Campaign Finance

“Judge Backs Blind FEC Eye on Campaign-Finance Violations” by Tim Ryan for Courthouse News Service

New Jersey: “A $500 Contribution to Republicans Costs Paving Company $7M” by Dave Hutchinson (NJ Advance Media) for NJ.com

Elections

Texas: “Justice Department Changes Its Position in High-Profile Texas Voter-ID Case” by Sari Horwitz for Washington Post

Ethics

“From K Street to Congo: Abramoff’s new adventure” by Anna Palmer, Jake Sherman, and John Bresnahan for Politico

“Who’s Watching Trump’s Ethics Watchdogs?” by Darren Samuelsohn for Politico

New York: “The F.B.I. Questioned de Blasio. Hours Later, This Man Was Fired.” by William Rashbaum, William Neuman, and J. David Goodman for New York Times

Texas: “Political Corruption Trial Kicks off in Dallas” by David Lee for Courthouse News Service

West Virginia: “WV Lawmakers Pass Nepotism Ban” by Eric Eyre for Charleston Gazette

Legislative Issues

“The DNC Isn’t Enough: Democrats demand more leadership changes” by Gabriel Debenedetti and Edward-Isaac Dovere for Politico

Lobbying

Colorado: “How the Charities on Your Colorado Tax Form Used Connections, Money and Legislation to Earn the Coveted ‘Godsend’” by Brian Eason for Denver Post

On February 27, the West Virginia House of Delegates passed House Bill 2001 requiring companies and consultants with state contracts to disclose the names of those who have at least a 25 percent financial interest in the contract.

Under the bill, business entities performing the work, such as lawyers, brokers and advisors, must also be disclosed to the Ethics Commission. The bill also includes provisions to expressly prohibit nepotism. House Bill 2001 unanimously passed the House and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

A bill creating an independent ethics commission is advancing through the New Mexico legislature.

House Joint Resolution 8 (HJR 8) seeks to amend the state constitution and establish a state ethics commission. The ethics commission would oversee complaints against public officials, both in the legislative and executive branches, as well as lobbyist and government contractors.

If passed, the proposed amendment would be placed on the 2018 general election ballot for voter approval.

HJR 8 unanimously passed the House Local Government, Elections, Land Grants and Cultural Affairs Committee and will be heard by the House Judiciary Committee next.

Lobbying

California: “Penalty for Lobbyist – But Not Politicians – After $51,000 Birthday Party” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times

Utah: “Utah Lobbyists Treat Lawmakers with No Scrutiny” by Michelle Price (Associated Press) for Deseret News

Campaign Finance

“FEC Member: I have the right to demand Trump prove voter fraud claims” by Eli Watkins for CNN

Kansas: “Kansas Rejects Higher Limits on Donations to Candidates” by John Hanna (Associated Press) for McClatchyDC.com

Texas: “House Member Marks One-Year Anniversary of Filing Zero Campaign Finance Reports” by Jackie Wang for Texas Tribune

Ethics

“Trump’s ‘Winter White House’: A peek at the exclusive members’ list at Mar-a-Lago” by Nicholas Confessore, Maggie Haberman, and Eric Lipton for New York Times

“From Trump the Nationalist, a Trail of Global Trademarks” by Danny Hakim and Sui-Lee Wee for New York Times

Colorado: “Denver City Council Panel Advances New Ethics Rules” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

Florida: “Brevard County Commissioners Put Forth Ethics Reform Plan” by Dave Berman for Florida Today

Kentucky: “Liquor Dealer in Kentucky House Getting Action on His Liquor Bills” by John Cheves for Lexington Herald-Leader

Legislative Issues

“Tennessee, Texas Stand Out for Strengthened Hill Sway” by David Hawkins for Roll Call

Virginia: “Some Hope to Increase Diversity Among Va. Legislative Aides” by Patrick Wilson for Richmond Times-Dispatch

Thursday, February 23, is South Dakota’s crossover day, which is the final day for lawmakers to pass bills out of their chamber of origin.

Ahead of the deadline, lawmakers are set to consider campaign finance and ethics bills that were proposed in the wake of the repeal of Initiated Measure 22.

A bill to create a state government accountability board is scheduled to be heard by the House on Wednesday, February 22, and another bill to increase the revolving door restriction to three years was scheduled to be heard by the House on Tuesday, February 21.

A bill to raise the limit on what individuals may contribute to campaigns has passed the Kentucky Senate.

