Lobbying

Maine: “Free Meals, Rooms for Maine Lawmakers Not Always Disclosed under Ethics Laws” by Naomi Schalit (Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting) for The Forecaster

Michigan: “Which Lawmakers Got the Most Free Lunch? Michigan Lobbying Topped $37M in 2014” by Jonathan Oosting for MLive.com

Utah: “Free Lunches for Lawmakers Dwindling at Utah Legislature” by Lee Davidson for Salt Lake Tribune

Campaign Finance

“States Consider Requiring Shareholder Approval for Political Gifts” by Liz Essley White for Center for Public Integrity

“This Political Scientist Estimated Politicians’ Beliefs via 100 Million Campaign Donations” by Andrew Prokop for Vox

“Activists Bristle at Hillary Clinton Fundraising Pleas” by Ben Schreckinger for Politico

Nebraska: “Nebraska Bill Would Change Campaign Disclosure Requirement” by Grant Schulte (Associated Press) for Beatrice Daily Sun

Ethics

Oregon: “Lawmakers to Consider Ethics Reforms in Response to John Kitzhaber, Cylvia Hayes Scandal” by Ian Kullgren for Portland Oregonian

Texas: “In State of the State, Abbott Proposes Sweeping Agenda” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune

Virginia: “In Post-McDonnell Scandal Va., Pols Take another Stab at Ethics Reform” by Jenna Portnoy for Washington Post

Lobbying

North Carolina: “NC Ethics Commission Says Sex between Lobbyists, Officials Isn’t Reportable” by Craig Jarvis for Raleigh News & Observer

North Dakota: “North Dakota’s GOP Chairman Breaks Lobbying Rules” by Rob Port for Watchdog.org

Texas: “Watson Wants More Disclosure of Wining and Dining” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune

Campaign Finance

California: “Foes Question Firm’s Work for Steve Veres’ City Council Race” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times

Kansas: “Kansas Republicans, Democrats Agree on Raising Campaign Contribution Limits” by Nicholas Clayton (Associated Press) for Columbus Republic

Ethics

Indiana: “House Approves Ethics Bill Requiring More Financial Disclosure” in Indianapolis Business Journal

Mississippi: “Alday Says He’s Not Racist; GOP Leaders Decry Statements” by Emily Le Coz for Jackson Clarion-Ledger

Oregon: “Gov. John Kitzhaber of Oregon and His Fiancée Walked Tangled Path to Exit” by Kirk Johnson and Michael Paulson for New York Times

Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Political Activist Gene Stilp Will Retire” by Kate Giammarise for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

South Carolina: “Ethics Reform Proponents Hope to Overcome Senate Roadblock” by Jeremy Borden for Charleston Post & Courier

A bill to extend revolving door prohibitions has been recommended by a unanimous vote in the House Government, Elections, and Indian Affairs Committee. House Bill 241 prohibits former statewide elected officials, public regulation commissioners, legislators, and cabinet secretaries from accepting compensation as lobbyists for a period of two years after leaving public service.

The bill is expected to pass the House, but will likely face opposition in the Senate.

Last year, a similar proposal cleared the House 43-23, but the Senate Rules Committee failed to advance the mirror version of the bill.

Lobbying

New Mexico: “Citizen Lobbyists Learn the Ropes” by Gwyneth Doland (New Mexico In Depth) for Las Cruces Sun-News

North Carolina: “Charlotte Is Largest City with No Lobbying Disclosure” by Steve Harrison for Charlotte Observer

Campaign Finance

“Freshman Lawmaker Aims to Close Campaign Money Loophole” by The Associated Press for KBOI

Virginia: “Va. Political Operative Pleads Guilty to Coordinating Campaign Contributions” by Matt Zapotosky and Matea Gold for Washington Post

Wisconsin: “Bill Would Limit John Doe Probes into Political Crimes” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Ethics

Connecticut: “FBI Goes After ‘Corrupticut’ with Billboards” by Brian Lockhart for Connecticut Post

Florida: “Miami-Dade Mayor and Trump Discussed Crandon Golf Takeover” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald

Montana: “Montana Budget Panel Cuts Political Practices” by Charles Johnson for Ravalli Republic

South Carolina: “S.C. Senate Kills Ethics Measure – Possibly for the Year” by Jeremy Borden for Charleston Post & Courier

Elections

“Democrats Choose Philadelphia for 2016 National Convention” by Trip Gabriel for New York Times

Procurement

“House Passes Reform, Transparency Act” by Geoff Pender for Jackson Clarion-Ledger

National:

Big Business Crushed Ballot Measures in 2014
Center for Public Integrity – Liz Essley Whyte | Published: 2/5/2015

Business interests poured money into ballot question fights last year, largely to protect their own revenue, with overwhelmingly positive results. More than three-quarters of the $272 million given by the top 50 donors to ballot measure groups nationwide came from corporations or business trade organizations. They contributed most of their money to defeat proposals and were almost always successful, winning 96 percent of the time.

Helena-Based Campaign Finance-Tracking Group Gets Prestigious $1M Grant
The Missoulian; Staff    | Published: 2/5/2015

When advocates, lawyers, journalists, or others want to investigate the influence of campaign finance on public policy, they often turn to a nonprofit with a massive database: ­the National Institute on Money in State Politics. The institute’s website, FollowTheMoney.org, offers the public access to an archive covering contributions to candidates in every state over several decades. The institute now has $1-million more to further its work, one of nine nonprofits that were honored with a MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions.

Federal:

Forum Becomes Campaign Cash Free-for-All
Center for Public Integrity – Dave Levinthal | Published: 2/11/2015

With the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent McCutcheon decision as the starting point, attendees at an FEC hearing laid out a wide range of ideas for improving disclosure and preventing political corruption. Equally split between Democrats and Republicans and lacking decisive direction from Congress, the commissioners are not likely to take any sweeping action in the wake of the hearing. That did not discourage an outpouring of interest from reform groups and free speech organizations, well beyond the scope of developing rules to implement last year’s decision by the high court.

The Secret World of a Well-Paid ‘Donor Adviser’ in Politics
New York Times – Nicholas Confessore | Published: 2/5/2015

Over the past several years, many nonprofits and super PACs have paid Mary Pat Bonner’s consulting firm in excess of $6 million to help them cultivate wealthy donors and raise money. Bonner’s contracts give her firm a commission on any money she brings in from her network of rich Democrats and liberals. Her tenacity and ties to wealthy givers have made Bonner among the most successful practitioners of a trade that is virtually invisible to voters but has taken on power and influence in the post-Citizens United world. But the growing influence of paid fundraisers and the terms of their compensation have also drawn the ire of donors in both parties, who have grown increasingly skeptical of Washington’s consultant class and the secret, often lucrative deals they reach with campaigns.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – A Legal Use of Power: Parties funnel millions to California candidates
Sacramento Bee – Jim Miller | Published: 2/7/2015

Fourteen years after California voters approved a measure that imposed candidate contribution limits for the first time, the pipeline of money between donors, political party committees, and far-flung candidates in competitive races continues to grow. Political parties’ role as money middlemen effectively skirts the limits while making it difficult for voters to figure out which special interests support a candidate. The transactions are complex, sometimes involving multiple committees, yet entirely legal if there is no coordination between donors, committees, and candidates. Such cases are difficult to prove and only a relative handful of politicians, consultants, or political committees have gotten in trouble for money laundering.

Florida – Mayor’s Ball Draws Influential Donors
South Florida Sun Sentinel – Andy Reid | Published: 2/9/2015

Builders, lobbyists, and others who have business before local government are among the top sponsors of the Palm Beach County Mayor’s Ball fundraiser for the homeless. The February 28 event offers the chance for those paying $250 per ticket to socialize with elected leaders as a way to raise money to fight homelessness. While event backers say it is a way for local leaders to raise money for a good cause, critics warn that fundraisers like this can create the perception of buying influence with elected officials.

