February 28, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Campaign Finance “U.S. Top Court Rejects Challenge to Political Ad Disclosure Rules” by Andrew Chung (Reuters) for U.S. News & World Report West Virginia: “WV House Bill Requires Fundraiser Reports During 60-Day Session” by Eric Eyre for Charleston Gazette Wisconsin: […]
Campaign Finance
“U.S. Top Court Rejects Challenge to Political Ad Disclosure Rules” by Andrew Chung (Reuters) for U.S. News & World Report
West Virginia: “WV House Bill Requires Fundraiser Reports During 60-Day Session” by Eric Eyre for Charleston Gazette
Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Ethics Commission Records Taken in John Doe Leak Probe” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Elections
“Democrats Elect Thomas Perez, Establishment Favorite, as Party Chairman” by Jonathan Martin for New York Times
Ethics
“Trump Inspires Encryption Boom in Leaky D.C.” by Andrew Restuccia and Nancy Cook for Politico
Minnesota: “For Local Officials with Family Ties, Transparency Counts” by Brandt Williams for Minnesota Public Radio
Washington: “Ethics Board Fines Puyallup Lawmaker $5,000 over Facebook Posts” by Melissa Santos for The News Tribune
Lobbying
Florida: “Senator Seeks Probe into Whether Lobbyist Lisa Miller Posed as ‘Concerned Citizen’ During Call” by Michael Malone for Florida Today
Illinois: “Six More Lobbyists Face Fines for Using Emanuel’s Private Emails” by Fran Spielman for Chicago Sun-Times
New York: “Reform Groups Call on Wright to Drop Dual Role” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
February 6, 2017 •
Monday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Campaign Finance “Trump Vows to ‘Totally Destroy’ Restrictions on Churches’ Support of Candidates” by John Wagner and Julie Zauzmer for The Washington Post “State Democrats Say Federal Campaign Finance Probe Has Ended” by Susan Haigh (Associated Press) for The Washington […]
Campaign Finance
“Trump Vows to ‘Totally Destroy’ Restrictions on Churches’ Support of Candidates” by John Wagner and Julie Zauzmer for The Washington Post
“State Democrats Say Federal Campaign Finance Probe Has Ended” by Susan Haigh (Associated Press) for The Washington Times
Ethics
New York: “JCOPE Staff Lays Out Legislative Wish List” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
Pennsylvania: “Council Members Regularly Missing Mandated Ethics Training” by Tricia Nadolny for Philadelphia Inquirer
Pennsylvania: “Farnese Acquitted in Federal Fraud Trial” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer
South Dakota: “Daugaard Signs Ethics Repeal Bill” by John Axtell (Associated Press) for KCSR
Legislative Issues
Washington: “State Lawmaker Defends Dual Jobs in Senate, Trump Administration” by Walker Orenstein for Tacoma News Tribune
Lobbying
“Marijuana Lobby Goes Mainstream” by Reid Wilson for The Hill
Nebraska: “Ernie Chambers Continues Effort to Stop Lobbyist Meals for Senators” by Zach Pluhacek for Lincoln Journal Star
Tennessee: “Analysis: The power of Tennessee lobbyists” by Dave Boucher for The Tennessean
January 18, 2017 •
Ethics Bill Passes Missouri House
Ethics reform legislation passed the Missouri House Tuesday afternoon with wide bipartisan support. House Bill 60 would prohibit lobbyists and lobbyist principals from making expenditures for state public officials or for their staff, spouses, or dependent children. An exception would […]
Ethics reform legislation passed the Missouri House Tuesday afternoon with wide bipartisan support.
House Bill 60 would prohibit lobbyists and lobbyist principals from making expenditures for state public officials or for their staff, spouses, or dependent children.
An exception would remain for event expenditures if all members of the Legislature or all statewide officials are invited in writing. For clarity, the bill would subsequently remove any unnecessary lobbyist reporting requirements.
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
January 18, 2017 •
South Dakota Senators Decide Not to Restrict Lobbyists
The Senate Committee on Legislative Procedure decided to table consideration of a proposed new rule to ban lobbyists from the chamber and adjacent hallways during working hours. The measure came up for a vote yesterday and the committee voted unanimously […]
The Senate Committee on Legislative Procedure decided to table consideration of a proposed new rule to ban lobbyists from the chamber and adjacent hallways during working hours.
