Lobbying

Maine: “Maine Ethics Watchdog: Tighten lobbying limits for ex-legislators” by Michael Shepherd for Bangor Daily News

Campaign Finance

“It Was Huge: Trump inaugural drew slew of top-dollar checks” by Julie Bykowicz and Nancy Benac (Associated Press) for ABC News

“Ivanka Trump’s Global Reach, Undeterred by a White House Job” by Danny Hakim and Rachel Abrams for New York Times

California: “Real Estate Investor Fined $17,000 Over Excess L.A. City Council Campaign Donations” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times

Montana: “Montana House Rejects Bill to Raise Campaign Contributions” by Associated Press for U.S. News & World Report

Ethics

Illinois: “Independent Contractor Exemption Suffers Surprise Council Defeat” by Fran Spielman for Chicago Sun-Times

New Jersey: “Ex-Passaic Mayor Alex Blanco Gets 27 Months in Prison” by Richard Cowan and Kaitlin Kanzler for Bergen Record

Texas: “TABC Chief Will Resign after Agency Used Your Tax Dollars to Travel to Booze Industry Conferences” by Dagney Pruner for Dallas News

Elections

Georgia: “Jon Ossoff, a Democrat, Narrowly Misses Outright Win in Georgia House Race” by Jonathan Martin and Richard Fausset for New York Times

Legislative Issues

Florida: “Miami Lawmaker Apologizes on Senate Floor for Using Racial Slur” by Patricia Mazzei, Steve Bousquet, and Kristin Clark for Miami Herald

Lobbying

“Corporate Lobbyists Funnel Cash to House Democrats Amid Push to Pass Trump’s Business Initiatives” by Andrew Perez (MapLight) and David Sirota for International Business Times

Campaign Finance

“The $1 Million Upside for an RNC Digital Guru” by Shane Goldmacher for Politico

Alabama: “Donors to Former Gov. Bentley’s ‘Dark Money’ Group Still a Mystery” by Kent Faulk for AL.com

Ethics

“Watchdog Group Expands Lawsuit Against Trump” by Sharon LaFraniere for New York Times

Florida: “Florida House Speaker: Push for tougher ethics laws dead” by Gary Fineout (Associated Press) for San Louis Obispo Tribune

Michigan: “Macomb Co. Clerk Has Aide Call 911: Reporters harassing me” by Christina Hall for Detroit Free Press

New York: “Cuomo Promotes Chief of Staff, Melissa DeRosa, to Be His Secretary” by Lisa Foderaro for New York Times

Legislative Issues

Alaska: “Here’s Why Alaska Legislators, Staffers and Lobbyists Are Listening to Wu-Tang Clan” by Nathaniel Herz for Alaska Dispatch News

Procurement

California: “Costs Soar After Huntington Park Picks Politically Connected Firm to Provide Bus Service” by Adam Elmahrek for Los Angeles Times

Lobbying

“Former Trump Campaign Chairman to Register as Foreign Agent” by Jeff Horwitz, Chad Day, and Julie Pace (Associated Press) for ABC News

“United Airlines Spent Millions Fighting Proposals to Protect Passenger Rights” by Frank Bass (MapLight) and David Sirota for International Business Times

Missouri: “Ethics 101: What defines a lobbyist in Missouri?” by Jennifer Moore for KSMU

Pennsylvania: “Environmental Group Fined by State Ethics Commission” by Marie Cusik for StateImpact Pennsylvania

Campaign Finance

Colorado: “In Colorado, Lawmakers Clash Over a Dark Money Loophole” by Corey Hutchins for Colorado Independent

New Jersey: “2 Birdsall Execs Admit Roles in $1M Pay-to-Play Scheme” by S.J. Sullivan (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star-Ledger

Ethics

“Trump Administration Won’t Release White House Visitor Logs” by Jordan Fabian for Roll Call

“Trump Organization Drops Plans for Dallas Hotel with ‘Turkish Trump’” by Ben Protess and Steve Eder for New York Times

Alabama: “For Alabama Christians, Governor Bentley’s Downfall Is a Bitter Blow” by Alan Blinder for New York Times

