with All the Gut-And-Replace Trickery at The Legislature This Year?
Honolulu Civil Beat – Nathan Eagle | Published: 4/5/2018

Watchdog groups have called on the Hawaii Legislature for years to end “misleading practices which keep the public in the dark,” as their 2013 petition to the House and Senate put it. There is the “gut-and-replace” tactic, which involves removing the entire contents of a bill and inserting the contents of another in its place without any notice. And there are the so-called Frankenstein bills that keep the original contents of one bill and add the contents of another that had died earlier in the session. A common practice this session combines both tactics while giving a couple of days’ notice.

Kansas – Kansas AG Wants Court to Bar Out-of-State Residents from Running for Governor
Kansas City Star – Hunter Woodall | Published: 4/10/2018

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt filed a lawsuit to put the brakes on out-of-state gubernatorial candidates after 10 people living outside the state’s borders took initial steps to run. State law makes no express statement about candidates’ age or residency. News coverage about the lack of requirements has led to a slew of teenagers and non-Kansans forming campaign committees for a gubernatorial run. A man tried, and failed, to get his dog on the ballot.

Missouri – Woman: Sexual encounter with Greitens was not consensual. Lawmakers find her credible
Kansas City Star – Lindsay Wise (McClatchy) and Jason Hancock | Published: 4/11/2018

The crisis confronting Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens deepened with the release of a legislative report that outlines in detail new allegations about the governor’s behavior toward a woman who was his hair dresser. While Greitens has described the extramarital relations as “consensual,” the woman said it included unwanted and potentially coerced sexual acts that she felt afraid to say no to and physical violence, in addition to the threat of blackmail. The governor is facing a felony charge that he invaded the woman’s privacy by taking a nude photograh of her without her consent. The report raised the specter of impeachment for Greitens and prompted another round of calls for him to step down.

New Mexico – Biggest Donors Get Around Contribution Limits
New Mexico Political Report – Marjorie Childress (New Mexico In Depth) | Published: 4/9/2018

Even though New Mexico passed campaign contribution limits in 2009 after several high-profile elected officials went to jail for corruption, people still have the potential to contribute more than the limits by giving through companies they own, or combining with family members to give. A debate over contribution limits since then has often included arguments that limits just push money into political committees or “dark money” groups that spend money independently, making it more difficult for the public to know who is paying for political ads and other activities designed to influence elections. But good government advocates disagree.

New York – JCOPE Reaches Settlement with Top Lobbyist Over de Blasio Donation
Albany Times Union – Chris Bragg | Published: 4/9/2018

Lobbyist James Capalino agreed to pay $40,000 to settle an investigation by the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE). The commission has been investigating Capalino’s fundraising for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s now-defunct nonprofit Campaign for One New York. The probe relied on JCOPE’s re-interpretation of the state gift ban law. The law disallows public officials from accepting “valuable gifts” from people with business before state government if such a gift appears intended to influence the official. JCOPE in 2014 said donations to an official’s nonprofit are covered under the law.

Ohio – Amid FBI Investigation, Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger Resigns
Cincinnati Enquirer – Chrissie Thompson and Jessie Balmert | Published: 4/10/2018

Facing an FBI investigation into his spending and overseas travel, Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger said he will resign from office on May 1. Rosenberger has been criticized for his lavish lifestyle, which includes traveling around the world and staying in a luxury Columbus condominium owned by a wealthy Republican campaign donor. In August, Rosenberger took a four-day trip to London with GOP leaders from other states for an event paid for by the GOPAC Education Fund’s Institute for Leadership Development. Steve Dimon, a registered lobbyist for title lender LoanMax, also was on the trip. Title and payday lenders have been lobbying against proposed legislation in Ohio that would place restrictions on their industry. Dimon declined to say whether the two discussed any legislation or if he has been questioned by the FBI.

South Dakota – South Dakota a ‘Standout’ in Limiting Voters’ Ability to Bring Issues to the Ballot
Sioux Falls Argus Leader – Dana Ferguson | Published: 4/6/2018

South Dakota voters in 2016 passed a sweeping ethics reform initiative, which state legislators then struck down. A year after Initiated Measure 22’s demise, lawmakers passed a dozen bills tightening the reins on the initiative and referendum process. The onslaught of bills puts South Dakota in a league of its own in terms of restricting direct democracy. Now, advocates are scrambling to undo the laws that do the most damage before they are left fighting under the new constraints imposed on the process.

