Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh introduced a bill in the Senate of Alabama on Tuesday that would impose stricter revolving door prohibitions on legislators. Senate Bill 36 redefines “legislative body” as “Legislature of Alabama”, which eliminates the current loophole allowing lawmakers in one house of the legislature to lobby the other house immediately after leaving office.

Under this bill, a legislator is prohibited from lobbying either the House of Representatives or the Senate for two years after leaving office.

The bill easily passed through the Senate Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, and Elections Committee and is on a fast track to passage through the Senate. If passed in the Legislature, the bill becomes effective upon the Governor’s signature.

National:

A National Strategy Funds State Political Monopolies

New York Times – Nicholas Confessore | Published: 1/12/2014

A sophisticated political apparatus was designed by Republicans to channel political money from around the country into states where conditions were ripe for a GOP takeover. In 2010, the effort achieved striking success, moving a dozen states to sole Republican control. In 2012, a resurgent Democratic version began to catch up, spearheading Democratic takeovers in Minnesota and Colorado. Their combined work has helped remake the nation’s political landscape.

Federal:

How Lobbyists Still Fly Through Loophole

National Journal – Shane Goldmacher | Published: 1/9/2014

A National Journal investigation found that despite efforts to clip the wings of congressional travel planned and paid for by special interests, lawmakers are again taking flight. The reality is that lobbyists who cannot legally buy a lawmaker a sandwich can still escort members on trips all around the world.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona – Arizona Lobbyist Pleads Guilty to Misdemeanor

San Francisco Chrionicle – Jacques Billeaud (Associated Press) | Published: 1/13/2014

Two years ago, the Arizona attorney general’s office and FBI raided the Phoenix office of lobbyist Gary Husk as part of a sweeping investigation into a campaign finance scandal involving the Fiesta Bowl. Husk recently pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor charge and will pay $30,000 to offset part of the cost of the criminal investigation. The state will drop 15 felony charges against him and his firm in the plea deal.

Arkansas – Embattled Ark. Lt. Gov. Ran for Office as Outsider

San Francisco Chronicle – Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) | Published: 1/10/2014

Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, who was facing the threat of impeachment in the aftermath of a settlement with the Arkansas Ethics Commission, said he would resign on February 1. Although Darr had resisted bipartisan demands for his resignation, he agreed to quit as lawmakers openly discussed removing him from office. State investigators determined Darr had repeatedly broken the law by using campaign money for personal reasons, accepting improper contributions, and maintaining faulty records.

Delaware – Veasey Report Underscores ‘Pay to Play’ as Real Fear for Residents

Wilmington News Journal – Maureen Milford | Published: 1/15/2014

For some in Delaware, a special prosecutor’s depiction of Delaware’s “pay-to-play” culture has only further diminished their trust in government. While E. Norman Veasey outlined many cases of the corrupt culture, no public official will be prosecuted, either because the statute of limitations had expired on the offense or the investigators could not find credible evidence to prove the violation beyond a reasonable doubt.

Massachusetts – Ethics Rules Bar Wellesley Firefighters from Cruise

Boston Globe – Jaclyn Reiss | Published: 1/15/2014

Four Boston area firefighters that talk show host Ellen DeGeneres rewarded with Caribbean cruise tickets for rescuing a dog from an icy river had to return them because of conflicts with Massachusetts ethics law. State law prohibits municipal officials from accepting gifts worth $50 or more because of something they have done in their official job capacity, including payment of travel expenses, which the cruise would probably have fallen under.

Missouri – Approaches Vary for Strengthening Missouri’s Ethics Laws

St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Virginia Young | Published: 1/14/2014

Missouri lawmakers have filed at least 10 bills so far to address various ethics issues. The most comprehensive approach was announced by Secretary of State Jason Kander. House Bill 1340 would reinstate campaign contribution limits, ban lobbyist gifts, require legislators to wait three years before becoming lobbyists, and give the state Ethics Commission more power and resources to enforce the law.