The measure came up for a vote yesterday and the committee voted unanimously to let the lobbyists stay. Lawmakers could decide to reconsider adoption of the proposal any time during the legislative session.
January 17, 2017 •
Texas Legislators Push for Ethics Reform
Legislators will attempt to pass a major ethics reform for the second time after their effort during the 2015 legislative session failed. The plan gained wide spread support in 2015 but was ultimately defeated in the House due to a […]
Legislators will attempt to pass a major ethics reform for the second time after their effort during the 2015 legislative session failed. The plan gained wide spread support in 2015 but was ultimately defeated in the House due to a provision increasing donor disclosure requirements for dark money groups.
The new reform package, Senate Bill 14, has four main provisions to:
- Prohibit politicians convicted of felony corruption charges from collecting state pensions
- Require disclosure if companies a lobbyist is tied to have received government contracts or served as bond counsel to a governmental entity
- Decrease the amount of money lobbyists can spend on food and drinks for legislators without triggering disclosure
- Ban registered lobbyists from running for elected office
Sen. Van Taylor who is sponsoring Senate Bill 14 has said reform is needed beyond the provisions of the reform package and will continue to file additional ethics bills. While Senate Bill 14 has not yet been filed, Taylor has filed Senate Bill 137 aiming to prohibit state agencies from using state funds to employ a person who is registered as a lobbyist or who engages in lobbying activities.
Gov. Greg Abbott supports the passage of an ethics package.
Photo of the Texas State Capitol By LoneStarMike via Wikimedia Commons
January 11, 2017 •
Wednesday Government Relations News Roundup
Lobbying Colorado: “Denver Council Approves Gift-Report Rules That Require More Frequency, Better Access” by Jon Murray for Denver Post Campaign Finance “Betsy DeVos, Trump’s Education Pick, Plays Hardball with Her Wealth” by Noam Scheiber for New York Times Alaska: “Group […]
Lobbying
Colorado: “Denver Council Approves Gift-Report Rules That Require More Frequency, Better Access” by Jon Murray for Denver Post
Campaign Finance
“Betsy DeVos, Trump’s Education Pick, Plays Hardball with Her Wealth” by Noam Scheiber for New York Times
Alaska: “Group Appeals Lawsuit Challenging Alaska Campaign Finance Laws” by Alex DeMarban for Alaska Dispatch News
California: “How This Former Aspiring Screenwriter Became One of California’s Campaign Finance Experts After Losing His Day Job” by Christine Mai-Duc for Los Angeles Times
Pennsylvania: “D.A. Candidate Donates $250,000 to Own Campaign, Triggering ‘Millionaire’s Provision’” by Jared Brey for Philadelphia Magazine
Ethics
“Trump’s Son-in-Law, Jared Kushner, to Join White House as Senior Adviser; No Formal Role for Ivanka Trump” by John Wagner and Ashley Parker for Washington Post
“House GOP Quietly Shields Lawmakers Records from Ethics Probes” by Eric Pianin (Fiscal Times) for Yahoo! Finance
Florida: “Opa-locka Politician Pleads Guilty to Bribery, as FBI Continues Corruption Probe” by Jay Weaver for Miami Herald
South Carolina: “Merrill Indictment Casts Pall Over Opening of SC Legislature” by Avery Wilks for The State
South Dakota: “Krebs Offers Package to Replace SD Ethics Initiative Under Fire” by James Nord (Associated Press) for Sioux City Journal
Tennessee: “To Combat Sexual Harassment, Tennessee Lawmakers Required to Watch 15-Minute Video” by Joel Ebert for The Tennessean
Vermont: “Hopes High for State Ethics Panel” by Neal Goswami for Rutland Herald
January 6, 2017 •
News You Can Use Digest – January 6, 2017
National: One Person, One Algorithm, One Vote: Campaigns are doing more with data, for better or worse Capital Times – Katelyn Farrell | Published: 1/3/2017 After an election where political campaigns were blamed or credited for relying on voter data to an unprecedented […]
National:
One Person, One Algorithm, One Vote: Campaigns are doing more with data, for better or worse
Capital Times – Katelyn Farrell | Published: 1/3/2017
After an election where political campaigns were blamed or credited for relying on voter data to an unprecedented degree, Young Mie Kim, a professor and researcher at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, is studying how campaigns used that data across the country. Much like how businesses market products, political campaigns are increasingly focusing on sophisticated data-driven calculations, used to persuade voters and get them to the polls. Those predictions inform campaign strategy and often dictate how a candidate interacts with the electorate.