Minnesota: “Minnesota Ballpark Authority Limits Use of Publicly Owned Target Field Suite to Charities” by Rochelle Olson for Minneapolis Star Tribune

North Carolina: “Veto Fight Ahead Over Elections Board Rewrite” by Laura Leslie and Michael Burns for WRAL

Pennsylvania: “Former Top Aide to Rendell Gets Probation in Pay-to-Play Probe” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

Texas: “Top Liquor Regulator Got ‘Hazardous Duty’ Pay on Hawaii Junket” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune

Elections

Arizona: “Senate Republicans Pass Bill Targeting Arizona Initiatives” by Bob Christie (Associated Press) for U.S. News & World Report

Legislative Issues

Alabama: “Bill: Legislature could compel impeachment testimony” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertisor

Iowa: “Iowa to Become Latest State to Allow Guns in Its Capitol” by Barbara Rodriguez (Associated Press) for Des Moines Register

See what’s happening in government relations this week in our News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!

Federal:

Can Democrats Cuss Their Way Back to the White House?
McClatchy DC – Alex Roarty | Published: 4/11/2017

After voters rewarded Donald Trump despite – or perhaps because of – his plain, often expletive-prone rhetoric, Democrats are suddenly quite eager to adopt the language of America’s president. From the party’s new chairperson to a senator many believe will run for the White House in 2020, Democrats are letting loose four-letter words in public speeches and interviews, causing a small stir, at least in political circles, where swearing in public is usually off limits.

FBI Obtained FISA Warrant to Monitor Trump Adviser Carter Page
Washington Post – Ellen Nakashima, Devlin Barrett, and Adam Entous | Published: 4/11/2017

The FBI obtained a warrant to secretly surveil former Donald Trump aide Carter Page last summer under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The FBI and Justice Department demonstrated probable cause that Page is acting on behalf of a foreign state to be granted the warrant. This is the clearest evidence so far the FBI had reason to believe during the 2016 presidential campaign that a Trump campaign adviser was in touch with Russian agents. Such contacts are now at the center of a probe into whether the campaign coordinated with the Russian government to swing the election in Trump’s favor. Page has not been accused of any crimes, and it is unclear whether the Justice Department might later seek charges against him or others.

Foreign Influence in the U.S. Cloaked in Unnecessary Obscurity, Watchdog Groups Say
Roll Call – Stephanie Akin | Published: 4/12/2017

The U.S. has required American citizens who lobby on behalf of foreign governments to register with the Department of Justice since 1938. Registrants are supposed to periodically update the government about their activities, including the materials they have distributed, meetings they have attended, and the payments they have received. The result is a large volume of paperwork that, if properly collected and maintained, could provide a window into the attempts of foreign governments to influence American lawmakers. But the technology the government uses to catalogue and store the data is so outdated that it is next to impossible to quickly find the answers to many basic questions, according to nonprofit groups familiar with the database.

Trump’s Trademark Continues Its March Across the Globe, Raising Eyebrows
New York Times – Sharon LaFraniere and Danny Hakim | Published: 4/11/2017

For most of last year, Donald Trump’s application to register trademarks for his brand of home accessories languished in a government office in Lima, Peru. But since he was elected in November, the pace has picked up. Peruvian officials say they are treating Trump’s trademark applications like anyone else’s and are acting on them now simply because his business representatives have answered outstanding questions. But to a team of constitutional lawyers, the pending Peruvian petitions are emblematic of the legal and moral perils in Trump’s continued ownership of his business empire. In a federal lawsuit that has set up a high-stakes legal battle with the administration, they argue the Constitution prohibits the president from accepting any economic benefit, including trademark approvals, from foreign governments.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama – Alabama Governor Resigns, Pleads Guilty to Charges Tied to Allegations He Tried to Cover Up Affair with a Top Aide
Washington Post – Amber Phillips | Published: 4/10/2017

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley resigned rather than face impeachment and pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor campaign violations that arose during an investigation of his alleged affair with a top aide. The plea agreement specified he must surrender campaign funds totaling nearly $37,000 and perform 100 hours of community service as a physician. Bentley also cannot seek public office again. Bentley was first engulfed in scandal last year after recordings surfaced of him making sexually charged comments to Rebekah Mason. A House Judiciary Committee report said Bentley encouraged an “atmosphere of intimidation” to keep the story under wraps and directed law enforcement officers to track down and seize the recordings.

