September 29, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Ethics New York: “Amid Federal Probe, Port Authority Adopts New Ethics Rules” Albany Times Union; Associated Press California: “Gun Discounts for LAPD Unit May Have Violated Ethics Rules” by Kate Mather for Los Angeles Times Connecticut: “Amid Questions, Commissioner Won’t […]
Ethics
New York: “Amid Federal Probe, Port Authority Adopts New Ethics Rules” Albany Times Union; Associated Press
California: “Gun Discounts for LAPD Unit May Have Violated Ethics Rules” by Kate Mather for Los Angeles Times
Connecticut: “Amid Questions, Commissioner Won’t Recuse Herself from Anthem-Cigna Proposal” by Arielle Levin Becker for Connecticut Mirror
D.C.: “Metro Board Chair Violated Conflict Rules, D.C. Inspector General Says” by Paul Duggan for Washington Post
New York: “U.S. Investigating Contract Awards in Buffalo Turnaround Project” by Susanne Craig, William Rashbaum, and Thomas Kaplan for New York Times
South Carolina: “Capitol Gains: SC politicians use office to pad pockets” by Tony Bartelme and Rachel Baye for Center for Public Integrity
Lobbying:
New York: “Power in Money: When is lobbying in N.Y. not lobbying?” by Joseph Spector for Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin
Campaign Finance
Maine: “Ethics Commission Staff Wants Organizations to Disclose Campaign Donors” by Kevin Miller for Portland Press Herald
New Jersey: “N.J. Senate Moves to Ban Campaign Cash from Businesses Getting Subsidies” by Samantha Marcus for Newark Star-Ledger
Washington: “State AG’s Office Sues SEIU 775 over Political Contributions” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times
September 25, 2015 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 25, 2015
Federal: ‘Lobbying’ Firm Raises More Questions than Answers The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 9/24/2015 The DG Group appears to have all the trappings of a Washington lobby firm. Featuring images of the Capitol dome and promises of inside access, its website […]
Federal:
‘Lobbying’ Firm Raises More Questions than Answers The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 9/24/2015
The DG Group appears to have all the trappings of a Washington lobby firm. Featuring images of the Capitol dome and promises of inside access, its website advertises a “scalable lobbying and global advocacy consultancy firm” with a track record of success. But much of the site is phony. It uses text lifted from the BGR Group, the lobbying firm founded by former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour. The DG Group origin statement includes a paragraph from the website of Mercury, a global public relations firm with a Washington office. Photographs of DG Group lobbyists appear to be taken from PR websites and stock-photo archives. One of the people pictured as part of the firm’s leadership is a professor at Duke University’s Divinity School. Another is a comedian based in San Diego.
Political Parties Go after Million-Dollar Donors in Wake of Looser Rules
Washington Post – Matea Gold and Tom Hamburger | Published: 9/19/2015
The Republican National Committee is asking donors for $1.34 million per couple this election cycle. Democratic contributors, meanwhile, are being hit up for even more, about $1.6 million per couple, to support the party’s convention and a separate joint fundraising effort between the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s campaign. In return, elite donors are being promised perks such as exclusive retreats with top party leaders and VIP treatment at the nominating conventions. Just four years ago, the most a donor could give a national political party was $30,800. The dramatic rise has been driven by the U.S. Supreme Court’s McCutcheon decision that did away with a cap on how much a political donor could give in an election cycle, and an expansion of party fundraising tucked into a recent appropriations bill.
Scott Walker’s Demise Shows Limits of ‘Super PAC’ Money Model
New York Times – Nicholas Confessore | Published: 9/22/2015
The super PAC backing Scott Walker was on pace to raise as much as $40 million by the end of the year, but Walker abruptly ended his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination largely because he was out of cash. His withdrawal from the GOP primary, like that of former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, highlights the limitations of the new fundraising model. Super PACs cannot pay rent, phone bills, salaries, or ballot access fees. They are not entitled to the preferential rates on advertising that federal law grants candidates, forcing them to pay far more money than candidates must for the same television and radio time. The fates of Walker and Perry hint at the systemic dangers of the super PAC-driven financial model on which virtually the entire Republican field has staked its chances.
From the States and Municipalities:
California – State Panel Outlaws ‘Dark Money’ in California Political Campaigns
Los Angeles Times – Patrick McGreevy | Published: 9/17/2015
The California Fair Political Practices Commission will now require out-of-state nonprofits to disclose their donors when they oppose or support a ballot measure or candidate through a federal PAC. The move came in the wake of fines levied against two Arizona nonprofits after they refused to reveal their donors behind two campaigns. The commission also voted to improve its program that identifies the top ten contributors to ballot measures on the its website. If one of the top ten donors is a group with a generic name that does not indicate who is behind it, the new rules would require it to disclose its top two contributors.
Colorado – Denver Gives Red light to Inspectors Consulting for Marijuana Industry
Denver Post – Jon Murray | Published: 9/23/2015
City inspectors for marijuana licensing in Denver asked the Board of Ethics for its blessing to work as paid consultants to the cannabis industry elsewhere. The board’s answer was a resounding no. Its advisory opinion cites concerns about potential conflicts-of-interest and bad appearances, saying such work would violate the city’s ethics code. Legislation passed this year soon will bar any work or consulting for the marijuana industry until six months after an employee has left his or her state job. The inspectors’ request reflects some remaining uncertainty as Denver and Colorado traverse the new landscape of legal recreational marijuana.
