April 28, 2014 •
Lobbying Bill Introduced in Yukon Legislative Assembly
A new bill introduced in the Yukon 33rd Legislative Assembly would create a lobbying law for the territory. Introduced on April 9 by MLA Liz Hanson, Leader of the Opposition New Democratic Party, the proposed legislation creates a registrar position […]
A new bill introduced in the Yukon 33rd Legislative Assembly would create a lobbying law for the territory.
Introduced on April 9 by MLA Liz Hanson, Leader of the Opposition New Democratic Party, the proposed legislation creates a registrar position to establish and maintain the lobbyist registry. Bill 104 mandates a consultant lobbyist must file the first return within 10 days of an undertaking. An in-house lobbyist must file his or her first return within 60 days after becoming an in-house lobbyist. Subsequent returns must be filed biannually.
The bill also creates a cooling off period before former public officials could lobby the government.
April 28, 2014 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “After three-year slump, K Street shows signs of growth” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post. Kansas: “FBI investigating influence peddling by Brownback confidants” by Steve Kraske in The Kansas City Star. Campaign Finance “FEC Provides New Resources for […]
Lobbying
“After three-year slump, K Street shows signs of growth” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post.
Kansas: “FBI investigating influence peddling by Brownback confidants” by Steve Kraske in The Kansas City Star.
Campaign Finance
“FEC Provides New Resources for 2014 Elections” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
“John Paul Stevens to testify on ‘dark money’” by Burgess Everett in Politico.
“McCutcheon Restores Power to Congressional Campaigns | Commentary” by Tim Peckinpaugh and Steve Roberts in Roll Call.
“Michael Grimm expected to be indicted” by John Bresnahan and Jake Sherman in Politico.
Georgia: “Local lawmakers ignore transparency laws” by Catherine Beck on WXIA News.
Ethics
“Ethics panel investigates Steve Stockman” by Lauren French in Politico.
“House Members Needing and Paying for Attorneys” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
Florida: “Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief appears before ethics commission” by Carlos Suarez on WPLG News.
Indiana: “Indiana lawmakers struggle with ethics system” by Tom LoBianco in the San Francisco Chronicle.
State Legislatures
Colorado: “5 Things To Know in the Colorado Legislature” by The Associated Press in the San Francisco Chronicle.
April 25, 2014 •
News You Can Use Digest – April 25, 2014
National: General Dynamics to No Longer Contribute to Political Organizations Washington Business Journal – Jill Aitoro | Published: 4/22/2014 General Dynamics announced it will no longer make contributions to political organizations or nonprofit groups that in turn give to campaigns. […]
National:
General Dynamics to No Longer Contribute to Political Organizations
Washington Business Journal – Jill Aitoro | Published: 4/22/2014
General Dynamics announced it will no longer make contributions to political organizations or nonprofit groups that in turn give to campaigns. The decision comes in response to a shareholder proposal that requests that the company’s board of directors authorize an annual report disclosing lobbying policy and procedures, and membership in and payments to tax-exempt organizations that write and endorse model legislation.
Political Attack Ads, Often Negative, Try Instead to Accentuate the Positive
New York Times – Ashley Parker | Published: 4/17/2014
Some of the best-known super PACs and outside political groups are making an effort to cast the candidates they support in an appealing way instead of solely attacking opponents. Already this year, 16 percent of Americans for Prosperity’s spots have been positive; in 2012, the group did not run a single one. The shift is the product of several factors, such as the renewed hope that positive commercials can break through the advertising clutter and the increasing prevalence of stock footage made public by campaigns that makes producing positive ads easier.
Federal:
Following Sebelius Phone Call, Foundation Donated $13M to Obamacare Outreach Group, Report Says
Washington Post – Jason Millman | Published: 4/21/2014
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius last year approached five organizations seeking money or technical help for Enroll America, a nonprofit working to increase participation in the federal health law, according to a review by the Government Accountability Office. Republicans had criticized Sebelius for making a funding request to outside groups, while the Obama administration defended the action, contending Congress refused to provide enough funding for Affordable Care Act outreach.