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.

Campaign Finance

Canada: “Facebook Makes It Easy to Run Illegal and ‘Astroturf’ Ads, Say Canadian Digital Political Strategists” by Peter Mazureeuw for Hill Times

Hawaii: “Super PAC’s Attack Reveals Gaps in Hawaii Campaign Finance Law” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat

Elections

National: “Young Women Help Lead Campaigns to Success at the Polls” by Michael Tackett for New York Times

Ethics

National: “Top Pruitt aide at EPA also shopped for housing on his behalf” by Juliet Eilperin and Brady Dennis for Washington Post

National: “Pruitt Had a $50-a-Day Condo Linked to Lobbyists. Their Client’s Project Got Approved.” by Eric Lipton for New York Times

National: “Elizabeth Esty, Saying She Mishandled Abuse Claim, Won’t Defend House Seat” by Liam Stack for New York Times

National: “The FBI Says Bob Brady and Marjorie Margolies Conspired to Violate Election Laws. Why Weren’t They Charged?” by Andrew Seidman for Philadelphia Inquirer

National: “First Sentence Handed Down in Mueller Probe” by Spencer Hsu for Washington Post

Arizona: “Lawmaker: Prosecutors investigating ‘sexually explicit communications’ tied to House probe” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez for Arizona Republic

Tech and Social Media

Maryland: “Maryland, ACLU Reach Settlement Over Governor Deleting Critical Comments on His Facebook Page” by Ovetta Wiggins for Washington Post

Last month I went into detail on what was done in 2017 for our website. Today I am going to list out what we are doing in 2018 to make our website even more valuable.

My conversation a couple of months ago with Research Manager Michael Beckett continued with what he said would be added to our site. Our #1 goal is to continue support to our clients when there are questions and special projects.

1. Our work with our European Compliance is growing. Scotland will be completed and on our site in April. Other countries for 2018 include France, Germany, Austria, and Greece. We are giving our clients a great introductory offer to add European Compliance to the guides you are currently receiving.

2. We like to produce Tip Sheets—one pagers that help you answer quick questions. This year we will publish three of them:

• Social media lobbying (we weren’t talking about that 25 years ago);

• Gift splitting and reimbursement; and

• Restrictions on lobbyist contributions.

3. In addition, we are going to clarify the following in all our jurisdictions:

• Placement agents in our Procurement Lobbying Publication;

• Grass tops lobbying in our Lobbying Laws Publication;

• Procurement lobbying (contracts) vs. executive branch lobbying (rules and regulations) in our Procurement Lobbying Publication;

• Timing of contributions for purposes of aggregation in our Political Contributions Publication; Q&A regarding state contribution limits applicability to local candidates in our Political Contributions Publication;

• PAC contribution match by corporate employer rules in our Political Contributions Publication.

You will also see our familiar Executive’s Checklists in our Municipal Lobbying entries and we are always ready to add more municipalities.

Our team works all year long to make sure the State and Federal Communications website is always up-to-date on the work you need. This isn’t a side business for the company… it is the foundation of our overall business.

If you have any questions about our website, please do not hesitate to give me a call. It has been part of my DNA for a long, long time.

National:

Political Lobbyists Are the New Hot Thing in Pop Culture
MarketWatch – Tom Teodorczuk | Published: 3/26/2018

Lobbyists have long been a fixture of movies ranging from “The American President” to “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Now, the process of influencing elected representatives is increasingly taking center stage in plays, movies, and literature. The desperate lobbyist is starting to rival the embattled politician and scoop-hungry reporter as a staple character of pop culture. Sarah Burgess said her inspiration for writing “Kings” was a newspaper story. “I happened to encounter an article about these retreats that lobbyists will attend with politicians at big resorts and that seemed funny to me and so American,” Burgess said.

Federal:

Fund-Raiser Held Out Access to Trump as a Prize for Prospective Clients
MSN – Kenneth Vogel and David Kirkpatrick (New York Times) | Published: 3/25/2018

After Donald Trump’s election, Elliot Broidy quickly capitalized, marketing his connections to Trump to politicians and governments around the world, including some with unsavory records. Broidy suggested to clients and prospective customers of his defense contracting company, Circinus, that he could broker meetings with the president, his administration, and congressional allies. Broidy’s ability to leverage his political connections to boost his business illuminates how Trump’s unorthodox approach to governing has spawned a new breed of access peddling in the swamp he vowed to drain.