Massachusetts – Massachusetts Judge Upholds Ban on Corporate Contributions to Politicians
MassLive.com – Shira Schoenberg | Published: 4/6/2017

A Massachusetts law banning corporations from making political donations survived a legal challenge on when a judge ruled against two local business owners seeking to overturn the restriction. Superior Court Judge Paul Wilson found the law does not unconstitutionally discriminate against a business’s right to free speech or equal protection. He also ruled the Office of Campaign and Political Finance successfully showed the law treating unions and corporations differently “serves the anti-corruption interest” used by the state as justification for the law.

Mississippi – Bryant Signs Campaign Finance Reform into Law
Jackson Clarion-Ledger – Geoff Pender | Published: 4/11/2017

Legislation that would prohibit politicians from using their campaign finance funds for personal use was signed into law by Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant. The new law comes after an ongoing investigative report by The Jackson Clarion-Ledger that illustrated how the state’s lax campaign finance laws and nearly nonexistent enforcement had created a tax-free second income for many Mississippi politicians, mostly funded by special interests.

Missouri – Ferguson Re-Elects White Mayor 2 Years After Mike Brown Incident
New York Times – John Eligon | Published: 4/5/2017

Although much of the activism for racial justice today stems from the killing of Michael Brown by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, voters in the town re-elected James Knowles III, a white Republican who has been the object of much scorn among those who believe the city has discriminated against black people. About 67 percent of the city’s 21,000 residents are black, and 29 percent are white. Some activists are now assessing what is happening politically for black people and whether there needs to be a complete rethinking of how they engage with mainstream politics.

Nevada – What Is a Conflict of Interest? Lawsuit against Reno Lawmaker Might Decide.
Reno Gazette-Journal – Seth Richardson | Published: 4/8/2017

State Sen. Heidi Gansert works for the University of Nevada, Reno as executive director of external relations, Gansert’s focus is on economic development for the university. The Nevada Policy Research Institute (NPRI) filed a lawsuit that argues her job presents a conflict-of-interest to her role as a state senator. As a university employee, Gansert is a part of the Nevada System of Higher Education in the executive branch. As an elected lawmaker, she is serving in the legislative branch and votes will come up on a variety of higher education bills. Gansert’s case is not isolated and illustrates the sometimes precarious positions of lawmakers professional careers and public service. With Nevada’s citizen legislature, lawmakers almost always have an outside job. Sometimes, those two lives can seem at odds with each other.

New Jersey – N.J. Election Watchdog: State needs pay-to-play reform
Bergen Record – Nicholas Pugliese | Published: 4/6/2017

Political contributions made by New Jersey’s public contractors declined in 2016 for the third year in a row, but the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) remains concerned about the rise of PACs and issue-advocacy groups that are not subject to “pay-to-play” restrictions and disclosure requirements. New Jersey law generally bars any company with a contract worth more than $17,500 from giving more than $300 to gubernatorial candidates and party fundraising committees. Any contractor that gives money must disclose that to the ELEC.

New Mexico – Governor Vetoes Campaign Finance Reform
New Mexico In Depth – Trip Jennings | Published: 4/7/2017

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez vetoed legislation that would have required greater public disclosure by those who spend big money in campaigns. Senate Bill 96 would have updated the law to address the proliferation of unlimited election fundraising and spending by independent groups since a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision. It would have required any groups making independent campaign expenditures before primary or general elections to report the source of their money. The bill also would have doubled campaign contribution limits for lawmakers.