Justice Stevens Suggests Solution for ‘Giant Step in the Wrong Direction’
New York Times – Adam Liptak | Published: 4/21/2014
Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens said the court had made a disastrous wrong turn in its recent string of campaign finance rulings. In an interview with The New York Times, Stevens talked about what he called a telling flaw in the opening sentence of the ruling in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, and filled in some new details about the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that led to the Citizens United decision.
From the States and Municipalities:
California – Ethics Panel Wants More Public Funding Available to Candidates
Los Angeles Times – Soumya Karlamangla | Published: 4/17/2014
The Los Angeles Ethics Commission recommended the city’s public campaign finance program increase the matching funds available to candidates. The commission also announced it would no longer enforce aggregate contribution limits on individuals giving to city and school board candidates as a result of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. City caps on what donors can give to individual candidates will remain in effect. Those range from $700 to $1,300 per election, depending on the office.
Connecticut – DGA Challenges Connecticut’s Campaign Finance Restrictions
Connecticut Mirror – Mark Pazniokas | Published: 4/23/2014
The Democratic Governors’ Association sued the state of Connecticut, saying its laws on political spending are unconstitutionally broad and limit the ability of political groups to buy independent ads backing candidates. The lawsuit said the state unfairly treats independent money spent on ads and other political messages by the national group as contributions to particular candidates, and thus subject to campaign finance limits.
Missouri – Missouri Lawmakers Take Trips to Israel, California, New Orleans – On the Lobbyists’ Dime
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Kevin McDermott | Published: 4/21/2014
Industry and special interest groups spent more than $200,000 in the last three years on trips for Missouri lawmakers, according to The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Records show the travel-related spending in many cases included airline tickets, hotel rooms, meals, and convention fees. While lobbyist spending is legal in Missouri, critics say the practice can create conflicts-of-interest when legislators vote on important issues. Defenders of lobbyist spending say paying for trips that provide lawmakers with valuable information is not the same as plying legislators with perks.
New York – Judge Strikes Down NY Limits on Donations to ‘Super PACs’
Reuters – Joseph Ax | Published: 4/24/2014
U.S. District Court Judge Paul Crotty struck down New York’s limits on donations to independent PACs as unconstitutional. The judge said the statutes could not survive First Amendment scrutiny in light of recent landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions that have lessened restrictions on political donors. Under Crotty’s ruling, super PACs can now raise unlimited funds, though committees that coordinate with parties or candidates are still subject to limits.
North Carolina – Feds Eye Ex-Mayor Cannon’s Campaign in Charlotte Corruption Probe
Charlotte Observer – Fred Clasen-Kelly and Ames Alexander | Published: 4/12/2014
As the FBI builds its public corruption case against former Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon, investigators are taking a close look at campaign finance records he filed with the Mecklenburg County elections board. But a Charlotte Observer review of Cannon’s campaign records since 1999 found reports with misleading, inaccurate, and missing information that makes it difficult to tell where he got much of his money.
Ohio – Lobbyists Could Spend More on Ohio Lawmakers under Proposed Legislation Billed as Ethics Reform
Cleveland Plain Dealer – Jeremy Pelzer (Northeast Ohio Media Group) | Published: 4/23/2014
New legislation, if enacted, would make the most significant changes to Ohio’s ethics rules in two decades. Lobbyists would get to spend twice as much on lawmakers and disclose fewer expenses under the proposed bill. The measure, which Republican sponsors say they intend to introduce in May, also includes increased transparency and accountability measures, such as requiring random audits of public officials’ financial disclosure forms and posting all such forms online.
