Lobbying

“Annual GAO Report on Federal Lobbying Compliance Shows Mixed Enforcement Bag: Fewer audits, more and larger enforcement penalties” by Andrew Garrahan for National Law Review

California: “Documentaries Like ‘Blackfish’ Influence California’s Capitol” by Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee

California: “Lawmakers Act to Shine Light on California Coastal Commission, Other Key State Boards” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “AZ Governor Signs Bill Easing Dark Money Rules” by Ryan Van Velzer (Associated Press) for Albuquerque Journal

Kentucky: “Judge Tosses Kentucky’s Ban on Corporate Campaign Donations” by The Associated Press for Lexington Herald-Leader

Mississippi: “Senate Passes Campaign Finance Reform” by Geoff Pender (Jackson Clarion-Ledger) for Hattiesburg American

Ethics

Alabama: “Rebekah Caldwell Mason, and How Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley ‘Lost His Mind’ ‘” by Amber Phillips for Washington Post

California: “San Diego May Revamp Ticket Perk” by David Garrick for San Diego Union-Tribune

Elections

“The American Idea in 140 Characters” by Vann Newkirk for The Atlantic

“Targets of Trump’s Attacks Fight Back in D.C.” by Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman for Politico

“Who Are the Angriest Republicans?” by Thomas Edsall for New York Times

Legislative Issues

“Abortion, Guns and Gay Rights Offer Risks, Rewards for State Republicans” by Richard Fausset for New York Times

Missouri: “Political Insider Accused of Harassing Missouri Capitol Interns Can Return, with Conditions” by Alex Stuckey for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

National:

Feeling G.O.P. Peril, Muslims Try to Get Out Vote
New York Times – Alan Rappeport | Published: 3/24/2016

American Muslims are watching in growing horror as Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz battle for the Republican presidential nomination, outdoing each other with provocative proposals that have included Muslim registries, immigration bans, and fleets of police patrolling their neighborhoods. National advocacy groups are planning to fend off policies they consider hostile to Muslims with a more proactive strategy: driving up the Muslim vote. Organizations are encouraging mosques to turn themselves into voter registration centers before the November election so Muslims can make their voices heard at the polls. Registration drives are expected to ramp up significantly in June, during Ramadan, when attendance at Islamic centers peaks. Although Muslims make up only about one percent of the U.S. population, civil rights groups have set a goal of registering a million new voters.

Federal:

How Clinton’s Email Scandal Took Root
Washington Post – Robert O’Harrow, Jr. | Published: 3/27/2016

Since Hillary Clinton’s private email account was brought to light a year ago, the matter has been a source of nonstop national news. The FBI is now trying to determine whether a crime was committed in the handling of that classified material. It is also examining whether the server was hacked. The Washington Post reviewed documents and interviewed more than a dozen knowledgeable government officials to understand the decisions and the implications of Clinton’s actions. The resulting scandal revolves around questions about classified information, the preservation of government records, and the security of her email communication.

Surprising Source of GOP Petition
CBS News – Arden Farhi | Published: 3/29/2016

A man who says he authored a petition to allow open carry of guns at the Republican National Convention says he did it to test the limits of the party’s support for the Second Amendment. The petition, which has attracted national attention, reads as if it was written by a supporter of gun rights. Instead, the man behind the petition is a self-professed liberal Democrat and gun control advocate. In response to questions about the petition, the Secret Service said only law enforcement personnel will be allowed to carry firearms at the event.

Union ‘Persuader’ Rule to Offer Rare Look inside DC Consulting
The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 3/27/2016

The U.S. Department of Labor finalized the so-called union persuader rule that requires third-party lawyers and outside consultants to disclose when they are paid to advise businesses on resisting union-organizing campaigns. The rule takes effect on July 1. The rule covers activities like conducting union-avoidance seminars, providing materials for employers to distribute to workers, and writing talking points. Registered lobbyists in Washington, D.C. often lament that while their activities are heavily regulated, other professionals in the advocacy industry do similar work without any disclosure requirements at all. Craig Holman, a lobbyist for Public Citizen, said the Labor Department’s persuader rule could show the value in expanding advocacy disclosure beyond registered lobbyists.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama – Governor of Alabama, Robert Bentley, Says He Won’t Quit
New York Times – Alan Blinder | Published: 3/30/2016

