Lobbying

“K Street Merger Yields New Lobbying Powerhouse” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Oregon: “Portland Weighing Rules on Lobbying by Political Consultants” by Brad Schmidt for Portland Oregonian

Campaign Finance

New Jersey: “Greater Transparency Urged for Political Donations by Private Pension Managers” by John Reitmeyer for NJ Spotlight

Ohio: “Ohio Judge Loses Fundraising Challenge” by Lorraine Bailey for Courthouse News Service

Pennsylvania: “Donations by Philly Sheriff’s Top OT Earners Raise Eyebrows” by Claudia Vargas for Philadelphia Inquirer

Washington: “Eyman Received Secret Payments from Signature Firm, PDC Says” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times

Ethics

Colorado: “State Supreme Court Weighs Colorado Ethics Commission Secrecy” by Marianne Goodland for Colorado Independent

Michigan: “Kilpatrick Pal Gets 11 Years in City Pension Scandal” by Robert Snell for Detroit News

New York: “William Boyland Jr., Ex-New York Assemblyman, Gets 14-Year Sentence for Corruption” by Nicholas Casey for New York Times

New York: “Will Review of Ethics Watchdog Have Bite?” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Lobbying

Florida: “Corcoran Lobbies for Lobbyist Rules” by Lloyd Dunkelberger for Lakeland Ledger

Campaign Finance

“Political Parties Go after Million-Dollar Donors in Wake of Looser Rules” by Matea Gold and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post

“Pro-Rick Perry Super PACs Give Back Millions” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity

California: “State Panel Outlaws ‘Dark Money’ in California Political Campaigns” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times

Missouri: “Missouri Legislators Serve Hors d’Oeuvres, Lobbyists Pass the Envelopes” by Kevin McDermott for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Senate Proposal Would Out ‘Dark Money’ Political Groups” by Kate Giammarise for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ethics

California: “Political Panel Opposes Bill Easing Disclosure Rules” by Jeff McDonald for San Diego Union-Tribune

Maryland: “O’Malley Won’t Face Ethics Inquiry over Mansion Furniture Purchases” by John Wagner for Washington Post

Ohio: “Disclosure Rules for Gifts Vague for Ohio’s Local Politicians” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch

Pennsylvania: “Pa. Supreme Court Suspends Kane’s License” by Angela Couloumbis and Craig McCoy for Philadelphia Inquirer

South Dakota: “Bipartisan Effort Could Overhaul Campaign, Election Law” by Dana Ferguson for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Elections

“Report: Campaign woes prompt Scott Walker to drop out of race” by Jason Stein, Patrick Marley, and Mary Spicuzza for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Campaign Finance

“Vet Group Hosting Trump Lost Nonprofit Status” by Jeff Horwitz (Associated Press) for Miami Herald

New Mexico: “Campaign Finance Reports to Be Reviewed in Wake of Scandal” by Susan Montoya Bryan (Associated Press) for Las Cruces Sun-News

Ethics

California: “California Initiative Would Require More Campaign Finance Disclosure” by Christopher Cadelago for Sacramento Bee

Georgia: “Georgia ‘Watchdog’ Rolls Out New Mission” by Walter Jones (Morris News Service) for Augusta Chronicle

Pennsylvania: “Ex-LCB Marketing Director Pleads Guilty in Federal Bribery Case” by Matt Miller for Harrisburg Patriot-News

Rhode Island: “R.I. Elections Board Issues Warning to Director” by Jennifer Bogdan for Providence Journal

Elections

Connecticut: “Former Bridgeport Mayor, Out of Prison, Declares Victory in Primary” by The Associated Press for New York Times

Procurement

Pennsylvania: “With FBI Probing City Hall, Allentown Council Widens Contract Role” by Paul Muschick for Allentown Morning Call