Nevada – Political Groups in Nevada Continue Stubborn Fight against Disclosing Donors

Las Vegas Sun – Andrew Doughman | Published: 1/14/2014

Groups unaffiliated with any candidate will likely spend millions of dollars to bankroll advertisements aimed at Nevada voters, and it is unclear what, if anything, these groups need to say about who is paying for the ads. Judges in several cases are considering whether groups sending political messages must disclose their donors in the state.

Pennsylvania – Cash Gifts Banned in New Philadelphia Board of Ethics Proposal

WHYY – Dave Davies | Published: 1/15/2014

The Philadelphia Board of Ethics has now crafted a proposed standard for gifts that bars a city employee from taking anything worth more than $50 from someone whose interests the employee could affect, and prohibits cash gifts entirely. City law bars employees from accepting gifts “of substantial economic value” from people whose interests they could affect and for months, the board has worked to clarify just what that means.

Texas – Statewide Hopeful Sid Miller Shifted Stocks from Campaign Account to Personal Use to Pay off Loans

Dallas Morning News – David Barer | Published: 1/12/2014

The Texas Ethics Commission is investigating a complaint alleging state Rep. Sid Miller, who is running for agriculture commissioner, improperly loaned his campaign candidate  $10,000 at a 10 percent interest rate in order to personally collect more than $31,000 years later. It appears the ethics agency is also looking into his former campaign’s investment of close to $100,000 in the stock market, which he then transferred to himself after his failed 2012 re-election bid.

Vermont – Vt. Senate Approves Political Money Bill

WCAX; Associated Press –   | Published: 1/16/2014

The Vermont Legislature passed Senate Bill 82, which sets new limits on campaign contributions to candidates, political committees, and parties. The legislation now goes to Gov. Peter Shumlin for his approval.

Virginia – McAuliffe Imposes Far-Reaching Gift Limit on Himself and His Staff

Washington Post – Rachel Weiner | Published: 1/11/2014

Hours after his inauguration, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed an executive order that establishes a gift limit of $100 for all administration officials and their families, including the governor himself. Gifts from lobbyists are banned altogether, although anything under $25 is not classified as a gift. The order also creates a three-person ethics commission, including $100,000 in start-up funds, with the authority to monitor compliance and recommend discipline for violators.

Washington – Food Industry Lobby Challenges State Disclosure Law as Unconstitutional

Seattle Post-Intelligencer – Joel Connelly | Published: 1/13/2014

The Grocery Manufacturers Association filed a legal challenge to Washington’s campaign finance disclosure laws. The state has argued GMA ran a money-laundering operation in the 2013 campaign, shielding identities of food manufacturers pouring more than $10 million into the campaign against Initiative 522. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of requiring GMA to register a political committee before requesting and receiving contributions to oppose the ballot measure.

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.

Drs. Gaétan Barrette and Frédéric Desjardins have been accused of engaging in illegal lobbying of former Quebec Health Minister Philippe Couillard.

Barrette and Desjardins wrote a letter to Couillard regarding the ownership of private radiology clinics at a time the government was adopting legislation to regulate them. At the time they wrote the letter, neither Barrette nor Desjardins was registered with Quebec’s Registry of Lobbyists.

Prosecutors are alleging the doctors engaged in “an act of lobbying” because they could influence the legislative agenda. Barrette and Desjardins are challenging the accusation on the basis of freedom of expression. If found guilty of illegal lobbying, the doctors are subject to fines ranging from $500 to $25,000.

Lobbying

“Lobbying World” in The Hill.

“How do people become lobbyists? Ask USA TODAY” by George Hager in USA Today.

“K Street’s Ogilvy adds firepower on taxes” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Arizona: “Lobbyist pleads guilty to misdemeanor” by The Associated Press in the Casa Grande Dispatch.

Campaign Finance

“Schock donor tied to campaign finance case” by Catherine Skiba in the Chicago Tribune.

“Super PAC Boom Marginalizes Women, Report Says” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

“Super PAC, Outside Spending Chiefs Make Big Bucks” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

Delaware: “Veasey, task force to discuss campaign finance reform in Delaware” by Jonathan Starkey in The News Journal.