Senate Bill 75, sponsored by Sen. Damon Thayer, doubles the limit for individuals giving to candidates, caucus committees, and political parties.

The bill, similar to a measure introduced by Thayer in the past, also creates an additional disclosure report 60 days prior to an election. The bill has been transmitted to the House for consideration.

Campaign Finance

‘Soft Money’ Case a Test for Trump, Supreme Court by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA

Missouri: Amid Greitens Mystery, Missouri Democrats Revive Inauguration Funding Disclosure Bill by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Ethics

Americans Are Seriously Stressed Out About the Future of the Country, Survey Finds by Colby Itkowitz for The Washington Post

Democratic Party Chairs Struggle to Harness Activism Burst by Heidi Przybyla and Fredreka Schouten for USA Today

New Jersey: Judge: Bridge case complaint against Christie can proceed by David Porter (Associated Press) for ABC News

Pennsylvania: Closer Monitoring on Tap for City Council’s Ethics Training by Julia Terruso for Philadelphia Inquirer

South Carolina: SC Government Watchdog Crangle Takes New Post but Will Still Be Working General Assembly by John Monk for The State

Texas: Texas May Still Be Giving State-Funded Pension to Convicted Elected Officials by Jackie Wang for Texas Tribune

Lobbying

Hawaii: Tightening The Rules for Lobbyists by Ian Lind for Honolulu Civil Beat

Procurement

Arizona: Rival Sues Taser Over Loss of Phoenix Police Body-Cam Contract by Megan Cassidy for Arizona Republic

Missouri House Democrats have introduced a bill to require future governors to publicly disclose donations for gubernatorial inauguration activities.

Lawmakers hope to eliminate the appearance of corruption by allowing Missourians to see how much money corporations and lobbyists donate to fund inaugural events.

Recently, Gov. Eric Greitens issued a list of benefactors who contributed to his inaugural celebration but refused to confirm how much was contributed by each donor and how much money was actually spent.

He formed a nonprofit to raise money for the inauguration and the contributions, therefore, were not subject to state campaign finance laws.

Hawaii legislators are currently considering legislation aimed at closing an existing loophole in lobbyist registration and reporting rules. Currently, a lobbyist is one who spends more than five hours in a month or $750 in a reporting period attempting to influence a ballot issue or legislative or administrative action.

The law is not clear, however, with regards to the activities and time to be included when determining if an individual meets the lobbyist threshold. As a result, it has been utilized as a way to avoid public disclosure.

House Bill 290 would close the loophole by amending the registration threshold. A lobbyist would include anyone paid or who expects to be paid more than $1,000 in a year for lobbying, anyone who spends five hours in one month or 10 hours in a calendar year on lobbying, or anyone who lobbies on three or more measures during a legislative session.

The bill is just one part of a legislative package supported by the Hawaii State Ethics Commission. The Commission is also supporting bills to increase fines for ethics and lobbying violations, to amend various definitions related to lobbying, to amend special session lobbyist reporting requirements, and to allow lobbyist employers to file notices of termination.

Campaign Finance

New Mexico: “NM Senate Wants Disclosure of ‘Dark Money’ Election Spending” by Dan McKay for Albuquerque Journal

South Dakota: “Republicans Prepare for Court Battle Over Out-of-State Spending Caps” by Dana Ferguson for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Ethics

“Liberal Activists Join Forces Against a Common Foe: Trump” by Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times

“Will Top Cop Chaffetz Actually Police Trump?” by Kyle Cheney and Darren Samuelsohn for Politico

Alabama: “Attorney General to Recuse Himself from Bentley Probe” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser

Arizona: “Phoenix Creates Ethics Commission After Nearly 4-Year Effort” by Dustin Gardner for Arizona Republic

Florida: “House Puts Focus on Local Ethics Rules” by Brandon Larrabee (News Service of Florida) for Gainesville Sun

Texas: “FBI, IRS Agents Raid State Sen. Carlos Uresti’s Law Offices” by Jim Malewitz and Edgar Walters for Texas Tribune

Lobbying

Virginia: “Virginia Lawmakers Still Grappling with Ethics Law” by Alan Suderman (Associated Press) for Washington Times

Federal:

Flynn Departure Erupts into a Full-Blown Crisis for the Trump White House
Washington Post – Karen DeYoung, Abby Phillip, and Jenna Johnson | Published: 2/14/2017

President Trump’s ouster of national security adviser Michael Flynn, and the circumstances leading up to it, have become a major crisis for the fledgling administration, forcing the White House on the defensive and precipitating the first significant breach in relations between Trump and Congress. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said it was “highly likely” the events leading to Flynn’s departure would be added to a broader probe into Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential election. Intercepts showed Flynn discussed U.S. sanctions in a phone call with the Russian ambassador, a conversation topic that Flynn first denied and then later said he could not recall. McConnell’s comments followed White House revelations that Trump was aware “for weeks” that Flynn had misled Vice President Pence and others about the content of his late December talks with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.

