October 4, 2011 •
How Important Are Lobbyists as a Source of Information for State Legislators?
NCSL blog cites the results of two surveys
NCSL’s blog The Thicket at State Legislatures put up a post yesterday that discusses where legislators turn in order to get information to help them make public policy decisions.
The blog cites two sources of information and makes a comparison. The first source is a survey by NCSL, the Council of State Governments, and the State Legislative Leaders Foundation from 2002. The second source is a book called Power, Knowledge, and Politics: Policy Analysis in the States by John Hird from 2005.
The two surveys approached the question in different ways, but according to the blog post, they came up with the same rankings. Take a look at this chart, which summarizes it with bar graphs. Interest groups and lobbyists appear in eighth place on the list.
September 28, 2011 •
The American League of Lobbyists Speaks Out
The group makes a statement against new gift ban proposal
On Monday, the American League of Lobbyists (ALL) made a statement against a new Obama administration proposal restricting lobbyists’ gifts to executive branch employees. It would also restrict those employees’ attendance to certain events sponsored by lobbyists, companies, and organizations.
Howard Marlowe, president of the organization, states: “The American League of Lobbyists strongly objects to this proposed rule and asks that it be withdrawn immediately. The Administration has offered no reports of even a single abuse of its current regulations to warrant the severe restrictions it has proposed on the mutual flow of information and expertise between lobbyists, their employers, and Federal workers.”
Here is a draft summary of the Obama administration’s proposed rule.
The “Lobbying in the News” page for ALL lists these three articles covering the news:
- “Lobbyists object to Obama proposal that would tighten rules for federal workers,” by T.W. Farnam in the Washington Post.
- “Lobby league opposes Obama rule,” by Anna Palmer and Dave Levinthal on the Politico Influence page.
- “Lobbyists’ group objects to new rule banning gifts to all federal employees,” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
You can keep up with the latest discussions on the American League of Lobbyists Twitter feed (@LobbyistsLeague).
September 22, 2011 •
Philadelphia Board of Ethics Approves Lobbying Regulations
Lobbyist Registration Delayed Until November
The Philadelphia Board of Ethics has approved proposed regulations that define lobbying activity and describe how lobbyists must register and report expenditures.
If the regulations are approved by the Law Department, they could become effective in early October. A previous board decision to provide a 30 day grace period would not require lobbyist registration until November.
Additionally, registration could begin only when the board has an online registration system in place. Shane Creamer, executive director of the board, stated he hoped the online registration system would be ready in November.
September 13, 2011 •
LegiStorm Publishes New Study about Revolving Door
Results give more complete numbers than previous studies
In T.W Farnam’s aticle, “Revolving door of employment between Congress, lobbying firms, study shows,” the Washington Post reports that LegiStorm has published a new study revealing how many U.S. lawmakers and their staffers have left to become lobbyists.
The published totals are 400 lawmakers and 5,400 staffers in the last ten years. LegiStorm also reveals the reverse process: 605 lobbyists have moved into positions as congressional staffers.
You can find LegiStorm’s announcement on their blog here.
September 12, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 12, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Bipartisan Bill Would Require Transparency of Super Committee
Facing Voter Discontent, Lawmakers Skip Town Halls
Members of Debt Panel Have Ties to Lobbyists
From the States and Municipalities:
California
Campaign Accountant Held in Theft of Funds
Connecticut
Watchdog Agencies Spared as Malloy Nails Down Budget Cuts
Georgia
Ethics Chief Arrives Amid Makeover
Rhode Island
R.I. Rep. Leo Medina Is Charged with a Felony
Washington
Seattle City Employee to Be Fined for Driving City Car to Casino
Wisconsin
Attorney: New Wisconsin ad rules too broad
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
September 7, 2011 •
State and Federal Communications’ Staff Attending the PLI Seminar
Held in Washington D.C. September 8 and 9
Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, as well as Compliance Associates Myra Cottrill, Steve Quinn, Rebecca South, and George Ticoras will be attending the Practising Law Institute’s Live Seminar, Corporate Political Activities 2011: Complying with Campaign Finance, Lobbying & Ethics Laws, that is to be held in Washington D.C. September 8 and 9.
This seminar will provide information covering topics such as the aftermath of Citizens United, state and federal pay-to-play laws, state lobbying, gift and campaign finance laws and enforcement, FEC rulemakings and litigation, FEC hot topics, and, among other things, recent civil and criminal enforcement cases, policies and sentencing guidelines.
September 6, 2011 •
Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission Makes Reform Recommendations
Gift law provisions to be modified
The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission has issued recommendations to reform the state code of ethics.
The Commission has recommended repealing the provision allowing lobbyists to spend $100 annually on food and beverages for each legislative official and their respective families.
Further, the Commission has recommended that candidates for the state legislature be subjected to the same gift restrictions as legislative officials.
This would include a prohibition on the receipt of anything of value from lobbyists.