Mississippi: “Incomplete campaign-finance reports accepted in Mississippi” by Anita Lee in the Sun Herald.

New Mexico: “Poll: Big money in politics equals serious problem” by Thomas Cole in the Albuquerque Journal.

Utah: “House committee hears suggestions to change campaign finance law” by Billy Hesterman in the Daily Herald.

Vermont: “Vermont Senate to vote whether to ratify agreement on campaign finance bill” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

Wisconsin: “Dark money: How Wisconsin’s most politically influential organizations avoid disclosing their donors” by Jack Craver in The Capital Times.

Ethics

Arizona: “State legislator floats ban on free tickets” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Daily Sun.

Missouri: “Missouri secretary of state unveils proposal on campaign finance, ethics” by Jordan Shapiro (Associated Press) in The Republic.

Missouri: “Ethics in politics? Missouri legislators will try, again, to tighten laws” by Virginia Young in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

South Carolina: “Don’t pay ethics fine, don’t get on the ballot?” by Andrew Shain in The State.

From the State Legislatures

Colorado: “Colorado lawmakers mourn death of ʹ101st lawmakerʹ Clarence Miller” by Lynn Bartels in the Denver Post.

Delaware: “Legislators return to Dover with full slate” by Jonathan Starkey and Jon Offredo in  The News Journal.

Hawaii: “Legislature honors its past” by Sarah Zoellick in the Honolulu Star Advertiser.

Missouri: “Missouri House Democrats pick new leaders” by The Associated Press in The News Tribune.

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma lawmaker’s plan would effectively eliminate the state House” by Graham Lee Brewer in The Oklahoman.

South Carolina: “SC speaker: Legislative session will go on despite ethics ʹsmear campaignʹ” by Jamie Self in The State.

Tennessee: “TN lawmakers begin session with tribute to Lois DeBerry” by Chas Sisk in The Tennessean.

Tennessee: “Tennessee Legislature opens with revenue worries” by Andy Sher in the Times Free Press.

West Virginia: “Lawmakers meet again after delay from chemical spill” by Dave Boucher in the Charleston Daily Mail.

Open Government

Mississippi: “Ethics chief Tom Hood wants more authority over public records law” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

Lobbying

“Bottom Line” in The Hill.

“Lobbyists Ask, Then Write, ʹWhere The Jobs Areʹ” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“Gillespie Senate run tests stigma of ʹlobbyistʹ label” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Campaign Finance

“Why Campaign Finance Laws Make Things Worse” opinion piece by Jonathan Bernstein in Bloomberg News.

Louisiana: “Democratic Super PAC Funnels More Funds Into Louisiana” by Emily Cahn in Roll Call.

Missouri: “Missouri Democrats to outline campaign finance plan” in the Kansas City Star.

Nevada: “Political groups in Nevada continue stubborn fight against disclosing donors” by Andrew Doughman in the Las Vegas Sun.

New Hampshire: “Campaign finance reformers march through N.H.” by John Toole in the Eagle-Tribune.

Ethics

Georgia: “Grand jury scheduled to meet in Georgia ethics case” by The Associated Press in the Athens Herald-Banner.

South Carolina: “State grand jury to investigate ethics allegations against SC House Speaker Bobby Harrell” by Jamie Self in The State.

From the State Legislatures

South Carolina: “Legislature kicks off with old issues on agenda” by Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) in GoUpstate.com.

South Carolina: “Dueling rallies to greet returning S.C. legislators” by Adam Beam in The State.

South Dakota: “5 things to know about SD 2014 legislative session” by The Associated Press in the Capital Journal.

Washington: “Washington Legislature Convenes With Election Year Issues On Agenda” by Austin Jenkins in Northwest Public Radio.

Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Legislature begins session Tuesday: 5 things to know” by The Associated Press in the Post Crescent.

Government Tech and Social Media

“How Government Leaders Can Stay Out of Social Media Hell” by Mark Schlossberg in Governing.