Rebekah Caldwell Mason announced her resignation, saying she would no longer serve as Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley’s senior political adviser after he publicly admitted making inappropriate remarks to her but denied the two ever had an affair. It was uncertain whether it would be politically feasible for Bentley to remain in office. Some lawmakers are talking of impeaching the governor. His former pastor said Bentley was no longer a member of the Tuscaloosa congregation where he was once a deacon. The Alabama Ethics Commission said it would investigate whether Bentley and Mason had committed wrongdoing.

Arizona – Bill Overhauling Campaign Finance Laws Heads to Arizona Governor
Arizona Daily Star – Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) | Published: 3/29/2016

The Arizona Legislature passed a bill that rewrites campaign finance law, including a provision that would remove food, beverages, and invitations from the list of what is considered a political contribution or expenditure under state law. It also eliminates existing law that requires groups that spend money to influence elections to register first with the state. Critics call the legislation a back-door attempt to expand the influence of anonymous political spending in elections. Senate Bill 1516 now goes to the governor.

Arkansas – Ex-Judge Gets 10-Year Sentence for Taking Bribe
Arkansas News – John Lyon | Published: 3/24/2016

A former Arkansas judge was sentenced to 10 years in prison in federal court after he pleaded guilty to lowering the amount of damages a jury awarded in a civil suit in exchange for campaign contributions. Michael Maggio, a former state District Court judge, reached a plea deal where he admitted to receiving the bribes to reduce a $5.2 million judgment in a civil negligence case against a nursing home company to $1 million. Maggio met with an unidentified person who said he could provide about $50,000 in campaign funds in return for a favorable ruling in the civil case. Maggio was removed from office in 2014 after admitting he disclosed information about the adoption of a child by actress Charlize Theron, which was handled by another judge in the state.

California – Lobbying Class Teaches Sacramento State Students ‘Rough and Tumble’ Politics
Sacramento Bee – Taryn Luna | Published: 3/28/2016

Richie Ross is best known as a campaign consultant for many of California’s highest ranking Democrats and a longtime lobbyist and ally of the United Farm Workers. But he has a side job that few have heard about: helping to teach undergrads at Sacramento State University how to develop and carry an actual bill through the state Legislature. In the course description, “Making a New Law” is defined as “hands-on and grounded in rough and tumble politics.” Few universities offer lobbying majors or programs specifically geared for students interested in the profession. Ross said internships can provide valuable experience, but do not necessarily give students an insider’s perspective.

Florida – Opa-locka’s ‘Shadow’ Force Moves Millions in City Contracts
Miami Herald – Jay Weaver, Michael Sallah, and Katie Lepri | Published: 3/28/2016

In a community where money begets political favors at City Hall, Dante Starks has known few equals in pulling the levers of government in Opa-locka, Florida. The lobbyist has helped steer millions of dollars in public works projects to clients, shut down police investigations, and pushed successfully for the firing of a city manager – all after his own arrest on public bribery charges nearly a decade ago. Now, Starks is at the center of a federal investigation that threatens to topple him and a cadre of elected leaders in the most comprehensive corruption probe in Miami-Dade County in decades. A federal grand jury has issued 18 subpoenas to current and former City Hall employees in a kickback investigation involving nearly every public works project in Opa-locka in the past 10 years.

Kentucky – Beshear Aide Charged in Kickback Scheme
Louisville Courier-Journal – Joseph Gerth, Andrew Wolfson, and Tom Loftus | Published: 3/26/2016

The former secretary of the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet allegedly took more than $200,000 in kickbacks to steer business to a consulting company and make illegal campaign contributions. Timothy Longmeyer was charged with bribery. The alleged kickback scam involved the Kentucky Employees’ Health Plan, which is administered by the department that Longmeyer headed. The state contracts with private insurance companies such as Humana and Anthem to provide services to employees. The affidavit alleged Longmeyer abused his authority over the health plan in order to get Humana and Anthem to give business to a consulting company in return for bribes from the company.