Manafort Associate Had Russian Intelligence Ties During 2016 Campaign, Prosecutors Say
Washington Post – Spencer Hsu and Rosalind Helderman | Published: 3/27/2018

Court documents filed by special counsel Robert Mueller’s team reveal that Donald Trump’s former deputy campaign chairperson, Richard Gates, was knowingly working with an individual with ties to Russian intelligence during the presidential campaign. Prosecutors alleged this unnamed person worked for one of former Trump campaign chairperson Paul Manafort’s companies and was in touch with Gates in September and October 2016. The filing identifies the ex-spy only as “Person A.” The description matches that of Konstantin Kilimnik, the Russian manager of Manafort’s lobbying office in Kiev.

Rep. Didn’t Report $50K in Donations as Registered Lobbyist
Cleveland Plain Dealer – Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) | Published: 3/28/2018

U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci did not disclose nearly $50,000 in campaign contributions he made while registered as a federal lobbyist. Registered lobbyists are required to disclose all federal political donations of more than $200. His campaign said he was registered as a lobbyist with the consulting firm he helped launch in 2008 only as a precautionary measure. Renacci’s attorney, Laura Mills, provided the Associated Press with a form that listed Renacci’s status as “inactive” as of August 1, 2009. The campaign said only active lobbyists are required to disclose their contributions. But the AP found Mills did not file the companion form required to deactivate his registration until May 2011. Renacci continued to file and digitally sign lobbyist disclosure reports, other than the two he missed, through mid-2011, as an active lobbyist would.

Trump’s Lawyer Raised Prospect of Pardons for Flynn and Manafort as Special Counsel Closed In
MSN – Michael Schmidt, Jo Becker, Mark Mazzetti, Maggie Haberman, and Adam Goldman (New York Times) | Published: 3/28/2018

The New York Times reported that John Dowd, the former lead defense attorney in charge of managing President Trump’s communications with special counsel Robert Mueller, suggested the possibility of pardons for two of the most critical figures in the Russia investigation at the height of the inquiry. Dowd spoke to lawyers representing former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former Trump campaign chairperson Paul Manafort last year, as Mueller’s investigation was closing in on both men. The discussions raise questions about whether Dowd was offering pardons to influence their decisions about whether to plead guilty and cooperate in the investigation. Legal experts are divided about whether such offers might constitute obstruction of justice.

From the States and Municipalities:

Maryland: Supreme Court Again Weighs Voting Maps Warped by Politics
New York Times – Adam Liptak | Published: 3/28/2018

Dealing with an issue that could affect elections across the country, U.S. Supreme Court justices wrestled with how far states may go to craft electoral districts that give the majority party a huge political advantage. But even as they heard their second case on partisan redistricting in six months, the justices expressed uncertainty about the best way to deal with a problem that several said would get worse without the court’s intervention. The arguments the court heard were over an appeal by Republican voters in Maryland who object to a congressional district that Democrats drew to elect a candidate of their own. The Maryland case is a companion to one from Wisconsin in which Democrats complain about a Republican-drawn map of legislative districts. That case was argued in October and remains undecided.

Missouri: An Affair, a Photo and a Felony Charge: Missouri’s governor is waging a campaign for political survival
Washington Post – Sean Sullivan | Published: 3/22/2018

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, a former Navy SEAL who once volunteered with Mother Teresa, is aggressively trying to clear his name after allegations he took a naked photograph of a woman without her consent – after taping her hands to exercise rings and blindfolding her. Under indictment for felony invasion of privacy related to an extramarital affair, Greitens is seeking to discredit the Democratic prosecutor who went after him and battling back against Republicans calling on him to step down. Greitens is getting a fierce blowback from fellow Republicans already fed up with his bare-knuckle politics and broken promises of the past year.