Pennsylvania – Pa. Legislative Sting’s First Suspects Were Caught, Not Targeted, Supporters of the Aborted Probe Say
Harrisburg Patriot-News – Charles Thomspon | Published: 4/16/2014
A legislative sting operation quashed by Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane was much broader than originally described, and the undercover informant who recorded many conversations reached out to a racially diverse group of Democratic and Republican state lawmakers, lobbyists, and city officials, according to sources. Kane has argued that one reason she decided not to pursue the investigation was that there was an appearance of racially-based targeting of potential suspects.
Tennessee – Candidate is Treasurer of PAC Raising Money for Him
The Tennessean – Michael Cass | Published: 4/20/2014
Donors invited to a recent fundraiser for state House candidate Troy Brewer were told they could avoid disclosure on campaign finance reports by writing their checks to Leaders of Tennessee, a PAC Brewer serves as treasurer. Giving to a specific candidate through a PAC to mask the source of the funds is illegal, subject to a fine of up to $10,000. “You can’t use an intermediary to get around disclosure,” said Drew Rawlins, executive director of the state Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance.
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.
April 23, 2014 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “Lobbing World” in The Hill. “Cellphone industry picks new lobby chief” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill. “Ronald Reagan ‘First Flack’ lobbyist Bob Gray dies” in the Washington Business Journal. Campaign Finance “FEC Considers Allowing Bitcoin Donations to […]
Lobbying
“Lobbing World” in The Hill.
“Cellphone industry picks new lobby chief” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
“Ronald Reagan ‘First Flack’ lobbyist Bob Gray dies” in the Washington Business Journal.
Campaign Finance
“FEC Considers Allowing Bitcoin Donations to Political Campaigns” by Dustin Volz and Alex Brown in National Journal.
“George Will: Colbert ‘Incorrigibly Wrong’ on Campaign Finance, But ‘Very Bright’” by Josh Feldman on Mediaite.
California: “Senate committee approves bills to clean up political fundraising” by Laurel Rosenhall in The Sacramento Bee.
Virginia: “Elections board moves campaign finance deadline from 5 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.” by Markus Schmidt in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Ethics
“Ethics Office: Unnamed House Member Under Investigation” by Matt Fuller in Roll Call.
New Jersey: “N.J. ethics panel to investigate top Christie appointee to Port Authority” by Pil Gregory in Newsworks.
New Jersey: “Legal fees surpass Christie’s available campaign cash” by Maddie Hanna in The Inquirer.
Government Tech and Social Media
“Buying Facebook Ads Could be a Bad Call for Agencies” by Joseph Marks in NextGov.
Oregon: “State ethics panel wants to redefine who’s a journalist in Oregon” by Harry Esteve in The Oregonian.
April 23, 2014 •
Ohio Lawmakers to Introduce Ethics Reform Legislation
Ohio lawmakers plan to introduce legislation next month making significant changes to state ethics rules for the first time in decades. The bill would double the amount lobbyists can spend on gifts to lawmakers but require lobbyists and public officials […]
Ohio lawmakers plan to introduce legislation next month making significant changes to state ethics rules for the first time in decades. The bill would double the amount lobbyists can spend on gifts to lawmakers but require lobbyists and public officials to report when a lobbyist spends more than $100 per year on an official for meals, entertainment, transportation, or other gifts.
State Sen. Larry Obhof, a Republican co-sponsor of the bill, maintains a higher reporting threshold is necessary to keep lobbyists honest, as many lobbyists seek to find ways to avoid the lower threshold.
Other notable legislative provisions raise the lobbyist registration fee from $25 to $35, strengthen whistle-blower protection guidelines, allow lawmakers to remedy reporting errors, require random audits of financial disclosure statements, and make changes to procedures for ethics investigations. Bill sponsors argue the bill is intended to increase transparency and accountability.
Photo of the Ohio State Capitol courtesy of Alexander Smith on Wikimedia Commons.
April 22, 2014 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “K Street bounces back” by Megan R. Wilson and Peter Schroeder in The Hill. Campaign Finance “Justice Stevens Suggests Solution for ‘Giant Step in the Wrong Direction’” by Adam Liptak in The New York Times. “The Bullet Democracy Dodged” […]
Lobbying
“K Street bounces back” by Megan R. Wilson and Peter Schroeder in The Hill.
