December 27, 2016 •
State and Federal Communications, Inc. Unveils 2017 Online Publications
AKRON, OHIO – State and Federal Communications, Inc., the industry leader in government compliance information and consulting, is debuting its 2017 online publications for government relations professionals. These online publications provide all the information on the myriad regulations and laws […]
AKRON, OHIO – State and Federal Communications, Inc., the industry leader in government compliance information and consulting, is debuting its 2017 online publications for government relations professionals. These online publications provide all the information on the myriad regulations and laws regarding compliance reporting for political contributions, lobbying, procurement lobbying, and Canadian compliance in one place.
“Our unique online publications are invaluable to government relations professionals,” says Elizabeth Z. Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications. “They need to know and comply with all the various government laws regarding compliance to do their jobs. We make it easy to decipher and understand compliance regulations and to accurately report activities to government entities as needed.”
The 2017 editions are: Political Contributions Compliance Laws for Government Relations ProfessionalsTM; Lobbying Compliance Laws for Government Relations ProfessionalsTM; Procurement Lobbying Compliance Laws for Government Relations ProfessionalsTM; and Canadian Compliance Laws for Government Relations ProfessionalsTM.
The subscription-based compliance publications provide accurate, comprehensive, and timely information on thousands of rules, regulations, and statutes in over 350 jurisdictions across the United States and Canada. They are optimized for use on any device – computer, tablet, or smartphone – and updated continually so government relations professionals have the most current and accurate information to stay compliant.
Previously known as the “Executive Source Guides,” these four online publications have been renamed to reflect the wide-ranging information they contain. “While these publications were once guides, over the years they have become more comprehensive in their coverage. A new name was needed to reflect the vital content contained inside,” Bartz said.
For more information about the 2017 Online Compliance Publications for Government Relations Professionals, visit stateandfed.com or call 330-761-9960.
December 27, 2016 •
Tuesday News Roundup
Lobbying Florida: “Shining a Light on Lobbyists, New Efforts to Curb Their Influence” by James Call for Tallahassee Democrat Illinois: “Players Ask Favors Big and Small in Emanuel Emails” by Rick Pearson, David Heinzmann, and Jeff Coen for Chicago Tribune […]
Lobbying
Florida: “Shining a Light on Lobbyists, New Efforts to Curb Their Influence” by James Call for Tallahassee Democrat
Illinois: “Players Ask Favors Big and Small in Emanuel Emails” by Rick Pearson, David Heinzmann, and Jeff Coen for Chicago Tribune
New York: “NYCLU, ACLU Sue New York Over Ethics Law” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
Campaign Finance
New York: “De Blasio Signs Measures Limiting Political Contributions” by Matthew Chayes for Newsday
Washington: “‘Everybody Is in Violation of the PDC,’ Says Activist as Attorney General Files Complaint” by Lisa Pemberton for The Olympian
Ethics
“Trump’s Son, Fearing ‘Quagmire,’ to Stop Soliciting for Charity” by Eric Lipton and Maggie Haberman for New York Times
California: “No Charges for Government Critic Who Penned Racist Comments and Images about L.A. City Council Member” by Matt Hamilton and Dakota Smith for Los Angeles Times
Elections
“Do It for The Country? Or Don’t Do It at All? The Dilemma Facing Artists at Trump’s Inauguration.” by Monica Hesse for Washington Post
December 23, 2016 •
News You Can Use Digest – December 23, 2016
National: Suspected of Corruption at Home, Powerful Foreigners Find Refuge in U.S. Miami Herald – Kyra Gurney, Analji Tsui, David Iaconangelo, and Selena Cheng | Published: 12/9/2016 Wealthy politicians and businesspeople suspected of corruption in their native lands are fleeing to a safe […]
National:
Suspected of Corruption at Home, Powerful Foreigners Find Refuge in U.S.
Miami Herald – Kyra Gurney, Analji Tsui, David Iaconangelo, and Selena Cheng | Published: 12/9/2016
Wealthy politicians and businesspeople suspected of corruption in their native lands are fleeing to a safe haven where their wealth and influence shield them from arrest. They have entered this country on a variety of visas, including one designed to encourage investment. Some have applied for asylum, which is intended to protect people fleeing oppression and political persecution. The increasingly popular destination for people avoiding criminal charges is no pariah nation. It is the United States.