Lobbying

Kansas: “Lobbyist Lunches Rankle KanCare Critics” by Andy Marso for KCUR

South Carolina: “Ethics Board: It’s legal for Haley to get season tickets” by Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) for Kitsap Sun

Campaign Finance

“Can Anything Be Done About All the Money in Politics?” by Thomas Edsall for New York Times

“Why Clinton’s Big Campaign Finance Proposal Could Lead to More Partisan Gridlock” by Max Ehrenfreund for Washington Post

“Donald Trump Is Target of Conservative Ad Campaign” by Nicholas Confessore and Alan Rappeport for New York Times

Ethics

“Across the Globe, a Growing Disillusionment with Democracy” by Roberto Foa and Yascha Mounk for New York Times

Alabama: “Legal Defense Bill Draws Alabama Ethics Commission Fire” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser

California: “Sacramento City Council Approves Ethics Package” by Cathy Locke for Sacramento Bee

Maryland: “County Ethics Commission to Grow, Get More Power under Proposed Bill” by Jen Fifield for Frederick News Post

Pennsylvania: “‘This Is Just Aggressive Government,’ Lawyer Says as Ex-Mayor Reed’s Corruption Case Goes to County Court” by Matt Miller for Harrisburg Patriot-News

Lobbying

Arizona: “Second Arizona Corporation Commissioner Regulator Found to Be Lobbyist” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic

California: “San Diego Lobbyist Fee Nearly Quadruples” by David Garrick for San Diego Union-Tribune

Campaign Finance

“Twitter Offers New Cash Stream for Presidential Candidates” by Julie Bykowicz (Associated Press) for Philadelphia Inquirer

“Democrats Seek to Expand Use of ‘Super PACs’” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

Ethics

“Statehouse Sex Scandals Carry Public Costs, Consequences” by David Lieb (Associated Press) for Charlotte Observer

Florida: “Florida Ethics Commission Balks at Forcing Spouses of Elected Officials to Reveal Finances” by Steve Bousquet for Tampa Bay Times

Minnesota:”Lawmakers Accused of ‘Making Out’ in Park Apologize for Calling Ranger a Liar” by David Montgomery and Rachel Stassen-Berger for St. Paul Pioneer Press

New York: “Leaders of Moreland Commission Panel Felt Cuomo Intervened, Prosecutors Say” by Benjamin Weiser, Thomas Kaplan, and Susanne Craig for New York Times

New York: “William Scarborough, Ex-New York Assemblyman, Is Sentenced to 13 Months” by The Associated Press for New York Times

Wisconsin: “Knudson on GAB: ‘We need to take this thing apart’” by M.D. Kittle for Wisconsin Watchdog

On September 10, a bill requiring disclosure of funding for California government officials’ travel was sent by the Legislature to the Governor. Senate Bill 21 requires a nonprofit organization paying for the actual costs of travel for an elected state officer or local elected officeholder to disclose the names of donors responsible for funding the payments. The legislation also requires a person who receives a gift of a travel payment from any source to report the travel destination on his or her statement of economic interests.

National:

Data Scientists Create a Tool That Tracks the Influence of Lobbying Groups on Legislation
Chicago Inno – Karis Hustad | Published: 9/8/2015

Though it is common practice, it is hard to track how often the language used in laws – particularly controversial ones – can come from lobbying groups, given the vast amounts of information that would need to be analyzed across 50 states. Now, the University of Chicago’s Data Science For Social Good created a tool that will launch later this year that can match legislation across state lines, offering journalists, researchers, and watchdogs an efficient way to track lobbyists’ influence. “I don’t think people are aware of when [lawmakers] do this and why,” said Matt Burgess, a doctoral student and one of the fellows on the project. “No one has been able to study at large scale how this copying happens. Legislators … know the process but no one from the outside can look in at how this diffusion happens in states over time.”