Campaign Finance
“Justice Stevens Suggests Solution for ‘Giant Step in the Wrong Direction’” by Adam Liptak in The New York Times.
“The Bullet Democracy Dodged” by Ciara Torres-Spelliscy in the Brennan Center for Justice blog.
“Candidate-specific PACs emerge as a way to propel friends to office” by Julie Bykowicz (Bloomberg News) in the Chicago Tribune.
Alaska: “Local firms threatened with big fines for failing to report campaign contributions” by Nathaniel Herz in the Anchorage Daily News.
Michigan: “Who’s paying for all those political ads? Outside groups outspending top Michigan candidates” by Jonathan Oosting in Michigan Live.
North Carolina: “Mecklenburg County to tighten campaign finance audits” by Ames Alexander in The Charlotte Observer.
Ethics
New Jersey: “Christie campaign has spent more than $300K on bridge scandal legal fees” by Matt Friedman in The Star-Ledger.
Government Tech and Social Media
“Social Advocacy & Politics: Riding the Wave, or Social Media Transforms the Newsroom” by Alan Rosenblatt in Social Media Today.
April 21, 2014 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Chamber of Commerce Spends $19 Million on Lobbying in Q1” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call. Arizona: “The Top 5 Phoenix-area lobbying firms for 2014” by Dale Brown in the Phoenix Business Journal. Missouri: “Missouri lawmakers take trips to […]
Lobbying
“Chamber of Commerce Spends $19 Million on Lobbying in Q1” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
Arizona: “The Top 5 Phoenix-area lobbying firms for 2014” by Dale Brown in the Phoenix Business Journal.
Missouri: “Missouri lawmakers take trips to Israel, California, New Orleans — on the lobbyists’ dime” by Kevin McDermott in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Missouri: “Lobbyists spent $200,000 on trips for Missouri lawmakers” by The Associated Press in The Kansas City Star.
Campaign Finance
“Krauthammer: Campaign finance conundrum is unsolvable” opinion piece by Charles Krauthammer in Newsday.
California: “California lawmakers face divisive bills, special session” by Fenit Nirappil (Associated Press) in The Sun.
California: “Ethics panel wants more public funding available to candidates” by Soumya Karlamangla in the Los Angeles Times.
California: “Donnelly faces state campaign-finance investigation” by Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times.
Michigan: “Big dollar Michigan congressional races” by Charles Crumm in the Daily Tribune.
Minnesota: “Campaign finance lawsuits in Minnesota and other states take aim at contribution limits” by David Henry in MinnPost.
New Mexico: “Campaign finance reports misplaced in state database” by Sterling Fluharty in the Albuquerque Journal.
New York: “Legislators to tackle host of issues after spring break” by Joseph Spector in The Journal News.
West Virginia: “Statehouse Beat: Online campaign finance reporting system still facing problems” by Phil Kabler in Charleston Gazette.
Ethics
California: “In political scandal, good government advocates see opening for ethics, campaign finance changes” by David Siders in The Fresno Bee.
California: “Leland Yee case: Disgraced California state senator’s legislative efforts fueled cash for campaigns” by Aaron Kinney and Jessica Calefati in the San Jose Mercury News.
Indiana: “Indiana Lawmaker’s Ethics Hearing Scheduled for This Week” by The Associated Press and Rick Howlett in WFPL News.
Kansas: “Investigator wants tougher legislative ethics laws” by John O’Connor in The Wichita Eagle.
Kentucky: “Lawmaker Calls For Ethics Committee Reform If Special Session is Called” by Jonathan Meador in WKU News.