Michigan – Feds Charge 12 Detroit School Principals with Bribery
USA Today – Katrease Stafford and Tresa Baldas (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 3/29/2016

Thirteen former or current principals with the Detroit Public Schools (DPS) system face federal conspiracy and bribery charges in an alleged scheme to receive kickbacks from Allstate Sales, a school supplies vendor. According to the charges, the principals approved fraudulent invoices from the vendor in order to receive payment from DPS for supplies that were ordered. Allstate Sales reportedly provided cash, checks, or gift cards to the principals in many cases as kickbacks, instead of delivering the full amount of supplies that were ordered. The payments for all of the defendants total more than $800,000. U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade said DPS suffered a loss of $2.7 million in the scheme.

Missouri – Lawmakers Bunking with Lobbyists Show More Cozy Connections in Capitol
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Kurt Erickson | Published: 3/30/2016

A review of data collected by the Missouri Ethics Commission shows at least 13 state legislators have had business relationships in the past year with lobbyists, ranging from the renting of sleeping rooms to the use of lawmaker-owned businesses. It is all perfectly legal for lawmakers to have business dealings with lobbyists under Missouri’s ethics laws, where candidates can take unlimited amounts of campaign money and be entertained by the companies and groups seeking to influence policy. The housing data comes from business relationships reported by lobbyists on their monthly reports. Along with reporting how much they spend on legislators, lobbyists must note any direct business relationships or partnership with any public official.

Montana – Montana Lawmakers Rarely Refrain from Voting on Personal Interests
Helena Independent Record – James DeHaven | Published: 3/27/2016

Montana law requires the disclosure of potential conflicts-of-interest for state lawmakers only ahead of votes that “have a direct and distinctive personal impact on the legislator.” The law also leaves questions about the determination and enforcement of such conflicts up to each lawmaker and a pair of partisan legislative ethics committees that have not met for at least the past decade. An analysis of more than 900,000 floor and committee votes over the past four legislative sessions found just 20 recorded instances of a lawmaker announcing a conflict-of-interest ahead of a vote. Records point to only three documented instances when a legislator abstained from a vote in light of that conflict.

Ohio – City Hall Scandals Prompt Ginther to Propose New Ethics Rules
Columbus Dispatch – Lucas Sullivan | Published: 3/28/2016

The Columbus City Council approved new ethics regulations that center on more accountability for lobbyists, increased campaign finance reporting for city candidates, and more disclosure of gifts and trips by elected officials. The rules, which go into effect in April, will increase the penalties for noncompliance. Under the reforms, lobbyists will be required to disclose expenditures and interactions with any elected city officials and some of their staff three times a year. Lobbyists who make false statements or disclosures will be subject to first-degree misdemeanors. There will also be additional disclosure beyond the state requirement for gifts provided to city officials, including the type of gift, who gave it, and the value.

South Carolina – Wilson Defends Firing of Pascoe, Johnson Refuses Job
Greenville News – Tim Smith | Published: 3/30/2016

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson defended his decision to fire David Pascoe, a special prosecutor he had appointed to investigate corruption within South Carolina’s Legislature. Pascoe filed a petition with the state Supreme Court asking it to immediately hold a hearing and rule on whether Wilson has the authority to remove him. Meanwhile, the man tapped by Wilson to lead the inquiry, Dan Johnson, is refusing to take the job until the Supreme Court issues a decision in the matter. Wilson said he was shocked and disappointed to learn of the plea deal with House Speaker Bobby Harrell that Pascoe had negotiated. Harrell pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts of misusing his campaign funds and avoided jail time with his sentence.

