October 14, 2013 • Written by John Cozine, Esq.

Ohio Lobbyist IDs Not Yet Ready for Pickup

Notice to Disregard Erroneous Email

October 11, 2013 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – October 11, 2013

Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:

News You Can Use

Federal:

A Federal Budget Crisis Months in the Planning

New York Times – Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Mike McIntire | Published: 10/5/2013

A New York Times article detailed a plan among conservative activists to derail the Affordable Care Act. The outside groups believed the GOP could stop the health care overhaul if conservative lawmakers were willing to push fellow Republicans into cutting off financing for the entire federal government. The report said the billionaire Koch brothers, Charles and David, have been deeply involved with financing the overall effort.

Supreme Court Skeptical of Limits on Federal Campaign Contributions

Washington Post – Robert Barnes | Published: 10/8/2013

The U.S. Supreme Court seemed prepared to strike down a part of federal campaign finance law left intact by its decision in Citizens United in 2010: overall limits on direct contributions from individuals to candidates. The justices seemed to divide along familiar ideological lines, and they expressed different understandings of the role of money and free speech in American politics.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona – Portion of Campaign Finance Law Overturned

Arizona Republic – Edward Gately | Published: 10/4/2013

U.S. District Court Judge James Teilborg ruled the part of Arizona’s campaign finance law that defines political committees is unconstitutional. But the law will remain in effect pending an injunction or until lawmakers can address the problems. “We will likely file an injunction to basically put everything on hold until the Legislature can convene in January,” said Stephanie Grisham, a spokesperson for the state attorney general’s office.

California – Assemblyman Offers to Suit up Campaign Donors

Sacramento Bee – Laurel Rosenhall | Published: 10/8/2013

California Assemblyperson Henry Perea is raising campaign money by offering donors a custom suit in exchange for a $2,000 contribution. A number of lobbyists said the fundraiser puts participants in an ethical quandary, leaving them with a valuable gift, while some women said it is excluding them by only offering suits for men.

California – California Strategies Walks Line between Lobbying and Public Affairs

Sacramento Bee – Laurel Rosenhall | Published: 10/6/2013

California Strategies is not the only public affairs firm in Sacramento that offers clients a variety of services requiring a careful dance along the line that separates lobbying from less regulated forms of advocacy. But it has been a target of competitors who say the firm’s approach creates an uneven playing field – it has a long list of partners who have deep connections inside government but do not register as lobbyists.

Colorado – Complaint: Free weed at rally not reported

Grand Junction Daily Sentinel – Charles Ashby | Published: 10/8/2013

No Over Taxation has given out free marijuana at rallies in Denver and Boulder to convince voters to oppose Proposition AA, a ballot measure that would impose taxes on recreational pot when it becomes available for sale in Colorado next year. Colorado Ethics Watch filed a complaint contending the donors that contributed the marijuana should have been identified in No Over Taxation’s campaign finance reports as providing in-kind donations, but were not.

Florida – Hays and Ring: Forget auditing lobbyists; repeal the law

Orlando Sentinel – Aaron Deslatte | Published: 10/7/2013

After media attention to lobbyists’ pay, Florida legislative leaders agreed to kick-start legally required audits of those paid to influence lawmakers and state officials. The Legislature’s joint auditing committee was told the random audits of some two-dozen firms could cost in excess of $1 million, sparking criticism from some on the panel.

Georgia – Ex-Ethics Commission Employee in Georgia Says Docs Altered

Chattanooga Times Free Press; Associated Press – | Published: 10/9/2013

John Hair, a former Georgia ethics commission computer specialist, said he removed, changed, and condensed documents from the investigative file of complaints accusing Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal of misusing campaign funds in the 2010 election. Hair said he was fulfilling orders from commission Executive Secretary Holly LaBerge and her top aide, Lisa Dentler.

Massachusetts – Cardinal O’Malley Invites Lawmakers to a Get-Together

Boston Globe – Jim O’Sullivan and Lisa Wagsness | Published: 10/9/2013

Cardinal Sean O’Malley, the Roman Catholic archbishop of Boston, will meet with the Massachusetts lawmakers who represent cities and towns within the archdiocese in what one of his aides described as “relationship building.” The church does not command the presence on Beacon Hill that it did years ago, when it played a much more prominent role in society. Some lawmakers remain angry at what they viewed as overly aggressive lobbying techniques that church lobbyists and some priests used in opposing same-sex marriage

Michigan – Ex-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison for Corruption

Washington Post; Associated Press – | Published: 10/10/2013

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years in prison on his conviction for public corruption charges including bribery and extortion that prosecutors said exacerbated the city’s financial crisis. Kilpatrick spent lavishly at the helm of a conspiracy that damaged Detroit’s reputation and cost taxpayers millions of dollars, U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Edmunds said, adding that the sentence was intended to send a message that corruption would not be tolerated.