Florida – Corcoran Lobbies for Lobbyist Rules
Lakeland Ledger – Lloyd Dunkelberger | Published: 9/20/2015
Republicans elected Rep. Richard Corcoran as the next speaker of the Florida House, and he immediately laid out the most ambitious set of lobbying reforms that the state capital has seen in a decade. Corcoran, whose brother, Michael, is a prominent Capitol lobbyist, said the public is fed up with how money and political backscratching is controlling the agenda from Washington to Tallahassee. “The enemy is not the special interests; the enemy is not the press; the enemy is not any of that stuff. The enemy has always been and will always be us,” Corcoran told House members.
Kentucky – GOP State Senator Suing to Overturn Kentucky Laws Limiting Campaign Donations
Lexington Herald-Leader – John Cheves | Published: 9/23/2015
Kentucky Sen. John Schickel and two Libertarian candidates are suing to overturn state laws limiting campaign donations to $1,000 and prohibiting gifts to legislators from lobbyists. They also want the court to strike down rules prohibiting lobbyists from donating money to legislators or legislative candidates and that bar the employers of lobbyists from contributing while the General Assembly is in session. They say the laws violate their constitutional rights to free speech and equal protection by restricting their access to people who want to help them. But state regulators say the laws are meant to prevent bribery at the Capitol. Most were enacted after Operation BOPTROT, an FBI investigation in 1992 that exposed 15 current or former legislators who sold their votes.
Michigan – Kilpatrick Pal Gets 11 Years in City Pension Scandal
Detroit News – Robert Snell | Published: 9/21/2015
Former Detroit Treasurer Jeffrey Beasley was sentenced to 11 years in prison for taking bribes and kickbacks in a scheme that cost the city’s pension funds $97 million in losses. Beasley, who was Kwame Kilpatrick’s fraternity brother and a pension trustee while his friend was mayor, received the third-longest sentence of anyone targeted in the FBI’s decade-long corruption probe that netted 38 convictions. Beasley and Kilpatrick were both trustees to the pension funds. The federal government says the pair accepted lavish gifts – including private jet travel, trips and golf outings – from an investment adviser to the city’s pension funds in exchange for favoritism before the pension board.
Missouri – Missouri Legislators Serve Hors d’Oeuvres, Lobbyists Pass the Envelopes
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Kevin McDermott | Published: 9/20/2015
On the eve of the one-day veto session of the Missouri Legislature, and for a few hours on the morning of the session, about 60 of lawmakers hosted or co-hosted 18 separate campaign fundraising events in Jefferson City. The attendees are not charged admission or a per-plate fee. Rather, they hand over checks at their own discretion as they enter. Most are lobbyists representing special interests whose fates the lawmakers can decide with their votes. “At the end of the day, checks are going to come in either way; this is a just a chance that they get to hand it to us instead of putting it in a P.O. Box. Everybody does it,” said Rep. Caleb Rowden.
New York – William Boyland Jr., Ex-New York Assemblyman, Gets 14-Year Sentence for Corruption
New York Times – Nicholas Casey | Published: 9/17/2015
Former New York Assemblyperson William Boyland, Jr. was sentenced to 14 years in prison and ordered to pay more than $325,000 for using his public post for personal gain. He was arrested in 2011, weeks after being acquitted in an unrelated bribery case, and charged with accepting bribes in exchange for political favors during a five-year period starting in 2007. In one instance, the authorities said at trial, Boyland funneled $200,000 of public money for the elderly to a nonprofit organization that he controlled and used the money to pay for events promoting his campaign, such as a boat cruise and “Team Boyland” T-shirts. He was also convicted of seeking reimbursement for more than $70,000 in false travel expenses.
Ohio – Disclosure Rules for Gifts Vague for Ohio’s Local Politicians
Columbus Dispatch – Lucas Sullivan | Published: 9/21/2015
Ethics has become a top issue in the races for Columbus City Council and mayor. The FBI is investigating the city’s red-light-camera contracts, and Councilperson Michelle Mills stepped down unexpectedly after questions were raised about the trip she and three other council members took with lobbyist John Raphael last year to the Big Ten championship football game. A Columbus Dispatch review found the disclosure rules for Ohio’s elected officials at the municipal level are vague and do not require complete disclosure. For example, unlike at the state level, lobbyists do not have to disclose their financial activity at the municipal level.
Ohio – Ohio Judge Loses Fundraising Challenge
Courthouse News Service – Lorraine Bailey | Published: 9/21/2015
An appeals court ruled the strict limitations that state judges in Ohio face on campaign fundraising do not violate the First Amendment. Colleen O’Toole is a candidate in the 2016 Ohio Supreme Court election. Her campaign claimed the state Code of Judicial Conduct was doing its best to keep her campaign grounded by prohibiting judicial candidates from personally soliciting campaign contributions unless they are speaking to a general audience of at least 20 people, and by making candidates legally responsible for the actions of their campaign committees, along with other restrictions. Sitting Ohio Supreme Court judges may have campaign funds left over from a prior judicial race that they can use to support their candidacy at any time, O’Toole said. But the appeals court affirmed the code of conduct, and held the rules are not the cause of the disparity that O’Toole’s campaign committee complains of.
Pennsylvania – Donations by Philly Sheriff’s Top OT Earners Raise Eyebrows
Philadelphia Inquirer – Claudia Vargas | Published: 9/20/2015
Nearly all the top recent earners of overtime in Philadelphia Sheriff Jewell Williams’ office had donated to his campaign fund. Williams said the contributions, typically $100 or $125 a year, reflected employees’ satisfaction with his work. In the fiscal year that ended June 30, records show 21 deputies with salaries anywhere from $58,000 to $76,000 earned enough overtime to boost their pay well into six figures. Most deputies who received little or no overtime in the most recent fiscal year did not donate to the campaign fund. Williams’ chief finance officer, Benjamin Hayllar, said: “There’s no quid pro quo here.”