Lobbying

“Loopholes Give Free Overseas Travel to Lobbyists and Members of Congress” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

“Lobbyists poised for more profit declines, but also finding ways to keep business flowing” by Holly Yeager in The Washington Post.

“Lobbyists Are Making a Political Comeback” by Alex Roarty in National Journal.

“French Firm Acquires Famous DC Lobbying House” by Tess VendenDolder in In the Capital.

“Ex-lawmaker Charlie Bass joins law, lobby firm” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Campaign Finance

Alabama: “A National Strategy Funds State Political Monopolies” by Nicholas Confessore in The New York Times.

Arizona: “Campaign finance, photo radar, vouchers on agenda” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Daily Sun.

Vermont: “Senate to tackle campaign finance bill” by Neal P. Goswami in the Rutland Herald.

Wisconsin: “Wisconsin’s not-so-super Super PACs” by Jack Craver in The Capital Times.

Ethics

“House of Representatives Improves Disclosure of Stock Trades” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

“Lieutenant Governors Make Headlines — For All The Wrong Reasons” by Alan Greenblatt on NPR.

Arkansas: “Arkansas Lt. Gov. Mark Darr to step down over campaign violations” in United Press International.

Kansas: “Kan. House speaker names ethics commission member” by The Associated Press in The Washington Times.

South Carolina: “AG: Decision on Haley trip up to ethics commission” by Seanna Adcox in the Greenville News.

Election Law

Rhode Island: “Ruling on R.I. campaign literature law raises constitutional questions” by Katie Mulvaney in the Providence Journal.

Congress

“Beware: More congressional rancor ahead” by Burgess Everett in Politico.

“Lawmakers Will Tackle Packed Agenda Before Recess” by Meredith Shiner in Roll Call.

From the State Legislatures

“By week’s end, half the states will have begun their 2014 sessions” by Niraj Chokshi in The Washington Post.

Arizona: “Gov. Jan Brewer lays out agenda for lawmakers” by Bob Christie in the Arizona Daily Star.

Arizona: “AZ Chamber wants law to limit legislative session” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Daily Star.

Iowa: “2014 Iowa Legislature: Lighter business agenda planned” by Matthew Patane in the Des Moines Register.

Kansas: “Issues that will dominate the 2014 legislative session” by Scott Rothschild in the Lawrence Journal-World.

Maryland: “With session’s start, Annapolis again at center of state government, politics” by Pamela Wood in The Baltimore Sun.

Oregon: “Legislative hearings prepare for 2014 session” by Anna Staver in the Statesman Journal.

Government Tech and Social Media

“6 Cool Apps From Uncle Sam” by Elena Malykhina in Information Week Government.

The bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Ethics has issued its final report and recommendations on an ethics bill to be considered during the start of next week’s legislative session. House Bill 3945 already has 54 pending Senate amendments and will likely have more by next week.

The committee’s final report highlighted possible changes to lobbying regulations including a two-year revolving door restriction and a doubling of annual registration fees from $100 to $200. The committee recommends “meaningful and comprehensive ethics reform” to address weaknesses in the current law.

National:

Koch-Backed Political Coalition, Designed to Shield Donors, Raised $400 Million in 2012

Washington Post – Matea Gold | Published: 1/6/2014

An analysis of tax returns and other documents shows the network of politically active nonprofits backed by billionaires Charles and David Koch and fellow donors in the 2012 elections raised at least $407 million. Its funders remain largely unknown; the coalition was carefully constructed with extensive legal barriers to shield its donors.

Federal:

Political Donors Chase Funding Alternative

Wall Street Journal – Thomas Catan | Published: 1/5/2014

Lawyers are scouring the tax code for financial vehicles that would allow donors to continue to spend money on elections while remaining anonymous. The search for new ways to collect and distribute campaign cash comes because the IRS proposed rules to restrict political activity by social-welfare groups. Their use in campaigns has soared in the last two years, in part because they can accept contributions of unlimited size and do not have to disclose the names of their donors.