Pennsylvania: “Ethical questions in trips revealed in corruption sting” by Mark Fazlollah in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
April 18, 2014 •
News You Can Use Digest – April 18, 2014
National: G.O.P. Campaign Outreach Tool: Gun sweepstakes New York Times – Jeremy Peters | Published: 4/17/2014 Online gun sweepstakes are one of the fastest growing and most useful tools for campaign outreach in the 2014 Republican primaries. Across the country, […]
National:
G.O.P. Campaign Outreach Tool: Gun sweepstakes
New York Times – Jeremy Peters | Published: 4/17/2014
Online gun sweepstakes are one of the fastest growing and most useful tools for campaign outreach in the 2014 Republican primaries. Across the country, from a race for sheriff in California to the U.S. Senate primary in South Carolina, candidates are using high-powered pistols and rifles as a lure to build up their donor lists and expand their base of support. But as a lot of candidates have learned, giving a gun away is not easy.
Federal:
For Hillary Clinton and Boeing, a Beneficial Relationship
Washington Post – Rosalind Helderman | Published: 4/13/2014
The State Department under former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton bypassed ethics guidelines to take a $2 million donation from Boeing, just a month after Clinton helped the company secure a multi-billion dollar contract with Russia. Clinton was attempting to resuscitate the dismal fundraising for the privately-sponsored U.S. pavilion planned for the 2010 World’s Fair in Shanghai. State Department officials had told planners to skip soliciting some firms with major business ties to the government, including Boeing, to avoid the appearance of a conflict-of-interest.
McCutcheon Lawyer Brings New Campaign Finance Case
Politico – Byron Tau | Published: 4/16/2014
Dan Backer, the attorney who won a landmark ruling when the U.S. Supreme Court threw out the overall limit on how much any donor can give to federal campaigns each election cycle, has filed a lawsuit looking to strike some of the restrictions still on the books. The latest lawsuit seeks to open the door for more money to flow from a PAC to a candidate or party committee. The suit objects to federal restrictions on transfers out of PACs based on the amount of time they have been registered.
From the States and Municipalities:
Connecticut – Rowland Indicted In Two Alleged Campaign Finance Schemes
Hartford Courant – Edmund Mahoney and Jon Lender | Published: 4/10/2014
Former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, who resigned 10 years ago in a corruption scandal that sent him to prison, was indicted recently on charges he tried to hide his role in two congressional campaigns, one of them involving a sham contract written to conceal $35,000 he was paid for political advice to candidate Lisa Wilson-Foley. Rowland is also accused of pitching a similar phony consulting deal to Mark Greenberg during his unsuccessful 2010 race for Congress.
Florida – Builders, Lobbyists among Big Donors to Mayor’s Ball
South Florida Sun Sentinel – Andy Reid | Published: 4/12/2014
Donation records show lobbyists, developers, and others potentially vying to do business with local government were some of the biggest donors at the Palm Beach County Mayor’s Ball fundraiser. Many local elected officials, led by Palm Beach County Mayor Priscilla Taylor, were the main attraction at the fundraiser to help the homeless. It also tested new ethics rules which seek to limit opportunities for attendees at such events to curry favor with elected officials by contributing to a cause they support.
Kansas – Brownback Vetoes Bill Raising Spending Threshold for Lobbyist Registry
Topeka Capital-Journal; Staff – | Published: 4/11/2014
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback vetoed Senate Bill 99, which would have raised the expenditure threshold triggering the requirement to register as a lobbyist from $100 to $500. A news release from the governor’s office said the bill was vetoed in the interest of promoting continued transparency in government.
Kentucky – Kentucky Rep. Jim Gooch Threw Women’s Underwear on a Dinner Table, Statehouse Staffers Allege
WFPL – Jonathan Meador | Published: 4/14/2014
Two legislative staff members who filed sexual harassment charges against former Kentucky Rep. John Arnold said they were also subjected to crude behavior by state Rep. Jim Gooch at the Southern Legislative Conference. Cassaundra Cooper and Yolanda Costner said Gooch approached a group they were sitting with, pulled a pair of panties out of his pocket, and tossed them on the table. Gooch said his actions were harmless and the two women are retaliating against him.