Pennsylvania – Pa. Supreme Court Suspends Kane’s License
Philadelphia Inquirer – Angela Couloumbis and Craig McCoy | Published: 9/21/2015
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered the suspension of the law license of state Attorney General Kathleen Kane, a step that could set up a Senate vote to remove her as she faces criminal charges. The unanimous order by the court could also prompt a legal challenge from Kane. In the meantime, the order has created the complication of leaving the state’s top law enforcement official, who is in charge of a 750-employee office and a $93 million budget, without the ability to act as a lawyer, at least temporarily. The order came after Montgomery County authorities arrested Kane on accusations she had leaked secret investigative information to a newspaper reporter and then lied about it under oath. She was charged with perjury, obstruction, and other counts.
Washington – State’s Disclosure Commission Names Tacoma Lawyer as New Director
Everett Herald – Jerry Cornfield | Published: 9/23/2015
Evelyn Lopez was chosen as the new executive director of the Washington Public Disclosure Commission. Lopez, a former assistant state attorney general, will take the helm as the commission looks to upgrade its technology to make it easier for the public to track the flow of money in campaigns through the agency’s online database. Lopez did not reveal any initiatives she wants to launch immediately but said there are a lot of issues out there related to the financing of campaigns. “If you’re a politician and you’re asking people to give you their hard earned money, you’ve got to be honest about how it is used; I am absolutely committed to open government and an informed electorate,” Lopez said.
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
September 24, 2015 •
South Dakota Attorney General Explains Potential 2016 Ballot Measure
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley recently released a statement describing a ballot measure to create a publicly funded campaign finance program. The program would allocate monetary credits to voters who could assign them to candidates. The measure would also […]
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley recently released a statement describing a ballot measure to create a publicly funded campaign finance program. The program would allocate monetary credits to voters who could assign them to candidates.
The measure would also lower political contribution limits and create a revolving door provision for certain state officials seeking to become lobbyists. Said officials would be banned from lobbying for two years after leaving office.
Supporters must collect nearly 14,000 signatures to get the measure on the 2016 ballot.
September 23, 2015 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “K Street Merger Yields New Lobbying Powerhouse” by Megan Wilson for The Hill Oregon: “Portland Weighing Rules on Lobbying by Political Consultants” by Brad Schmidt for Portland Oregonian Campaign Finance New Jersey: “Greater Transparency Urged for Political Donations by […]
Lobbying
“K Street Merger Yields New Lobbying Powerhouse” by Megan Wilson for The Hill
Oregon: “Portland Weighing Rules on Lobbying by Political Consultants” by Brad Schmidt for Portland Oregonian
Campaign Finance
New Jersey: “Greater Transparency Urged for Political Donations by Private Pension Managers” by John Reitmeyer for NJ Spotlight
Ohio: “Ohio Judge Loses Fundraising Challenge” by Lorraine Bailey for Courthouse News Service
Pennsylvania: “Donations by Philly Sheriff’s Top OT Earners Raise Eyebrows” by Claudia Vargas for Philadelphia Inquirer
Washington: “Eyman Received Secret Payments from Signature Firm, PDC Says” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times
Ethics
Colorado: “State Supreme Court Weighs Colorado Ethics Commission Secrecy” by Marianne Goodland for Colorado Independent
Michigan: “Kilpatrick Pal Gets 11 Years in City Pension Scandal” by Robert Snell for Detroit News
New York: “William Boyland Jr., Ex-New York Assemblyman, Gets 14-Year Sentence for Corruption” by Nicholas Casey for New York Times
New York: “Will Review of Ethics Watchdog Have Bite?” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
September 22, 2015 •
West Virginia Ethics Commission Announces Training Course
The West Virginia Ethics Commission announced a one-hour training course on the Ethics Act. Lobbyists new to West Virginia must complete this course within 90 days of registration and all other lobbyists must complete one training course during the registration […]
The West Virginia Ethics Commission announced a one-hour training course on the Ethics Act. Lobbyists new to West Virginia must complete this course within 90 days of registration and all other lobbyists must complete one training course during the registration cycle (January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016).
The course will take place on October 22, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Ethics Commission’s conference room. An online video is also available for lobbyists to fulfill their training obligations.
September 22, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying Florida: “Corcoran Lobbies for Lobbyist Rules” by Lloyd Dunkelberger for Lakeland Ledger Campaign Finance “Political Parties Go after Million-Dollar Donors in Wake of Looser Rules” by Matea Gold and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post “Pro-Rick Perry Super PACs Give […]
Lobbying
Florida: “Corcoran Lobbies for Lobbyist Rules” by Lloyd Dunkelberger for Lakeland Ledger
Campaign Finance
“Political Parties Go after Million-Dollar Donors in Wake of Looser Rules” by Matea Gold and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post
“Pro-Rick Perry Super PACs Give Back Millions” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity
California: “State Panel Outlaws ‘Dark Money’ in California Political Campaigns” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times
Missouri: “Missouri Legislators Serve Hors d’Oeuvres, Lobbyists Pass the Envelopes” by Kevin McDermott for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Senate Proposal Would Out ‘Dark Money’ Political Groups” by Kate Giammarise for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Ethics
California: “Political Panel Opposes Bill Easing Disclosure Rules” by Jeff McDonald for San Diego Union-Tribune
Maryland: “O’Malley Won’t Face Ethics Inquiry over Mansion Furniture Purchases” by John Wagner for Washington Post
Ohio: “Disclosure Rules for Gifts Vague for Ohio’s Local Politicians” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch
Pennsylvania: “Pa. Supreme Court Suspends Kane’s License” by Angela Couloumbis and Craig McCoy for Philadelphia Inquirer
South Dakota: “Bipartisan Effort Could Overhaul Campaign, Election Law” by Dana Ferguson for Sioux Falls Argus Leader
Elections
“Report: Campaign woes prompt Scott Walker to drop out of race” by Jason Stein, Patrick Marley, and Mary Spicuzza for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
September 18, 2015 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 18, 2015
National: Statehouse Sex Scandals Carry Public Costs, Consequences Charlotte Observer – David Lieb (Associated Press) | Published: 9/14/2015 Two Michigan lawmakers lost their seats after an extramarital affair between them became public. At the same time, two state legislators in Minnesota, […]
National:
Statehouse Sex Scandals Carry Public Costs, Consequences
Charlotte Observer – David Lieb (Associated Press) | Published: 9/14/2015
Two Michigan lawmakers lost their seats after an extramarital affair between them became public. At the same time, two state legislators in Minnesota, also married to other people, were forced to step down from an ethics committee after a ranger cited them for making out in a public park. These episodes follow scandals earlier in the year involving male lawmakers and their young interns in Missouri. Changing the environment inside Capitols can be a difficult task, potentially complicated by the reality that statehouses remain a largely male-dominated workplace. “This is something that goes on in any large institution, [especially when you] add a lot of power, money, and prestige, all of which are aphrodisiacs,” said Wally Siewert, director of the Center for Ethics in Public Life at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. “These are deep, kind of human psychological traits that you’re probably not going to change.”