Tangled Role in G.O.P. War over Tea Party

New York Times – Eric Lipton | Published: 1/3/2014

Former U.S. Rep. Steven LaTourette has emerged as one of the leaders of the Republican establishment’s battle against the tea party. While he says he is protecting the GOP from extremists, some maintain LaTourette is profiting from his continued presence in the Washington spotlight. His activities have raised questions about whether, in his dual roles, LaTourette violated the federal statute that prohibits lawmakers from lobbying on Capitol Hill for a year after leaving office.

From the States and Municipalities:

Colorado – Colorado GOP Wants to Skirt Campaign Contribution Limits

Washington Post – Reid Wilson | Published: 1/8/2014

Taking the lead of outside political groups who benefit from laws that allow them to receive unlimited political contributions, the Colorado Republican Party is trying to form its own special spending arm. In a petition filed with Secretary of State Scott Gessler, the state GOP asks permission to create an independent expenditure unit to raise and spend money on campaigns. The party is asking Gessler to allow them to accept unlimited contributions, just as super PACs and other outside groups are allowed to do.

Maryland – Md. Lawmakers Conduct Fundraising Frenzy on Eve of Legislative Session

Washington Post – Jenna Johnson and John Wagner | Published: 1/7/2014

When Maryland’s legislative session convened on January 8, so did a ban on collecting campaign donations for lawmakers and statewide elected officials. Although each January is marked by a last-minute cash grab, this year is different. All statewide posts and all 188 seats in the General Assembly will be on the ballot in November, and the primary election has been moved up to June from September, shortening the fundraising window and intensifying the pleas.

Missouri – Missouri’s No-Limit Legislature Stokes Debate over Ethics Reform

Kansas City Star – Jason Hancock | Published: 1/4/2014

Missouri lawmakers returned to the Capitol recently, 12 years after term limits kicked in and six years since caps on political donations officially ended. The combination of those two factors, critics argue, has tipped the legislative scale, with all the experience – and the money – to the lobbying side. Interviews with lawmakers, lobbyists, and political observers reveal a legislative process where outright corruption is rare, but money talks.

Nevada – Judge Allows Ex-Lobbyist Whittemore to Delay Prison

Las Vegas Sun – Sandra Chereb (Associated Press) | Published: 1/3/2014

A judge granted Harvey Whittemore’s motion to postpone prison. Whittemore was sentenced to two years in prison for violating campaign finance laws by using family and friends as “straw donors” to pump more than $130,000 into the campaign of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.  Whittemore’s lawyers asked the judge to delay the sentence, arguing the U.S. Supreme Court’s pending ruling in a case challenging individual campaign limits could ultimately have bearing on his appeal.

New Jersey – Christie Fires Aide in Bridge Scandal as U.S. Opens Inquiry

New York Times – Marc Santora and William Rashbaum | Published: 1/9/2014

Gov. Chris Christie fired a top aide at the center of a brewing scandal that officials in his administration orchestrated lane closures on the George Washington Bridge to settle a political score. The governor told a news conference he was stunned by revelations that senior staff members were behind the massive traffic jams in Ft. Lee, designed to punish the town’s mayor, who did not endorse Christie for re-election. The office of the U.S. attorney in New Jersey said it had launched an investigation.

New York – Will Public Financing Push Ever Come to Shove in State

Albany Times Union – Jordan Carleo-Evangelist | Published: 1/5/2014

The decision on whether New York adopts some kind of public campaign finance system will fall largely to the power brokers in the state Legislature, a body so riven with scandal in recent years that some public finance advocates see movement on the question as all but inevitable in the coming months. The push for public financing was at once a centerpiece and the most divisive recommendation in the preliminary report by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s anti-corruption Moreland Commission.

Virginia – Virginia Lawmakers Detail Ethics Reform Plans

Washington Post – Rachel Weiner | Published: 1/7/2014

Virginia House leaders have spent the past few months hammering out a bipartisan ethics reform proposal, focused on a few key areas. The plan includes a $250 cap on “tangible” gifts from lobbyists and individuals with business before the state. It also would increase financial disclosure reporting requirements from once to twice per year for lobbyists and lawmakers.