New Mexico: New Mexico Outlines Future Limits on Federal Campaign Cash
Modesto Bee – Morgan Lee (Associated Press) | Published: 3/28/2018

Politicians returning from Washington, D.C. to run for office in New Mexico are likely to find a clear legal path in the future to bring stockpiles of campaign dollars with them under a new agreement signed by state campaign finance regulators and attorneys for U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce. A proposed settlement allows Pearce to use more than $900,000 he raised while in Congress in his campaign for governor as the lone Republican contender. Linked to the settlement are guidelines aimed to prevent federal-to-state transfers from becoming a loophole around New Mexico campaign finance law, said Joey Keefe, a spokesperson for the secretary of state’s office.

New York: Corruption Trial Bruises Powerful Law Firm
Albany Times Union – Robert Gavin | Published: 3/24/2018

Todd Howe, a onetime government insider, testified recently against Joseph Percoco, the former top aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and his three co-defendants in a corruption trial. Howe also inflicted collateral damage to the Albany-based law and lobbying firm Whiteman Osterman & Hanna, where Howe managed to stay employed for six years even after being convicted of bank fraud. Percoco was convicted on three of the six counts against him, including honest services fraud and soliciting bribes. In the wake of the trial, people are “certainly going to connect corruption with that law firm,” said Vincent Bonventre, a law professor at Albany Law School.

New York: De Blasio Donor Says He Steered Thousands in Bribes to Mayor’s Campaigns
New York Times – Brian Rosenthal | Published: 3/22/2018

Harendra Singh testified about his efforts to use campaign contributions funneled to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio – as much as $80,000 raised from others, and much more personally by using “straw donors” to skirt contribution limits – to gain better terms from the city during lease negotiations for one of his restaurants. Singh also suggested for the first time that de Blasio not only knew of the illegal arrangement, but the mayor encouraged it and actively helped the restaurateur. Singh was testifying in the corruption trial of Edward Mangano, the former Nassau County executive, and John Venditto, the former Town of Oyster Bay supervisor, both of whom Singh has pleaded guilty to bribing.

Oregon: John Kitzhaber Agrees to Pay $20,000 for Ethics Law Violations
Portland Oregonian – Hillary Borrud | Published: 3/28/2018

Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber agreed to pay a $20,000 civil penalty to settle 10 violations of state ethics law, signaling a close to the years-long scandal that forced him to resign. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission will meet to sign off on the agreement. The maximum fine that could have levied was $50,000. The violations stem from conflicts-of-interest involving an overlap between Kitzhaber’s role as governor and his interest in a business owned by First Lady Cylvia Hayes. Hayes had a dual role as an unpaid adviser in the governor’s office and was privately paid to consult on the same issues.

Pennsylvania: Lobbyist, Lawmakers Entwined in Complex Relationship: Is it influence peddling, or essential?
StateImpact Pennsylvania – Susan Phillips | Published: 3/27/2018

There are more than 1,200 registered lobbyists in Harrisburg. Some work for firms, which take on multiple clients and represent different interests. Often, former lawmakers or regulators serve this role, using their old relationships for leverage. Some work specifically for a company or nonprofit. State Sen. Judy Schwank used to work for a nonprofit, and she says they are outgunned at the Capitol. “[Nonprofits] don’t have the dollars necessary to influence legislation the way that some other organizations that are for profit do,” said Schwank.

Washington: Inslee Signs Campaign Finance Bill
Everett Herald – Jerry Cornfield | Published: 3/29/2018

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill transforming how the state administers and enforces its campaign finance laws. House Bill 2938 aims to make clearer for filers how to follow reporting rules and avoid mistakes that can incite a complaint against them. Under the new law, every complaint must first be filed with the Public Disclosure Commission. Staff will have greater ability to deal with minor errors and technical corrections, and authority to refer large and complex cases to Attorney General Bob Ferguson.

Wisconsin: Wisconsin GOP Will Aim to Block Judge’s Order to Gov. Scott Walker to Call Special Election
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Jason Stein | Published: 3/23/2018

Wisconsin Republicans refused to accept a court order to hold special elections to fill two vacant legislative seats, calling lawmakers back to Madison to rewrite election laws in an extraordinary session. Legislative leaders said the court order means special elections and regular elections for the open seats will occur simultaneously, confusing voters and wasting tax dollars. The Legislature must reconvene to revise special election statutes, they said. Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling said Republicans were throwing a “temper tantrum” because they lost in court and fear the open seats could flip to Democratic control.

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.

Have you assessed the health and overall risks in your company’s government affairs compliance program?