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

California: “Lobbying Class Teaches Sacramento State Students ‘Rough and Tumble’ Politics” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

Missouri: “Lawmakers Bunking with Lobbyists Show More Cozy Connections in Capitol” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Bill Overhauling Campaign Finance Laws Heads to Arizona Governor” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star

Indiana: “Exclusive: Special prosecutor investigating allegation against Monarch Beverage” by Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star

Ethics

Michigan: “Feds Charge 12 Detroit School Principals with Bribery” by Katrease Stafford and Tresa Baldas (Detroit Free Press) for USA Today

Missouri: “Missouri Lawmakers Pass Limits on Paid Political Consulting” by Adam Aton and Summer Ballentine (Associated Press) for Kansas City Star

Texas: “Indictment Aside, Crystal City Mayor is Running Again” by Jim Malewitz for Texas Tribune

Vermont: “Trimmed Down Ethics Commission Plan Gets Committee’s OK” by Mark Johnson for VTDigger.org

Elections

Ohio: “Surprising Source of GOP Petition” by Arden Farhi for CBS News

On March 29, a bill overhauling campaign finance was passed by the Arizona Legislature. Among the changes to the state’s law, Senate Bill 1516 allows groups registered with the IRS as “social welfare” organizations to withhold disclosing donor information, removes spending caps on expenditures for political fundraisers, and allows for candidate to candidate transfers of campaign funds.

While the lack of requiring disclosure of political donors was a major objection from state legislators opposed to the bill, the majority of the Legislature was willing to accept the changes. “I think transparency is a good principle. But it is not the overarching principle,” said bill supporter Rep. J.D. Mesnard, as reported by the Arizona Daily Star. If not vetoed by Gov. Doug Ducey, the law becomes effective January 1, 2017.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its audit of federal lobbying compliance for 2015. For the audit, the GAO reviewed a random sample of 80 quarterly disclosure reports filed for the third and fourth quarters of calendar year 2014 and the first and second quarters of calendar year 2015. They also reviewed random samples of 160 LD-203 reports for the year-end 2014 and midyear 2015 reports.

Among its findings, the GAO concluded 93 percent of filers of lobbying disclosure reports were able to provide documentation to support reported income and expenses, 85 percent filed the required federal political campaign reports, and 69 percent of the reported income and expenses were properly rounded to the nearest $10,000. The audit estimates at least 21 percent of all lobbying disclosure reports did not properly disclose formerly held covered positions.

The 54 page report, released on March 25, 2016, is titled “2015 Lobbying Disclosure Observations on Lobbyists’ Compliance with Disclosure Requirements.”

The Columbus City Council passed three new pieces of ethics legislation on Monday, March 28, strengthening financial disclosure provisions and amending city campaign finance and lobbying laws.

Ord. 0084-2016 requires lobbyists to file updated registration statements in January, May, and September of each year. Knowingly failing to register as a lobbyist will be a third degree misdemeanor, while knowingly filing a false statement will be a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Although state campaign finance laws apply to municipal elections, Ord. 0087-2016 requires additional election period communication disclosure statements to be filed with the Franklin County Board of Elections and with the city clerk if contributions or expenditures for the reporting period equal or exceed $10,000.

Among other changes, Ord. 0086-2016 expands financial disclosure requirements for public office holders and candidates, requiring a description of each gift or aggregate of gifts over $75 from certain sources.

All three ordinances go into effect September 28, 2016.

A new lobbying ordinance may be coming to Travis County, Texas, according to the Austin American-Statesman. An ethics code, possibly including a lobbyist registration and reporting component, is being considered by the county, with recommendations to be accepted in May from a task force made up of county officials.

“As a general rule, it’s really important for all government functioning to be very, very transparent and for the public and the elected officials to know who’s talking to them on behalf of whom. And right now, there’s no lobbyist registration requirement,” said Commissioner Brigid Shea according to the paper.

Seal of Travis County courtesy of Travis County, Texas on Wikimedia Commons.