New Mexico – Martinez Vetoes Bill to Close Lobbyist Loophole
New Mexico In Depth – Sandra Fish | Published: 4/6/2017

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez vetoed legislation that aimed to close a loophole in the state’s lobbying law that was created last year. Because of the veto, lobbyists will not need to report expenses on lawmakers and other public officials under $100, as they did prior to the current law taking effect. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, said Martinez told him it was unclear if Senate Bill 393 required aggregate reporting of all expenses less than $100 or specific reporting of every expense once a $100 threshold was reached.

New York – On Ethics, Cuomo Budget Entered Like a Lion and Emerged Like a Lamb
New York Times – Lisa Foderaro | Published: 4/11/2017

Despite the recent convictions of the leaders of both the Assembly and the Senate, and indictments against some of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s own associates, state lawmakers failed to take up a raft of ethics proposals included in the governor’s executive budget. Their absence in a $153 billion budget, which included a roster of contentious items, left watchdog organizations, academics who study Albany, and even some legislators doing a collective tsk-tsk. Some blamed the Senate for putting up the most resistance to reforms; others criticized Cuomo for not making them a priority.

Oklahoma – LGBTQ Group’s Capitol Visit Prompts Mass Email About ‘Cross-Dressers in the Building’
Tulsa World – Randy Krehbiel | Published: 4/10/2017

An email telling teenage pages that “there are cross-dressers in the building” caused a furor in the Oklahoma Capitol. The email, by a House staffer who oversees the page program, was apparently prompted by the visit of about 70 LGBTQ students from the Tulsa area who were lobbying mostly on behalf of HIV awareness and education funding and support. Their presence prompted Karen Kipgen, supervisor of the page program, to arrange for pages to use private staff and member restrooms. Kipgen also sent a mass email saying “As per the Speaker’s office, Pages are being allowed access to the ladies restroom across from 401, for today. Again, there are cross-dressers in the building.”

Oklahoma – State Officials Disclosing Fewer Facts Than Ever About Their Personal Finances
Oklahoma Watchdog – Molly Bryant | Published: 4/8/2017

Each year, Oklahoma legislators and statewide elected officials must report details about their personal finances to alert the public to potential conflicts-of-interest. This year, however, they generally will be asked to report fewer facts than ever – that is, since the disclosure rules were approved in 1994. The Oklahoma Ethics Commission has revised the disclosure form and slashed the number of state employees required to file it, from nearly 6,000 to 362. Those who must file do not have to reveal as many potential sources of income outside of their state jobs. Unlike before, they also do not have to disclose all contracts they have with a state agency or all income-producing relationships with registered lobbyists.

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

Connecticut: “Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, A Felon, Says He Deserves Public Funding for Campaign” by Christopher Keating for Hartford Courant

Mississippi: “Bryant Signs Campaign Finance Reform into Law” by Geoff Pender for Jackson Clarion-Ledger

Missouri: “Pay to Play? Missouri Senate Leader Faces Questions About Consumer Protection Bill” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Elections

“Can Democrats Cuss Their Way Back to the White House?” by Alex Roarty for McClatchy DC

“FBI Obtained FISA Warrant to Monitor Trump Adviser Carter Page” by Ellen Nakashima, Devlin Barrett, and Adam Entous for Washington Post

Ethics

“Trump’s Trademark Continues Its March Across the Globe, Raising Eyebrows” by Sharon LaFraniere and Danny Hakim for New York Times

New York: “On Ethics, Cuomo Budget Entered Like a Lion and Emerged Like a Lamb” by Lisa Foderaro for New York Times

Oklahoma: “State Officials Disclosing Fewer Facts Than Ever About Their Personal Finances” by Mollie Bryant for Oklahoma Watchdog

Lobbying

“Foreign Influence in the U.S. Cloaked in Unnecessary Obscurity, Watchdog Groups Say” by Stephanie Akin for Roll Call

See what’s happening in government relations this week in our News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!