Federal:
Democrats Seek to Expand Use of ‘Super PACs’
New York Times – Nicholas Confessore | Published: 9/14/2015
An emergency request filed with the FEC by the Democratic Party would pave the way for the creation of a host of new super PACs tailored to individual U.S. House and Senate candidates. The filing also indicates Democrats would, if allowed, seek to use tactics pioneered by Republican presidential candidates this cycle, helping prospective candidates establish and raise money for super PACs before they officially declare their intent to run. Most strikingly, the lawyers are asking the FEC to clarify how declared candidates, their campaign staff, and their volunteers can help court donors for independent super PACs.
Lobbyist Finds a Quiet Place to Work, as a Six-Figure U.S. Government Contractor
New York Times – Eric Lipton | Published: 9/14/2015
While earning more than $100,000 a year serving as executive director of the Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad, Jeffrey Farrow has simultaneously helped collect as much as $750,000 a year in lobbying fees, representing clients that include the governments of Puerto Rico and the Republic of Palau. At times, one agency staff member has alleged, Farrow handled some of his lobbying work while at the offices of the federal agency. Experts in government ethics and lobbying law said the different hats that Farrow has simultaneously worn – as a lobbyist, foreign agent, and executive director of a federal agency – is at minimum highly unusual.
Vet Group Hosting Trump Lost Nonprofit Status
Miami Herald – Jeff Horwitz (Associated Press) | Published: 9/16/2015
The IRS revoked the nonprofit status of the veterans benefit organization that hosted and sold tickets to a speech by Donald Trump aboard a retired U.S. battleship. Veterans for a Strong America’s endorsement of Trump at the event also could raise legal problems under campaign finance laws. The IRS cited the group’s failure to file any tax returns for three consecutive years. Under federal law, corporations are restricted to donating $2,700 either in cash or in-kind contributions to a campaign. But the event, which Veterans for a Strong America paid for, involved 850 attendees, putting the cost at roughly $11,000. The law also generally prohibits candidates from coordinating their campaign activities with outside groups, and prohibits corporations from spending more than a minimal amount announcing their endorsements.
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama – Legal Defense Bill Draws Alabama Ethics Commission Fire
Montgomery Advertiser – Brian Lyman | Published: 9/11/2015
Alabama Ethics Commission Executive Director Tom Albritton criticized a bill that would let public officials solicit money from lobbyists and others for criminal defense funds. The legislation addresses a broad range of topics, from the definition of a widely attended event to clarifying the two-year ban on lobbying for former members of the Legislature. The bill would allow state officials to create legal defense funds within 10 days of receiving their first contributions. It also allows lobbyists and principals to contribute to legal defense funds without violating the state’s ban on giving a “thing of value” to a public employee or official. The bill does not set any limits on who can contribute to the legal defense funds, or how much.
Alabama – Mike Hubbard Says Alabama Ethics Law He Fought For Is Unconstitutionally Vague
AL.com; Associated Press – | Published: 9/12/2015
Indicted House Speaker Mike Hubbard asked a judge to dismiss the case against him, arguing the Alabama’s ethics law he once championed is unconstitutional, and prosecutors and a grand jury stretched the bounds of the law when they charged him with 23 corruption counts. Hubbard is accused of using his offices as speaker and former position as state Republican Party chairperson to benefit his businesses by soliciting investments and clients and lobbying the governor’s office. His defense lawyers argued some of the activities and payments were constitutionally protected free speech and portions of the ethics law were unclear.
California – California Initiative Would Require More Campaign Finance Disclosure
Sacramento Bee – Christopher Cadelago | Published: 9/16/2015
A proposed ballot measure in California would close “dark money” loopholes for nonprofit donors by requiring disclosure of anyone who contributes $10,000 or more when the money ends up in a political effort. It also would update the state’s electronic filing system, make disclosure of contributors more apparent on television ads, and strengthen some penalties for violators. The measure would ban lobbyists and those who employ them from giving gifts of any value to public officials and cut from $460 to $200 the maximum value of gifts an individual can give to an official each year.