Lobbying

“Union ‘Persuader’ Rule to Offer Rare Look inside DC Consulting” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

“FOI Agency, In Role Reversal, Opposes Disclosure of Connected Lobbyist’s Emails” by Jon Lender for Hartford Courant

Texas: “Travis County to Create Its First Code of Ethics” by Sean Collins Walsh for Austin American-Statesman

Campaign Finance

California: “Valley Councilwoman’s Aides Sought $5 and $10 Donations That Are Focus of U.S. Inquiry” by David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times

Ethics

Alabama: “Governor’s Political Adviser Discloses Pay from Nonprofit” by Kim Chandler (Associated Press) for Montgomery Advertiser

Florida: “Gov. Rick Scott Signs Anti-Corruption Bill” by Matt Reed and James Call for Tallahassee Democrat

Kentucky: “Beshear Aide Charged in Kickback Scheme” by Joseph Gerth, Andrew Wolfson, and Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal

Missouri: “Despite Fast Start, Legislative Progress on Ethics Reform Slows” by Ellen Cagle for Fulton Sun

Montana”Montana Lawmakers Rarely Refrain from Voting on Personal Interests” by James DeHaven for Helena Independent Record

Elections

“Uninformed Voters Are a Problem. This May Be a Solution.” by Mike Maciag for Governing

“How the G.O.P. Elite Lost Its Voters to Donald Trump” by Nicholas Co
nfessore for New York Times

National:

Scorecard: Essential disclosure requirements for contributions to state campaigns, 2016
National Institute on Money in State Politics; Staff –   | Published: 3/15/2016

The National Institute on Money in State Politics released its latest review of campaign finance transparency across the country. The institute formulated its national scorecard to grade states’ disclosure practices governing direct contributions to state candidates, state political parties, and, where applicable, committees that support or oppose any kind of statewide ballot question. Twenty-nine states received a “B” or better, including 10 that earned an “A”; conversely, 12 states got a “D” or worse, including eight that flunked. Scores varied widely across the country, with almost every region represented on each side of the grading spectrum. Maine led the way with a perfect score. Mississippi stood alone at the opposite pole with only 37.5 points.

The U.S. Has ‘Worst Elections of Any Long-Established Democracy,’ Report Finds
Washington Post – Rick Noack | Published: 3/21/2016

The U.S. ranked 47th worldwide, out of 139 countries, in a comparison of election standards and procedures. The survey is a measure of dozens of factors, including voter registration, campaign financing rules, election laws, the voting process, and vote count. Overall, one in six elections around the world were considered electoral failures. But in general, countries in the Americas and Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in Asia, were considered to be on the winning side in terms of electoral integrity, with Scandinavian and Western European nations topping the lists.

Federal:

GOP Campaigns Hunt for Convention Killer App
Politico – Robert Samuelsohn | Published: 3/24/2016

Tracking, counting, and potentially swaying the Republican National Convention’s 2,472 delegates amid a maze of confusing rules is a critical function in a nominating process that figures to be contested, which is why the campaigns have already embarked on a once-in-a-generation feat of political and technological engineering. The goal is not necessarily an app, but rather some combination of technology designed for the first contested national convention in 40 years. While campaigns for statewide office have used delegate-tracking data technology in state party conventions and even at recent national party conventions, nothing on the scale of what would be required for the summer of 2016 has ever been attempted.

How ‘Ghost Corporations’ Are Funding the 2016 Election
Washington Post – Matea Gold and Anu Narayanswamy | Published: 3/18/2016

A growing cadre of mystery groups are financing super PACs. Many were formed just days or weeks before making six- or ­seven-figure contributions, an arrangement that election law experts say violates a long-standing federal ban on straw donors. But the individuals behind the “ghost corporations” appear to face little risk of reprisal from a deeply polarized FEC, which recently deadlocked on whether to even investigate such cases. Advocates for stronger campaign-finance enforcement fear there will be even more pop-up limited liability corporations funneling money into independent groups, making it difficult to discern the identities of wealthy players seeking to influence this year’s presidential and congressional contests.