Lobbying

“Changing of the Guard at DC’s Top Lobby Firm” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Maine: “Lying-to-Legislature Bill Narrowed to Apply to Lobbyists Only” by Kevin Miller for Portland Press Herald

Campaign Finance

Missouri: “Greitens’ Political Nonprofits Take Center Stage in Missouri; Common for Governors Around US” by Jo Mannies for St. Louis Public Radio

Tennessee: “Nashville’s Private Club with a PAC” by Dave Boucher and Joel Ebert for The Tennessean

Vermont: “Vermont’s Campaign Finance Law Survives Legal Challenge” by the Associated Press for U.S. News & World Report

Ethics

“Blackwater Founder Held Secret Seychelles Meeting to Establish Trump-Putin Back Channel” by Adam Entous, Greg Miller, Kevin Sieff, and Karen DeYoung for Washington Post

“Trump Aides’ Disclosures Reveal Surge in Lucrative Political Work” by Steve Eder, Eric Lipton, and Andrew Lehren for New York Times

“Trump Can Quietly Draw Money from Trust Whenever He Wants, New Documents Show” by Drew Harwell for Washington Post

Tennessee: “Lawmakers Kill Gift Transparency Bill; Senate OKs Higher Campaign Limits” by Dave Boucher and Joel Ebert for The Tennessean

Lobbying

“Former Trump Staffers Hunt for Foreign Lobbying Work” by Theodoric Mayer, Kenneth Vogel, and Josh Dawsey for Politico

Tennessee: “Tennessee Bill to Limit State-Paid Legislative Travel Falters” by Joel Ebert and Dave Boucher for The Tennessean

Campaign Finance

New York: “In a Bind, de Blasio May Explore Legal Defense Fund Legislation” by Samar Khurshid for Gotham Gazette

Tennessee: “Analysis: Possible double dipping at Tennessee statehouse” by Dave Boucher and Joel Ebert for The Tennessean

Washington: “State Sues Tim Eyman, Alleging Campaign-Finance Violations” by Jerry Cornfield for Everett Herald

Ethics

“Flynn Made $1.3 Million for Lobbying, Speeches, Other Work” by Stephen Braun and Chad Day (Associated Press) for PBS

“Trump Couple, Now White House Employees, Can’t Escape Conflict Laws” by Eric Lipton and Jesse Drucker for New York Times

“Hands Raised, Trump Aides Rush to Try to Testify on Russia” by the Associated Press for New York Times

Pennsylvania: “Controller: Nutter and former chairwoman of Mayor’s Fund should pay back thousands spent on trips, hotels and restaurants” by Claudia Vargas and David Gambacorta for Philadelphia Inquirer

See what’s happening in government relations this week in our News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!

Campaign Finance

“Ex-Congressman Stockman Indicted in Texas” by Josh Gerstein for Politico

Connecticut: “Ted Kennedy Jr.’s 2014 Campaign, Still Under Scrutiny, Shows Election-Reform Troubles” by Edmund Mahony and Jon Lender for Hartford Courant

Ethics

“Schock Staffer Was FBI Informant, Court Filings Reveal” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Alabama: “Vote on Whether to Impeach Alabama Governor May Come Quickly” by Kim Chandler (Associated Press) for Myrtle Beach Sun News

Maine: “Memo: Dozens of Maine lawmakers may have failed to disclose changes in income” by Steve Mistler for Maine Public

New Jersey: “2 Christie Allies Are Sentenced in George Washington Bridge Scandal” by Nick Corasaniti for New York Times

New Jersey: “N.J. Election Watchdog Meets after Year of Paralysis” by Nicholas Pugliese for Bergen Record

Elections

“A Former Trump Administration Appointee Who Left Without Signing Ethics Pledge Is Now a Lobbyist” by Matea Gold for Washington Post

Lobbying

California: “PG&E to Pay $86.5 Million for Backdoor Lobbying of Regulators” by Jaxon Van Derbeken for KNSD

Lobbying

Missouri: “Greitens’ Reliance on ‘Dark Money’ Endangers Proposed Ban on Lobbyist Gifts” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Utility Regulators Vote 3-1 to Let APS Slide on Political Finance Records” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic

Florida: “Will Legislators Lift the Veil on ‘Dark Money’ in Florida Politics?” by Mary Ellen Klas (Miami Herald) for Bradenton Herald

Maine: “Lawmakers Propose Reeling Back Reporting Requirements” by Marina Villeneuve (Associated Press) for U.S. News & World Report