Food Industry Enlisted Academics in G.M.O. Lobbying War, Emails Show
New York Times – Eric Lipton | Published: 9/5/2015

Monsanto executives were worried about attacks on the safety of their genetically modified seeds. So Monsanto and its industry partners retooled their lobbying and public relations strategy to spotlight a rarefied group of advocates: academics, brought in for the gloss of impartiality and weight of authority that come with a professor’s pedigree. Emails obtained by The New York Times provide a rare view into the strategy and tactics of a lobbying campaign that has transformed ivory tower elites into powerful players. The use of third-party scientists, and their supposedly unbiased research, helps explain why the American public is often confused as it processes the conflicting information over genetically modified food.

Federal:

17 Democrats Ran for President in 1976. Can Today’s GOP Learn Anything from What Happened?
Politico – Julian Zelizer | Published: 9/7/2015

Conservatives worry the unruly competition for the Republican presidential nomination will undermine the capacity of any person to unite the party and win the general election. “What we’ve got is a confederation of a lot of candidates who aren’t standing out,” said one GOP establishment figure. Yet Republicans can find solace in the history the 1976 election, when approximately 17 Democrats, most current and former elected officials, competed to succeed President Gerald Ford. Despite a fractious and crowded primary battle filled with unexpected twists and turns, one candidate was eventually able to unite the party, and the Democrats took the White House in November.

Hillary Clinton Announces Campaign Finance Overhaul Plan
New York Times – Amy Chozick and Nicholas Confessore | Published: 9/8/2015

Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign unveiled its campaign finance reform plan, pledging to push for more significant disclosure of political contributions, establish a small-donor matching system for congressional and presidential candidates, and support a Securities and Exchange Commission rule requiring publicly traded companies to disclose political spending to shareholders. Clinton also said she would sign an executive order requiring federal contractors to fully disclose all political spending. The announcement was hailed by supporters of tighter financial rules for candidates, who have struggled to make political money a burning campaign issue despite surveys showing widespread disgust with current rules. But each proposal has run into resistance from Republicans and business groups.

Talk in G.O.P. Turns to a Stop Donald Trump Campaign
New York Times – Nicholas Confessore | Published: 9/4/2015

Although there is acute anxiety in the GOP about Donald Trump’s rise, no organized effort to undercut him has emerged. Republican strategists and donors have assembled focus groups to test negative messages about Trump. They have amassed dossiers on his previous support for universal health care and higher taxes. They have even discussed the creation of a super PAC to convince conservatives that Trump is not one of them. But the mammoth big-money network assembled by Republicans in recent years is torn about how best to defuse the threat Trump holds for their party, and haunted by the worry that any concerted attack will backfire.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – San Jose Commission Will Investigate Nearly the Entire City Council
San Jose Mercury News – Ramona Giwargis | Published: 9/9/2015

The San Jose Ethics Commission will investigate nearly 40 city council members and candidates who violated the law by failing to properly report late campaign contributions. Council members blamed City Clerk Toni Taber for doling out bad advice that led to confusion about filing deadlines. The commission determined the unprecedented broad investigation was the only way to stop people from filing individual complaints against each violator.

Hawaii – Lawsuit Exposes Blind Spot in Hawaii Lobbyist Law
Honolulu Civil Beat – Ian Lind | Published: 9/9/2015

Hawaii has filed suit against Ciber, accusing it of misrepresenting its capabilities when competing for a contract to design and implement a new accounting system for the Department of Transportation (DOT), and then fraudulently billing the state even as the new system failed test after test, and fell behind schedule. The state is seeking to recover the $8 million it paid Ciber, plus millions more in damages. The lawsuit alleges Ciber hired Capital Consultants and one of its principals, John Radcliffe, to lobby within Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s administration. The state alleges Ciber’s lobbying succeeded in getting the governor’s office to intervene and insulate the company from DOT’s increasing demands. Hawaii law does not regulate the kind of lobbying alleged in the lawsuit, because it was aimed at influencing the governor’s office and the state administration rather than members of the Legislature.