The Future of Campaign Finance Reform Is at The State and Local Level
Huffington Post – Paul Blumenthal | Published: 12/20/2016
Portland’s passage of an ordinance establishing public funding for campaigns came on the heels of similar victories in South Dakota and Missouri, as well as in Berkeley, California, and Howard County, Maryland. These successes showcase the broad bipartisan support across the country for campaign finance reform that boosts the power of small donors to counter the dominance of big money. These wins, while big in their own right, were supposed to be overshadowed by changes at the U.S. Supreme Court level. Donald Trump is likely to appoint someone whose thought process lines up with that of late Justice Antonin Scalia, meaning the five-vote majority that wrote Citizens United would maintain its power and campaign finance laws would continue to fall. So reformers rest their hopes where they can: at the state and local levels.
Federal:
Access to Donald Trump, for $500,000: Pitfalls for Presidents’ Families
New York Times – Eric Lipton | Published: 12/20/2016
The initial invitation from Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump dangled a rare opportunity for donors willing to give $500,000 and more: a private reception with the new president the day after his inauguration and a hunting or fishing excursion with one of the brothers. But after the details about the “camouflage & cufflinks”-themed fundraiser first leaked, a spokesperson for President-elect Donald Trump said neither he nor his adult sons were involved in plans for the event. The confusion over the family’s connection to the fundraiser showed the degree to which Trump has failed to set rules that would protect his family from allegations of influence-peddling or draw clear lines between himself and the interests of his children, who will take over management of his business empire, watchdog groups said.
Donald Trump Is Holding a Government Casting Call. He’s Seeking ‘The Look.’
Washington Post – Philip Rucker and Karen Tumulty | Published: 12/21/2016
The parade of potential job-seekers passing the media cameras at Trump Tower has the feel of a casting call. It is no coincidence that a disproportionate share of the names most mentioned for jobs at the upper echelon of the new administration are familiar faces to viewers of cable news. Given Donald Trump’s own background as a master brander who ran beauty pageants as a sideline, it was probably inevitable he would be looking beyond their résumés for a certain aesthetic in his supporting players. “You can come with somebody who is very much qualified for the job, but if they don’t look the part, they’re not going anywhere,” said a person familiar with the transition team’s deliberations.
Former Philadelphia Congressman Chaka Fattah Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison
Philadelphia Inquirer – Jeremy Roebuck | Published: 12/13/2016
Former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, who was convicted in June of more than 20 counts corruption, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Fattah repeatedly bribed others and stole campaign contributions, charitable donations, and federal grant money, prosecutors said. He will pay $614,000 in damages and will be supervised for three years after his release. Fattah’s son is serving a five-year prison sentence for defrauding Philadelphia banks and the IRS to cover gambling debts and other personal expenses.
From the States and Municipalities:
Alaska
New Alaska House Leaders Embrace Loophole to raise Campaign Cash from Lobbyists
Alaska Dispatch News – Nathaniel Herz | Published: 12/18/2016
Republican leaders of Alaska’s incoming House majority coalition are embracing a fundraising loophole that allows them to collect money from lobbyists, who are otherwise restricted from donating to legislators and candidates. House Democrats, who joined with the Republicans to form the majority coalition, have been some of the most vocal supporters of legislation to limit the flow of special-interest money into the state’s campaigns. But they are now collaborating with the fundraising efforts of their new GOP colleagues, Reps. Gabrielle LeDoux and Paul Seaton.
Colorado
Denver Officials Move Closer to Listing Their Gifts Online and Tightening Ethics Rules
Denver Post – Jon Murray | Published: 12/20/2016
Denver is moving closer to adopting ethics code reforms and revamping lobbyist and gift disclosure rules that will make it easier for citizens to see who is wooing officials with meals and tickets. Besides discussing a new dollar limit on event tickets from each donor with a city interest, the most significant proposed changes also may be the simplest: make elected and appointed officials’ gift disclosures available online, and do it more often, every six months instead of annually.