Hawaii – Hawaii Lobbyists Fined for Failing to Register with State Ethics Commission
Greenfield Daily Reporter; Associated Press –   | Published: 2/5/2015

David Arakawa, executive director of the Land Use Research Foundation, lobbied on the foundation’s behalf between 2008 and 2014 without registering himself or the organization with the Hawaii Ethics Commission as required by state law. The commission also said neither Arakawa nor the foundation filed lobbying expenditure and contribution reports during that period. As a result, Arakawa and the foundation will each pay $2,000 in fines.

Illinois – Illinois Governor Acts to Curb Power of Public Sector Unions
New York Times – Monica Davey and Mitch Smith | Published: 2/9/2015

In a move that surprised lawmakers and infuriated public-sector union officials, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed an executive order absolving members of the state workforce under his control from having to contribute so-called fair share dues. Rauner said a review found current law unconstitutional because it requires nonunion workers to pay union dues that may help fund political campaigns they do not agree with. Under state law, employees can decline to join a union but are still on the hook for fair share fees related to collective bargaining and contract negotiations. The statute prohibits those fees from being used to support political activities, but Rauner contended it is nearly impossible to draw a distinction because public sector unions directly negotiate with the government.

New Mexico – New Mexico Lobbyists Spend on Lawmakers but Disclosure Lacks
Las Cruces Sun-News – Sandra Fish (New Mexico In Depth) | Published: 2/7/2015

Individual lobbyists spent more than $1.6 million on gifts, meals, and entertainment for New Mexico’s elected officials and staff in the four years from 2011 through 2014. Over the same period, businesses and organizations spent more than $379,000 directly to fete elected officials with parties, golf passes, and more. But the lack of required disclosure creates haziness when tracking how the money flows to state lawmakers and other public officials. Filings for 69 percent of the total spending in the last four years, more than $1.1 million, do not list specifics on who was being entertained. That is because New Mexico does not require lobbyists to disclose specifics about who they entertained if the expense is less than $75.

New York – Political Corruption in Albany a Very Old Story
Albany Times Union – Paul Grondahl | Published: 2/10/2015

Since 2000, 28 state legislators in New York have left office due to criminal or ethical issues, and four more have been indicted. Political corruption in Albany is an old game. When Teddy Roosevelt was a freshman legislator in 1882, he kept a diary and once wrote that Assemblyperson John Raines had “the same idea of public life and civil service that a vulture has of dead sheep.” Roosevelt witnessed several colleagues accepting bags of cash from Tammany Hall operatives to defeat bills that would adversely affect their business partners.

Oregon – Love and Politics Collide as Scandals Plague Oregon’s Fourth-Term Governor
New York Times – Kirk Johnson | Published: 2/11/2015

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber is confronting a barrage of criticism, calls for his resignation, and a potential recall petition. After simmering for months, influence-peddling allegations boiled over on Kitzhaber, when an editorial by The Portland Oregonian calling for his resignation shined a national spotlight on the controversy. A series of reports have revealed Kitzhaber’s fiancée, Cylvia Hayes, did paid consulting work for organizations with an interest in public policy in the state. During the same period, she worked as an unpaid adviser in the governor’s office on some of the same issues. Kitzhaber has said he and Hayes took care to avoid conflicts.

Pennsylvania – A Section of City Code Has Money from Law Firms, Corporations Drying Up in Philly Politics
Philadelphia Inquirer – Chris Hepp | Published: 2/8/2015

A densely written passage in the city code has arguably has done as much to alter how political campaigns in Philadelphia are conducted as any recent attempt at campaign finance reform. Designed to attack the city’s “pay-to-play” culture, Section 17-1405 has all but eliminated large law firms and corporations, and thousands of partners and directors at those entities, as major financial contributors to campaigns. In the process, it has drained a vast pool of ready campaign money once available to candidates and is one reason, some believe, that mayoral candidates are struggling to raise money. As a consequence, critics of the law say, candidates will be ever more dependent on the efforts of third-party campaign committees that have no limits when it comes to money raised and few requirements when it comes to transparency.