Report Shows ‘Untapped Power’ of Constituent Advocacy
Roll Call – Bridget Bowman | Published: 2/13/2017

The Congressional Management Foundation released a report highlighting more than a decade’s worth of its surveys that show how citizens can best influence lawmakers. According to the group’s research, citizens who show up in person and are well-prepared with facts and arguments can have a sizable impact on undecided legislators. But recent flare-ups at town hall meetings across the country have also demonstrated the impact of constituents who show up and make their voices heard. Bradford Fitch, one of the report’s authors, said phone calls and emails are not necessarily the most effective ways of communicating with legislators, and neither is a confrontation. “When you’re yelling, Congress isn’t listening,” Fitch said.

Trump Campaign Aides Had Repeated Contacts with Russian Intelligence
New York Times – Michael Schmidt, Mark Mazzetti, and Matt Apuzzo | Published: 2/14/2017

Intercepted calls and phone records show several aides and allies to President Trump’s campaign were in contact with senior Russian intelligence officials. Current and former U.S. officials who spoke with The New York Times said the contacts were discovered during the same time that intelligence agencies were investigating Russia’s extensive hacking campaign, later determined to be aimed at helping Trump win the White House. The agencies sought to learn whether the Trump campaign was colluding with the Russians on the hacking or other efforts. The officials interviewed said so far, they had seen no evidence of such cooperation. But the intercepts alarmed American intelligence and law enforcement agencies, in part because of the amount of contact that was occurring while Trump was speaking glowingly about Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Who is Donald McGahn, the Fiery Lawyer at the Center of Virtually Every Trump Controversy?
Washington Post – Matt Zapotosky and Sari Horwitz | Published: 2/14/2017

As White House counsel, Donald McGahn is supposed to provide the president with legal guidance on the thorniest issues of the day, and to manage disputes between power players inside the administration and the various executive agencies. McGahn has been at the center of virtually every controversy during the Trump administration. He is a veteran campaign finance lawyer and former member of the FEC. Before taking over the role in the administration, he worked at the Jones Day law firm and as general counsel to the Trump campaign. He is a consummate Washington insider, but like the man for whom he works, he has an independent streak, those who know him say. “Don is not a buttoned-down guy,” said Bradley Smith, a law professor at Capital University and longtime professional friend of McGahn.

From the States and Municipalities:

Florida – At Miami’s Airport, There’s Economy, First Class and … Politician
Miami Herald – Douglas Hanks | Published: 2/8/2017

A new report from the Miami-Dade ethics commission chastised the county-owned Miami International Airport for offering elected officials VIP treatment, including golf-cart rides, cutting to the front of security and Customs, and other courtesies normally reserved for foreign dignitaries. Investigators concluded most of the trips by officeholders came during official government business. But there are multiple mentions of personal travel too, including trips to visit sick relatives and other unspecified vacations. The airport’s Protocol Office arranged four escorts for Rebeca Sosa, a county commissioner, and three for her sister. “These are unexplained,” the report said of the sibling’s VIP transits

Florida – These Lawmakers Are On the Payroll of Firms That Lobby the Legislature
Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Zac Anderson | Published: 2/12/2017

The Florida Bar Association once issued a formal ethics opinion effectively prohibiting state lawmakers from working at firms that lobby the Legislature. That ethics opinion was rescinded in 1999 and now at least six Florida lawmakers, including the House speaker, work for law firms that lobby the Legislature. Those who defend the practice say there are provisions in state law and legislative rules to address any conflicts-of-interest. Some also argue that restricting such employment would discourage well-qualified individuals from serving in the Legislature because they would have to give up their jobs with big firms.