New York – Cuomo’s Office Is Said to Rein in Ethics Board He Created

New York Times – Jesse McKinley and Thomas Kaplan | Published: 10/8/2013

According to people familiar with the work of the Commission to Investigate Public Corruption, its effort is burdened by resistance from the New York Legislature, which has refused requests for information about lawmakers’ outside income, and by unexpected involvement by the governor’s office, which has leaned on the commission to limit the scope of its probes.

North Carolina – Plain-Clothes Officer Attended Moral Monday Planning Meetings

WRAL – Michael Biesecker (Associated Press) | Published: 10/8/2013

About 940 people were arrested at weekly “Moral Monday” rallies opposing Republican-backed policies at the North Carolina Legislature that protesters said damaged public education, voting rights, and working people. The Raleigh Police Department conducted undercover surveillance at meetings of the North Carolina chapter of the NACCP held to organize the mass protests.

South Carolina – State House for Sale: SC ethics law a muddled mess

The State – Adam Beam | Published: 10/5/2013

While South Carolina has strict rules on who can donate to political campaigns, and how much they can give, state law has little to say about how legislators can spend that money. And what it does say is in dispute. Critics say South Carolina needs to follow the lead of 26 other states and have one independent ethics commission set the rules for all candidates. But most lawmakers say that would violate the state constitution.

Texas – Red River Rivalry Fundraising a Growing Trend

Texas Tribune – David Maly | Published: 10/9/2013

The annual football game between the University of Texas and Oklahoma University is increasingly becoming a fundraising hotspot for lawmakers in both parties. Deborah Ingersoll, a lobbyist who has worked in Texas politics for more than 20 years, organizes an annual guide of legislative fundraising surrounding the game and said this is the biggest year she has seen.

Virginia – Reforming Va. Laws a Priority for Politicians

Richmond Times Dispatch – Olympia Meola and Jim Nolan | Published: 10/6/2013

Recognizing the public reaction to the scandal involving Gov. Robert McDonnell, both major party candidates to succeed him have proposed reforms to Virginia’s gift and disclosure laws. Majority Leader M. Kirkland Cox is leading a working group of House Republicans studying various reforms ahead of the legislative session. Cox said the changes could include more frequent reporting than the current annual filing, and synchronizing the reporting dates for elected officials and lobbyists.

Jim Sedor 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.

October 10, 2013 • Written by Joe May

Thursday News Roundup

Here are some great articles for today’s government relations news summary:

October 9, 2013 • Written by Joe May

Wednesday Government Relations News

Here is our roundup of the latest articles on lobbying, campaign finance, ethics, and more!

October 8, 2013 • Written by John Cozine, Esq.

2014 Dates Available on Website

State key dates and session information added

October 8, 2013 • Written by Joe May

Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update

Keep up with the latest government relations news with these articles:

October 7, 2013 • Written by Joe May

Monday News Roundup

Let’s start off the week with these lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics news articles:

October 4, 2013 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – October 4, 2013

Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:

News You Can Use

National:

State Watchdogs Band Together to Take on ‘Dark Money’

Washington Post – Reid Wilson | Published: 10/3/2013

The States’ Unified Network Center, a project from watchdog groups to share information on campaign finance legislation across the country, will begin as a Web presence to highlight proposed bills and standing law. It will also organize a database of nonprofit groups that spend money in state elections, in hopes of stitching together the state-by-state patchwork of campaign finance databases.

Federal:

Government Shutdown: Wall Street angry at tea party it has no influence over

Politico – MJ Lee | Published: 10/2/2013

Wall Street’s frustration over the current fiscal impasse is shared by the larger business community, which has tried to convince lawmakers the threat of shutting down the government or failing to raise the borrowing limit should not be used as negotiating ploys. But wealthy financial services executives and their lobbyists have little leverage against tea party lawmakers, who do not care for big banks and do not rely heavily on the industry for campaign money.

Not ‘Essential’: Shutdown would hit FEC hard

Center for Public Integrity – Dave Leventhal | Published: 9/30/2013

The FEC, unlike some agencies filled with employees deemed essential, will effectively shutter under a government shutdown. All but the agency’s active commissioners, who are furlough-proof political appointees, would ultimately stay home.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – Ex-Lobbyist Joins Councilman’s Staff and Questions Follow

Los Angeles Times – Robert Zahniser | Published: 9/26/2013

Robert Katherman, a longtime Los Angeles lobbyist, said since joining city Councilperson Curren Price’s staff, he has avoided decisions affecting clients at the advocacy firm he founded and put his wife in charge of. As long as that continues, state conflict-of-interest laws permit Price to act on proposals that benefit Katherman’s wife and her firm.

