April 4, 2013 •
Idaho Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
End of 2013 regular session
The Idaho Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die on April 4, 2013.
Before adjourning at 11:30 a.m., the Legislature finalized the $1.3 billion public education budget. It failed to pass by one vote at the end of March, with some lawmakers arguing that it codified the Students Come First laws rejected by voters last November.
The House also debated and passed a bill aimed at allowing school districts flexibility in adjusting teacher pay and contracts.
March 27, 2013 •
Kentucky Legislature Adjourns
Passes pension reform in final hours
The Kentucky Legislature adjourned its regular session on March 26, 2013. In the final hours of the session, lawmakers passed a bill to secure the state’s pension fund; had they been unable to reach an agreement, a special session would have been likely.
However, the House of Representatives’ redistricting plan was not passed. The Kentucky Supreme Court struck down the Legislature’s first attempt at redistricting last year, finding the districts weren’t population-balanced and didn’t comply with the “one person, one vote” mandate.
The Senate decided to wait until next year’s legislative session to tackle redistricting, with leaders saying they wanted to pass both houses’ plans at the same time.
March 15, 2013 •
Utah Legislature Adjourns
March 14, 2013
The Utah Legislature adjourned its 2013 session sine die on March 14, 2013.
Governor Gary Herbert has until April 3 to veto or sign legislation. The Governor does not possess a pocket veto.
The normal effective date for bills passed this year is May 14.
Photo of Utah’s Capitol by Scott Catron on Wikipedia.
February 25, 2013 •
Virginia General Assembly Adjourns Sine Die
Reconvenes April 3
The General Assembly adjourned sine die on February 23, 2013.
A reconvened session is scheduled to begin April 3, 2013.
January 15, 2013 •
Legislative Sessions to Watch
This week we see the first day of session for the following legislatures:
Monday, January 14, 2013
Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
January 10, 2013 •
Thursday News Roundup
Here are some great articles in today’s government relations news summary:
Lobbying
Delaware: “Kowalko introduces ‘revolving-door’ lobbying bill” by Doug Denison in the News Journal.
Florida: “Orange Mayor Jacobs proposes major texting, lobbying reforms” in the Orlando Sentinel.
Georgia: “Ga. Senate moves toward lobbying gift cap” by Ray Henry (Associated Press) in WSAV.com.
North Dakota: “Lobbyists gear up for 2013 ND legislative session” by The Associated Press in InForum.
Oregon: “Oregon Democratic legislators receive make-up donations” by Jeff Mapes in The Oregonian.
“K Street Files: TCH Group, Polaris Add Lobbyists” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
Campaign Finance
“Campaign Finance Reform In Congress Moves Forward With Little Hope For Passage” in the Huffington Post.
“Watchdog group criticizes Rep. Tim Ryan’s ‘campaign meals’ in congressional dining room” by Sabrina Eaton in the Plain Dealer.
Ethics
Idaho: “Idaho lawmakers get ethics training, a first” by The Associated Press in the Idaho Press-Tribune.
South Carolina: “SC lawmakers push more money for Ethics Commission” by Adam Beam in The State.
Legislative Issues
Kentuckey: “Kentucky House elects first woman to leadership post” by Jack Brammer and Beth Musgrave in the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Michigan: “Governor calls May special election to fill Flint-area state Senate seat vacated by John Gleason” by Kristin Longley in MLive.
Michigan: “5 things to watch today as the Michigan Legislature starts its 2013-14 session” by Tim Martin in MLive.
Redistricting
“Alaska redistricting board wants high court to reconsider” by The Associated Press in the Daily News-Miner.
Open Government
“House Republicans Release More Data Catnip for Developers” by Nick Judd in TechPresident.
Government Tech
“Technology’s Real Value for Government” by Jerry Mechling in Public CIO.
December 28, 2012 •
One Last News Roundup for the Week
Let’s finish out the week – and the year – with the latest articles on government ethics, campaign finance, lobbying, and more:
Ethics
“House Ethics Ends Countrywide Loan Probe” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
“House Ethics closes Countrywide probe without taking action” by Peter Schroeder in The Hill.
“House Ethics Amends Private Travel Rules” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
Louisiana: “Louisiana Board of Ethics to challenge Baton Rouge Mayor in appeals court” by Quincy Hodges in the New Orleans Times Picayune.
Campaign Finance
“Our states vouch for transparent campaign financing” opinion piece by U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Lisa Murkowski in the Washington Post.
“Lisa Murkowski crosses aisle to reign in Super PACs” by Jill Burke in the Alaska Dispatch.