Kentucky – GOP Senators Want to Cut Sex Harassment Training
Louisville Courier-Journal – Morgan Watkins | Published: 2/13/2017

A few Republican state senators want to eliminate required sexual harassment training for lawmakers and cut back on the ethics-related instruction they receive, citing concerns about the effectiveness of those initiatives. Sen. John Schickel is sponsoring a bill would repeal existing requirements for lawmakers to go through sexual harassment and workplace harassment training. It also would require Kentucky legislators to sit through only 30 minutes of ethics-related instruction each January instead of the three hours currently mandated by state law. “It’s nothing more than political correctness training,” Schickel said. “If you don’t have good manners and good values when you come to Frankfort, I can assure you Frankfort will not teach them.”

Maryland – Gov. Hogan’s Office Has Blocked 450 People from His Facebook Page in Two Years
Washington Post – Ovetta Wiggins and Fenit Nirappil | Published: 2/8/2017

After a deluge of comments asking that he denounce President Trump’s controversial travel ban, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s office blocked numerous posters and deleted their messages from his Facebook page. Gubernatorial spokesperson Doug Mayer said the governor’s office has blocked 450 people since Hogan took office two years ago. The office does not have a specific policy for handling comments on Hogan’s page, which has more than 146,500 likes. Mayer said most of the removed comments were “vulgar, derogatory, hateful or racist,” but aides have also deleted those that are a part of an organized effort. Erich Sommerfeldt, a public relations professor at the University of Maryland, said deleting negative comments, rather than responding to them, can hurt a company or public figure’s brand.

Missouri – Campaign Contribution Law Bans Corporation Donations to All Candidates
Missouri Times – Benjamin Peters | Published: 2/14/2017

Constitutional Amendment 2, which was approved by Missouri voters in November, places limits and rules on how candidates and committees can accept donations, including how much can be given. A recent advisory opinion from the Missouri Ethics Commission says the new law prohibits a corporation or labor organization from making direct contributions to a campaign committee, candidate committee, exploratory committee, or political party. That means no corporation may contribute to a candidate’s campaign at the statewide level. But with the race for St. Louis mayor and a number of local and municipal elections weeks away, the question has been raised of whether these rules apply to municipal election.

New Jersey – N.J. Election Agency Could Soon Fill Key Posts
Bergen Record – Salvador Rizzo | Published: 2/14/2017

Gov. Chris Christie and Democratic senators have struck a deal to reactivate New Jersey’s election watchdog agency, which has been toothless for nearly a year, unable to hold meetings or punish candidates who violate campaign finance restrictions. Senate Democratic leaders said they expect to fill all of the vacancies by March 13 on the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC). Restoring ELEC to its full power is key to ensuring the integrity of this year’s election for governor, all 120 legislative seats, and hundreds of local races, experts said. Three persistent vacancies on ELEC’s four-member board have prevented it from holding meetings since last March, an unprecedented 11-month stretch of inactivity since the agency was founded in 1972.

North Carolina – N.C. Supreme Court Blocks Law Stripping Governor of Election Oversight Powers
Winston-Salem Journal – Richard Craver | Published: 2/13/2017

The North Carolina Supreme Court blocked a state law that strips the new Democratic governor of powers to oversee elections. A lower appeals court briefly let the law to take effect, allowing a revamped state elections board to meet for the first time. It is one of the changes passed in December that shifted power over running elections away from Gov. Roy Cooper. The law ends the practice of allowing the governor’s party to hold majorities on all state and county elections boards. Elections board positions would be evenly divided between major-party partisans. Republicans would control elections during even-numbered years, typically election years. It also combines the State Board of Elections with the campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics commissions into one state agency.

South Dakota – Candy-Filled ‘Gift’ Watches to Legislators Cause Uproar
Rapid City Journal – Bob Mercer | Published: 2/14/2017

Two volunteer lobbyists put fake gold watches containing candy on the desks of South Dakota legislators recently. They mentioned it to a news reporter who later took a photograph showing four legislators wearing the watches. The reporter posted the photo on an Internet blog. The series of events sparked a backlash from supporters of Initiated Measure 22 who said the picture was offensive. The four senators in the photo voted to repeal the ballot measure. IM 22 would have created a publicly funded campaign system for candidates for the Legislature and state offices. It also would have established lobbyist gift limits, changed campaign contribution laws, and set up an ethics commission.