Washington – Lobbyist Freebies on Legislative Agenda

The Olympian – Brad Shannon | Published: 1/6/2014

Lawmakers say the divided Washington Legislature might act on the issue of lobbyists buying meals for politicians when they convene for the session that starts on January 13. One bill would give the state Public Disclosure Commission new technology so electronically filed lobbyist reports can be searched and cross-referenced. House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan has complained that lobbyists often report spending for meals for lawmakers at levels much higher than the actual value.

Wyoming – Conservative Wyoming Group Battles Federal Election Commission over Election Law

Casper Star Tribune – Kyle Roerink | Published: 1/3/2014

A conservative Wyoming-based group hopes to take its fight against the FEC to the U.S. Supreme Court. Free Speech is trying to avoid forming a PAC, and disclosing the names of its donors and being limited in how it can solicit funds and spend money. By requiring groups to register, Free Speech claims the FEC imposes a burden on First Amendment rights.

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.

Lobbying

“Lobbying World” in The Hill.

“K Street pushes to shape $1T omnibus spending legislation” by Bernie Becker and Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

“Chamber chief promises midterm blitz” by Ben Goad and Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

“GOP leadership aide heads to K Street” by Peter Schroeder in The Hill.

“Yelp seeks DC clout after rapid rise” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.

Kauai County, Hawaii: “Lobbying bill gets green light” by Darin Moriki in The Garden Island.

Maryland: “Report: Top Md. Lobbyists Bring In More Than $37M” by The Associated Press in CBS Baltimore News.

Campaign Finance

Colorado: “Colorado GOP wants to skirt campaign contribution limits” by Reid Wilson in The Washington Post.

Missouri: “Court To Hear Challenge To Campaign Finance Limits” by Rachel Lippmann in St. Louis Public Radio.

Vermont: “Vt. lawmakers reach deal on campaign finance reform” on WCAX News.

Ethics

Arkansas: “Plenty of unknowns in how to impeach Ark. lt. gov.” by Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) in the San Jose Mercury News.

California: “FPPC heads to court over money laundering allegations against Roger Hernandez” by Rebecca Kimitch in the Daily Bulletin.

Florida: “Palm Beach County Ethics Commission slowdown raises questions” by Andy Reid in the Sun Sentinel.

New York: “Ethics reformers call on Cuomo to use ʹmaximum leverageʹ” by Jessica Alaimo in Capital New York.

Virginia: “Virginia Governor Apologizes for Scandal During His Final State of the State” by Olympia Meola in Governing.

From the State Legislatures

Iowa: “Governor, lawmakers set modest goals for 2014” by Catherine Lucey in the Quad-City Times.

Maine: “ʹLow expectationsʹ for legislative session as election-year politics loom” by Christopher Cousins in the Bangor Daily News.

Missouri: “5 things to know about Missouri’s legislative session” by Chris Blank (Associated Press) in the Missourian.

Lobbying

“The State of K Street” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“Bitcoin Woos Washington to Ensure Lawmakers Don’t Kill It” by Julie Bykowicz and Carter Dougherty in Bloomberg Politics.

New York City, NY: “New York City Imposes New Rules To Increase Registration of, and Reporting by, Lobbyists” by Laurence A. Levy in the National Law Review.

Campaign Finance

“Does Bitcoin Have a Future in Politics?” by Tom Moroney and Peter Robison in Bloomberg Businessweek.

“Facebook PAC Corrects Excessive Contributions to Senators” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

Arkansas: “Darr says he won’t resign; legislative leaders say impeachment likely” in Arkansas News.

California: “Current, former lawmakers cited for alleged campaign violations” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.

Minnesota: “More errors turn up in Minnesota political campaign finance data” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger and Glenn Howatt in the Star Tribune.

Minnesota: “Minn. campaign board finalizes Senate DFL case” by Brian Bakst (Associated Press) in The Kansas City Star.