Maine – Maine Voters Hope To Restore Their Revolutionary Election System
Huffington Post – Paul Blumenthal | Published: 9/4/2015

Maine was the first state to enact a public financing system for statewide elections. This year, it hopes to become the first state to fix the damage inflicted on clean elections by multiple U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Deb Simpson, who served in the state Legislature from 2000 to 2010, was a single mother working as a waitress when she first ran for office using public funds. She said the system gave her “the resources without having to figure out how to ask for money from donors when I really didn’t live in that world.” But after the Supreme Court expanded the ability of corporations and unions to influence elections, participation in Maine’s system dropped as the state was inundated with spending by outside groups and public funding participants were left with no backstop of matching funds.

Missouri – Report: Lobbyist goodies for Missouri lawmakers topped $10M over past decade
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Kevin McDermott | Published: 9/9/2015

Progress Missouri analyzed lobbyist-disclosure reports of the state Ethics Commission going back to 2004 and found lawmakers accepted an average of nearly $1 million a year in gifts from lobbyists. The bulk of that spending fell under a provision in the law that allows lobbyists to report their expenditures as going to groups, such as certain committees or caucuses, without specifying which lawmakers were the actual recipients. Among the top recipients was former Sen. Paul LeVota, who recently resigned following sexual harassment allegations from two of his legislative interns.

Missouri – When It Comes to Behavior, Legislators Aren’t Expected to Change When They Return to Jeff City
St. Louis Public Radio – Jo Mannies and Marshall Griffin | Published: 9/8/2015

When legislators return to the Missouri capital for their annual veto session, they will also be gathering for the first time since the furor over sexual misconduct allegations involving interns sent two top lawmakers packing. The alcohol will be flowing at J. Pfenny’s sports bar as several lawmakers, or hopefuls, hold simultaneous fundraisers at the popular bar situated just a couple blocks from the Capitol. Sean Nicholson, executive director of watchdog group Progress Missouri recalls someone else’s description of the General Assembly’s ambience that he says rings true: “It’s like freshman year in college: lots of free booze, lots of 19-year-old girls, and nobody’s done their homework.”

New Jersey – United C.E.O. Is Out Amid Inquiry at Port Authority
New York Times – Kate Zernike and Jad Mouawad | Published: 9/8/2015

United ousted Chief Executive Officer Jeff Smisek and two of his lieutenants while federal investigators probe the airline’s ties to David Samson, the former chairperson of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Smisek’s abrupt exit added a new element to the inquiry into whether Samson got United to restart a money-losing route to his weekend home in South Carolina in exchange for political favors. A longtime ally of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Samson resigned in the wake of “Bridgegate,” a scandal in which Christie staffers and appointees appeared to collude to create traffic jams, allegedly to hurt the mayor of Fort Lee, who had not endorsed Christie in that year’s gubernatorial campaign. The probe initially centered on the lane closures, but it has expanded into other behavior at the authority.

New York – LLC Loophole Penalty Could Hinder NY Donors
Albany Times Union – Chris Bragg | Published: 9/8/2015

A settlement agreement was reached in a lawsuit filed by the state Board of Elections’ independent enforcement counsel Risa Sugarman targeting the “LLC loophole.” Sugarman filed the suit against former New York Assembly candidate Shirley Patterson and her campaign treasurer. It challenged the idea that coordinated donations to Patterson’s campaign made through various limited liability companies allegedly controlled by the same person count separately under contribution limits. The suit contended several donors exceeded the $4,100 cap for an individual in the race. Patterson’s campaign committee will pay $10,000 to end the lawsuit. Legal experts said the payment and the precedent of the settlement could act as a near-term deterrent to LLC giving.