Reputation is your company’s most valued asset.

A strong compliance program will help your company remain qualified for future contract opportunities and will save your brand reputation.

State and Federal Communications is here to help you. Our newest white paper “Corporate Compliance and Knowing the Score: Assessing the Health and Overall Risks in Your Company’s Government Affairs Compliance Program” will inform you on important elements and characteristics of an effective compliance program and tips to audit the effectiveness of your government affairs program.

This new white paper will provide you with the key information to keep in mind as you continue your government affairs program.

Click here to get this FREE white paper today – and ensure you and your team can say “I Comply!”

Campaign Finance

California: “Californians Appointed to State Posts Could Soon Be Barred from Writing Checks to Lawmakers Who Vote on Their Nomination” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times

Nevada: “Lack of Transparency Questioned in Campaign Theft by DA’s Aide” by Jeff German and David Ferrara for Las Vegas Review-Journal

Ohio: “Ohio’s Campaign-Finance Laws for Judges Debated at Sixth Circuit” by Kevin Koeninger for Courthouse News Service

Elections

National: “There’s Never Been a Native American Congresswoman. That Could Change in 2018.” by Julie Turkewitz for New York Times

Kansas: “Kansas Voting Trial Over. One More Court Day, a Contempt Hearing, Ahead for Kobach” by Bryan Lowry for Kansas City Star

Ethics

Florida: “Voters Could Get Say on Government Ethics” by News Service of Florida for Orlando Sentinel

Maryland: “Md. House Approves Overhaul of Anti-Harassment Policy; Fate in Senate Unclear” by Ovetta Wiggins and Rachel Carson for Washington Post

Redistricting

Pennsylvania: “Supreme Court Refuses to Stop New Congressional Maps in Pennsylvania” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

Illinois: “15 Got Promotions from Court Clerk Dorothy Brown Within 6 Months of Donations” by Robert Herguth and Tanveer Ali for Chicago Sun-Times

New York: “JCOPE Continues Long-Running Probe of de Blasio Donors” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

South Dakota: “‘Pay to Play’ Questions Emerge in South Dakota Governor’s Race” by John Hult for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Elections

National: “Facebook’s Role in Data Misuse Sets Off Storms on Two Continents” by Matthew Rosenberg and Sheera Frenkel for New York Times

Ethics

North Carolina: “Cooper Names 8 to North Carolina Elections and Ethics Board” by Gary Robertson (Associated Press) for Durham Herald-Sun

Lobbying

National: “Bye-Bye Box Seats? Tax Law May Curb Corporate Cash at Games” by Marcy Gordon (Associated Press) for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Arkansas: “Former Arkansas Legislator’s Name Surfaces in Graft Case” by Doug Thompson for Arkansas Online

Procurement

Florida: “In Miami, MCM Thrives on Big County Contracts. Now It Faces the FIU Bridge Catastrophe” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald

Campaign Finance

National: FEC Considers Expanding Political Ad Disclaimers to Mobile Apps by Michelle Ye Hee Lee and Tony Romm for Washington Post

Elections

National: Teachers Aren’t Just Striking, They’re Running for Office by Alan Greenblatt for Governing

Ethics

National: Trump Cabinet Members Accused of Living Large at Taxpayer Expense by Juliet Eilperin and Brady Dennis for Washington Post

National: Trump Company Lawyer Involved in Effort to Keep Stormy Daniels Silent, Document Shows by Emma Brown, Beth Reinhard, and Frances Stead Sellers for Washington Post

Alabama: Etowah Sheriff Pockets $750k in Jail Food Funds, Buys $740k Beach House by Connor Sheets for AL.com

California: Imperial County Is a Web of Friends and Family. Is It Too Small to Investigate Itself? by Sammy Roth for Palm Springs Desert Sun

New York: Trial Raises Questions About Many Cuomo Practices by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Lobbying

Missouri: Ex-Greitens’ Adviser Now Registered to Lobby in Missouri by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Campaign Finance

National: “Despite Pledge to ‘Drain the Swamp,’ Trump Has Shown Little Interest in Beefing Up the Federal Election Commission” by Michelle Ye Hee Lee for Washington Post

District of Columbia: “D.C. Mayor, Reversing Course, Signs Law Creating Publicly Financed Campaigns” by Peter Jamison for Washington Post