Ethics

“White House Installs Political Aides at Cabinet Agencies to Be Trump’s Eyes and Ears” by Lisa Rein and Juliet Eilperin for Washington Post

“FBI Director Comey Confirms Probe of Possible Coordination Between Kremlin and Trump Campaign” by Ellen Nakashima, Karoun Demirjian, and Devlin Barrett for Washington Post

“Fired U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara Said to Have Been Investigating HHS Secretary Tom Price” by Robert Faturechi for ProPublica

Nevada: “Nevada Assemblywoman Resigns from Consulting Job After Ties to Saudi Arabia Are Revealed” by Ben Botkin for Las Vegas Review-Journal

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma State Senator Faces Charges and Condemnation” by Matthew Haag for New York Times

Rhode Island: “R.I. Gov. Raimondo Goes After ‘Bad Actors’ with Slate of Reforms” by Patrick Anderson for Providence Journal

Elections

“Senators Ask Trump Adviser to Preserve Any Russia-Related Documents” by Maggie Haberman for New York Times

Campaign Finance

Democrats to Probe Gorsuch Views on Campaign Finance by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA

Colorado: Colorado Democrats Propose Reforms to Shed More Light on Political ‘Dark Money’ by Brian Eason for Denver Post

Iowa: $43 million in 4 Years: Exclusive analysis tracks Iowa campaign contributions by Jason Noble for Des Moines Register

New York: No Charges, but Harsh Criticism for Mayor de Blasio by William Rashbaum for New York Times

Ethics

Documents: Office of Government Ethics, Trump team reached détente by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

New Mexico: Voters Will Decide Future of State Ethics Commission Proposal by Steve Terrell (Santa Fe New Mexican) for New Mexico Politics

Oklahoma: Conservative Oklahoma Senator Charged with Three Felonies after Child Prostitution Investigation by Nolan Clay for The Oklahoman

Pennsylvania: Nutter Overruled His Inspector General to Spare a Key City Hall Adviser by David Gambacorda, Claudia Vargas, and Chris Brennan for Philadelphia Inquirer

South Carolina: Veteran State Sen. Courson of Columbia Suspended from Office after Misconduct Indictment by John Monk for The State

Legislative Issues

North Carolina: Judges Issue Split Ruling on NC Governor-Legislature Power Struggle by Anne Blythe (Raleigh News and Observer) for Charlotte Observer

Federal:

Admiral, Seven Others Charged with Corruption in New ‘Fat Leonard’ Indictment
Washington Post – Craig Whitlock | Published: 3/14/2017

A retired U.S. Navy admiral and eight other high-ranking officers were indicted in a bribery scandal in which prosecutors say a foreign contractor traded luxury travel, lavish gifts, and prostitutes for inside intelligence. A total of 25 military officers and private-sector executives have now been prosecuted in one of the worst corruption scandals to hit the military in years. Prosecutors accused the officers of betraying the public trust for bribes from a well-connected military contractor in Singapore, Leonard Francis, known as “Fat Leonard.” The scheme cost the Navy “tens of millions of dollars” in overbillings to Francis’ firm, as he relied on sensitive and sometimes classified information the officers had given them to game the system, according to the indictment.

FEC Earning Congressional Attention – for the Wrong Reasons
Center for Public Integrity – Dave Levinthal | Published: 3/13/2017

The FEC, an agency of clashing commissioners, unhappy staffers, and key vacancies, may soon face a hearing by the Committee on House Administration, something the agency has not endured since 2011 when super PACs were still novel and the Citizens United decision was not yet two years old. A planned oversight hearing in 2014 never materialized. An oversight hearing is “both urgent and necessary” and should be conducted “sooner rather than later,” said Jamie Fleet, a spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Robert Brady, the committee’s ranking Democrat. The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration also appears to have increased appetite for reviewing FEC affairs. Although this committee has conducted FEC confirmation hearings, it has not specifically conducted an oversight hearing since 2004.