New York – Serpico, Seeking Seat on Town Board, Sees Corruption and Pledges to Fight It
New York Times – Corey Kilgannon | Published: 9/5/2015

Frank Serpico is running for a seat on the five-member town board in Stuyvesant, New York, a town of about 2,200 people. Serpico’s whistle-blowing as a New York City police officer made him a household name, led to the formation of the Knapp Commission to investigate corruption, and resulted in a best-selling book and critically acclaimed film starring Al Pacino. For Serpico, who is constantly complaining about a lack of integrity among politicians, it is the first time he has stepped into the political arena.

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.

Lobbying

“Food Industry Enlisted Academics in G.M.O. Lobbying War, Emails Show” by Eric Lipton for New York Times

“Akin Gump, Nation’s Largest Lobbying Firm, to Launch New Cuba Practice” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post

“Data Scientists Create a Tool That Tracks the Influence of Lobbying Groups on Legislation” by Karis Hustad for Chicago Inno

Hawaii: “Lawsuit Exposes Blind Spot in Hawaii Lobbyist Law” by Ian Lind for Honolulu Civil Beat

Campaign Finance

“Why Rich Political Donors Are Wasting a Lot of Money” by Rick Newman for Yahoo Finance

“Hillary Clinton Announces Campaign Finance Overhaul Plan” by Amy Chozick and Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

Arizona: “Arizona Utility Regulators Seek Legal Advice on Dark Money” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic

Maryland: “Md. Strengthens Disclosure of Political Activity by Contractors” by John Fritze for Baltimore Sun

Ethics

Missouri: “When It Comes to Behavior, Legislators Aren’t Expected to Change When They Return to Jeff City” by Jo Mannies and Marshall Griffin for St. Louis Public Radio

New Jersey: “United C.E.O. Is Out Amid Inquiry at Port Authority” by Kate Zernike and Jad Mouawad for New York Times

New Mexico: “As New Mexico Scandals Grow, Democrats Hope to Tarnish Governor” by Fernanda Santos for New York Times

Oregon: “New John Kitzhaber Emails Show Deeper Cylvia Hayes Influence” by Laura Gunderson for Portland Oregonian

Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Welfare Employees Targeted in Crackdown” by Kari Andren for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Washington: “Most States Ban Lawmakers from Holding Two Offices, but Not Washington” by Melissa Santos (Tacoma News Tribune) for The Olympian

Elections

“Talk in G.O.P. Turns to a Stop Donald Trump Campaign” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

“Serpico, Seeking Seat on Town Board, Sees Corruption and Pledges to Fight It” by Corey Kilgannon for New York Times

Procurement

“Obama Orders Federal Contractors to Provide Workers Paid Sick Leave” by Peter Baker for New York Times

Campaign Finance

California: “‘Power Search’ Offers New Tool to Follow California Campaign Money” by Jim Miller for Sacramento Bee

Florida: “Miami Beach Commissioner Closing Controversial Relentless for Progress PAC” by Joey Flechas for Miami Herald

Iowa: “Iowa’s Medicaid Management: A game of pay to play?” by Jason Clayworth for Des Moines Register

Maine: “Maine Voters Hope To Restore Their Revolutionary Election System” by Paul Blumenthal for Huffington Post

Montana: “Rules Aimed at Cracking down on Campaign ‘Dark Money’ Come in for Criticism” by Mike Dennison for KPAX

Ethics

“Sanders to Introduce Bill Targeting High Drug Prices” by Peter Sullivan for The Hill

“Report Finds ‘Reason to Believe’ Rep. Honda’s Campaign Blurred Ethics Lines” by Noah Bierman for Los Angeles Times

Elections

California: “California Is Trying Everything to Get More People to Vote” by Alice Ollstein for ThinkProgress

Federal:

Lobbying Firm Fined for Disclosure Violations
Center for Public Integrity – Dave Levinthal | Published: 8/28/2015