Georgia – Ethics Commission to Ask for Special Investigator

San Francisco Chronicle – Christina Cassidy (Associated Press) | Published: 9/30/2013

The Georgia ethics commission voted to request that a special assistant attorney general be appointed for an independent investigation to look into the circumstances surrounding two lawsuits against the agency. Former commission Executive Secretary Stacey Kalberman and her onetime deputy, Sharon Streicker, allege they were forced out for pressing an investigation into Gov. Nathan Deal’s 2010 campaign.

Georgia – State Senator Balfour Indicted on Charges Related to Expenses

Athens Banner-Herald – Ray Henry (Associated Press) | Published: 9/27/2013

A grand jury charged state Sen. Don Balfour with illegally claiming legislative expense pay. The indictment comes after a Georgia Bureau of Investigation probe into expense vouchers from his work at the General Assembly, where Balfour sought reimbursement for mileage and per diem expenses at the Capitol when lobbyist disclosure reports show he was out of state.

Illinois – Appeals Court Denies Quinn Bid to Keep Pay Freeze

San Francisco Chronicle – Sarah Burnett (Associated Press) | Published: 9/27/2013

A judge overruled Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, who had suspended the salaries of state legislators, and ordered the lawmakers to receive back pay with interest. Quinn suspended the paychecks this summer, saying lawmakers had failed to resolve a financial crisis worsened by the ballooning cost of state pension plans. Leaders of the Legislature challenged his authority to suspend the pay.

Iowa – Iowa Lawmaker Resigns over Bachmann Payments

USA Today – Jason Noble and Jennifer Jacobs (Des Moines Register) | Published: 10/2/2013

Iowa Sen. Kent Sorenson resigned after a special investigator found it likely he violated ethics rules by taking money from PACs connected to former presidential candidate Michele Bachmann and then denying he had done so. The report contains the most detailed findings yet in a scandal that has swirled around Sorensen since he defected from the Bachmann campaign days before the 2012 Iowa caucuses to support Ron Paul.

Michigan – Corruption Alleged after Detroit Pension Deal

Detroit Free Press – Robert Snell | Published: 9/30/2013

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick backed an investment deal that bankrolled a three-year spree of alleged corruption and helped push the city into bankruptcy. The deal cheated city retirees out of more than $84 million, led to criminal charges against six people, and compounded the impact of the money-losing Wall Street scheme, which could eventually cost Detroit more than $2.7 billion.

Minnesota – Emmer’s Internet Ad Could Prove Troublesome

Minneapolis Star Tribune – Jim Ragsdale and Jennifer Brooks | Published: 9/30/2013

A television ad featuring congressional candidate Tom Emmer vouching for a construction company may violate a federal law banning corporate contributions to candidates. Emmer appeared in an ad for Integrity Exteriors & Remodelers while noting his candidacy and standing by a banner spelling out his congressional ambitions. A YouTube posting for the ad said it had aired on a Twin Cities television station.

Mississippi – Hood Could Appeal Judge’s Ruling That Part of Miss. Campaign Finance Law Is Unconstitutional

Columbus Republic – Emily Wagster Pettus (Associated Press) | Published: 10/1/2013

U.S. District Court Judge Sharion Aycock ruled that part of Mississippi’s campaign finance law creates an unconstitutional burden for individuals or organizations that spend at least $200 to support or oppose a ballot initiative. State Attorney Jim Hood an appeal could be difficult because federal courts have not been amenable to states’ defense of their own campaign finance laws.

New York – Elections Officials Narrow Scope of Collection Effort

Albany Times Union – Casey Seiler | Published: 9/26/2013

The New York State Board of Elections had planned to send letters in September to numerous campaign treasurers with judgments against them and the banks that held their funds, informing them the committees’ assets were frozen until their fines had been settled. But only two such letters have been sent.

North Carolina – Voter ID Targeted in North Carolina

Wall Street Journal – Devlin Barrett | Published: 9/30/2013

The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit challenging voting restrictions adopted by North Carolina, alleging they discriminate against minority voters. The suit challenges the state’s voter-identification requirement and limits on early voting. It also asks the court to require federal pre-approval for voting-law changes in the state.

West Virginia – Fishing Trip Underscores Close Ties between Suder, United Sportsmen

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Patrick Marley and Jason Stein | Published: 9/30/2013

Records show then-Wisconsin Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder accepted an invitation for a fishing trip offered by the lobbyist for a self-described sportsmen group just days before an affiliate of the organization won a $500,000 state grant. Gov. Scott Walker rescinded the grant after reports the group misrepresented its nonprofit status and its president had been cited for shooting a black bear without the proper license.

West Virginia – W.Va. Judge Resigns, Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy

San Francisco Chronicle – John Raby (Associated Press) | Published: 10/2/2013

A West Virginia judge pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme to conceal alleged illegal drug use and election-law violations by a sheriff who was murdered earlier this year. As part of his plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to drop an earlier charge that Mingo County Circuit Court Judge Thornsbury misused his office on several occasions over five years to try to illegally imprison the husband of his former secretary after she ended an affair with him.

Jim Sedor 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.