October 22, 2012 •
S.C. Governor Initiates State Ethics Review by Executive Order
Independent commission to recommend changes in 2013
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has created an independent commission responsible for making recommendations to reform state ethics and open records laws.
The executive order establishes an 11-member panel to review several ethics areas including conflict of interest rules, lobbying regulation, and enforcement of existing laws.
The governor expects a report from the commission by January 28, 2013, just weeks after the beginning of the next legislative session.
Photo of Governor Haley courtesy of Albert N. Milliron on Wikipedia.
October 15, 2012 •
Monday News Roundup
Start the week off right with these government relations news articles:
Campaign Finance
“PACs attack: N.Y. seeing a flood of outside money” by The Associated Press in Pressconnects.com.
Florida: “Meet Florida’s big-time donors to super PACs” by Alex Leary in the Miami Herald.
“Md. referendum campaigns raise $53 million” by John Wagner and Aaron C. Davis in The Washington Post.
Lobbying
“Loopholes abound in some lobbyist gift bans” by Chris Joyner in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“Patton Boggs moves to reinvent itself” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post.
“Lobbying Efforts From Tech Companies Surge On Capitol Hill” in Fast Company.
Kentucky: “Ellen Williams joins McBrayer lobbying team” by Tom Lotus in the Courier-Journal.
Pennsylvania: “Lobbyists could be subject to open-records law” by Dan Miller in the Patriot-News.
Pennsylvania: “Lobbyists’ checks buy lawmaker access” by John L. Micek in the Morning Call.
Ethics
“Jackson Jr. probe focuses on house” by Kevin Robillard in Politico.
Campaigns and Elections
“Candidates turn to geo-targeting in ads” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
“For politically playful news orgs, the 2012 election means social interactivity” by Adrienne LaFrance in Nieman Journalism Lab.
“Campaigns Mine Personal Lives to Get Out the Vote” by Charles Duhigg in The New York Times.
October 12, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – October 12, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Are Voter ID Opponents Winning the Battle but Losing the War?
Federal:
House, Senate Campaigns Welcome Lobbyists Shunned by Team Obama
Obama, Romney Face Most Narrow Electoral Map in Recent History
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
State Lawmaker Ben Arredondo Pleads Guilty to Two Felonies
Florida
Butterworth Skirts State Lobbying Laws to Land $44 Million-a-Year Contract in Broward
Illinois
Federal Judge Upholds Limits on Contributions to State Candidates
Maryland
Del. Tiffany Alston Suspended from Office, General Assembly Lawyer Says
Montana
Appeals Court Reinstates Campaign Finance Limits
Nevada
Ross Miller Pursues Campaign Finance Law Violations against AFP
Ohio
Texas
DeLay Attorneys: Ex-GOP Star Didn’t Launder Money
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
October 10, 2012 •
Today’s Government Relations News
Take a look at the latest articles in campaign finance, ethics, and the political campaigns:
Campaign Finance
California: “Prop 32: Union and Corporate Campaign Contributions” by Ben Adler in Capital Public Radio.
New Mexico: “Non-N.M. Groups Give Thousands” by Dan Boyd in the Albuquerque Journal.
Texas: “Court hears DeLay appeal in campaign finance case” by Peggy Fikac in the Houston Chronicle.
Ethics
“Hawaii Ethics Commission Still Missing a Member” by Anita Hofschneider in the Honolulu Civil Beat.
“W.Va. Ethics Commission sets Jan. 28 hearing on allegations against Beckley mayor” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Social Media and Government Tech
“Hardly Anyone Using Campaign Apps, Survey Says” by Nick Judd in TechPresident.
“Where is E-Government Communication Headed?” by Matt Williams in Government Technology.
October 9, 2012 •
Tuesday Campaign Finance and Ethics News
Keep up with the latest government relations news with these articles:
Campaign Finance
“Members’ PACs Test Unregulated Spending” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
“Harvard Law professor talks campaign finance corruption” by Ben Atlas in the Michigan Daily.
South Carolina: “Groups calling for probe into Harrell spending” by Meg Kinnard (Associated Press) in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal.
Ethics
“Texas Ethics Commission fines Texas Rep. Allen Fletcher” by Caleb Harris in the Tomball Magnolia Tribune.