Maryland – State Won’t Enforce $10,000 Limit on Campaign Contributions
Baltimore Sun – Luke Broadwater | Published: 4/10/2014
Maryland election officials said they would not enforce the state’s $10,000 limit on aggregate campaign contributions during a four-year election cycle in the wake of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The State Board of Elections announced that no person may donate more than $4,000 to any individual campaign, but may give that amount to an unlimited number of candidates.
New Jersey – Former Watchdogs Accuse Christie of Interfering with State Ethics Agency
Newark Star Ledger – Salvador Rizzo | Published: 4/13/2014
Three former New Jersey Ethics Commission officials are accusing Gov. Chris Christie’s office of unprecedented interference with an agency set up to be free of political influence. They say Christie pushed the commissioners to replace the executive director at a time when she was investigating a member of his own staff, thus crossing a line no other governor had before. The Christie administration called the charges without merit and denied any interference with the commission.
New Mexico – Controversial Audio Leaked of Governor and Her Staff
KRQE – Gabrielle Burkhart | Published: 4/16/2014
Leaked audio recordings reveal New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez used profanity and offensive names to describe political opponents during her 2010 campaign. The tapes were part of an unflattering profile of Martinez by Mother Jones magazine. Martinez’s re-election campaign sent an email supporters noting she had referred to her general election opponent, then-Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, “using the B-word four years ago in a private conversation with close advisers.”
New York – U.S. Attorney Criticizes Cuomo’s Closing of Panel
New York Times – William Rashbaum and Susanne Craig | Published: 4/9/2014
Preet Bharara, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, took control of confidential records of the commission probing public corruption that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo shut down following a budget deal with the Legislature. Bharara’s move on the Moreland Commission files was motivated by his interest in the unfinished probes, unexplored leads, and abrupt close to business of the panel that Cuomo or his aides reportedly interfered with through back channels.
Oklahoma – Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association is Focus of Ethics Query
The Oklahoman – Nolan Clay | Published: 4/13/2014
The state Ethics Commission voted to investigate the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) for alleged violations of lobbying disclosure rules. Commissioners acted after The Oklahoman reported the association has provided free football and basketball playoff tickets to legislators for years. Records show the OSSAA has not reported those gifts to the Ethics Commission as required by law.
Texas – With Eyes on 2016, Perry Is Mired in the Past
New York Times – Manny Fernandez | Published: 4/16/2014
A judge seated a grand jury to look into the threat that Texas Gov. Rick Perry carried out to veto funding for the Public Integrity Unit under Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg. Perry last year said he would veto money for the unit, which prosecutes wrongdoing by public officials, unless Lehmberg resigned in the wake of a drunken-driving arrest. Texans for Public Justice filed a complaint with prosecutors over the threat, contending Perry abused his power.
Washington – Ethics Board Hears Call to End Free Meals for Lawmakers
The Olympian – Brad Shannon | Published: 4/15/2014
Washington lawmakers can accept free meals on an “infrequent’ basis during the course of doing their jobs. But the law it does not say what is infrequent. The Legislative Ethics Board held a public hearing to get comments on a proposal to clarify the statue. In addition, a staff proposal going before the Public Disclosure Commission would raise the threshold for itemizing spending on lawmakers from $25 for an event to $50.
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.
April 17, 2014 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “One Democratic congressman escalates the fight over ALEC” by Niraj Chokshi in The Washington Post. Campaign Finance “After a Supreme Court Victory, a New Challenge to Campaign-Finance Limits” by Karen Weise in Bloomberg Businessweek. “A Decade of McCain-Feingold” by […]
Lobbying
“One Democratic congressman escalates the fight over ALEC” by Niraj Chokshi in The Washington Post.
Campaign Finance
“After a Supreme Court Victory, a New Challenge to Campaign-Finance Limits” by Karen Weise in Bloomberg Businessweek.
“A Decade of McCain-Feingold” by Neil Reiff & Don McGahn in Campaigns & Elections Magazine.
