September 6, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 6, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Interest Groups Push Obama on Order
SEC Whetting Incentives for Whistle-Blowers
Super Committee Pits Lobbying Firms’ Clients against One Another
The Influence Industry: ‘Candidate super PACs’ surge ahead in the 2012 money race
From the States and Municipalities:
Connecticut
Guay to Head Unified Watchdog Group
Florida
New South Florida Politicians Go to ‘Good Government’ Boot Camp
Florida
Nonprofit Writes Florida Law for its Own Program
Georgia
Georgia Lobbyists Hope to Boost Ethics
Georgia
Montana
Schweitzer Fined $4,100 in Ethics Case
Nebraska
Donations OK’d for First Lady’s Expenses
Nebraska
State Not Enforcing Campaign Limits
North Carolina
Candidate Criticized for Scheduling Fundraiser at Lobbyist’s Home
Pennsylvania
Ex-Pa. House Speaker Pleads Guilty to Corruption
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
September 2, 2011 •
New Municipalities Update- September 2, 2011
In a continuing effort to better serve the needs of its clients, State and Federal Communications, Inc. is expanding coverage of laws and regulations in more municipalities.
We now provide information on lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying for:
Tempe, Arizona
Evansville, Indiana
South Bend, Indiana
Flint, Michigan
North Las Vegas, Nevada
Reno, Nevada
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
September 1, 2011 •
Chicago Lobbyist Database Provides Unprecedented Information
New Information links lobbyist expenses with their clients
Eric Brown’s Political Activity Law blog pointed to a press release today, in which Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that information connecting lobbyists’ activities, their compensation, and expenses with each of their clients would now be provided on the city’s lobbyist disclosure database.
Regarding the new data that is now going to be released, Mayor Emanuel said,
“Today I am delivering on a promise to make more lobbyist data available as part of my administration’s commitment to transparency. For the first time ever, we are making city lobbyist data available online that isn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. This new data ties information together in a way that shows the connection between client, lobbyist and city hall.”
This information is available through the City of Chicago Data Portal. The lobbyist databases include the Lobbyist Agency Report, Lobbyist Gift Report, Lobbyist Categorized Expenditures Report, Lobbyist Major Expenditures Report, and Lobbyist Registry.
August 29, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 29, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
National Organization for Marriage Repeatedly Rebuked For Disclosure Violations
Federal:
Super Committee and K St. Creativity
From the States and Municipalities:
California
California Lawmakers-Turned-Lobbyists Cultivate Relationships under the Dome
Florida
Firefighters’ Fundraiser Gets Ethics OK, with Difficult Restrictions
Georgia
State Utility Commissioner’s Pursuit of Masters Tickets Improper, Critics Say
Nebraska
In-Session Fundraisers Questioned
Nevada
Fake Twitter Accounts Force Their Way onto Political Landscape
New Jersey
How an Irate Response to a Carl Lewis E-Mail Cost an N.J. Assemblyman His Job
New Jersey
Union Sidestep Donation Limits
Pennsylvania
Experts Question Use of $400,000 in Private, Anonymous Funds to Buy out Philadelphia Superintendent
Texas
Perry’s Fundraising for Governors Group Draws Scrutiny
Washington
Longtime Government Worker Now PDC Director
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
August 24, 2011 •
Our Online Executive Source Guides
Our Online Executive Source Guides give you everything you need for your compliance work in one place!
State and Federal Communications is the most trusted source in the nation for comprehensive, accurate, and timely compliance information lobbying laws, political contributions, procurement lobbying, and Canadian Compliance for U.S. Companies.
Our Executive Source Guides cover every important jurisdiction – federal, all 50 states, and more than 200 municipalities. We cover Canada too!
August 22, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 22, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Special Interests Gave $3 Million to Members of New Budget Super Committee
The 2012 Election Brings a New Kind of Fundraiser: The super bundler
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
AP Interview: Juror says Alabama gambling trial jury favored acquittals on undecided charges
California
Porter Steps Down as Head of Political Watchdog Agency
Florida
Tallahassee Lobbyists Earning More This Year
Kentucky
Louisville Metro Council Ethics Panel Enforces Gift Rules
Maine
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Maine PAC Reporting Requirement
Nebraska
Attorney General: State campaign finance law likely unconstitutional
New York
Donor Limit Tops $100,000 at Capitol
New York
Gov. Andrew Cuomo Signs Government Ethics Law for N.Y. State Officials, Workers
Rhode Island
Anti-Gay Marriage Group Loses Appeal of R.I. Court Ruling
Virginia
Hamilton Sentenced in Bribery, Extortion Case
Washington
Public Disclosure Commission Seeks New Director
Wisconsin
GOP’s Senate Edge Stays at One after Recalls
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
August 19, 2011 •
We Cover New Jurisdictions
In a continuing effort to better serve the needs of its clients, State and Federal Communications, Inc. is expanding coverage of laws and regulations in more municipalities.
We now provide information on lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying for:
Chandler, Arizona
Fort Collins, Colorado
New Haven, Connecticut
Stamford, Connecticut
Chesapeake, Virginia
August 15, 2011 •
New York City Lobbying Commission Release Preliminary Report
Recommends Expanding Definition of Lobbying and Increasing Registration Threshold
The New York City Lobbying Commission has released its recommendations to update and enhance the city’s lobbying laws.
In its preliminary report, the commission recommends expanding the definition of lobbying to include efforts to influence legislation prior to a bill’s introduction, efforts to keep a bill from being introduced, or efforts to shape or stop executive orders by the mayor. The commission also recommends raising the threshold for lobbyist registration from $2,000 to $5,000. The commission rejected suggestions to move regulation of lobbying from the city clerk’s office to another office.