Louisiana
Lobbyists Spent Nearly Half a Million Dollars to Woo Louisiana Legislators in 2016
New Orleans Advocate – Elizabeth Crisp | Published: 12/18/2016
Nearly $500,000 has been spent entertaining state legislators this year, roughly $3,300 in lobbyist spending per lawmaker, as the Louisiana Legislature spent a record-setting 19 weeks in session sorting through the state’s fiscal woes. A review of disclosure data shows the $476,019.20 tab that lobbyists have run up in 2016 far outpaced the amount spent in any of the eight years since the state began requiring more detailed expenditure reporting. At least 593 registered lobbyists pushed for or against legislation as it made its way through the Capitol this year. “Every interest pretty much has a lobbyist in Baton Rouge,” said Pearson Cross, a political science professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Massachusetts
Appeals Court Overturns Convictions in Probation Department Scandal
Boston Globe – Milton Valencia | Published: 12/19/2016
A U.S. appeals court judge overturned the convictions of three former Massachusetts Probation Department officials accused of running a rigged hiring scheme. Probation Commissioner John O’Brien and his deputies, Elizabeth Tavares and William Burke, were convicted in July 2014. Prosecutors said they hired employees based on political connections, not merit, then lied when they certified the hires were done correctly. Judge Juan Torruella in his ruling said O’Brien and others misran the department and made efforts to conceal the patronage hiring system. “But not all unappealing conduct is criminal,” Torruella wrote. He said the government did not adequately prove O’Brien accepted a gratuity since there was not sufficient linkage between O’Brien’s offering favored candidates a job and him getting a specific item of value in return.
New Jersey
Lawmakers’ Revolt Sinks Book Deal, Newspaper Bill
Bergen Record – Salvador Rizzo | Published: 12/19/2016
A book deal for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will have to wait. State lawmakers said they would not vote on a measure changing an ethics law that barred Christie from cashing in on a book deal while in office, at the same time giving millions of dollars in pay raises to lawmakers’ staff, judges, and other officials. The measure had buy-in from leaders in the Democrat-led Legislature and was on a fast track to the governor’s desk at the same time as a measure viewed by some as a vendetta by Christie against the state’s newspapers. But rank-and-file members all but revolted in closed-door meetings when faced with the book-deal legislation, and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto said a separate bill that would end the requirement that government legal notices be published in newspapers will be postponed until next year.
New York
De Blasio Is Fined $48,000 for Campaign Finance Violations
New York Times – J. David Goodman | Published: 12/15/2016
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has been fined almost $48,000 for violating spending rules during his 2013 mayoral campaign. The city council also passed a bill to limit the activities of outside nonprofit political groups, a measure aimed squarely at the Campaign for One New York, a nonprofit political group created by de Blasio and his aides that is at the center of state and federal inquiries into his fundraising.
New York
N.Y. Pay-to-Play Plot Fueled by Bribes, U.S. Says
Bloomberg.com – Bob Van Voris and Chris Dolmetsch | Published: 12/21/2016
A former official at the country’s third-largest pension fund and two broker-dealers were charged in what a federal prosecutor described as a classic bribery scheme. Navnoor King, the former head of the New York State Common Retirement Fund’s fixed income trades, received more than $100,000 worth of bribes from broker-dealers Deborah Kelley and Gregg Sconhorn, prosecutors said. Regulators found Kang steered about $2 billion in fixed-income trades to firms represented by Kelley and Schonhorn, resulting in millions of dollars in commissions. Prosecutors said in exchange, Kang received a $10,000 all-expenses-paid trip to Montreal, tickets to a Paul McCartney concert, a $17,420 Panerai wristwatch, dinners at upscale restaurants, prostitutes, and cocaine.
North Carolina
North Carolina Governor Signs Bill Limiting His Successor’s Power
Governing – Pat Jarvis (Raleigh News & Observer) | Published: 12/19/2016
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory signed bills that will limit the authority of his successors and reduce Democrats’ power over election regulation in the wake of two contentious special sessions. Senate Bill 4 would create a commission merging the current State Board of Elections, State Ethics Commission, and the lobbying-regulation functions of the secretary of state’s office. Protesters disrupted a House debate about the changes to election law, chanting and prompting House Speaker Tim Moore to order police to clear the public gallery.