California – Sacramento City Council Approves Ethics Package
Sacramento Bee – Cathy Locke | Published: 9/16/2015
The Sacramento City Council approved an ethics reform plan, including the creation of an ethics commission and an independent redistricting commission. The council also accepted the city auditor’s finding that the city’s sexual harassment policy needs to be updated. The ethics commission is to focus on complaints involving campaign finance, lobbying, conflicts-of-interest and other issues involving city ordinances or policies. The panel would receive findings from an independent, third-party investigator and determine the appropriate action, such as administrative penalties or fines. The council directed the city clerk to work with the city attorney to draft an ethics code for review and approval by late December or early next year.
California – San Diego Lobbyist Fee Nearly Quadruples
San Diego Union-Tribune – David Garrick | Published: 9/15/2015
The San Diego City Council voted to raise the annual lobbyist registration fee from $40 to $150. Annual registration fees paid by clients who hire lobbyists will double to $30. The hikes take effect in January. City Clerk Elizabeth Maland said the increases are warranted based on the time and effort her office spends tracking and analyzing the work of lobbyists, which includes traditional lobbying, campaign activity, and fundraising efforts. Maland has said she plans to begin increasing the fees every three years.
Connecticut – Former Bridgeport Mayor, Out of Prison, Declares Victory in Primary
New York Times; Associated Press – | Published: 9/16/2015
A former mayor of Connecticut’s largest city who spent seven years in prison for corruption narrowly won the Democratic primary, making him the likely favorite to win back the office in the November election. Joseph Ganim was confirmed as the victor over current Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Finch in a close election. Ganim was sentenced to prison in 2003 for steering city contracts in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in expensive wine, custom clothes, cash, and home improvements.
Florida – Lobbyist Miscues Laid Out in Legislative Report
Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Brandon Larrabee (News Service of Florida) | Published: 9/11/2015
To try to gauge whether lobbying firms were leveling on reports they are required to file with the state about who is paying them to work the Florida Capitol, the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee decided to look over those statements from 2014. The panel picked 26 lobbying firms to undergo random audits. In that first batch, 16 had “findings,” meaning they got something wrong. Of the dozen firms whose lobbying of the executive branch was examined, a newly released report from the committee found that six made mistakes. And 10 of the 14 influence businesses whose legislative reports were looked over were found to have misstatements. The vast majority of the mistakes were in misreporting how much money firms made from certain clients.
Michigan – House Expels Gamrat; Courser Resigns Before Vote
Detroit News – Chad Livengood | Published: 9/11/2015
Rep. Cindy Gamrat was expelled from office and Rep. Todd Courser resigned after they rocked the Michigan Legislature with an extramarital affair and a botched attempt to conceal it with a fictional, sexually explicit email. Courser admitted sending a phony email to GOP activists and others claiming he had been caught with a male prostitute. The email was intended to make his affair with Gamrat appear less believable if it was exposed by an anonymous blackmailer who Courser said had demanded his resignation. Gamrat said she discussed the plot with Courser but did not know the email’s graphic content before it was sent. The lawmakers had based legislation on their Christian beliefs and clashed with GOP leadership even before the controversy broke.
Missouri – Man Fined for Not Registering as Lobbyist
Waynesville Daily Guide – Summer Ballentine (Associated Press) | Published: 9/13/2015
The Missouri Ethics Commission fined a man who describes himself as a “citizen lobbyist” and ordered him to officially register as a lobbyist, a move he said could discourage activists from speaking for or against legislation. The commission claims there is probable cause to believe Ron Calzone, a director of Missouri First, improperly acted as a lobbyist without registering and filing paperwork. The ethics panel fined Calzone $1,000 and ordered him to stop trying to influence potential state legislation until he registers and files expenditure reports. Calzone said he does not meet the definition of a legislative lobbyist because Missouri First never specifically designated him as its lobbyist.
Rhode Island
R.I. Elections Board Issues Warning to Director
Providence Journal – Jennifer Bogdan | Published: 9/16/2015
The Rhode Island Board of Elections will fire its executive director in January unless it agrees before then that Robert Kando’s performance has drastically improved. Some areas that Kando has been told he must improve reflect recent gaffes. He was told he must give proper notification of board matters to be heard in executive session, and he must adhere to conflict-of-interest laws, both of which appear to be in response to a decision to allow former state Sen. John Celona to appeal $178,000 in campaign finance fines behind closed doors in violation of the Open Meetings Act. He has also been told he must consult with the board’s legal counsel on legal matters. Last year, without consulting counsel or the board, Kando told a Parent Teacher Organization that holding a bake sale at a polling place on Election Day could be treated as a felony.
Wisconsin – Knudson on GAB: ‘We need to take this thing apart’
Wisconsin Watchdog – M.D. Kittle | Published: 9/15/2015
State Rep. Dean Knudson laid out his plan to dismantle the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board (GAB). Republican leaders want to break down the GAB, separating it into two entities, a campaign finance/ethics commission and an elections panel. In that way the decentralized GAB would be much like its predecessor agencies. But Knudson argues that a partisan board composed of residents and administrators with limited terms is better than a so-called nonpartisan agency that has appeared to have acted in a partisan fashion. While Knudson and others have pushed for reform since late last year, their efforts have been stalled by the state budget battle and resistance from those afraid of the bad press they might receive for supporting change. Democrats have rallied around the GAB.
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
September 17, 2015 •
Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission to Amend Lobbying Rules
The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission has provided notice of a public hearing to amend Title 4, Chapter 6, Rules and Regulations for Lobbying. The proposed amendments will bring the rules and regulations in line with the provisions of Laws […]
The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission has provided notice of a public hearing to amend Title 4, Chapter 6, Rules and Regulations for Lobbying. The proposed amendments will bring the rules and regulations in line with the provisions of Laws 2012, LB 782 providing for electronic registration and reporting by lobbyists.
The public hearing will be held by the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission on October 16, 2015.
