The San Diego City Council Budget Committee approved a proposal to increase lobbyist registration fees. Under the proposal, the fees will increase from $40 to $150. Annual registration fees paid by clients who hire lobbyists would also increase from $15 to $30.

This increase will be the first since the enactment of lobbyist registration fees in 2008. The proposal must be approved by the full council, scheduled to meet again in September. If approved, the proposal would take effect in January.

Photo of the San Diego skyline courtesy of Tomcio77 on Wikimedia Commons.

Lobbying

California:  “Bill raises fees on lobbyists to fund disclosure” by The Associated Press in the Mercury News.

North Carolina:  “Despite laws, NC legislators still ask lobbyists for money” by Laura Leslie in WRAL.com.

South Carolina:  “SC: Top-paid State House lobbyist earns $673K” by Eric K. Ward in Watchdog.org.

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “State Sen. Gould: No improper campaign spending” by Rebekah L. Sanders in the Arizona Republic.

Ethics

Kansas: “Kansas lawmakers unwittingly broke open meetings law” by Brad Cooper in the Kansas City Star.

North Dakota:  “Legislators to create code of conduct after North Dakota named ‘most corrupt state’” by Wendy Reuer in InForum.

South Carolina:  “Haley, Wilson unveiling ethics reform package” by The Associated Press in the Greenville News.

Redistricting

“2012 Pre-election Turnover is Typical for a Redistricting Year” by Karl Kurtz in NCSL’s The Thicket blog.

Montana: “Commission wraps up proposal for new Montana House districts” by Mike Dennison in the Missoulian.