South Carolina
Rep. Jim Merrill Indicted in S.C. Statehouse Probe; Suspended from Office
Charleston Post & Courier – Schuyler Kropf and Glenn Smith | Published: 12/15/2016
South Carolina Rep. Jim Merrill was indicted on 30 charges that accuse him of misconduct in office as far back as 2002 as well as a series of ethics violations. The indictment says Merrill illegally used his office to pocket at least $1.3 million, either directly or through his business, Geechie Communications. He also failed to disclose receiving payments of more $673,000 from trade, advocacy, and political groups in violation of state ethics law, according to the indictment. Crangle, head of South Carolina Common Cause, said he suspects as many as three or four more people are facing indictments.
South Carolina
Smarter Corruption: How Lost Trust evolved into ‘Capitol Gains’
Charleston Post & Courier – Tony Bartelme and Doug Pardue | Published: 12/17/2016
“Operation Lost Trust” in 1990 ended much of the overt vote selling that went on at the South Carolina Legislature. But the recent indictment of a powerful state lawmaker showed, prosecutors believe other forms of graft and influence-peddling have taken its place, schemes that are more difficult to pierce. Where cash once was transferred in brown bags and envelopes, prosecutors now say money moves through a murky system of legislative caucuses, PACs, campaign accounts, and private businesses – and enormous sums are at stake.
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.
December 22, 2016 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “A Lobbying Roadmap to Influencing Trump” by Isaac Arnsdorf for Politico “Nuclear Weapon Firms Pay to Settle Illegal Lobbying Cases” by Patrick Malone (Center for Public Integrity) for USA Today “Trump’s Ex-Campaign Manager Starts Lobbying Firm” by Shane Goldmacher, […]
Lobbying
“A Lobbying Roadmap to Influencing Trump” by Isaac Arnsdorf for Politico
“Nuclear Weapon Firms Pay to Settle Illegal Lobbying Cases” by Patrick Malone (Center for Public Integrity) for USA Today
“Trump’s Ex-Campaign Manager Starts Lobbying Firm” by Shane Goldmacher, Isaac Arnsdorf, Josh Dawsey, and Kenneth Vogel for Politico
Campaign Finance
“The Future of Campaign Finance Reform Is at The State and Local Level” by Paul Blumenthal for Huffington Post
California: “State Investigation Clears Coastal Commissioner of Improperly Voting for a Pismo Beach Housing Project” by Dan Weikel for Los Angeles Times
Ethics
“Trump Team Discussing ‘Half-Blind’ Trust for Conflicts of Interest” by Josh Gerstein for Politico
“Access to Donald Trump, for $500,000: Pitfalls for Presidents’ Families” by Eric Lipton for New York Times
Colorado: “Denver Officials Move Closer to Listing Their Gifts Online and Tightening Ethics Rules” by Jon Murray for Denver Post
New York: “N.Y. Pay-to-Play Plot Fueled by Bribes, U.S. Says” by Bob Van Voris and Chris Dolmetsch for Bloomberg.com
North Carolina: “NC Senator Seeking Money from Program He Created” by Mark Binker for WRAL
South Carolina: “Smarter Corruption: How Lost Trust evolved into ‘Capitol Gains’” by Tony Bartelme and Doug Pardue for Charleston Post & Courier
December 20, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Campaign Finance “Activists Brace for Fight Over Campaign Finance Law” by Alex Roarty for Roll Call Arkansas: “Old Advice on State Judicial Donors Cut, Not Revised” by Lisa Hammersly for Northwest Arkansas News Oregon: “Portland to Revive Public Campaign Financing […]
Campaign Finance
“Activists Brace for Fight Over Campaign Finance Law” by Alex Roarty for Roll Call
Arkansas: “Old Advice on State Judicial Donors Cut, Not Revised” by Lisa Hammersly for Northwest Arkansas News
Oregon: “Portland to Revive Public Campaign Financing in 2019” by Jessica Floum for Portland Oregonian
Ethics
Pennsylvania: “Former Philadelphia Congressman Chaka Fattah Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer
Illinois: “Ald. Willie Cochran Indicted on Thefts from Ward Charity” by Jason Meisner, Jeremy Gorner, and Hal Dardick for Chicago Tribune
Indiana: “Former Lawmaker Lands Job with Vaping Group That Benefited from His Vote” by Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star
Kentucky: “Tim Longmeyer Pleads Guilty to State Felony” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal
New York: “Reform Group Sues Over New Disclosure Law” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union
Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Ethics Commissioner Resigns in Disgust” by Jason Stein for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Elections
“Electoral College Settles Donald Trump’s Victory, but Little Else” by Jonathan Martin and Michael Wines for New York Times
“All This Talk of Voter Fraud? Across U.S., Officials Found Next to None” by Michael Wines for New York Times
December 15, 2016 •
Thursday News Roundup
Elections “Stein Spent Nearly $1 Million of Recount Funds on Consultants, Staff, Admin Expenses” by Joe Schoffstall for The Washington Free Beacon New Mexico: “Political Action Committees Spent Big in Closing Days of Election” by Morgan Lee (Associated Press) for […]
Elections
“Stein Spent Nearly $1 Million of Recount Funds on Consultants, Staff, Admin Expenses” by Joe Schoffstall for The Washington Free Beacon
New Mexico: “Political Action Committees Spent Big in Closing Days of Election” by Morgan Lee (Associated Press) for Albuquerque Journal
Ethics
“Former Democratic Congressman Chaka Fattah Sentenced to Decade in Prison” by Deena Zaru for CNN
Connecticut: “Bilda, Hinchey to Face Ethics Hearings Over Derbygate” by Ryan Blessing for The Bulletin
New Hampshire: “Portsmouth Resident Tries Again With Ethics Complaint” by Jeff McMenemy for Seacoast Online
South Dakota: “Attorney General’s Office Pushes to Save Parts of Ethics Law” by The Associated Press for The Washington Times
Campaign Finance
Missouri: “KCMO Police Commissioner May Have Broken Missouri Law” by Andy Alcock for KHSB
New York: “Hearing Delayed in Staver-Sauer Case” by Andrew Setterholm for Post Bulletin
Wisconsin: “Report: PAC Spending on Wisconsin Legislative Races Soars in Wake of Campaign Finance Change” by Katelyn Ferral for The Capital Times
Legislative Issues
Missouri: “Missouri Democrats Push Anti-Corruption Agenda as Legislative Session Approaches” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Lobbying
“Lobbying Muscle May Help Tech Titans Trump Trump” by Allan Holmes and Jared Bennett for Center for Public Integrity
December 14, 2016 •
Wednesday News Roundup
Campaign Finance “Activists Brace for Fight Over Campaign Finance Law” by Alex Roarty for Roll Call Elections “Completed Wisconsin Recount Widens Donald Trump’s Lead by 131 Votes” by Matthew DeFour for Wisconsin State Journal Ethics “Aaron Schock Pleads Not Guilty […]
Campaign Finance
“Activists Brace for Fight Over Campaign Finance Law” by Alex Roarty for Roll Call
Elections
“Completed Wisconsin Recount Widens Donald Trump’s Lead by 131 Votes” by Matthew DeFour for Wisconsin State Journal
Ethics
“Aaron Schock Pleads Not Guilty To Slew of Federal Charges” by Aryn Braun for Roll Call
Wisconsin: “State Ethics Commissioner Resigns, Citing Dysfunction in New Watchdog Agency” by Mark Sommerhauser and Molly Beck for Wisconsin State Journal
Legislative Issues
“Budget Shortfalls Expected in the Most States Since Recession” by Liz Farmer for Governing
Lobbying
“K Street Eyes Outgoing Lawmakers for Jobs” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call
“Exxon-Mobil: No Stranger to Lobbying the ‘Swamp’” by Lesley Clark (McClatchy) for The News & Observer
“Trump Transition Trade Staffer Defended NAFTA, was Chamber of Commerce Lobbyist” by Andrew Kaczynski and Chris Massie for CNN
Missouri: “Opinion: The Christmas Spirit of Lobbyists” by Phill Brooks for The Springfield Business Journal
Procurement
New York: “DiNapoli Proposes Procurement Reforms” by Matthew Hamilton for Times Union
November 28, 2016 •
DC Council Member to Introduce Emergency Legislation for Campaign Finance Reforms
D.C. Council Member Kenyan McDuffie announced his plan to introduce emergency legislation to ban contributions to political action committees during non-election years. There are currently other bills pending before the council that also seek to close this same campaign finance […]
D.C. Council Member Kenyan McDuffie announced his plan to introduce emergency legislation to ban contributions to political action committees during non-election years.
There are currently other bills pending before the council that also seek to close this same campaign finance loophole, but they only had their first public hearings Nov. 16 and are unlikely to pass before the start of 2017.