The commission’s final report will be submitted to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the City Council who, if they agree with the recommendations, can introduce legislation incorporating the changes.
Photo of the Manhattan Municipal Building by Momos on Wikipedia.
August 15, 2011 •
Two New Jurisdictions Added
In a continuing effort to better serve the needs of its clients, State and Federal Communications, Inc. is expanding coverage of laws and regulations in more municipalities.
We now provide information on lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying for:
Hampton, Virginia
Hollywood, Florida
August 15, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 15, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
American Bar Association Takes Aim at Lobbying Law Loopholes
Golf, Vacation Fundraisers Return
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
In Alabama, No Verdicts of Guilty in Graft Case
Arizona
Arizonans Want Legislators to Reject Gifts
California
Jerry Brown’s Charter Schools in Oakland Reap Big Donations
Colorado
Study Shows Who Breaks Campaign Laws
Florida
Palm Beach County Ethics Law Poses Hurdle for Firefighters’ Fundraiser
Georgia
Ethics Panel’s Chairman Stays Put, for Now
Hawaii
Ethics Director Blocks Texas Dinner for Hawaii Lawmakers
New Mexico
New Mexico Mayor Was Drunk When He Signed Deal
New York
Commission to Call for New Rules on Lobbying in the City
Pennsylvania
‘Kids for Cash’ Judge Sentenced to 28 Years for Racketeering Scheme
Utah
Utah Lawmakers, Lobbyists, Go On the Road
Wisconsin
Republicans Hold On to Wisconsin Senate after Recall Vote
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
August 11, 2011 •
ABA Recommends Lobbying Law Changes
Resolution 104B Revised
The American Bar Association (ABA) has adopted a resolution urging the United States Congress to amend the Federal Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA).
Recommendations made in “Resolution 104B Revised” by the ABA House of Delegates include narrowing the current time threshold required for registration and barring campaign fundraising for members of Congress lobbied within the previous two years.
Additional resolutions includes the following information be disclosed in a lobbyist’s quarterly reports: disclosure of lobbying support activities performed by retained entities; reporting of the identification of individuals “principally involved in planning, directing, or coordinating lobbying support activities”; identification of individuals with any level of involvement in the lobbying activities who have recently served as high-ranking federal officials; and all congressional offices, congressional committees, and federal agencies and offices contacted by lobbyists employed.
August 8, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 8, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Firm Gives $1 Million to Pro-Romney Group, Then Dissolves
Lobbying for Lobbyists on Capitol Hill
From the States and Municipalities:
California
California Poised to OK Political Donations via Text
Connecticut
Watchdog Panel Gives Malloy Three Choices for New Executive Director
Delaware
Weak Rules Make for Powerful Lobbyists
Hawaii
Ethics Chief Draws Ire for Stance on Task-Force Members Who Lobby
Illinois
Are State Worker Punishments Fitting the Crimes?
Michigan
Dispensary Offered Free Marijuana for Signing Up to Vote
New Jersey
N.J. Freeholder Resigns after Nude Photos Appear On-line
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Lobbyists Are Paying Attention to Freshman Lawmakers
Wisconsin
Court Tosses Wisconsin Limit on PAC Donations
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
Here is your chance to “Ask the Experts” at State and Federal Communications, Inc.
Q. Are there prohibitions on registered lobbyists hand-delivering a political contribution check [personal, corporate, or PAC] to a candidate at the candidate’s fundraiser?
A. Forty-six states do not regulate the personal delivery of campaign contributions by contributions. Of course, this assumes all other things being legal, such as session bans, a ban on corporate contributions, a ban on personal contributions by lobbyists, or personally delivering contributions while at the state capitol.
Alaska law provides that lobbyists may not host a fundraising event, directly or indirectly collect contributions, deliver contributions to a candidate, or participate in fund-raising activities.
Kentucky law prohibits a legislative agent from exercising control over a campaign contribution from a PAC and directing it to a specific state legislator, candidate, or committee. This prohibition includes hand-delivering a contribution.
In Maryland, a lobbyist may not, for the benefit of the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, or comptroller, member of the general assembly, or candidate for election to these offices solicit or transmit a political contribution from any person or political committee.
South Carolina has very strict rules governing a lobbyist’s involvement when it comes to political contributions. Not only are lobbyists prohibited from making personal political contributions — even as a constituent — they are prohibited from hand-delivering a corporate or PAC check to a candidate at the candidate’s fundraiser.
You can directly submit questions for this feature, and we will select those most appropriate and answer them here. Send your questions to: marketing@stateandfed.com.
(We are always available to answer questions from clients that are specific to your needs, and we encourage you to continue to call or e-mail us with questions about your particular company or organization. As always, we will confidentially and directly provide answers or information you need.) Our replies to your questions are not legal advice. Instead, these replies represent our analysis of laws, rules, and regulations.
August 2, 2011 •
Frederick County MD’s Proposed Ethics Law
Public Hearing Scheduled
The Frederick County Board of Commissioners voted to have a public hearing for a new ethics ordinance which, among other things, would no longer require lobbyists to disclose their annual income.
Based on one of the state’s recommended models for local ethics laws for counties and cities, the ordinance drew concerns by commissioners that the requirements for lobbyists could be weaker than those currently in place. As an example, Frederick County’s requirements for registration and reporting for grassroots lobbying are not included in the proposed ordinance, which would supersede the current law.
The public hearing has been scheduled for September 6.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