Texas – State Law Allows for Lobbying Deep in the Shadows of Texas
Dallas Morning News – James Drew | Published: 2/7/2015

Critics say Texas’ lobbying law has significant loopholes and weaknesses that make it difficult for the public to track the alliance between lobbyists and lawmakers. They contend the rules are so complex that even lobbyists can get confused, there is a lack of transparency about the legislation that lobbyists are trying to influence, and the Texas Ethics Commission routinely does not aggressively pursue alleged violators. Lobbyist Don McFarlin said he has no problem if the Legislature were to require more public disclosure. “If you look at other states, they have some pretty stringent ethics laws; Texas is pretty lax,” said McFarlin.

Virginia – Va. House and Senate Unhappily Pass Ethics Bills; Governor Awaits Deal
Washington Post – Jenna Portnoy and Rachel Weiner | Published: 2/10/2015

The Virginia House and Senate both approved their latest versions of ethics reform. Now the focus will turn to hammering out the differences between the two bills. Both chambers included a general $100 gift cap, whether those gifts be tangible items, meals, or trips. That is down from the $250 cap the General Assembly adopted last year, when the cap did not apply to meals, trips, or event tickets. The rules would apply not just to legislators, but to the all state and local government elected officials and employees. The proposals do not tighten campaign finance rules, but focus instead on the gifts lawmakers receive and how they should be reported. Both bills include a new ethics council. Its duties vary between the bills, but its general role would be to give advice and grant waivers.

Washington – State Ethics Board Says Lawmakers May Accept Free U.S. Open Tickets
Seattle Times – Rachel La Corte (Associated Press) | Published: 2/10/2015

The Legislative Ethics Board said some Washington lawmakers can receive free tickets to the U.S. Open golf tournament without violating rules limiting gifts to legislators. It agreed the $110 tickets are acceptable exemptions to state rules that cap gifts at $50. The board said the advisory request from Pierce County made it clear that lawmakers would not be at the event primarily as spectators. Instead, they will learn about developments to the site of the tournament. Lawmakers will be able to choose one of two three-hour tours the county is organizing during the June tournament at Chambers Bay Golf Course near Tacoma.

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.

Lobbying

New Mexico: “Lobbyist Disclosure Bill Hits Snag in House Committee” by Steve Terrell (Santa Fe New Mexican) for Las Cruces Sun-News

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “State Office Working to Close Campaign Finance Loophole” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star

Nevada: “Nevada Supreme Court Rules against Conservative Group Citizen Outreach in Campaign Flyer Case” by Riley Snider and Michelle Rindels (Associated Press) for Greenfield Daily Reporter

Rhode Island: “Rhode Island Lawmaker Arrested for Alleged Misuse of Campaign Money Resigns Leadership Post” by Jennifer McDermott and Michelle Smith (Associated Press) for Greenfield Daily Reporter

Ethics

New Jersey: “Wisniewski Seeks to End Christie’s Paid-for Travel” by Matt Friedman for Newark Star-Ledger

New York: “Political Corruption in Albany a Very Old Story” by Paul Grondahl for Albany Times Union

Indiana: “Indiana Lawmakers’ Panel Passes Ethics Reform Package” by Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star

Virginia: “Va. House and Senate Unhappily Pass Ethics Bills; Governor Awaits Deal” by Jenna Portnoy and Rachel Weiner for Washington Post

Procurement

Texas: “Ethics Bill Would Shed Light on Contracts” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune

Lobbying

California: “Legal Clinic Immerses Aspiring Lawyers in the Political Process” by Maura Dolan for Los Angeles Times

Florida: “Mayor’s Ball Draws Influential Donors” by Andy Reid for South Florida Sun Sentinel

Missouri: “Ethics Bills Move Ahead in Senate, House Committee” by Rudi Keller for Columbia Daily Tribune

New Mexico: “New Mexico Lobbyists Spend on Lawmakers but Disclosure Lacks” by Sandra Fish for Las Cruces Sun-News

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Committee: Lobbyists still can’t donate during sessions” by Julia Shumway for Arizona Republic

Illinois: “Illinois Governor Acts to Curb Power of Public Sector Unions” by Monica Davey and Mitch Smith for New York Times

Oregon: “Secretary of State Wants to Limit Campaign Spending” by Hannah Hoffman for Salem Statesman Journal