South Carolina: “South Carolina campaign funding will face scrutiny” by Stephen Largen in the Post and Courier.
Lobbying
“Former lobbyist, state legislator John Quimby dies at 77” by Torey Van Oot in the Sacramento Bee.
Maryland: “Gambling companies doubled down on lobbying Md. lawmakers over past year” by John Wagner in the Washington Post.
Elections
“Ed Markey to run for Kerry’s Senate seat” by Rachel Weiner in the Washington Post.
“Should Kansas switch dates for elections?” by The Associated Press in the Kansas City Star.
Legislative Issues
Michigan: “Michigan lawmakers get perks beyond salaries” by Kristen M. Daum in Lansing State Journal.
December 20, 2012 •
Connecticut General Assembly Holds Special Session on Budget
Session included memorial to shooting victims
The General Assembly held a one-day special session December 19, 2012, to approve budget cuts to close the state’s budget deficit.
The session also included a one-hour memorial for the Newtown shooting victims.
Photo of the Connecticut State Capitol courtesy of Ragesoss on Wikipedia.
December 17, 2012 •
Michigan Legislature Adjourns for 2012
Lame duck session produces controversial legislation
The Michigan legislature has adjourned for the year after a busy lame duck session.
Bills passed, and sent to Governor Rick Snyder’s desk for approval, included legislation on right-to-work, abortion, and gun control.
The GOP will still control the legislature in the new session, scheduled to begin on January 9, but it will be a smaller majority after Democrats took back five seats in the November elections.
Photo of the interior dome in the Michigan State Capitol by Dave Parker in Wikipedia.
December 17, 2012 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics news articles:
Campaign Finance
“The Question at the Heart of Citizens United” by Paul Sherman in Jurist.
“D.C. campaign finance misdeeds call for further inquiry” opinion piece by Colbert I. King in the Washington Post.
Lobbying
“New lobbying firm spans both sides of the aisle” by AnnMarie Timmins in the Concord Monitor.
Ethics
“House Ethics Confirms Cases of Owens, Schock” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
Oklahoma: “Ethics Commission top post to be offered to 1 of 4 finalists” by Michael McNutt in Tulsa World.
South Carolina: “Haley tells ethics panel their work will produce results” by Tim Smith in the Greenville News.
Legislative Issues
Maine: “Campaign tracking becoming year-round practice in Maine” by Glenn Adams (Associated Press) in the Bangor Daily News.
North Dakota: “Finding room at the inn isn’t always easy for legislators” by Nick Smith in the Bismarck Tribune.
Texas: “Seeking Fresh Policies and Faces, Lawmakers Push for Term Limits” by Ross Ramsey in the New York Times.
Open Government
South Dakota: “Open government receives boost” by David Montgomery in the Argus Leader.
December 14, 2012 •
Oregon Special Session Begins Today
Legislature to consider tax policy for Nike
A special session of the legislature is set to convene today, December 14, 2012. Governor John Kitzhaber called the legislature into session to approve a tax incentive program for Nike.
The governor believes the potential economic development benefits are worth the costs associated with a special session.
Nike says it will expand in Oregon and hire at least 500 people if the state will immediately promise not to change the method of calculating its state income taxes.
July 27, 2012 •
Maryland Lawmakers Called to Special Session
Governor hopes for quick passage of gambling expansion
Governor Martin O’Malley has announced a special session of the general assembly. The session, scheduled to begin August 9, 2012, is for the purpose of considering a new casino in Prince George’s County and table games at the state’s five other slots locations.
If approved by the Legislature, the gambling expansion would also need voter approval. Proponents hope to pass legislation in time for the issue to appear on this November’s ballot.
Photo of Governor Martin O’Malley by Jay Baker in Wikipedia.
July 12, 2012 •
No Louisiana Session to Overturn Vetoes
Senate Decides
The Louisiana Legislature has decided not to convene a session to consider overturning Governor Bobby Jindal’s vetoes.
The veto session, which is automatically set upon a governor vetoing a bill, was scheduled for July 14. A majority of Senate members voted in writing against holding the session. A majority is required from either the House or Senate to cancel a session.
The Legislature had adjourned sine die on June 4.
June 25, 2012 •
New York Legislature Ends Work Session
Legislators to hit campaign trail
The New York Legislature ended the working portion of its year late Friday night.
Legislative members will now head back to their respective districts to campaign in an election season that will see all 212 general assembly and senate seats up for grabs.
There is a chance that both houses could be called back to Albany for a special session following the November elections, but at this time, that does not appear to be a likely scenario.
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