The Carmen Group will pay a $125,000 fine to settle allegations that it repeatedly violated the Lobbying Disclosure Act by failing to disclose some of its lobbying activities and political contributions. The Center for Public Integrity had cited vague disclosure by the Carmen Group of its work securing $45 million in Hurricane Katrina relief loan forgiveness for client Xavier University of Louisiana as a leading example of toothless federal lobbying laws in need of reform. The settlement did not specifically mention the Xavier case. Both the House and Senate referred the firm to prosecutors for failing to file some quarterly reports, and individual lobbyists registered to work on behalf of its clients were accused of failing to file semi-annual reports of campaign donations.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – FBI Raids Palm Springs City Hall in Corruption Probe
USA Today – Jesse Marx and Kia Farhang (Palm Springs Desert Sun) | Published: 9/1/2015

The FBI and local agents raided Palm Springs City Hall and went to the mayor’s home as part of a corruption probe. The Palm Springs Desert Sun has published articles detailing the more than $200,000 in consulting work that Mayor Steve Pougnet did for a company owned by a developer, Richard Meaney, at a time when the firm’s business license had been suspended. Pougnet voted to sell city-owned land to Meaney and his partner for under $200,000, not long after purchasing an adjacent lot from a private owner for $1 million. The city council later voted to rescind the deal, and the California Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating Pougnet’s vote.

California – ‘Power Search’ Offers New Tool to Follow California Campaign Money
Sacramento Bee – Jim Miller | Published: 9/2/2015

Californians will have an easier time determining who is giving money to candidates and causes when a new tool becomes available on the secretary of state’s website. The antiquated CalAccess system, which shows political donations and lobbying information on the site, is clunky and difficult to use, especially for searching and sorting the data. A new search engine has been added to help users see more fully and easily, for example, the money received by candidates and ballot-measure campaigns. It will also be easier to see where industries and other special interests are concentrating their money.

California – San Jose City Clerk Given Second Chance Following Closed-Session Review
San Jose Mercury News – Ramona Giwargis | Published: 9/1/2015

The San Jose City Council decided to give City Clerk Toni Taber a second chance after a closed-session review of her job performance. Tabor had faced dismissal after her office told council members and candidates to follow the state law on reporting late campaign contributions, even though it was contrary to the city’s election law. The misinformation led to hundreds of violations for Mayor Sam Liccardo and the majority of council members, resulting in thousands of dollars of political donations being improperly reported in the past two years.

Colorado – Denver Ethics Board Floats Reforms Aimed at Boosting Public Confidence
Denver Post – Jon Murray | Published: 8/27/2015

The Denver Board of Ethics is considering a series of reforms. The changes would set a maximum annual value of $250 per donor or business for gifts of meals and event tickets to an official or employee who is in a position to take direct official action that benefits the donor. Currently, the limit is four meals or tickets, without a maximum dollar value. The proposals also would expand the definition of family members who cannot benefit from contracts or official action that are directed by an official or employee.

Illinois – Chicago Sues Red Light Camera Firm for $300 Million
Chicago Tribune – David Kidwell | Published: 8/31/2015

Chicago has brought a $300 million lawsuit against Redlex Traffic Systems based on the company’s bribery scandal involving the city’s red-light camera contract. Specifically, the city has joined a whistleblower lawsuit filed against Reflex last year by the company’s former executive vice president who was allegedly involved with the scandal. The suit alleges that John Bills, a now-retired city official who was previously responsible for managing Chicago’s red-light camera system, steered $124 million in city contracts to Redflex in exchange for cash and other personal benefits. The suit notes Redflex officials had stated the firm was following the law and the city’s ethics rules while operating the cameras.

Iowa – Iowa’s Medicaid Management: A game of pay to play?
Des Moines Register – Jason Clayworth | Published: 8/30/2015

Lobbyists and PACs representing the four companies whose proposals were selected to manage Iowa’s Medicaid program donated nearly $68,000 to the campaigns of state officials since 2010. At least another $57,000 flowed in from companies that submitted bids but failed to win the contracts. The Iowa amounts pale in comparison to $4.6 million that the four winning companies and their PACs have contributed to other governors, legislative leaders, and PACs across the country over the past five years. Critics contend such donations are part of widespread private sector efforts to shape public policy.