Illinois: “Assessor Berrios Loses Court Fight to Overturn Cook County’s Limits on Campaign Donations” by Ray Long and Hal Dardick for Chicago Tribune

Missouri: “Heavyweight D.C. Law Firm Represented Hawley for Free in 2016” by Jason Hancock (Kansas City Star) and Lindsey Wise for McClatchy DC

Wyoming: “An Effort to Crackdown on ‘Dark Money’ in Wyoming Quietly Died at the Legislature. Nobody Is Quite Sure Why.” by Arno Rosenfeld for Casper Star-Tribune

Elections

National: “Strong Performance by Democrat Conor Lamb in Pennsylvania Shakes Trump and G.O.P.” by Peter Baker and Michael Shear for New York Times

Ethics

National: “Feds: Ex-aide to U.S. Rep. Bob Brady Targeted in Murder-for-Hire Plot” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

National: “Trump Jr. and Texas Donor Have Longtime Undisclosed Ties” by Jake Pearson (Associated Press) for Chicago Tribune

Missouri: “‘Potential for Corruption Here Is Unbelievable’: Who’s paying Greitens’ legal bills?” by Lindsey Wise (McClatchy DC) and Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

North Carolina: “Duke Energy Threatens Advocacy Group with Legal Action Over Financial Claims” by John Murawski for Raleigh News and Observer

Legislative Issues

North Carolina: “Cooper Sues Again While Court Rejects Elections Board Motion” by Gary Robertson (Associated Press) for Raleigh News and Observer

Campaign Finance

National: “Trump Company Email Was Used for Stormy Daniels Hush-Money Payment” by Michael Finnegan for Los Angeles Times

Ethics

National: “Out of Public View, Trumps and Kushners Are Talking Business” by Ben Protess, Steve Eder, and Jesse Drucker for New York Times

California: “‘Hamilton’ Tickets Without the Wait – or the Cost? It Helps to Be an L.A. Politician” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times

Maryland: “Anne Arundel Prosecutor’s Campaign Paid $40,000 to Consulting Firm Owned by Top Aide’s Wife” by Phil Davis for Capital Gazette

New York: “Tackling Sexual Harassment With ‘Bipartisan Bad Behavior’ in Shadows” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times

Lobbying

Alabama: “Alabama Ethics Commission Director Says Bill Weakens Ethics Law” by Associated Press for AL.com

Iowa: “Bill Dix Resigns from Iowa Senate after Video with Lobbyist Is Posted” by William Petroski, Brianne Pfannensteil, and Jason Noble for Des Moines Register

Wisconsin: “Ethics Commission Won’t Fine Lobbyists After Audit” by Associated Press for Madison.com

Campaign Finance

National: “Sinclair Broadcast Group Solicits Its News Directors for Its Political Fundraising Efforts” by Paul Fahri (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune

National: “I Approved This Facebook Message – But You Don’t Know That” by Jennifer Valentino-DeVries for ProPublica

Arizona: “House Passes Measure to Keep Cities From Banning ‘Dark Money’” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Capitol Times

Massachusetts: “OCPF Transparency Rules Could Discourage Donations, Critics Say” by Katie Lannan (State House News Service) for MassLive.com

Missouri: “Former Missouri State Senator Accused of Campaign Irregularities Loses Fight to Avoid $229K Fine” by Jack Suntrup for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

West Virginia: “Democratic Candidate Turns House of Delegates Eviction Into $45k Fundraising Haul” by Jake Zuckerman for Charleston Gazette-Mail

Ethics

Utah: “Taxpayers Reimbursed Former Lawmaker for Rooms Linked to Prostitution Allegations” by David DeMille for St. George Daily Spectrum

Legislative Issues

National: “Judges Say Throw Out the Map. Lawmakers Say Throw Out the Judges.” by Michael Wines for New York Times

Maryland: “Wife of 80-Year-Old State Senator Accompanies Him to Work Each Day. Some Say She Assists Him with Duties.” by Ovetta Wiggins for Washington Post

Lobbying

National: “Exiting Lawmakers Put in Calls to K Street” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Arkansas: “Former Arkansas Legislator Eddie Cooper Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement” by Wesley Brown for KUAR

Becky is back! Keeping you up to date on a busy week in government and ethics news from around the country