September 17, 2015 •
San Diego, CA Raises Lobbyist Fees
On September 15, the San Diego, California City Council voted unanimously to raise the registration fees for lobbyists. The new ordinance, which was approved by the Budget Committee in July, increases the annual registration from $40 to $150. Annual registration […]
On September 15, the San Diego, California City Council voted unanimously to raise the registration fees for lobbyists. The new ordinance, which was approved by the Budget Committee in July, increases the annual registration from $40 to $150. Annual registration fees paid by clients who hire lobbyists also increases from $15 to $30. These increases are the first since the enactment of lobbyist registration fees in 2008. The changes take effect January 1, 2016.
September 17, 2015 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying Kansas: “Lobbyist Lunches Rankle KanCare Critics” by Andy Marso for KCUR South Carolina: “Ethics Board: It’s legal for Haley to get season tickets” by Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) for Kitsap Sun Campaign Finance “Can Anything Be Done About All […]
Lobbying
Kansas: “Lobbyist Lunches Rankle KanCare Critics” by Andy Marso for KCUR
South Carolina: “Ethics Board: It’s legal for Haley to get season tickets” by Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) for Kitsap Sun
Campaign Finance
“Can Anything Be Done About All the Money in Politics?” by Thomas Edsall for New York Times
“Why Clinton’s Big Campaign Finance Proposal Could Lead to More Partisan Gridlock” by Max Ehrenfreund for Washington Post
“Donald Trump Is Target of Conservative Ad Campaign” by Nicholas Confessore and Alan Rappeport for New York Times
Ethics
“Across the Globe, a Growing Disillusionment with Democracy” by Roberto Foa and Yascha Mounk for New York Times
Alabama: “Legal Defense Bill Draws Alabama Ethics Commission Fire” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser
California: “Sacramento City Council Approves Ethics Package” by Cathy Locke for Sacramento Bee
Maryland: “County Ethics Commission to Grow, Get More Power under Proposed Bill” by Jen Fifield for Frederick News Post
Pennsylvania: “‘This Is Just Aggressive Government,’ Lawyer Says as Ex-Mayor Reed’s Corruption Case Goes to County Court” by Matt Miller for Harrisburg Patriot-News
September 16, 2015 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying Arizona: “Second Arizona Corporation Commissioner Regulator Found to Be Lobbyist” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic California: “San Diego Lobbyist Fee Nearly Quadruples” by David Garrick for San Diego Union-Tribune Campaign Finance “Twitter Offers New Cash Stream for Presidential […]
Lobbying
Arizona: “Second Arizona Corporation Commissioner Regulator Found to Be Lobbyist” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic
California: “San Diego Lobbyist Fee Nearly Quadruples” by David Garrick for San Diego Union-Tribune
Campaign Finance
“Twitter Offers New Cash Stream for Presidential Candidates” by Julie Bykowicz (Associated Press) for Philadelphia Inquirer
“Democrats Seek to Expand Use of ‘Super PACs’” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times
Ethics
“Statehouse Sex Scandals Carry Public Costs, Consequences” by David Lieb (Associated Press) for Charlotte Observer
Florida: “Florida Ethics Commission Balks at Forcing Spouses of Elected Officials to Reveal Finances” by Steve Bousquet for Tampa Bay Times
Minnesota:”Lawmakers Accused of ‘Making Out’ in Park Apologize for Calling Ranger a Liar” by David Montgomery and Rachel Stassen-Berger for St. Paul Pioneer Press
New York: “Leaders of Moreland Commission Panel Felt Cuomo Intervened, Prosecutors Say” by Benjamin Weiser, Thomas Kaplan, and Susanne Craig for New York Times
New York: “William Scarborough, Ex-New York Assemblyman, Is Sentenced to 13 Months” by The Associated Press for New York Times
Wisconsin: “Knudson on GAB: ‘We need to take this thing apart’” by M.D. Kittle for Wisconsin Watchdog
September 11, 2015 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 11, 2015
National: Data Scientists Create a Tool That Tracks the Influence of Lobbying Groups on Legislation Chicago Inno – Karis Hustad | Published: 9/8/2015 Though it is common practice, it is hard to track how often the language used in laws – […]
National:
Data Scientists Create a Tool That Tracks the Influence of Lobbying Groups on Legislation
Chicago Inno – Karis Hustad | Published: 9/8/2015
Though it is common practice, it is hard to track how often the language used in laws – particularly controversial ones – can come from lobbying groups, given the vast amounts of information that would need to be analyzed across 50 states. Now, the University of Chicago’s Data Science For Social Good created a tool that will launch later this year that can match legislation across state lines, offering journalists, researchers, and watchdogs an efficient way to track lobbyists’ influence. “I don’t think people are aware of when [lawmakers] do this and why,” said Matt Burgess, a doctoral student and one of the fellows on the project. “No one has been able to study at large scale how this copying happens. Legislators … know the process but no one from the outside can look in at how this diffusion happens in states over time.”
Food Industry Enlisted Academics in G.M.O. Lobbying War, Emails Show
New York Times – Eric Lipton | Published: 9/5/2015
Monsanto executives were worried about attacks on the safety of their genetically modified seeds. So Monsanto and its industry partners retooled their lobbying and public relations strategy to spotlight a rarefied group of advocates: academics, brought in for the gloss of impartiality and weight of authority that come with a professor’s pedigree. Emails obtained by The New York Times provide a rare view into the strategy and tactics of a lobbying campaign that has transformed ivory tower elites into powerful players. The use of third-party scientists, and their supposedly unbiased research, helps explain why the American public is often confused as it processes the conflicting information over genetically modified food.