Trump Wannabes Shake Up Cable Airwaves
Politico – Hadas Gold | Published: 3/21/2016

These days, with Donald Trump steamrolling to the Republican nomination while so many party regulars oppose him, the cable networks have little choice but to look outside their comfort zone for talking heads. They have almost endless hours of airtime to fill, and most of their regular conservative commentators – the ones kept on a retainer to be available at odd hours – are arrayed against Trump. Some speakers now have A-list status for the simple reason that they favor Trump. While their relationships to the Trump campaign range from loose to very loose, they do share their favored candidate’s penchant for eye-popping comments.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama – Alabama Governor, Robert Bentley, Denies Having Affair with Aide
New York Times – Alan Blinder | Published: 3/23/2016

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley admitted he made inappropriate remarks to a top female staffer, but denied accusations they had a “physical affair.” The governor’s admission capped a bizarre day in which, a day after his firing, his former law enforcement secretary and one-time close friend made public the content of a clandestine recording, made by a family member before Bentley’s wife filed for divorce last year, and accused his former boss of having an inappropriate relationship with the staffer. The governor, a former Baptist deacon, acknowledged he said “some inappropriate things” to his senior political adviser, Rebekah Caldwell Mason.

California – Former L.A. City Council Aide, Wife Acquitted of Embezzlement in Corruption Case
Los Angeles Times – Marisa Gerber | Published: 3/22/2016

Jurors found Robert Katherman, Jr. and his wife, Marilyn, not guilty of misappropriation of public funds and embezzlement. A third defendant, Ronald Smith, treasurer of the West Basin Municipal Water District, pleaded guilty in 2014 to embezzling nearly $20,000 from the agency. Prosecutors alleged Smith, persuaded the water agency to give paid sponsorships to the Adopt a Stormdrain Foundation. The Kathermans were members of the nonprofit’s board. The couple, prosecutors argued, steered money to Smith, who used the funds to pay for tennis and dance lessons for his children and to fix his boat. But defense attorneys argued Smith deceived Rob Katherman into believing the checks covered educational grants, and that Marilyn Katherman had nothing to do with them at all.

Florida – Trump Camp Says $25,000 Charity Contribution to Florida AG Was a Mistake
Washington Post – David Fahrenthold and Rosalind Helderman | Published: 3/22/2016

Donald Trump’s aides admitted his charitable foundation made mistakes when it donated to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi’s political committee. In 2013, the Trump Foundation gave $25,000 to And Justice for All, a committee supporting Bondi’s re-election bid. But federal tax law bans 501(c)(3) charities like the Trump Foundation from contributing to political campaigns. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington asked for an IRS investigation into whether the foundation should lose its tax-exempt status and whether its accountants committed perjury by not properly disclosing a political contribution on its tax forms.

Indiana – Hogsett to Lobbyists: Disclose gifts, or face ban
Indianapolis Star – Brian Eason | Published: 3/23/2016

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett wants to close loopholes in the city ethics code with a package of reforms introduced recently. The proposed ordinance would strengthen reporting requirements, impose stronger penalties for violations, and create a web portal for easier public access to ethics disclosures. Thomas Cook, the mayor’s chief of staff, said the existing law lists certain gifts a lobbyist has to report, such as food, entertainment, and travel expenses, meaning lobbyists can omit those that do not fall into specific categories. Another problem, Cook says, was a lack of teeth. In addition to existing fines, lobbyists under the proposal could incur lifetime bans for themselves and their firms if they repeatedly break the rules, while contractors who violate the ordinance could be banned for a single offense.

Massachusetts – Large Donations Help Mass. GOP Avoid State Cap
Boston Globe – Frank Phillips | Published: 3/17/2016

Wealthy individuals with interests before state government are helping to keep the usually financially strapped Massachusetts Republican Party flush with cash and circumventing the state’s strict limits on political contributions and transparency requirements. These large donations are funneled through the Massachusetts Victory Committee, a joint fundraising effort between the state and national parties. Because of its national component, it was set up under federal guidelines, which allows annual donations up to $43,400, far above the $5,000 cap set for state-regulated political donations to party accounts and the $1,000 annual limit for contributions to Gov. Charlie Baker’s campaign committee. This appears to be the only such arrangement nationwide, according to FEC filings.

Mississippi – Many Mississippi Officials Take from Closed Campaign Accounts, Review Reveals
New York Times; Associated Press –   | Published: 3/20/2016

An Associated Press review shows that of 99 elected officials in Mississippi who have left office in recent years, as many as 25 may have pocketed more than $1,000 when they closed their campaign accounts. At least five former officeholders took more than $50,000. Mississippi is one of five states where such withdrawals are legal as long as state and federal income taxes are paid, with no restrictions on how the money is spent. A proposal to end the practice has consistently failed to win support from lawmakers; it died again this year without even a committee vote. Experts say the practice makes campaign contributions perilously close to bribes.