“Radel returns donations after resignation” by Mario Trujillo in The Hill.
Alabama: “Campaign finance reporting stays same” by Mary Sell in the Times Daily.
Georgia: “Unlimited cash for campaigns? GOP Senate candidates are split” by Daniel Malloy, Jim Galloway and Greg Bluestein in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Rhode Island: “Rhode Island board seeks repeal of campaign finance limits following US Supreme Court ruling” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Ethics
Florida: “Ethics bills languishing in Florida Legislature” by Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.
State Legislatures
Arizona: “Lawmakers hard at it on last days of session” by Howard Fischer in The Sierra Vista Herald.
California: “Jerry Brown calls legislative special session to debate reserve plan” by Chris Megerian in the Los Angeles Times.
Missouri: “Missouri legislature passes $620 million tax cut, Nixon signals possible veto” by JasonHancock in The Kansas City Star.
Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Senate break rankles House members” by Randy Ellis in The Oklahoman.
April 16, 2014 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “Bottom Line” in The Hill. “Lobbyists break away to start new firm” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill. “Camp could punch ‘golden ticket’ to K St.” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill. European Union: “Politics for People: […]
Lobbying
“Bottom Line” in The Hill.
“Lobbyists break away to start new firm” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
“Camp could punch ‘golden ticket’ to K St.” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
European Union: “Politics for People: Demanding Transparent and Ethical Lobbying in the EU” by Jessica McKenzie in TechPresident.
Campaign Finance
“McCutcheon v. FEC Decision” with Lee Goodman speaking on C-SPAN.
“Outside spending on record-breaking pace” by Domenico Montanaro, Rachel Wellford, and Simone Pathe on PBS NewsHour.
“Study Finds Voluntary Corporate Political Spending Disclosure Lacking” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
“McConnell, Priebus differ on cash limits” by Alexander Bolton in The Hill.
“Christie advocates end to limits on campaign donations” by Maddie Hanna in The Inquirer.
“5 first-quarter fundraising takeaways” by Byron Tau and Tarini Parti in Politico.
“Potter to speak on campaign-finance law” in News at Princeton.
Ethics
Washington: “Ethics board hears call to end free meals for lawmakers” by Brad Shannon in The Olympian.
Elections
“2014 midterms: What’s at stake” by Leigh Ann Caldwell on CNN News.
State Legislatures
“Spring Is Convening While Most Legislatures Are Adjourning” by Angela Andrews in The NCSL Blog.
April 15, 2014 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying Missouri: “Proposed ban on lobbyist gifts dropped after debate” by Jonathan Shorman in the Springfield News-Leader. Campaign Finance Arizona: “Bill could reduce campaign oversight” by Mary Jo Pitzl in The Republic. Georgia: “Federal finance ruling may filter to Georgia” […]
Lobbying
Missouri: “Proposed ban on lobbyist gifts dropped after debate” by Jonathan Shorman in the Springfield News-Leader.
Campaign Finance
Arizona: “Bill could reduce campaign oversight” by Mary Jo Pitzl in The Republic.
Georgia: “Federal finance ruling may filter to Georgia” by Jim Gaines in The Telegraph.
Ethics
Colorado: “Ethics commission dismissed complaint filed against Gov. Hickenlooper” by Lynn Bartels in The Denver Post.
Washington: “How many free meals are enough for legislators?” by Brad Shannon in The News Tribune.
Open Government
Mississippi: “Ethics Commission Says Text Messages are Public Records” by The Associated Press on WTOK TV News.
From the State Legislatures
Utah: “Legislators won’t try overriding governor” by Robert Gehrke in The Salt Lake Tribune.
April 14, 2014 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Comcast turns to K. St” by Julian Hattem in The Hill. Florida: “Lawmakers move to tighten lobbying rules, but exempt themselves” by Anthony Man in the Sun Sentinel. Campaign Finance “FEC Seminar for Trade Assns., Membership, and Labor Organizations” […]
Lobbying
“Comcast turns to K. St” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.