Maryland – Maryland Receives ‘B’ Grade on Lobbying Disclosure
Carroll County Times – Wiley Hayes | Published: 8/31/2015

The Sunlight Foundation analyzed lobbyist disclosure laws for all the states and gave Maryland a grade of “B.” Only seven states received higher scores. “Maryland is doing reasonably well in a number of categories,” said Emily Shaw, the deputy policy director for the foundation. “One of the things it does … is requiring lobbyists to provide very detailed lists of expenditures. They also do well at document accessibility. They allow people to see the documents that lobbyists fill out and how much lobbyist are paid for their work.”

Missouri – Ethics Commission Rules Dinner Violated Law, Issues No Fines
Columbia Tribune – Rudi Keller | Published: 8/31/2015

The Missouri Ethics Commission found seven lobbyists likely broke state laws requiring them to name lawmakers they buy meals for. The lobbyists were among 15 who split a nearly $5,700 dinner bill for about 40 people, including five Missouri lawmakers, during last year’s American Legislative Exchange Council meeting. The commission says the Missouri lobbyists improperly reported the meal as being bought for the General Assembly but not all lawmakers were invited. The ethics panel said the lobbyists believed all legislators had been invited and later corrected their reports to list the expenses as going toward individual lawmakers.

New Mexico – Complaint: A story of casinos, campaign money and crime
Santa Fe New Mexican – Milan Simonich, Steve Terrell, and Staci Matlock | Published: 8/29/2015

New Mexico’s attorney general filed a 64-count criminal case against Secretary of State Dianna Duran, accusing her of embezzlement, money-laundering, campaign finance violations, and other offenses. The complaint said Duran misused campaign contributions for personal expenses, adding that the investigation was sparked by a tip that she deposited large amounts of money into her personal bank account that did not line up with her known income streams. The complaint said funds were then transferred between her personal and campaign-affiliated accounts, culminating in “large debits for cash expenditures occurring at casinos throughout the state of New Mexico.”

North Carolina – Influence of Lobbyists Makes Them Practically a ‘Third House’ of Legislature
WRAL – Mark Binker | Published: 8/19/2015

Although their roles are not described in many civics textbooks, and many would rather stay out of the news altogether, very little public policy makes it through the North Carolina Legislature without input from lobbyists. Two decades ago, public policy professor Alan Rosenthal described lobbyists who plied their trade around the nation’s state House and Senate chambers as the “third house” of any particular lawmaking body. Rosenthal’s observation that “legislators, like the rest of us, are more apt to do things for individuals they like and trust,” is at once an observation about human nature, a truism of the profession, and at the root of public suspicions about lobbyists.

Oregon – Lobbying Spending Is Up. Where does the money go?
Salem Statesman Journal – Gordon Freidman | Published: 8/31/2015

Lobbyist spending has increased by more than 94 percent since 2010. “Everybody has representation in Salem for almost any conceivable interest or business,” said Paul Cosgrove, head of government relations at Lindsay Hart, a Portland law firm. Gary Conkling, a lobbyist and co-founder of CFM Communications, said as time has gone on and there are more lobbyists, one thing has been central to his work: integrity. “I can tell you when I first started, things were a little more slippery than they are today,” Conkling said.

Pennsylvania – Ex-Liquor Board Official Was Living Top-Shelf Life
Philadelphia Inquirer; Associated Press –   | Published: 8/31/2015

James Short, a former top Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (LCB) executive, will plead guilty to federal charges that he solicited and concealed kickbacks from vendors doing business with the agency overseeing the state’s 500 liquor stores. The federal probe that began last year revealed a culture in which Short and other LCB officials were entertained and handed trips and gifts from vendors seeking to do business with the state agency, one of the world’s largest buyers of alcohol.