Montana – For Some Montana Office Seekers, It’s Not about Winning
Great Falls Tribune – Bobby Caina Calvan (Associated Press) | Published: 3/20/2016

Montana law allows campaign donors to give a gubernatorial candidate a maximum of $1,320 – up to $660 in the primary and another $660 in November’s general election. But without a primary challenger, candidates would have to send back any amount exceeding $660. Most states have limits on campaign contributions, but Montana and South Carolina may be the only ones requiring candidates to return money when they run unopposed. Some say Montana law should be changed to prevent “paper candidates.” It has become a ritual among Montana election watchers to see who Democrats and Republicans can wrangle into key races to skirt campaign finance rules.

New York – Harold Ickes, Mentor to Mayor Bill de Blasio, Builds Lobbying Victories
New York Times – Michael Grynbaum | Published: 3/19/2016

On his path to becoming mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio has long relied on Harold Ickes, whom he calls his mentor. Ickes has advised de Blasio’s campaigns, introduced him to wealthy donors, and recommended him for a breakthrough job managing Hillary Clinton’s run for U.S. Senate. Shortly after de Blasio’s election in 2013, Ickes opened a New York branch of his lobbying firm. Although he had not lobbied in the city for nearly a decade, Ickes proved a quick study, collecting about $1 million in fees and securing wins for major clients. The mayor has said his friendship with Ickes does not influence his decision-making, or the city’s treatment of his mentor’s clients. But an examination of public records obtained shows the close relationship has given Ickes extraordinary access, enabling him to push his clients’ interests directly to the city’s top officials.

New York – Oft-Criticized Ethics Watchdog Names Cuomo Aide as Executive Director
Gotham Gazette – David Howard King | Published: 3/23/2016

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) picked a former aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as its new director. JCOPE chose Seth Agata a former counsel to Cuomo and the governor’s pick last year to serve as chairperson of the Public Employment Relations Board. Agata will be the board’s third consecutive director with close ties to Cuomo. Critics have questioned JCOPE’s effectiveness and whether Cuomo has too much influence over its work. Blair Horner of the New York Public Interest Research Group said he had known Agata for years and he was an “honest, hard-working straight shooter. … Whether he’s independent enough or not is the question.”

Ohio – Security Officials Brace for GOP Convention amid Trump Protests, Brussels Attack
Politico – Anna Palmer | Published: 3/23/2016

Cleveland is preparing to host the Republican National Convention during one of the most tumultuous presidential elections in decades. Tensions are escalating as Donald Trump warns of “riots” if he is denied the nomination at the July convention. Add two major terrorist attacks abroad in four months into the cauldron, including the bombings in Brussels, and it is not hard to imagine the potential for chaos at the convention this summer. Still, convention organizers and security officials say they are ready to execute a plan that was in the works before fisticuffs broke out regularly at Trump’s rallies.

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

“Money Can’t Buy Love – or in Some Cases, Even Elections” by Alex Roarty for Roll Call

“Trump Camp Says $25,000 Charity Contribution to Florida AG Was a Mistake” by David Fahrenthold and Rosalind Helderman for Washington Post

Florida: “Committee Votes to Ban Personal Spending of Campaign Money” by Geoff Pender, Kate Royals, and Jimmie Gates for Jackson Clarion-Ledger

West Virginia: “Supreme Court Agrees Benjamin, Wooton Should Get Public Campaign Financing” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette

Ethics

California: “Former L.A. City Council Aide, Wife Acquitted of Embezzlement in Corruption Case” by Marisa Gerber for Los Angeles Times

Florida: “Florida State Fair Executive Director Resigned after Accepting Rays Tickets and Hot Tub” by Tony Marrero and Sue Carlton for Tampa Bay Times

New York: “Oft-Criticized Ethics Watchdog Names Cuomo Aide as Executive Director” by David Howard King for Gotham Gazette