Pennsylvania: “A Section of City Code Has Money from Law Firms, Corporations Drying Up in Philly Politics” by Chris Hepp for Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethics

New York: “NY Senate Democrats: Ban outside income for lawmakers” by David Klepper and Michael Virtanen (Associated Press) for Seattle Times

Washington: “Lt. Governor Wants Change in How Ethics Are Policed” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times

On February 2, 2015, the commissioners of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) issued a report to the governor and the Legislature outlining requested changes to existing ethics and lobbying laws. Among their recommendations are mandatory electronic filing for lobbyists and lobbyist employers, disclosure of political consulting or fundraising activities undertaken by lobbyists, assessment of financial penalties for non-compliance with audits, and barring individuals or entities from acting as lobbyists if they have repeat violations of the Lobbying Act.

The report also notes the need for a review of the Lobbying Act to ensure all forms of government advocacy, including grassroots lobbying and strategic consulting, are being captured for reporting purposes.

According to the Times Union, Gov. Cuomo said he is willing to delay budget negotiations in exchange for an ethics reform package from the Legislature, incorporating the recommendations of the JCOPE.

The entire report is available here.

Lobbying

Hawaii: “Hawaii Lobbyists Fined for Failing to Register with State Ethics Commission” by The Associated Press for Greenfield Daily Reporter

Minnesota: “Tomassoni Quits Range Job, Citing ‘Distractions’” by Don Davis for Duluth News Tribune

Texas: “State Law Allows for Lobbying Deep in the Shadows of Texas” by James Drew for Dallas Morning News

Campaign Finance

California: “A Legal Use of Power: Parties funnel millions to California candidates” by Jim Miller for Sacramento Bee

Pennsylvania: “After Pennsylvania Treasurer Scandal, Pay-to-Play Law Still a Longshot” by The Associated Press for Lehighvalleylive.com

Ethics

New York: “Harassment Suit against Former Assemblyman Vito Lopez and Sheldon Silver Is Settled” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times

North Carolina: “City Panel Proposes Stronger Ethics Policy” by Steve Harrison for Charlotte Observer

Oregon: “Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber Faces Call to Resign amid Scandal over Fiancée” by Maria La Ganga for Los Angeles Times

Washington: “Free U.S. Open Tickets for Lawmakers? Ethics Board to Discuss” by Melissa Santos for Tacoma News Tribune

Legislative Issues

Idaho: “Recodification Bill Would Create New Title of State Law for Ethics, Public Records, Open Meetings” by Betsy Russell for Spokane Spokesman-Review

South Carolina: “Lawmakers Hear Calls to Change the Way SC Elects Judges” by Jamie Self for The State

Political Advertising

“Drones Fly into the Political Ad Wars” by Daniel Lippman for Politico

Lobbying

New Mexico: “GOP Leaders Says Former Speaker Gave Office Space to Lobbyist” by Patrick Malone (Santa Fe New Mexican) for Las Cruces Sun-News

Campaign Finance

“Helena-Based Campaign Finance-Tracking Group Gets Prestigious $1M Grant” in The Missoulian

“Big Business Crushed Ballot Measures in 2014” by Liz Essley White for Center for Public Integrity

“The Secret World of a Well-Paid ‘Donor Adviser’ in Politics” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

Illinois: “Ald. Deb Mell Hit with Complaint over Free Rent Provided by Dad Dick Mell” by Ted Cox for DNAinfo.com

Montana: “Bullock, Ankney Outline Campaign Finance Reform Bill” by Charles Johnson for Montana Standard

Utah: “Politicians May Be Giving Contributions to Charity in the Future” by Amy McDonald for Provo Daily Herald

Ethics

Arkansas: “Lawmakers Favor Expanded Ethics Panel” by Michael Wickline for ArkansasOnline.com

Hawaii: “Hawaii Ethics Commission Fines Current and Former State Workers over Free Golf” by The Associated Press for Fox News

New York: “Malcolm Smith, Ex-New York Senate Chief, Is Convicted of Corruption” by Tanzina Vega for New York Times