“Edward Wasserman: TV ‘watchdogs’ quiet as political ad cash rolls in” by Edward Wasserman in the Bellingham Herald.
South Carolina: “This year’s ‘hot’ SC campaign issue? Ethics” by Adam Beam in The State.
Elections
“Across the electoral map, a mixed picture for candidates down the ballot” by Karen Tumulty in the Washington Post.
October 5, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – October 5, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Selling Votes is Common Type of Election Fraud
Federal:
For Election Losers, Many Paths through the Political Wilderness
Medical Research Funding Tied to Advocacy, Study Finds
From the States and Municipalities:
Arkansas
Americans for Prosperity Puts Big Money on Legislative Races in Arkansas
Illinois
Maine
Supreme Court Won’t Hear Appeal by Anti-Gay Marriage in Maine Case
Massachusetts
Native Americans Chafe at Brown-Warren Race
Minnesota
Campaign Finance Board Rules Minnesota Majority’s Dan McGrath Did Not Break Lobbying Rules
Montana
Judge Tosses Montana Campaign Finance Limits
Nevada
Nevada Secretary of State Seeks More Campaign Disclosure, Restrictions in Aurora Act
Oregon
Oregon Supreme Court Refuses to Limit Campaign Spending
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Voter ID Law Shouldn’t Be Enforced This Time, Judge Rules
Rhode Island
Ethics Commission Sets Hearing on Disclosure of Paid Trips for Officials
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
October 3, 2012 •
Our Wednesday Government Relations News Roundup
Don’t miss the articles you need to keep up with the latest news about lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics:
Campaign Finance
“Freshmen rake in cash through PACs” by Kevin Bogardus and Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
Connecticut: “When a candidate’s spouse is powerful, the goal of a campaign donation can be … complicated” by Ana Radelot in the CT Mirror.
Minnesota: “Campaign finance board rules Minnesota Majority’s Dan McGrath did not break lobbying rules” by Paul Demko in Politics in Minnesota.
New York: “NY progressives push for public campaign finances” by Michael Gormley in Bloomberg News.
New York: “Campaign finance firepower gathers” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Capitol Confidential.
Lobbying
“Activists Press Corporations to Cut Ties With Presidential Debate Commission” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.
“Wis. lawmakers sued over emails with conservative group” by The Associated Press in the Chicago Tribune.
Ethics
California: “L.A. Councilman Richard Alarcon and wife ordered to stand trial” by Catherine Saillant in the Los Angeles Times.
Illinois: “Emanuel Revamps City Hall Ethics Board” by Hal Dardick in the Chicago Tribune.
Campaigns and elections
“Obama, on track to raise $1 billion, came close to that in 2008” by Matea Gold in the Los Angeles Times.
“Jim Lehrer on criticism of his recurring debate-moderator role: ‘It’s a rough, rough world’” by Andrew Beaujon in Poynter.org.
“Daily Ad Track” by Abby Livingston in Roll Call.
“Zac Efron, Leonardo DiCaprio and Selena Gomez all want you to vote for stuff” by Jen Chaney in the Washington Post.
Government Tech and Social Media
“For the Campaigns, Online Debate Response is All About Mobile” by Nick Judd in TechPresident.
“Social media: On the outside looking in at presidential debates” in Politics in Minnesota.
“Code for America Reveals 2013 Partner Cities and Counties” by Sarah Rich in Government Technology.
September 17, 2012 •
Monday News Roundup
Start the week off right with these government relations news articles:
Lobbying
“At Holland & Knight, lobbyists no longer have corner offices” by Catherine Ho in the Washington Post.
Florida: “Lobbyist’s lobbying group coming to Jacksonville for annual conference” by Matt Dixon in the Florida Times-Union.
Campaign Finance
“Poll: Americans largely in favor of campaign spending limitations” by Morgan Little in the Los Angeles Times.
“Republican super PACs ramp up spending in House races” by Jake Sherman in Politico.
District of Columbia: “Michael A. Brown’s missing campaign funds” in the Washington Post.
Washington: “Parties pouring cash into race for governor” by Andrew Garber and Justin Mayo in the Seattle Times.
Elections
“Voter Information Guides Go Social With TheBallot.org” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.
Ethics
Georgia: “Ethics commission: State has defanged its watchdog” by Chris Joyner in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
New Hampshire: Opinion piece by Grant Bosse,“Election laws grow more confusing” in the New Hampshire Watchdog.
Social Media
“Could a workplace social network replace email and phone? One agency thinks so.” by Joseph Marks in NextGov.
“Facebook knows how to trick you into voting” by Kevin Charles Redmon in Nextgov.
September 12, 2012 •
Wednesday Government Ethics News
Don’t miss these latest articles:
“Watchdog group blasts Andrews” by Jim Walsh in the Courier Post.
Alabama: “Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman turns himself in at Louisiana federal prison” by The Associated Press in the Birmingham News.
Indiana: “Daniels’ work at Purdue target of state rep’s ethics complaint” in the Journal and Courier.
New York: “Ethics panel issues Lopez-probe subpoenas, eyeing state bigs” by Josh Margolin, Beth DeFalco and Carl Campanile in the New York Post.
Rhode Island: “RI Ethics Commission takes step toward new rule requiring travel disclosure by politicians” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Utah: “Audit accuses former DABC licensing director of accepting gifts” by Dennis Romboy in the Deseret News.
August 29, 2012 •
Wednesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Also government ethics, redistricting, and social media
Lobbying
“The Art of Going Corporate at Political Conventions” by Diane Brady in Bloomberg Business Week.
“K Street preps for Hurricane Isaac” by Dave Levinthal in Politico.
“Lobbyists, businesses pamper New Jersey delegates with food, parties” by Melissa Hayes in The Record.
District of Columbia: “New D.C. Campaign Finance Reform Would Ban Lobbyist Bundling” in the Blog of the Legal Times.
New York: “Lawmaker-lobby guidelines emerge” by Rick Karlin in the Albany Times Union.
Ottawa, Canada: “New lobby registry looks easy as pie” by Joanne Chianello in the Ottawa Citizen.
Campaign Finance
California: “Unleashing the Campaign Contributions of Corporations” by Eduardo Porter in The New York Times.
Pennsylvania: “With money to burn, Fitzpatrick won’t limit spending” by Gary Weckselblatt in The Intelligencer.
Washington: “Churches can’t be intermediary for gay-marriage law donations, watchdog says” by Rachel La Corte (Associated Press) in The Olympian.
Ethics
Illinois: “Emanuel appointees propose more oversight on ethics” by Hal Dardick in the Chicago Tribune.
New York: “NY ethics board hires another Cuomo aide” by The Associated Press in the Utica Observer Dispatch.
New York: “Silver’s Sexual-Harassment Payout May Get New York Ethics Review” by Freeman Klopott in Bloomberg Business Week.
New York: “New York Can’t Escape Corruption as Senator Huntley Indicted” by Freeman Klopott and David McLaughlin (Bloomberg) in the San Francisco Chronicle.
North Carolina: “Dalton rolls out ethics package, term limits” by Travis Fain in the Greensboro News and Record.
Utah: “Utah cities, counties, guv preparing for new ethics commission law” by Cathy McKitrick in the Salt Lake Tribune.
Redistricting
Arizona: “Ariz. GOP: Redistricting commission’s existence illegal” by Howard Fischer in East Valley Tribune.
Texas: “Texas redistricting plan ruled illegal” by Gary Martin and Gary Scharrer in the San Antonio Express-News.
Social Media
“Ann Romney Was Most-Searched, Most-Tweeted Tuesday Night Speaker” by Alex Fitzpatrick in Mashable.
August 27, 2012 •
Monday News Roundup
Here are the latest campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics articles to start your week:
Campaign Finance
Tennessee: “TN nears record for political donations” by Paul C. Barton in The Tennessean.
“Obama Outpaces Romney in Small-Dollar Donations” by Jonathan D. Salant in Bloomberg Business Week.
“Super PACs see GOP convention in Tampa as a fundraising opportunity” by Chris Moody in Yahoo News.
“Convention Contributions Down and More Discreet” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.
“Romney ‘absolutely’ would return to public funding in ’16” by Darren Samuelsohn in Politico.
Lobbying
California: “20 California lawmakers accepted gifts despite ‘no-gift’ signs” by The Associated Press in the Mercury News.
New York: “Opponent hints McDonald is lobbyist” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Albany Times Union.
“The 10 Lobbying Firms That Rake In The Most Money” by Abby Rogers in Business Insider.
“Convention is not siren call for K Street firms” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Ethics
“N.Y Can’t Escape Corruption as Senator Says She’ll Be Arrested” by Freeman Klopott and David McLaughlin in Bloomberg News.
August 22, 2012 •
Wednesday News Roundup
Today, we have lobbying, campaign finance, ethics, and redistricting news from around the country:
Lobbying
California: “Bill raises fees on lobbyists to fund disclosure” by The Associated Press in the Mercury News.
North Carolina: “Despite laws, NC legislators still ask lobbyists for money” by Laura Leslie in WRAL.com.
South Carolina: “SC: Top-paid State House lobbyist earns $673K” by Eric K. Ward in Watchdog.org.
Campaign Finance
Arizona: “State Sen. Gould: No improper campaign spending” by Rebekah L. Sanders in the Arizona Republic.
Ethics
Kansas: “Kansas lawmakers unwittingly broke open meetings law” by Brad Cooper in the Kansas City Star.
North Dakota: “Legislators to create code of conduct after North Dakota named ‘most corrupt state’” by Wendy Reuer in InForum.
South Carolina: “Haley, Wilson unveiling ethics reform package” by The Associated Press in the Greenville News.
Redistricting
“2012 Pre-election Turnover is Typical for a Redistricting Year” by Karl Kurtz in NCSL’s The Thicket blog.
Montana: “Commission wraps up proposal for new Montana House districts” by Mike Dennison in the Missoulian.
August 17, 2012 •
Text Message Campaign Donations and Other Government Relations News
Let’s wrap up the week with the very latest campaign finance, lobbying, and government ethics news!
Campaign Finance
“Text Message Donations Good for Democracy, Risky for Privacy” by Rachel Levinson-Waldman in Wired.
“In Win for Wireless Industry, FEC Clarifies Rules for Texting Campaign Contributions” by Jenna Greene in The Blog of Legal Times.
Louisiana: “Ethics board reviewing campaign finance rules” by The Associated Press in the Daily Comet.
Tennessee: “TN election finance board investigates donor, PAC contributions” by The Associated Press in the Tennessean.
Lobbying
“Wall Street Lobbying Efforts Reach $4.2 Billion Since 2006, Or $1,331 A Minute, Report States” by Nick Wing in the Huffington Post.
Florida: “In session or out, lobbying remains a big business” by Bill Cotterrell in the Florida Current.
New York: “Lobby ban snags offer of free work” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Albany Times Union.
Pennsylvania: “State spends less on federal lobbying but still leads the nation” by Melissa Daniels in the Daily Local News.
Ethics
California: “Bill to limit gifts to California lawmakers dies a quiet death” by Jim Sanders in the Sacramento Bee.
Georgia: “Sen. Balfour to pay $5,000 to settle ethics case” by Ray Henry (Associated Press) in the San Francisco Chronicle.
August 15, 2012 •
Wednesday News Roundup
Keep up with the latest lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics news with these articles:
Lobbying
“Ethics Watchdogs Planning to Crash Convention Parties” by Elizabeth Flock in U.S. News and World Report.
“Conservative lobby group’s guard shot in D.C.” by The Associated Press on CBS News.
Alabama: “Former lobbyist Jimmie Clements convicted in two-year college corruption case” by Jeremy Gray in the Birmingham News.
Maryland: “Last-minute lobbying intense for gambling expansion” by Earl Kelly in the Capital Gazette.
Campaign Finance
“Romney campaign bars press from Adelson, Ryan ‘finance meeting’” by Justin Sink in The Hill.
New Mexico: “State Senate Dems launch PACs” by The Associated Press in the Santa Fe New Mexican.
West Virginia: “Lawsuit Filed Against Campaign Finance Pilot Program” on WDTV.com.
Ethics
New York: “State pols can’t accept US Open freebies, ethics panel rules” by Sally Goldenberg in the New York Post.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