In a Fact-Challenged Era, Will Public Access to Federal Data Be the Next Casualty?
McClatchy DC – Stuart Leavenworth and Adam Ashton | Published: 3/12/2017

Since taking office, the Trump administration has made a series of moves that have alarmed groups with a stake in public access to information: historians, librarians, journalists, climate scientists, and internet activists, to name a few. Some are so concerned they have thrown themselves into “data rescue” sessions nationwide, where they spend their weekends downloading and archiving federal databases they fear could soon be taken down or obscured. Previous presidential transitions have triggered fears about access to government data, but not of this scope.

Prerequisite for Key White House Posts: Loyalty, not experience
New York Times – Sharon LaFraniere, Nicholas Confessore, and Jesse Drucker | Published: 3/14/2017

Every president comes into office with friends and hangers-on who sometimes have minimal experience in government. But few have arrived with a contingent more colorful and controversial than that of President Trump, whose White House is peppered with assistants and advisers whose principal qualification is their long friendship with Trump and his family. The influence of longtime Trump friends and associates, some of them with vague portfolios, comes as a leadership void has been created by the administration’s slow pace in filling top jobs in many agencies. It has also added to the confusion of a West Wing already legendary for its power struggles, while bewildering Washington policy hands.

Suing Trump on Ethics? Good Luck Making Your Case
Politico – Isaac Arnsdorf and Darren Samuelsohn | Published: 3/9/2017

Many people – New York’s attorney general, law professors, and Washington restaurant owners among them – think President Trump is breaking laws by holding onto his businesses. But they are still searching for a successful courtroom strategy to force him to divest. The president is not bound by the main federal law against conflicts-of-interest. Legal experts have argued since Trump won the election, however, that he is violating the constitutional ban on accepting payments from foreign government and is putting federal agencies under his control in the impossible position of having to supervise his businesses. While the legal problems may be obvious, the responses are not. It is an area of law that has never before been tested because there has never before been a billionaire president intent on maintaining his commercial ties while in office.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – Garcetti Bans Private Meetings Between Developers and Planning Commissioners
Los Angeles Times – Emily Alpert Reyes | Published: 3/9/2017

City planning commissioners will be barred from meeting privately with developers looking to get a project approved under an executive directive signed by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. The possible influence of big developers on planning decisions was at the center of a heated battle in the recent election. Proponents of the now-defeated Measure S say the existing planning process follows a “pay-to-play” model that gives developers too much sway over what gets built in the city. The ban applies to members of the city’s Planning Commission and the Cultural Heritage Commission, as well as members of area planning commissions. They are prohibited from meeting or communicating privately with anyone about development plans unless they recuse themselves from the process.

Kentucky – Lawmakers Approve Flurry of Bills as End of Legislative Session Looms
Lexington Herald-Leader – Daniel Desrochers and Jack Brammer | Published: 3/14/2017

Kentucky lawmakers gave final approval to Senate Bill 75, which doubles the amount individuals and PACs can donate to a campaign, state executive committee, and caucus campaign committee, along with other changes to state campaign finance laws. Supporters of the bill said the legislation was necessary to increase the number of transparent donations and give regular people a chance to run for office against candidates funded by PACs. Opponents of argued that raising the limits created the wrong impression and the Legislature should curb ‘dark money” instead.

Minnesota – Does Being a Minnesota Legislator Mean Never Having to Say You’re Sorry?
MinnPost.com – Briana Bierschbach | Published: 3/16/2017

Critics say there is a systemic weakness in how the Minnesota Legislature polices its members, a process that rarely catches potential conflicts before they happen and seldom punishes lawmakers for engaging in unethical behavior. Many lawmakers have other sources of income outside their work at the Capitol, so legislators are sometimes asked to vote on policies that have the possibility of intersecting with their private lives. Over the last 30 years, there have been just 11 ethics hearings in the Minnesota House. Legislators were reprimanded or forced to apologize in four of those cases. Ethics hearings in the Senate have been more numerous, if not exactly frequent; between 1994 and 2017 there were 21 hearings. In just five of those cases were senators forced to apologize or leave a committee post.

New Jersey – N.J. Moves to Restore Election Watchdog
Philadelphia Inquirer – Andrew Seidman | Published: 3/13/2017

New Jersey’s election watchdog agency had two vacancies filled recently, which means it will once again be able to punish candidates who violate campaign-finance rules. The Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) has gone a full year without holding a meeting because of three vacancies on its four-member board, an unprecedented bout of paralysis since the agency’s founding in 1972. Without holding monthly meetings, the ELEC cannot vote on any matter, amend regulations, or punish those who violate the state’s campaign finance, lobbying, or “pay-to-play” restrictions.

New Mexico – Legislature Passes Campaign Finance Reform Years in The Making
New Mexico In Depth – Sandra Fish | Published: 3/14/2017

The New Mexico Legislature passed two campaign finance reform bills. Senate Bill 96 defines “coordination” in campaigns, and requires disclosure of independent spending up to 30 days before a primary or 60 days before a general election. It also doubles the donation limits for legislators to $5,000 for each primary and general election cycle. Senate Bill 97 refines and clarifies state law on public financing, which applies to judges and public regulation commissioners. Both bills now go to Gov. Susana Martinez.

New York – Preet Bharara Shunned Politics. His End Was Tinged by Them.
New York Times – Benjamin Weiser, Ben Protess, Matthew Goldstein, and William Rashbaum | Published: 3/12/2017

The Trump administration fired U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara after he refused to follow a Justice Department order to resign immediately. The order, which also applied to 45 other holdover U.S. attorneys who served under the Obama administration, came only a few months after Donald Trump, then the president-elect, had asked Bharara to stay in the job. It was a sudden and highly politicized end to Bharara’s seemingly apolitical tenure, which was noted for prosecutions of powerful politicians of both parties. As he leaves office, Bharara’s prosecutors are reaching a critical juncture in an investigation into the campaign fundraising of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and are preparing to try a group of former aides and associates of Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a bribery and bid-rigging case.

South Dakota – After Promising to Replace, Did Lawmakers Deliver on IM22?
Sioux Falls Argus Leader – Dana Ferguson | Published: 3/11/2017

Citing flaws and objections to parts of the voter-backed Initiated Measure 22 (IM22), South Dakota legislators vowed to repeal and replace the ethics reform law with bills to address the concerns of voters who supported the expansive ballot measure. The Legislature followed through, passing eight bills aimed at creating lobbyist restrictions, allowing for investigation of wrongdoing in state government, and requiring more disclosure in campaign finance. But it did not approve a public campaign finance program, set lower contribution limits, or rule out certain gifts from lobbyists. And the bills aimed at filling the void left by IM22 received mixed reviews in Pierre as lawmakers ended the main part of the legislative session.

Texas – Texas Congressional Maps Are Struck Down for Discrimination
New York Times – Manny Fernandez | Published: 3/11/2017

A panel of federal judges ruled that Texas’s Republican-led Legislature gerrymandered some of the state’s congressional districts to stunt the growing influence of minority voters. The decision invalidated three congressional districts in south and west Texas and in the Austin area. Although a remedy was not prescribed, redrawing the districts will probably aid Latino and Democratic voters.  The congressional redistricting plan was drawn by the Legislature in 2011, the same year a voter ID law was passed that a federal appeals court ultimately found discriminates against minorities. The combination of rulings could lead to Texas being required to have election changes approved in advance by federal officials. It and other states were freed from that requirement by a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2013.

Virginia – Virginia Lawmakers Are Accepting Drastically Fewer Gifts in Post-McDonnell Era, Data Shows
The Virginian-Pilot – Will Houp | Published: 3/9/2017

Both political parties in Virginia have drastically reduced what gifts they accept or report over the past three years. Lawmakers received $15,520 worth from May to October 2016, a 60 percent drop from that same six-month span in 2015. The average gift last year was $131; it was $195 two years ago. After former Gov. Bob McDonnell was convicted in 2014 on multiple counts of public corruption, lawmakers placed new limits on the value of gifts they can accept. And despite the U.S. Supreme Court overturning McDonnell’s conviction last year, many legislators are reluctant to accept anything that reaches the $50 threshold needed to report it.

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