South Dakota: “Ethics Commission Killed by House Republicans” by Bob Mercer for Rapid City Journal

Lobbying

“Top Frankfort Lobbyists Make Big Money … VERY Big” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal

Missouri: “Ethics Amendment Sponsor Sees Little Chance for Effective Action by Lawmakers” by Rudi Keller for Columbia Daily Tribune

Campaign Finance

“Capitalizing on a Political Contribution Cap Hike” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity

California: “San Diego County Supervisors Put Caps on Campaign Spending” by City News Service for KPBS

Ethics

“Obama Administration Seeks to Negotiate Medicare Drug Prices” by David Morgan for Reuters

Nevada: “When Do Lawmakers’ Day Jobs Become Conflicts of Interest?” by Kyle Roerink for Las Vegas Sun

New York: “State Ethics Panel Seeks More Clout, Leeway” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

New York: “New York City Councilman Arrested on Corruption Charges” by Nikita Stewart for New York Times

Oregon: “Cylvia Hayes Scandal: Kitzhaber associates helped create jobs for her that had Oregon influence in mind” by Nick Budnick and Laura Gunderson for Portland Oregonian

Pennsylvania: “After Rapid Rise, Pennsylvania Attorney General Faces Sharp Fall” by Jennifer Steinhauer for New York Times

Elections

“The Surprising Power of Blue-State Republicans” by Nate Cohn for New York Times

A bill introduced in the New York Senate would impose new reporting requirements on lobbyists and lobbyist employers, as well as limit political contributions from lobbyists and certain other persons. The bill also contains pay-to-play restrictions.

Senate Bill 02505 requires lobbyists, certain business entities, persons with ownership interests or senior level management within such entities, and family members of any of the foregoing to file campaign finance reports when making contributions to the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, and state legislators.

The bill further limits the amount of any contribution made to any of those offices or associated political committees. The bill requires lobbyists and lobbyist employers to disclose contributions to the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, and state legislators on their periodic reports.

Senate Bill 02505 requires state contractors with contracts totaling more than $50,000 and persons who own more than 10 percent of any business entity having such a contract, senior management personnel in such a business entity, and family members of the foregoing persons to file campaign finance reports. The bill also limits contributions from such persons to the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, and state legislators and affiliated political committees for the duration of the qualifying contract.

Senate Bill 02505 was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance on January 28, 2015.

Campaign Finance

North Carolina: “Audit: Elections board spent nearly $1 million for nothing” by Craig Jarvis for Raleigh News & Observer

Wisconsin: “Federal Judge’s Judgment Takes John Doe Probe off Life Support” by M.D. Kittle for WisconsinReporter.com

Ethics

“How Did Politics Get So Personal?” by Thomas Edsall for New York Times

“How and Why Retired Politicians Get Lucrative Appointments on Corporate Boards” by Maxwell Palmer and Benjamin Schneer for Washington Post

California: “California’s Top Political Ethics Cop Resigns” by Laurel Rosenhall for Sacramento Bee

New York: “Pushing Ethics Reforms, Cuomo Wants Lawmakers to Reveal Income or Lose It” by Alexander Burns and Susanne Craig for New York Times

Rhode Island: “House Will Once Again Mull Two Proposals to Restore Ethics Commission’s Authority over State Lawmakers” by Jennifer Bogdon for Providence Journal

Elections

“Measles Prove Delicate Issue to GOP Field” by Jeremy Peters and Richard Pérez-Peña for New York Times

Legislative Issues

Nevada: “Assemblyman May Be Extortion Victim, Police Say” by Ray Hagar for Reno Gazette-Journal

New York: “Heastie Is Elected Speaker of New York Assembly” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times

On February 3, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) published its price index adjustments for expenditure limitations and lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold in the Federal Register. The lobbyist bundling disclosure threshold has increased to $17,600 for 2015 from $17,300 in 2014. This threshold amount is adjusted annually.

Federal law requires authorized committees of federal candidates, leadership political action committees (PACs), and political party committees to disclose contributions bundled by lobbyists and lobbyists’ PACs.