Utah: “Flagged Bill: HB 235 – Campaign Contributions Amendments, Rep. Powell” by Curtis Haring in Utah Political Watch.

Vermont: “State Revising, Raising Campaign Finance Limits” by Taylor Dobbs in Vermont Public Radio.

Vermont: “VPIRG: Higher contribution limits weaken campaign finance bill” by Anne Galloway in VTDigger.org.

Ethics

Knoxville County, TN: “Ethics Committee chairwoman looking to expand role of panel” by Gerald Witt in the Knoxville News.

State Legislatures

Mississippi: “Lawmakers back in session” by Emily Wagster Pettus (Associated Press) in the Clarion Ledger.

Missouri: “Missouri Legislature to convene amid election-year pressures” by Virginia Young in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

New Hampshire: “N.H. Legislature to convene 2014 session today” by Norma Love (Associated Press) in the Concord Monitor.

Vermont: “Vermont Legislature jumps right in to start session” by Terri Hallenbeck and Nancy Remsen in the Burlington Free Press.

Virginia: “General Assembly returns to divided government” by Jim Nolan in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Redistricting

Montana: “New battle lines drawn for legislative races” by Tom Lutey in the Billings Gazette.

Government Tech and Social Media

Alaska: “Juneau developing social media policy” by The Associated Press in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

Massachusetts: “Mass. big data centralized on a new website” by Callum Borchers in The Boston Globe.

Today, the LobbyTracker system used for Rhode Island lobbyist and employer registrations and reports has been updated at the state’s Secretary of State’s online lobbyist information portal.

Among the updates is the allowance for authorized users. An authorized user is someone who is given permission by the primary contact to file reports and register lobbyists on his or her behalf. This person may also serve as the authorized user for more than one entity, firm, or lobbyist.

Additionally, email addresses will now be used for login names. Only one email address is allowed per lobbyist, firm, or entity with the exception of one email address for either a firm and lobbyist, or an entity and lobbyist. An entity and firm may not share an email, nor may several lobbyists share one email address.

All 2013 reports will continue to be filed in the previous LobbyTracker system.

Lobbying

“Bottom Line” in The Hill.

“Snapchat hires lobbyists for the first time” by Kate Tummarello in The Hill.

Washington: “Bill would make it easier to track lobbyist giving” by Ralph Schwartz in the Bellingham Herald.

Campaign Finance

“Caution – Creative Campaign Bookkeeping in Progress” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

Arizona: “Lawmaker wants voters to repeal public campaign funding” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Daily Star.

Colorado: “Colorado GOP looks to establish expenditure committee free of limits” by Kurtis Lee in the Denver Post.

Minnesota: “Minn. campaign board taking new look at Senate DFL” by The Associated Press in the Sun Herald.

Ethics

California: “California campaign ethics watchdog marks record year” by Christopher Cadelago in the Sacramento Bee.

Hawaii: “A New Era in Ethics in Honolulu? Time Will Tell” by Nick Grube in the Honolulu Civil Beat.

Missouri: “Rowden bill would limit lobbyist gifts to legislators” by Rudi Keller in the Columbia Daily Tribune.

Virginia: “Va. House members broker ethics reform deal” by Julian Walker in The Virginian-Pilot.

Virginia: “Virginia lawmakers detail ethics reform plans” by Rachel Weiner in The Washington Post.

Elections

Arkansas: “Early voting to begin in special election for state Senate seat” in the Arkansas News Bureau.

State Legislatures

California: “California 2014 legislative session kicks off with new faces, old scandal” by Jeremy B. White and Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee.

Lobbying

“Lobbyists cash in on do-nothing Congress” by Anna Palmer and Byron Tau in Politico.

“9 websites you use regularly that are lobbying Congress” by Amber Phillips in the San Jose Mercury News.

“Yelp Inc. Registers For Lobbying and Forms PAC” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

Idaho: “Business lobbyists ready legislative wish lists” by Zach Kyle in the Idaho Statesman.