Tennessee – Amid Ongoing Durham Scandal, Probe Shows Problems with Law
The Tennessean – Joel Ebert and Dave Boucher | Published: 2/13/2017

A recent state audit that said former Rep. Jeremy Durham violated Tennessee’s campaign finance law is “packed with problematic stuff” that may provide fertile ground for an ongoing federal probe, said former U.S. Attorney Jerry Martin. The scrutiny on Durham shines a light on the state campaign finance law, created with light punishments by those it is intended to police. In addition, Durham’s actions outlined in the audit offer a glimpse of the criminal consequences he could face.

Texas – How Blind Is This Texas Oil Regulator’s Blind Trust, Managed by His Brother-in-Law?
Dallas News – Steve Thompson | Published: 2/7/2017

Since his election to a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission in 2014, Ryan Sitton has voted on dozens of issues involving energy companies that hire his firm, Pinnacle Advanced Reliability Technologies. Its business is helping clients ensure equipment stays reliable. Many of these issues have come before the oil and gas commission as part of its consent agenda, where items of no controversy are packaged together for approval. But a few have been contentious, and Sitton has played big roles in deciding them. Not once has Sitton disclosed a relationship or recused himself. Texas law prohibits state officials from voting on matters in which they have a “personal or private interest” and requires them to publicly disclose such conflicts. But the law does not clearly define a “personal or private interest.”

Vermont – Scott Administration Discourages Fraternizing with Lawmakers, Lobbyists
Vermont Press Bureau – Neal Goswami | Published: 2/10/2017

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott reportedly has directed staff and administrative personnel to avoid fraternizing after hours with legislators and lobbyists, but some observers say the directive is unrealistic in tiny Montpelier. Many states have codes of conduct for state employees and officials to follow regarding lobbyists, as do the federal government and the armed forces. But how realistic is Scott’s directive given the long tradition of lawmakers, lobbyists, and state officials rubbing – and bending – elbows together after hours?

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

Oregon: “Oregon Measure Would Require More Disclosure from Lobbyists” by Chris Lehman for KUOW

South Carolina: “Unlimited No More: House votes to cap lobbyist gifts” by Dana Ferguson for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Vermont: “Scott Administration Discourages Fraternizing with Lawmakers, Lobbyists” by Neal Goswami for Vermont Press Bureau

Campaign Finance

Kentucky: “More Money? No Problem. Senate Committee Passes Bill to Increase Contribution Limits” by Daniel Desrochers for Lexington Herald-Leader

Missouri: “Campaign Contribution Law Bans Corporation Donations to All Candidates” by Benjamin Peters for Missouri Times

Ethics

“The New Political Battleground: Your restaurant receipt” by Maura Judkis for Washington Post

“Ethics Watchdog Says Conway’s Endorsement of Ivanka Trump Products Is ‘Clear Violation’” by Richard Pérez-Peña for New York Times

“Who is Donald McGahn, the Fiery Lawyer at the Center of Virtually Every Trump Controversy?” by Matt Zapotosky and Sari Horwitz for Washington Post

“Flynn Departure Erupts into a Full-Blown Crisis for the Trump White House” by Karen DeYoung, Abby Phillip, and Jenna Johnson for Washington Post

New Jersey: “N.J. Election Agency Could Soon Fill Key Posts” by Salvador Rizzo for Bergen Record

South Dakota: “Candy-Filled ‘Gift’ Watches to Legislators Cause Uproar” by Bob Mercer for Rapid City Journal

Elections

“Trump Campaign Aides Had Repeated Contacts with Russian Intelligence” by Michael Schmidt, Mark Mazzetti, and Matt Apuzzo for New York Times

Legislative Issues

“Andrew Puzder Withdraws Nomination for Labor Secretary” by Ed O’Keefe and Jonnelle Marte for Washington Post

This week the Montana House of Representatives passed House Bill 340, a bill to dismantle the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices. The bill was transmitted to the Senate on Tuesday after passing a final vote in the House.

The passage of House Bill 340, aiming to split the Commissioner’s current duties between the Secretary of State and Attorney General, was not unanimous.

Democratic lawmakers believe transferring power to two inherently partisan offices will not remedy what Republican lawmakers are characterizing as a partisan witch-hunt from current outgoing Commissioner Jonathon Motl.

Texas ethics overhaul, Senate Bill 14, passed unanimously in the Senate this week and is headed to the House.

Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement praising the Senate’s swift movement, stating his confidence the comprehensive reforms will be passed.

An identical bill, House bill 1238, as well as six separate back-up bills duplicating each of the six articles in the reform package, were filed to avoid replicating the failure of a large ethics reform package during the 2015 legislative session.