September 6, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 6, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Interest Groups Push Obama on Order
SEC Whetting Incentives for Whistle-Blowers
Super Committee Pits Lobbying Firms’ Clients against One Another
The Influence Industry: ‘Candidate super PACs’ surge ahead in the 2012 money race
From the States and Municipalities:
Connecticut
Guay to Head Unified Watchdog Group
Florida
New South Florida Politicians Go to ‘Good Government’ Boot Camp
Florida
Nonprofit Writes Florida Law for its Own Program
Georgia
Georgia Lobbyists Hope to Boost Ethics
Georgia
Montana
Schweitzer Fined $4,100 in Ethics Case
Nebraska
Donations OK’d for First Lady’s Expenses
Nebraska
State Not Enforcing Campaign Limits
North Carolina
Candidate Criticized for Scheduling Fundraiser at Lobbyist’s Home
Pennsylvania
Ex-Pa. House Speaker Pleads Guilty to Corruption
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
August 15, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 15, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
American Bar Association Takes Aim at Lobbying Law Loopholes
Golf, Vacation Fundraisers Return
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
In Alabama, No Verdicts of Guilty in Graft Case
Arizona
Arizonans Want Legislators to Reject Gifts
California
Jerry Brown’s Charter Schools in Oakland Reap Big Donations
Colorado
Study Shows Who Breaks Campaign Laws
Florida
Palm Beach County Ethics Law Poses Hurdle for Firefighters’ Fundraiser
Georgia
Ethics Panel’s Chairman Stays Put, for Now
Hawaii
Ethics Director Blocks Texas Dinner for Hawaii Lawmakers
New Mexico
New Mexico Mayor Was Drunk When He Signed Deal
New York
Commission to Call for New Rules on Lobbying in the City
Pennsylvania
‘Kids for Cash’ Judge Sentenced to 28 Years for Racketeering Scheme
Utah
Utah Lawmakers, Lobbyists, Go On the Road
Wisconsin
Republicans Hold On to Wisconsin Senate after Recall Vote
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
August 11, 2011 •
ABA Recommends Lobbying Law Changes
Resolution 104B Revised
The American Bar Association (ABA) has adopted a resolution urging the United States Congress to amend the Federal Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA).
Recommendations made in “Resolution 104B Revised” by the ABA House of Delegates include narrowing the current time threshold required for registration and barring campaign fundraising for members of Congress lobbied within the previous two years.
Additional resolutions includes the following information be disclosed in a lobbyist’s quarterly reports: disclosure of lobbying support activities performed by retained entities; reporting of the identification of individuals “principally involved in planning, directing, or coordinating lobbying support activities”; identification of individuals with any level of involvement in the lobbying activities who have recently served as high-ranking federal officials; and all congressional offices, congressional committees, and federal agencies and offices contacted by lobbyists employed.
July 29, 2011 •
Here Is Another Jurisdiction Update
In a continuing effort to better serve the needs of its clients, State and Federal Communications, Inc. is expanding coverage of laws and regulations in more municipalities.
We now provide information on lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying for:
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Eugene, Oregon
Lakewood, Colorado
July 28, 2011 •
State and Federal Communications Expands Coverage
In a continuing effort to better serve the needs of its clients, State and Federal Communications, Inc. is expanding coverage of laws and regulations in more municipalities.
We now provide information on lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying for Gilbert, Arizona; Savannah, Georgia; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Springfield, Missouri; and Syracuse, New York on our website.
The image of North America by Bosonic dressing on Wikipedia.
July 19, 2011 •
Lobbying Law Facing Scrutiny in Boynton Beach, Florida
Boynton Beach to Consider Options in Lobbying Law Enforcement
The city attorney for Boynton Beach, Jim Cherof, has proposed ceasing enforcement of the city’s lobbying ordinance and turning over enforcement to the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics. The lobbying ordinance, in effect since 2007, has come under fire recently due to a perceived vagueness in the law.
This past May, the city levied the first fines ever under the ordinance and has also taken steps to open an investigation against former city commissioner David Katz, all concerning failure to register as a lobbyist. Each fine is being appealed and Katz maintains he was never required to register under the law because he was performing consulting work and not lobbying.
July 7, 2011 •
Enforcement of Philadelphia Lobbying Law Delayed
Law Facing Challenges from Philadelphia Bar Association
The Philadelphia Board of Ethics has announced it will delay enforcement of the city’s lobbying law until 30 days after the effective date of proposed board regulations.
According to a board resolution, the earliest that enforcement of the lobbying law may begin is September 26, 2011. P.C.C. §20-1200, which created Philadelphia’s lobbying law, became effective July 1. The board has previously announced that lobbyist registration will not begin until July 18, 2011 because of delays in implementing the electronic registration system.
Additionally, the Philadelphia Bar Association has filed suit challenging Philadelphia’s new lobbying law as being too far reaching. The Bar Association contends that the law’s definition of the term “lobbyist” unfairly targets lawyers who are not engaged in lobbying activities, and that only the state Supreme Court can regulate lawyers.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.