Washington: “Lobbyist freebies on legislative agenda” by Brad Shannon in The Olympian.

Campaign Finance

“Congressman Accepts Bitcoins While FEC Doesnʹt” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

“New Super PAC Registers With Bitcoin Receiving Addresses” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call’s Political MoneyLine.

Arkansas: “Ethics chief says Darr skipped campaign finance training” by John Lyon in KATV News.

Ethics

Missouri: “Missouri’s no-limit legislature stokes debate over ethics reform” by Jason Hancock in the Kansas City Star.

North Carolina: “Ethics Commission appointments made” by Craig Jarvis in the News & Observer.

Wyoming: “Conservative Wyoming group battles Federal Election Commission over election law” by Kyle Roerink in the Casper Star-Tribune.

Congress

“3 Reasons Congressʹ Year Might Start Unexpectedly Strong” by David Hawkings in Roll Call.

In the State Legislatures

“Nearly 2,400 state lawmakers return to work this week” by Niraj Cokshi in The Washington Post.

“Interactive: State of the States 2014” by Melissa Maynard in Governing.

“Governors, Lawmakers Return to Capitols With an Eye on November” by Daniel C. Vock in Governing.

Indiana: “State lawmakers face packed agenda” by Dan Carden in Northwest Indiana Times.

Iowa: “Iowa Legislature’s 2014 session to be shaped by epic political year” by Jason Noble and William Petroski in the Des Moines Register.

Kentucky: “Kentucky legislative session comes with political, fiscal shackles” by Tom Loftus in the Courier Journal.

Maryland: “Md. legislative session overshadowed by election year politics” by John Wagner in The Washington Post.

Mississippi: “What do lawmakers see as top issues for 2014 session?” by Ed Kemp in the Hattiesburg American.

Mississipi: “Analysis: US Senate race will impact Miss. Session” by Emily Wagster Pettus (Associated Press) in the Hattiesburg American.

Missouri: “Mid-Missouri legislators preparing for new session” by Bob Watson in the News Tribune.

North Carolina: “Lawmakers ponder how to fill midterm N.C., U.S. legislative openings” by Gary D. Robertson in the Charlotte Observer.

Rhode Island: “R.I. General Assembly: A look ahead at the key issues of 2014” by Katherine Gregg, Philip Marcelo, and Randal Edgar in the Providence Journal.

South Carolina: “SC politicsʹ welcome back starts this week” by Andrew Shain in The State.

Government Tech and Social Media

Rhode Island: “Political Scene: High tech comes to R.I. General Assembly” by Philip Marcelo, Katherine Gregg and Randal Edgar in the Providence Journal.

Washington: “Access Washington Website Dealing With Outages” in Government Technology.

If you’re planning to lobby north of the border, there are a number of changes on the horizon you should be aware of. This fall saw quite a bit of activity for Canadian lobbying legislation, with two provinces introducing laws to create a lobbyist registration framework and one making substantial changes to its existing law.

Saskatchewan’s Lobbyist Act would create a registrar of lobbyists, provide requirements for filing returns, which is the Canadian term for the filing for both registrations and reports, and establish definitions and penalties. The act also provides for online filing of returns. The legislation is based on the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice issued in 2012.

Similarly, New Brunswick’s Lobbyists Registration Act establishes a basic framework for filing returns and penalties for violations.  Prior attempts at creating a lobbyist registry failed in both 2007 and 2011. Saskatchewan and New Brunswick are two of the last three Canadian provinces without lobbying laws; the three Canadian territories also do not have lobbying laws. Both governments cited a desire for providing more transparency for their citizens as the impetus for the legislation.

Ontario introduced an Act to Amend the Lobbyists Registration Act, giving a new definition for grassroots lobbying, giving more specificity on what constitutes an undertaking to lobby, requiring in-house lobbyists to file monthly reports if the lobbying is directed at a high level public office holder, and adding a requirement to report campaign contributions made under the Election Finances Act. Additional changes include revolving door restrictions and changes to penalties. The bill is currently in the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills.