Lobbyists are prominently mentioned in this Wall Street Journal piece, “Washington Area Is Tops in Income” by Elizabeth Williamson.

NCSL published “Social media tools can pose ethical problems for lawmakers,” by Judy Nadler. The article explores the ethical considerations lawmakers face when using social media tools. The article raises the question about the types of relationships that are established on a network like Facebook by citing the example of someone running for office: “A ‘push’ was organized to add key lobbyists, government contractors and others as ‘friends.'” Nadler discusses government-using-social-media issues such as transparency, playing favorites, and the obligation officeholders have to choose the words they use online carefully.

The Fierce Government IT article, “‘Snapshots cannot accurately archive gov 2.0 content, says Navy official” by Molly Bernhart Walker, discusses the challenges posed by the need to keep a record of government presence in social media platforms.

From Federal Computer Week: A recent survey takes a look at mobile device trends in “Government workers using mobile to access social media, survey shows” by Alice Lipowicz.

Federal:

Company Shops for Campaign Cash

Former Lobbyist Sent to Jail for a Few Hours for Taking Hill Aides to 2003 World Series Game

‘Scarlet L’ for K Street Returns as Obama Sharpens 2012 Rhetoric on Lobbyists

‘Super PAC’ American Crossroads Seeks Permission to Feature Candidates in Ads

The Outsized Returns from Lobbying

From the States and Municipalities:

California

California OKs Donations via Text

California

L.A. Ethics Commission Slaps Developer with Maximum Campaign Fine

California

Proposed California Regulations Spell Out Gift-Reporting Requirements for Elected Officials

Massachusetts

DiMasi Friend Admits Breaking Massachusetts Lobbying Law

New Mexico

GOP Files Lawsuit against Newly Imposed Campaign Contribution Limits in New Mexico

Tennessee

Tennessee Lawmaker Arrested on DUI, Gun Charges

Vermont

Judge: Republican Governors Association violated Vermont campaign finance laws

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.

Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.

California Governor Jerry Brown has signed senate bill 398 into law. The bill alters definitions and reporting requirements for those who do business with the board of a public pension or retirement system to manage securities or other assets and went into effect upon signature.

Specifically, the new law modifies the definition of external managers to mean a person who is seeking to be, or is, retained by a board or an investment vehicle to manage a portfolio of securities or other assets for compensation, or a person who manages an investment fund, and who offers or sells, or has offered or sold an ownership interest in the investment fund to a board or investment vehicle. The law also alters the definition of a placement agent to a person directly or indirectly hired, engaged, or retained by, or serving for the benefit of or on behalf of, an external manger and who acts or has acted for compensation as a finder, solicitor, marketer, consultant, broker, or other intermediary in connection with the offer or sale to a board or investment vehicle either the investment management services of the external manager or an ownership interest in an investment fund managed by the external manager.

Additional changes made as the result of the new law include the exemption of placement agents from any requirements imposed by a local government agency, including lobbyist registration and reporting, if the placement agent is an employee, officer, or director of an external manager, or of an affiliate of an external manager, and the external manager is registered as an investment adviser or a broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities regulator. Further, placement agents are exempt from local requirements if the external manager is participating in a competitive bidding process, such as a request for proposal, or has been selected through a competitive bidding process and is providing services pursuant to a contract executed as a result of that bidding process, or when the external manager, if selected through competitive bidding, has agreed to a fiduciary standard of care for the contract.

Federal:

Business Executives Call for End to Anonymous Cash

In Turn to Politics, Facebook Starts a PAC

Political Embezzlement Rises as U.S. Campaign Accounts Swell

Solyndra’s Lobbying Not Disclosed by Energy under Stimulus Guidelines

From the States and Municipalities:

Colorado

Campaign Finance Law Argued Before Colorado Supreme Court

Florida

After ‘Wild West,’ Palm Beach County Lobbyists Face New Rules

Indiana

Federal Judge Strikes Down Portion of Indiana ‘Robo-Call’ Ban

Maryland

State Senator’s Future Hangs in the Balance at Corruption Trial

Minnesota

Campaign Finance Board Releases Guidelines on Ballot Initiatives

Pennsylvania

Ex-Judge Gets 17 1/2 Years in Pa. Kickbacks Case

Rhode Island

Arrested Rhode Island Representative Won’t Resign, Will Run Again

Tennessee

Tennessee Lawmakers’ Ethics Panel Has Own Critics

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.

Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.

National:

Election Spending to Exceed $6 Billion Thanks Partly to Jim Bopp

Twitter to Launch Political Advertising

Federal:

K Street Cool to Obama Lobbying Plan

Watchdog Spotlights Lawmaker Ethics in ‘Most Corrupt’ Report

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama

Former Governor Riley Gets Ethics Training He Pushed

California

California Pension Managers Fined for Unreported Gifts

Connecticut

‘Shock Jock’ Hal Turner Acquitted in Connecticut Threats Case

District of Columbia

Wells Drafts D.C. Bill to Limit Lobbyists’ Influence

Illinois

The Price of Influence in Chicago

Louisiana

Sugar Bowl in Violation of Tax Law with Purchases to Fundraiser

Missouri

T.D. El-Amin Gets Record Ethics Fine

Montana

Supreme Court Looks at Campaign Finance for Political Spending

Oklahoma

Oklahoma High Court Hears Former Senator’s Appeal

Pennsylvania

Soon, Lobbyists Must Register

Wisconsin

Judge: Wisconsin campaign law is unconstitutional

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.

Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.

Federal:

Interest Groups Push Obama on Order

SEC Whetting Incentives for Whistle-Blowers

Super Committee Pits Lobbying Firms’ Clients against One Another

The Influence Industry: ‘Candidate super PACs’ surge ahead in the 2012 money race

From the States and Municipalities:

Connecticut

Guay to Head Unified Watchdog Group

Florida

New South Florida Politicians Go to ‘Good Government’ Boot Camp

Florida

Nonprofit Writes Florida Law for its Own Program

Georgia

Georgia Lobbyists Hope to Boost Ethics

Georgia

New Ethics Chief Named

Montana

Schweitzer Fined $4,100 in Ethics Case

Nebraska

Donations OK’d for First Lady’s Expenses

Nebraska

State Not Enforcing Campaign Limits

North Carolina

Candidate Criticized for Scheduling Fundraiser at Lobbyist’s Home

Pennsylvania

Ex-Pa. House Speaker Pleads Guilty to Corruption

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.

Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.

Federal:

Special Interests Gave $3 Million to Members of New Budget Super Committee

The 2012 Election Brings a New Kind of Fundraiser: The super bundler

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama

AP Interview: Juror says Alabama gambling trial jury favored acquittals on undecided charges

California

Porter Steps Down as Head of Political Watchdog Agency

Florida

Tallahassee Lobbyists Earning More This Year

Kentucky

Louisville Metro Council Ethics Panel Enforces Gift Rules

Maine

Federal Appeals Court Upholds Maine PAC Reporting Requirement

Nebraska

Attorney General: State campaign finance law likely unconstitutional

New York

Donor Limit Tops $100,000 at Capitol

New York

Gov. Andrew Cuomo Signs Government Ethics Law for N.Y. State Officials, Workers

Rhode Island

Anti-Gay Marriage Group Loses Appeal of R.I. Court Ruling

Virginia

Hamilton Sentenced in Bribery, Extortion Case

Washington

Public Disclosure Commission Seeks New Director

Wisconsin

GOP’s Senate Edge Stays at One after Recalls

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.

Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.

Federal:

American Bar Association Takes Aim at Lobbying Law Loopholes

Golf, Vacation Fundraisers Return

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama

In Alabama, No Verdicts of Guilty in Graft Case

Arizona

Arizonans Want Legislators to Reject Gifts

California

Jerry Brown’s Charter Schools in Oakland Reap Big Donations

Colorado

Study Shows Who Breaks Campaign Laws

Florida

Palm Beach County Ethics Law Poses Hurdle for Firefighters’ Fundraiser

Georgia

Ethics Panel’s Chairman Stays Put, for Now

Hawaii

Ethics Director Blocks Texas Dinner for Hawaii Lawmakers

New Mexico

New Mexico Mayor Was Drunk When He Signed Deal

New York

Commission to Call for New Rules on Lobbying in the City

Pennsylvania

‘Kids for Cash’ Judge Sentenced to 28 Years for Racketeering Scheme

Utah

Utah Lawmakers, Lobbyists, Go On the Road

Wisconsin

Republicans Hold On to Wisconsin Senate after Recall Vote

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.

Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.

Federal:

IRS Drops Audits of Political Donors

New Breed of ‘Super PACs,’ Other Independent Groups Could Define 2012 Campaign

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama

Alabama Democratic Conference Files Lawsuit to Stop New Alabama Law Banning Political Fund Transfers

Arizona

Arizona Conservatives Scramble after Campaign Finance Law’s Defeat

California

Marijuana Lobbyist’s Fundraiser for DA Raises Questions

Veil Drawn on Donors to Latino Caucus-Controlled California Nonprofit

Connecticut

Agent Who Arrested Politicians Now Seeks House Seat

Georgia

Lobby Late Fees Add Up

Illinois

Mayor Rahm Emanuel Proposing New Round of Ethics Reforms

Iowa

Judge Upholds New Iowa Campaign Disclosure Rules

Massachusetts

House Leader Apologizes for Holocaust Remarks

Michigan

Justices Stop Political Gifts Taken at Work

Minnesota

Campaign Board Rejects NOM’s Efforts to Shield Donors in Marriage Battle

Pennsylvania

Lobbying Law on Hold

South Carolina

Lt. Gov. Ard Paying $48,000 Fine

Washington

Ex-Prisons Chief Eldon Vail Says He Resigned Because of an Affair with Subordinate

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.

Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.

Federal:

Colbert Declares Victory at FEC

FEC Limits Lawmakers’ Fundraising for Super PACs

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama

Gambling Trial Highlights Fees Paid to Legislators

Arizona

Justices Strike Down Arizona Campaign Finance Law

Florida

Judge Strikes Down Florida Campaign Finance Matching Law

Illinois

Jury Finds Blagojevich Guilty of Corruption

Massachusetts

Ethics Changes Generate Talk as Proposal to Require Lobbyists to Wear ID Badges Is Likened to Nazi Germany

Massachusetts

Special Education Director Said to Siphon $10 Million

Missouri

Missouri Lawmakers Eat for Free

Nevada

Tougher Nevada Campaign Money Laws Come into Play

New York

New Contribution Rule Limits Assignments to Elected Judges

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Ethics Commission Reprimands NRA Lobbyist

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Justices in Altercation

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.

Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.

Federal:

A Weiner Ethics Case Would Cover Uncharted Ground

Virginia Federal Judge Rejects Government Request to Reconsider on Donations

Democrat or Republican, National Party Committees Reap Campaign Riches from Registered Lobbyists

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama

Big Names in Alabama Politics Set for Bingo Trial Opening

District of Columbia

D.C. Attorney General: Council’s Thomas diverted public funds

Michigan

Koch-Backed Group’s Fake Eviction Notices Rile up Detroit

Nevada

Rory Reid to Pay $25,000 Fine in PAC Case

New York

Bill Not a Feast but Lunch is OK

Cuomo and Legislative Leaders Strike Deal on New Ethics Rules

N.Y. Finds a Growth Industry in Ethics Enforcement

Ohio

House Cozy with Charter School Lobby

Texas

Dallas City Council Rolls Back Some Changes to Ethics Ordinance

Washington

Former Evergreen Professor Fined $120,000 in Largest-Ever Ethics Penalty

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.

Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.

Federal

Campaign Finance Experts See Few Implications of Virginia Ruling

The Influence Industry: The fine lines between a Palin vacation and Palin tour

When ‘Coordinate’ Is a Dirty Word

From the States:

California

Former Vernon Official Pleads Guilty to Illegally Using Public Money

Colorado

Gessler Rulemaking on Campaign Finance Raising Eyebrows

Florida

Legislature Fails to Add Stronger Ethics Laws

Illinois

Senator Wants Charges Filed against Colleague

Louisiana

Mark St. Pierre is Taken into Custody after Jury Finds Him Guilty of Bribery, Conspiracy

Massachusetts

Financial Disclosure Forms Still Outdated

Minnesota

Campaign Finance Board Fines Alleged Felon Who Can’t Be Found

New Jersey

Christie Refuses to Reimburse N.J. for Traveling By Helicopter to See Son’s Baseball Game

Ohio

Cuyahoga County Offers First Ethics Training for Businesses

Tennessee

Tennessee Opens Door to Corporate Political Donations

Washington

Port Fined after Failing to File Lobbying Expenses

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.

Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.

According to a Politico article by John Bresnahan: “Daniel Schwager, a lawyer on the Senate Ethics Committee, was approved by the House panel in a bipartisan vote Monday to take over the super-sensitive post, which had been vacant since January.”

You can read Roll Call’s coverage of the news by Emma Dumain here. Jordy Yager writes here in the Hill’s Blog Briefing Room.

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ethics has a press release from May 2.

Photo of the U.S. Capitol Rotunda by UpstateNYer on Wikipedia.

The Independent Ethics Commission released Position Statement 11-01 on Friday, April 8, 2011. In this statement, the Commission adjusted the limit on gifts to public officials and employees in the state of Colorado to $53 per calendar year, up from $50.

Pursuant to Article XXIX section 3(6), which was part of the 2006 voter-approved Amendment 41, the limit is to be adjusted based upon inflation every four years. This is the first such adjustment required.

Photo of downtown Denver by 33mhz on Wikipedia.