Florida: “Lawmakers move to tighten lobbying rules, but exempt themselves” by Anthony Man in the Sun Sentinel.
Campaign Finance
“FEC Seminar for Trade Assns., Membership, and Labor Organizations” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
“Gillibrand’s Campaign and Others Pay Civil Penalties to FEC” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
West Virginia: “Statehouse Beat: New website for campaign finance reports proving problematic” by Phil Kabler in the Charleston Gazette.
Ethics
“Office of Congressional Ethics Looking at Rep. Bobby Rush” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
California: “Ex-city official gets nearly 12 years in scandal” by John Rogers (Associated Press) in The Sacramento Bee.
Colorado: “Twist in ethics complaint against Hickenlooper to be heard Monday” by Lynn Bartels in The Denver Post.
Georgia: “Ethics panel ʹbrokenʹ” by Chris Joyner in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Kentucky: “Lawmakers want to amend ethics this week” by Tom Loftus in The Courier-Journal.
Missouri: “Mo. Senate could consider ethics legislation” by The Associated Press in KOAM News.
New Jersey: “Former watchdogs accuse Christie of interfering with state ethics agency” by Salvador Rizzo in The Star-Ledger.
South Carolina: “South Carolina graded ʹFʹ for ethics laws as debate rages on” by Cuthbert Langley in WCBD TV News.
Washington: “Ethics Board: How much free food to allow?” by Brad Shannon in The Olympian.
Elections
“10 questions that could decide Election 2014” by James Hohmann and Alexander Burns in Politico.
Government Tech and Social Media
“Heartbleed Forces Emergency Maintenance of House, Senate Sites” by Hannah Hess in Roll Call.
“Federal Websites Avoid Heartbleed Risks, DHS Says” by Aliya Sternstein in NextGov.
April 14, 2014 •
Legislative Ethics Board in Washington to Hold Public Hearing April 15
Despite highly publicized criticism of a Washington law allowing legislators to accept meals from lobbyists on “infrequent occasions”, the Washington State Legislature failed to pass any bills addressing the ambiguity before its adjournment in March. Senate Bill 6414 contained a […]
Despite highly publicized criticism of a Washington law allowing legislators to accept meals from lobbyists on “infrequent occasions”, the Washington State Legislature failed to pass any bills addressing the ambiguity before its adjournment in March. Senate Bill 6414 contained a provision requiring the Legislative Ethics Board to define “infrequent occasions” and further required the development of an electronic reporting system enabling lobbyist reports to be searched electronically by the public.
This bill and others did not make it out of committee before the legislature adjourned and will not carryover to the next session. As a result of the legislature’s failure to pass any pertinent legislation, the Legislative Ethics Board has independently taken on the task of defining “infrequent occasions”.
The Board will hold a public meeting Tuesday, April 15 at 12 p.m. in Hearing Room 3 of the John A. Cherberg Building, 298 15th Avenue SW, Olympia, Washington. Board Chair Kristine Hoover set the meeting to listen and gather information from the public and to get public feedback on what the word “infrequent” should mean.
April 14, 2014 •
Gov. Brownback Vetoes Bill to Increase Kansas Lobbyist Registration Threshold
Gov. Sam Brownback has vetoed a bill increasing the spending threshold for lobbyist registration. Senate Bill 99 would have raised the expenditure threshold triggering lobbyist registration from $100 per calendar year to $500 per calendar year. The increased threshold was […]
Gov. Sam Brownback has vetoed a bill increasing the spending threshold for lobbyist registration. Senate Bill 99 would have raised the expenditure threshold triggering lobbyist registration from $100 per calendar year to $500 per calendar year.
The increased threshold was recommended by the state ethics commission because the current threshold had not been increased in 25 years.
In vetoing the bill, Gov. Brownback stated he understood the bill’s purpose and intent but believed the current threshold better served the interest of government transparency.
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