McDuffie’s emergency bill would bypass many of the steps ordinarily required.
August 25, 2016 •
Thursday News Roundup
Campaign Finance “Study: Outside groups, secret money far more prominent than ever before” by Robert Maguire for Center for Responsive Politics “Inside the Exclusive Events Helping to Fund Clinton and the Democratic Party” by Matea Gold and John Wagner for […]
Campaign Finance
“Study: Outside groups, secret money far more prominent than ever before” by Robert Maguire for Center for Responsive Politics
“Inside the Exclusive Events Helping to Fund Clinton and the Democratic Party” by Matea Gold and John Wagner for Washington Post
“Donald Trump Is Finally Raising Money. So Why Isn’t He Spending It?” by Matea Gold and Anu Narayanswamy for Washington Post
Missouri: “Campaign Limits Ballot Question Challenged” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Wisconsin: “Ethics Commission Will Be Able to Make Political Donations” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) for Minneapolis Star Tribune
Ethics
Connecticut: “Questions Raised About State Education Officials’ Roles in Their Children’s Hiring” by Jon Lender for Hartford Courant
New York: “Cuomo Signs Ethics Bill, with Few Cheers” by Chris Bragg in Albany Times Union
Pennsylvania: “Political Operative Gets Probation for Role in Chaka Fattah’s Corruption Case” by Jeff Gammage for Philadelphia Inquirer
Elections
“Federal Appeals Court Says No to Restoring Extra Days of Early Voting in Ohio” by Mark Berman for Washington Post
April 28, 2016 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying California: “Here Are All the Sports Events California State Lawmakers Attended for Free” by Javier Panzar for Los Angeles Times Campaign Finance Maine: “LePage Vetoes Proposed Fix to Maine Clean Election Fund” by A.J. Higgins for Maine Public Broadcasting […]
Lobbying
California: “Here Are All the Sports Events California State Lawmakers Attended for Free” by Javier Panzar for Los Angeles Times
Campaign Finance
Maine: “LePage Vetoes Proposed Fix to Maine Clean Election Fund” by A.J. Higgins for Maine Public Broadcasting
Ethics
“Dennis Hastert Sentenced to 15 Months, and Apologizes for Sex Abuse” by Monica Davey, Julie Bosman, and Mitch Smith for New York Times
Arkansas: “Leslie Rutledge Rejects Wording of Campaign Finance Measure” by Associated Press for Arkansas Business Journal
Rhode Island: “R.I.’s Sen. Sheehan Buys Ads to Promote His Ethics Bill” by Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal
Virgina: “McDonnell Trial: Supreme Court justices express skepticism of former Virginia governor’s conviction” by Robert Barnes and Laura Vozzella for Washington Post
Elections
“Is the U.S. Ready for Post-Middle-Class Politics?” by Charles Homans for New York Times
“Ted Cruz Names Carly Fiorina as His Running Mate, Seeking a Jolt” by Jonathan Martin, Matt Flegenheimer, and Alexander Burns for New York Times
“Rep. Fattah Becomes First Lawmaker to Lose Primary” by Cristina Marcos for The Hill
April 26, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying California: “The Most Influential Person on the Coastal Commission May Be This Lobbyist” by Kim Christensen for Los Angeles Times Campaign Finance “Congressmen Challenge ‘Bipartisan Shakedown’ Pressuring Members to Raise $18,000 Every Day” by Chance Seales for WCMH Alaska: […]
Lobbying
California: “The Most Influential Person on the Coastal Commission May Be This Lobbyist” by Kim Christensen for Los Angeles Times
Campaign Finance
“Congressmen Challenge ‘Bipartisan Shakedown’ Pressuring Members to Raise $18,000 Every Day” by Chance Seales for WCMH
Alaska: “Parade of Politicians Expected to Appear at Trial over Alaska Campaign Donation Limits” by Alex DeMarban for Alaska Dispatch News
Michigan: “Labor Unions Sue State of Michigan over Election Law” by Kathleen Gray for Detroit Free Press
New York: “De Blasio Team Violated Campaign Finance Laws, Report Says” by William Neuman and Jesse McKinley for New York Times
Ethics
Alabama: “Jon Mason Should Be Concerned about Ethical Conflicts, Former Ethics Officials Say” by Connor Sheets for AL.com
Hawaii “Les Kondo Confirmed As State Auditor” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat
Idaho: “Initiative Proposes Sweeping Changes to Idaho’s Campaign Finance Laws” by Betsy Russell for Spokane Spokesman-Review