Federal:
17 Democrats Ran for President in 1976. Can Today’s GOP Learn Anything from What Happened?
Politico – Julian Zelizer | Published: 9/7/2015
Conservatives worry the unruly competition for the Republican presidential nomination will undermine the capacity of any person to unite the party and win the general election. “What we’ve got is a confederation of a lot of candidates who aren’t standing out,” said one GOP establishment figure. Yet Republicans can find solace in the history the 1976 election, when approximately 17 Democrats, most current and former elected officials, competed to succeed President Gerald Ford. Despite a fractious and crowded primary battle filled with unexpected twists and turns, one candidate was eventually able to unite the party, and the Democrats took the White House in November.
Hillary Clinton Announces Campaign Finance Overhaul Plan
New York Times – Amy Chozick and Nicholas Confessore | Published: 9/8/2015
Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign unveiled its campaign finance reform plan, pledging to push for more significant disclosure of political contributions, establish a small-donor matching system for congressional and presidential candidates, and support a Securities and Exchange Commission rule requiring publicly traded companies to disclose political spending to shareholders. Clinton also said she would sign an executive order requiring federal contractors to fully disclose all political spending. The announcement was hailed by supporters of tighter financial rules for candidates, who have struggled to make political money a burning campaign issue despite surveys showing widespread disgust with current rules. But each proposal has run into resistance from Republicans and business groups.
Talk in G.O.P. Turns to a Stop Donald Trump Campaign
New York Times – Nicholas Confessore | Published: 9/4/2015
Although there is acute anxiety in the GOP about Donald Trump’s rise, no organized effort to undercut him has emerged. Republican strategists and donors have assembled focus groups to test negative messages about Trump. They have amassed dossiers on his previous support for universal health care and higher taxes. They have even discussed the creation of a super PAC to convince conservatives that Trump is not one of them. But the mammoth big-money network assembled by Republicans in recent years is torn about how best to defuse the threat Trump holds for their party, and haunted by the worry that any concerted attack will backfire.
From the States and Municipalities:
California – San Jose Commission Will Investigate Nearly the Entire City Council
San Jose Mercury News – Ramona Giwargis | Published: 9/9/2015
The San Jose Ethics Commission will investigate nearly 40 city council members and candidates who violated the law by failing to properly report late campaign contributions. Council members blamed City Clerk Toni Taber for doling out bad advice that led to confusion about filing deadlines. The commission determined the unprecedented broad investigation was the only way to stop people from filing individual complaints against each violator.
Hawaii – Lawsuit Exposes Blind Spot in Hawaii Lobbyist Law
Honolulu Civil Beat – Ian Lind | Published: 9/9/2015
Hawaii has filed suit against Ciber, accusing it of misrepresenting its capabilities when competing for a contract to design and implement a new accounting system for the Department of Transportation (DOT), and then fraudulently billing the state even as the new system failed test after test, and fell behind schedule. The state is seeking to recover the $8 million it paid Ciber, plus millions more in damages. The lawsuit alleges Ciber hired Capital Consultants and one of its principals, John Radcliffe, to lobby within Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s administration. The state alleges Ciber’s lobbying succeeded in getting the governor’s office to intervene and insulate the company from DOT’s increasing demands. Hawaii law does not regulate the kind of lobbying alleged in the lawsuit, because it was aimed at influencing the governor’s office and the state administration rather than members of the Legislature.
Maine – Maine Voters Hope To Restore Their Revolutionary Election System
Huffington Post – Paul Blumenthal | Published: 9/4/2015
Maine was the first state to enact a public financing system for statewide elections. This year, it hopes to become the first state to fix the damage inflicted on clean elections by multiple U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Deb Simpson, who served in the state Legislature from 2000 to 2010, was a single mother working as a waitress when she first ran for office using public funds. She said the system gave her “the resources without having to figure out how to ask for money from donors when I really didn’t live in that world.” But after the Supreme Court expanded the ability of corporations and unions to influence elections, participation in Maine’s system dropped as the state was inundated with spending by outside groups and public funding participants were left with no backstop of matching funds.
Missouri – Report: Lobbyist goodies for Missouri lawmakers topped $10M over past decade
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Kevin McDermott | Published: 9/9/2015
Progress Missouri analyzed lobbyist-disclosure reports of the state Ethics Commission going back to 2004 and found lawmakers accepted an average of nearly $1 million a year in gifts from lobbyists. The bulk of that spending fell under a provision in the law that allows lobbyists to report their expenditures as going to groups, such as certain committees or caucuses, without specifying which lawmakers were the actual recipients. Among the top recipients was former Sen. Paul LeVota, who recently resigned following sexual harassment allegations from two of his legislative interns.
Missouri – When It Comes to Behavior, Legislators Aren’t Expected to Change When They Return to Jeff City
St. Louis Public Radio – Jo Mannies and Marshall Griffin | Published: 9/8/2015
When legislators return to the Missouri capital for their annual veto session, they will also be gathering for the first time since the furor over sexual misconduct allegations involving interns sent two top lawmakers packing. The alcohol will be flowing at J. Pfenny’s sports bar as several lawmakers, or hopefuls, hold simultaneous fundraisers at the popular bar situated just a couple blocks from the Capitol. Sean Nicholson, executive director of watchdog group Progress Missouri recalls someone else’s description of the General Assembly’s ambience that he says rings true: “It’s like freshman year in college: lots of free booze, lots of 19-year-old girls, and nobody’s done their homework.”