Wisconsin – Elections Board Sends Questions about Lobbyists’ Presidential Contributions to Legislature
Minneapolis Star Tribune – Todd Richmond (Associated Press) | Published: 9/1/2015

The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board voted to ask state lawmakers to decide if and when lobbyists should be permitted to donate to Gov. Scott Walker’s presidential campaign. “When the law is silent on an issue and there is nothing to interpret, it is up to the Legislature to decide,” said board spokesperson Reid Magney. Wisconsin law allows lobbyists to give to state candidates between the day they circulate nomination papers and Election Day. But major party presidential candidates do not have to file nomination papers, creating confusion about whether lobbyists can give to them at all and over what period of time.

Wisconsin – GAB Head Told Former Employee to Tone down Comments
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Patrick Marley | Published: 9/1/2015

Wisconsin Government Accountability (GAB) Board Director Kevin Kennedy said his agency’s employees have personal political views but they do not make any decisions, as he tries to stave off Republican lawmakers’ plans to restructure the board. Conservatives’ calls to overhaul the GAB have grown louder following a newspaper story detailing a former staff attorney’s emails. The messages offered encouragement to an investigator looking into whether Gov. Scott Walker’s recall campaign illegally coordinated with outside conservative groups.

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.

The number of municipalities and regional governments our research associates track continues to grow. We now cover almost 300 municipalities and local governments. This is part of a continuous effort to better serve the needs of our clients.

In that effort, we have recently added abridged jurisdictions to our website. These entries, condensed due to the limited number of relevant local laws, provide the core information our clients need for their government relations work.

The new jurisdiction is: Yuma, Arizona.

On September 2, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) requested approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for amendments to MSRB Rule G-20, a conflict-of-interest rule concerning gifts and gratuities. The proposed amendments include limiting gifts to $100 for municipal advisors giving gifts to employees of entities engaged in municipal securities activities. The new rules for municipal advisors also would prohibit receiving reimbursement of entertainment expenses from the proceeds of an offering of municipal securities.

“Amending the MSRB’s existing gifts rule would ensure common standards for dealers and municipal advisors that all operate in the municipal securities market,” said MSRB Executive Director Lynnette Kelly in a press release.

Lobbying

Oregon: “Portland Auditor Says Steve Novick, Charlie Hales Violated Lobbying Rule on Uber Meeting” by Andrew Theen for Portland Oregonian

Texas: “Ethics Commission Begins to Examine Proposed Lobbying Changes” by Jack Craver for Austin Monitor

Campaign Finance

California: “San Jose City Clerk Given Second Chance Following Closed-Session Review” by Ramona Giwargis for San Jose Mercury News

New Mexico: “New Push for Campaign Finance Reforms” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

Wisconsin: “Elections Board Sends Questions about Lobbyists’ Presidential Contributions to Legislature” by Todd Richmond (Associated Press) for Minneapolis Star Tribune

Ethics

“FBI Raids Palm Springs City Hall in Corruption Probe” by Jesse Marx and Kia Farhang (Palm Springs Desert Sun) for USA Today

Wisconsin: “GAB Head Told Former Employee to Tone down Comments” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Elections

“How Social Media Is Ruining Politics” by Nicholas Carr for Politico

The Missouri Ethics Commission recently found a group of lobbyists improperly reported food and drink expenditures made during a 2014 American Legislative Exchange Council State Night dinner. The lobbyists reported the entire General Assembly as the recipient for the total cost of the dinner, though not every member of the Legislature received an invitation to the event.

Such expenditures were required to be reported on behalf of each public official rather than as a group expenditure. The punishment simply requires each lobbyist to amend his or her filing and cite the specific legislators in attendance at the dinner.

Some feel the ruling sets a dangerous precedent, as lobbyists may continue to hide individual gifts under the guise of a group event as long as the entire group receives an invitation.