Vermont: “Full Disclosure? Slow Going for Ethics Reform in the Vermont Senate” by Paul Heintz for Seven Days

Elections

“Presidential Candidates Walking a Tightrope over the Fight on Terrorism” by David Sanger and Maggie Haberman for New York Times

“Trump’s Growing List of Apostasies Puts Him at Odds with Decades of Republican Beliefs” by Philip Rucker and Dan Balz for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

Minnesota: “A New Internship Program Aims to Inject Diversity at the Minnesota Capitol” by Mila Koumpilova for Minneapolis Star Tribune

After nine months of searching and receiving over 200 resumes, the New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics has finally found a new executive director.

Seth H. Agata, a former top aide to Gov. Cuomo, was named as the new Executive Director of the Commission. His prior experience includes being the Chair of the New York Public Employment Relations Board, Acting Counsel and First Assistant Counsel to the Governor, as well as a former Assistant District Attorney in Columbia County.

Lobbying

California: “Tech Consultants May Soon Have to Register as Lobbyists” by Samantha Young for Techwire.net

Missouri: “Lobbyists, Liaisons Would Take Sexual Harassment Training under Measure” by Alex Stuckey for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Campaign Finance

“Will a Liberal Supreme Court Limit Money in Politics?” by Mark Schmitt for New York Times

Montana: “Lawsuit Says Disclose Act is Unconstitutionally Overbroad” by James DeHaven for Helena Independent Record

Vermont: “Corren, Attorney General Still at Odds on Campaign Finance Case” by David Gram (Associated Press) for Rutland Herald

Elections

“How Does Trump Get So Much Air Time? Media Ethics under Fire” by Harry Bruinius for Christian Science Monitor

“Clinton and Trump Win Arizona; Cruz Picks Up Utah; Sanders Takes 2” by Jonathan Martin for New York Times

Ethics

New York: “Another Cuomo Insider for JCOPE” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

Legislative Issues

“Congress Setting New Bar for Doing Nothing” by Lauren French for Politico

Kansas: “Kansas Senate Passes Judicial-Impeachment Bill” by Dion Lefler for Wichita Eagle

Gov. Tom Wolf is pushing to extend the range of the gift ban he imposed on executive branch employees after taking office. His plan is to make his executive order a permanent, statutory prohibition and create a similar restriction on gifts to legislators.

While the reception he has received from Democratic lawmakers has been positive, Republicans, who control both houses of the General Assembly, are less eager to make a change. Gov. Wolf has stated he would prefer a complete ban, but is willing to work with legislators on a compromise. With ongoing budget issues, however, ethics reform appears to be taking a back seat for the time being.

Lobbying

New York: “Nonprofit Linked to Mayor de Blasio Is Closing” by J. David Goodman for New York Times

New York: “Harold Ickes, Mentor to Mayor Bill de Blasio, Builds Lobbying Victories” by Michael Grynbaum for New York Times

Campaign Finance

“Scorecard: Essential disclosure requirements for contributions to state campaigns, 2016” by Staff for National Institute on Money in State Politics

“How ‘Ghost Corporations’ Are Funding the 2016 Election” by Matea Gold and Anu Narayanswamy for Washington Post

Massachusetts: “Large Donations Help Mass. GOP Avoid State Cap” by Frank Phillips for Boston Globe

Mississippi: “Many Mississippi Officials Take from Closed Campaign Accounts, Review Reveals” by The Associated Press for New York Times

Montana: “For Some Montana Office Seekers, It’s Not about Winning” by Bobby Caina Calvan (Associated Press) for Great Falls Tribune

Elections

“The U.S. Has ‘Worst Elections of Any Long-Established Democracy,’ Report Finds” by Rick Noack for Washington Post

“Trump Wannabes Shake Up Cable Airwaves” by Hadas Gold for Politico

Ohio: “Cleveland Prepares for Unrest at GOP Convention” by Tracy Jan for Boston Globe

Redistricting

Virginia: “Supreme Court May Decide against Va. Republicans in Redistricting Fight” by Robert Barnes and Jenna Portnoy for Washington Post