New Jersey – United C.E.O. Is Out Amid Inquiry at Port Authority
New York Times – Kate Zernike and Jad Mouawad | Published: 9/8/2015
United ousted Chief Executive Officer Jeff Smisek and two of his lieutenants while federal investigators probe the airline’s ties to David Samson, the former chairperson of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Smisek’s abrupt exit added a new element to the inquiry into whether Samson got United to restart a money-losing route to his weekend home in South Carolina in exchange for political favors. A longtime ally of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Samson resigned in the wake of “Bridgegate,” a scandal in which Christie staffers and appointees appeared to collude to create traffic jams, allegedly to hurt the mayor of Fort Lee, who had not endorsed Christie in that year’s gubernatorial campaign. The probe initially centered on the lane closures, but it has expanded into other behavior at the authority.
New York – LLC Loophole Penalty Could Hinder NY Donors
Albany Times Union – Chris Bragg | Published: 9/8/2015
A settlement agreement was reached in a lawsuit filed by the state Board of Elections’ independent enforcement counsel Risa Sugarman targeting the “LLC loophole.” Sugarman filed the suit against former New York Assembly candidate Shirley Patterson and her campaign treasurer. It challenged the idea that coordinated donations to Patterson’s campaign made through various limited liability companies allegedly controlled by the same person count separately under contribution limits. The suit contended several donors exceeded the $4,100 cap for an individual in the race. Patterson’s campaign committee will pay $10,000 to end the lawsuit. Legal experts said the payment and the precedent of the settlement could act as a near-term deterrent to LLC giving.
New York – Serpico, Seeking Seat on Town Board, Sees Corruption and Pledges to Fight It
New York Times – Corey Kilgannon | Published: 9/5/2015
Frank Serpico is running for a seat on the five-member town board in Stuyvesant, New York, a town of about 2,200 people. Serpico’s whistle-blowing as a New York City police officer made him a household name, led to the formation of the Knapp Commission to investigate corruption, and resulted in a best-selling book and critically acclaimed film starring Al Pacino. For Serpico, who is constantly complaining about a lack of integrity among politicians, it is the first time he has stepped into the political arena.
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
September 10, 2015 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “Food Industry Enlisted Academics in G.M.O. Lobbying War, Emails Show” by Eric Lipton for New York Times “Akin Gump, Nation’s Largest Lobbying Firm, to Launch New Cuba Practice” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post “Data Scientists Create a Tool […]
Lobbying
“Food Industry Enlisted Academics in G.M.O. Lobbying War, Emails Show” by Eric Lipton for New York Times
“Akin Gump, Nation’s Largest Lobbying Firm, to Launch New Cuba Practice” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post
“Data Scientists Create a Tool That Tracks the Influence of Lobbying Groups on Legislation” by Karis Hustad for Chicago Inno
Hawaii: “Lawsuit Exposes Blind Spot in Hawaii Lobbyist Law” by Ian Lind for Honolulu Civil Beat
Campaign Finance
“Why Rich Political Donors Are Wasting a Lot of Money” by Rick Newman for Yahoo Finance
“Hillary Clinton Announces Campaign Finance Overhaul Plan” by Amy Chozick and Nicholas Confessore for New York Times
Arizona: “Arizona Utility Regulators Seek Legal Advice on Dark Money” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic
Maryland: “Md. Strengthens Disclosure of Political Activity by Contractors” by John Fritze for Baltimore Sun
Ethics
Missouri: “When It Comes to Behavior, Legislators Aren’t Expected to Change When They Return to Jeff City” by Jo Mannies and Marshall Griffin for St. Louis Public Radio
New Jersey: “United C.E.O. Is Out Amid Inquiry at Port Authority” by Kate Zernike and Jad Mouawad for New York Times
New Mexico: “As New Mexico Scandals Grow, Democrats Hope to Tarnish Governor” by Fernanda Santos for New York Times
Oregon: “New John Kitzhaber Emails Show Deeper Cylvia Hayes Influence” by Laura Gunderson for Portland Oregonian
Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Welfare Employees Targeted in Crackdown” by Kari Andren for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Washington: “Most States Ban Lawmakers from Holding Two Offices, but Not Washington” by Melissa Santos (Tacoma News Tribune) for The Olympian
Elections
“Talk in G.O.P. Turns to a Stop Donald Trump Campaign” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times
“Serpico, Seeking Seat on Town Board, Sees Corruption and Pledges to Fight It” by Corey Kilgannon for New York Times
Procurement
“Obama Orders Federal Contractors to Provide Workers Paid Sick Leave” by Peter Baker for New York Times
September 9, 2015 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Campaign Finance California: “‘Power Search’ Offers New Tool to Follow California Campaign Money” by Jim Miller for Sacramento Bee Florida: “Miami Beach Commissioner Closing Controversial Relentless for Progress PAC” by Joey Flechas for Miami Herald Iowa: “Iowa’s Medicaid Management: A […]
Campaign Finance
California: “‘Power Search’ Offers New Tool to Follow California Campaign Money” by Jim Miller for Sacramento Bee
Florida: “Miami Beach Commissioner Closing Controversial Relentless for Progress PAC” by Joey Flechas for Miami Herald
Iowa: “Iowa’s Medicaid Management: A game of pay to play?” by Jason Clayworth for Des Moines Register
Maine: “Maine Voters Hope To Restore Their Revolutionary Election System” by Paul Blumenthal for Huffington Post
Montana: “Rules Aimed at Cracking down on Campaign ‘Dark Money’ Come in for Criticism” by Mike Dennison for KPAX
Ethics
“Sanders to Introduce Bill Targeting High Drug Prices” by Peter Sullivan for The Hill
“Report Finds ‘Reason to Believe’ Rep. Honda’s Campaign Blurred Ethics Lines” by Noah Bierman for Los Angeles Times
Elections
California: “California Is Trying Everything to Get More People to Vote” by Alice Ollstein for ThinkProgress
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