Elections
“Ted Cruz and John Kasich to Coordinate Against Donald Trump” by Matt Flegenheimer and Jonathan Martin for New York Times
Virginia: “Virginia Governor Restores Voting Rights to Felons” by Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Erik Eckholm for New York Times
March 29, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
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 […]
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
March 17, 2016 •
Thursday News Roundup
Campaign Finance “Even as Political Spending Explodes, Disclosure Remains Hazy” by Mary Spicuzza (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) and Jeremy White (Sacramento Bee) for CTNewsJunkie.com Arizona: “House Panel OKs Significant Changes to Campaign Finance Laws” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for […]
Campaign Finance
“Even as Political Spending Explodes, Disclosure Remains Hazy” by Mary Spicuzza (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) and Jeremy White (Sacramento Bee) for CTNewsJunkie.com
Arizona: “House Panel OKs Significant Changes to Campaign Finance Laws” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star
Hawaii: “Honolulu Ethics Director on Leave after Internal Investigation” by Anita Hofschneider for Honolulu Civil Beat
Hawaii: “Passing The Buck: When Hawaii politicians give to each other” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat
Washington: “Voters Could Get $150 to Give to Candidates under Proposed Initiative” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times
Ethics
“Supreme Court Nomination Drives Groups from Left and Right to Fight” by Eric Lipton for New York Times
California: “‘Dark Money’ Measure Pulled by California Campaign Reform Backers” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee
California: “How a State Senator – Whose Family is in the Taxi Business – Put the Brakes on Two Uber Bills” by Liam Dillon for Los Angeles Times
Florida: “FBI Agents Blow Lid Off Opa-locka City Hall Corruption Probe” by Jay Weaver, Michael Sallah, and Katie Lepri for Miami Herald
West Virginia:”Lawmakers Killed Ethics Bills on Session’s Last Day” by Eric Eyre for Charleston Gazette
Elections
“Hillary Clinton Wins 4 Races, Rebounding From Michigan Loss” by Patrick Healy and Amy Chozick for New York Times
“Donald Trump Takes 3 States; John Kasich Wins Ohio” by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns for New York Times
“Rubio’s Demise Marks the Last Gasp of the Republican Reboot” by Robert Costa and Philip Rucker for Washington Post
Legislative Issues
“Capitol Benches That Provided Comfort to Lobbyists Have Been Ordered Removed” by Nathaniel Herz for Alaska Dispatch News
March 10, 2016 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying New York: “As Lobbying Money Rises, deBlasio’s Agency Disclosure Pledge Goes Unfufilled” by Laura Nahmias for Capital New York Campaign Finance Arizona: “‘Dark Money’ Rules Eased in AZ Senate Campaign Finance Bill” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for […]
Lobbying
New York: “As Lobbying Money Rises, deBlasio’s Agency Disclosure Pledge Goes Unfufilled” by Laura Nahmias for Capital New York
Campaign Finance
Arizona: “‘Dark Money’ Rules Eased in AZ Senate Campaign Finance Bill” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star
Montana: “Montana Campaign Contribution Limit Challenge Coming to a Head” by Matt Volz (Associated Press for The Missoulian
Oregon: “Lawmakers Leave Salem without Taking up Campaign Finance Reform” by Taylor Anderson for Bend Bulletin
Ethics
Colorado: “Audit: Colorado’s ethics commission rarely helps those filing complaints” by Joey Bunch for Denver Post
Florida: “Facing Ethics Probe, Judge Lakin Decides to Retire” by Dale White for Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Minnesota: “House Speaker Daudt Sued by Debt Collectors, Was Tardy on Taxes” by Brian Bakst for MPR News
Pennsylvania: “Former LCB Chairman Who Took Gifts Drops Out of Ethics Panel” by Kari Andren for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Elections
“Donald Trump, the Winning Wild Card” by Thomas Edsall for New York Times
“Democrats Increase Their State House Majority in Special Elections” by Jack Brammerf and John Cheves for Lexington Herald-Leader
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