Federal:
House Republicans, Under Fire, Back Down on Gutting Ethics Office
New York Times – Eric Lipton and Matt Flegenheimer | Published: 1/3/2017
House Republicans abruptly withdrew a proposal to weaken an ethics watchdog in a rocky start to the new Congress. The 115th session had not even formally gaveled in before House leaders held an emergency meeting to discuss blowback against the GOP’s vote to eviscerate the independent the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE). The reversal came hours after President-elect Donald Trump issued a series of tweets questioning the timing of the changes, which would put the OCE under oversight of the House Committee on Ethics. Even before Trump weighed in, a barrage of negative headlines and public outcry made it difficult for Republicans to stand by the measure.
House Votes to Require Disclosure of Presidential Library Donations
The Hill – Megan Wilson and Cristina Marcos | Published: 1/4/2017
The U.S. House passed a bill that would give the public a better view of donations going to presidential libraries. It is the fourth time since 2002 that the House has approved the bipartisan legislation, known as the Presidential Library Donation Reform Act. The bill has died in the Senate each time it has been introduced. The bill would require quarterly disclosure of donations to presidential libraries totaling $200 or more. While lobbyists and organizations that hire them must file semi-annual reports listing all political donations, which include any financial or in-kind gifts to presidential library nonprofits, those foundations are not required to disclose their donors. Lawmakers of both parties said letting the public know who is donating to outgoing presidents’ libraries would shine light on potential “pay-to-play” attempts.
Rep. Duncan Hunter’s Team Responds to Uproar Over Rabbit Expenses
Yahoo News – Michael Walsh | Published: 1/4/2017
U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter spent $600 of his campaign funds in “cabin rabbit transport fees.” The pet travel was part of $62,000 in personal or not properly documented campaign expenses that Hunter has reimbursed his campaign for. The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) conducted a review of Hunter’s campaign spending last year. According to Hunter spokesperson Joe Kasper, there was “no intent” by Hunter to misuse campaign funds on personal matters. Hunter’s team intentionally floated the rabbit story to demonstrate how, from its perspective, the OCE has misconstrued simple mistakes as unethical conduct.
Trump and Julian Assange, an Unlikely Pair, Unite to Sow Hacking Doubts
New York Times – Scott Shane | Published: 1/4/2017
President-elect Donald Trump recently tweeted praise for a man most Republicans wanted nothing to do with – Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. It was not the first time Trump had praised WikiLeaks. During his campaign for president, he highlighted emails stolen from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Since then, Trump has continued praising the radical transparency group, harshly criticized by President Obama and other officials for what they describe as damaging national security leaks. And Trump has been in sync with conservative media, once critical of WikiLeaks, which increasingly embraces Assange as a hero.
Trump to Face Sworn Deposition in Coming Days
Politico – Josh Gerstein | Published: 1/5/2017
With President-elect Donald Trump’s swearing-in fast approaching, many of the high-profile lawsuits that entangled him during the campaign are all but certain to carry on through his inauguration and into his tenure at the White House, and he will even inherit some new ones. Trump and his companies face scores of pending lawsuits, including cases claiming skimming of tips at his New York SoHo hotel, seeking refunds of millions of dollars in membership fees charged by his country club in Jupiter, Florida, and alleging his security personnel assaulted protesters outside Trump Tower. And in a bizarre twist, Trump’s Justice Department will find itself defending against a slew of lawsuits relating to Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while she was secretary of state.
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama – Governor Bentley Has Former Rep. Terry Spicer Removed from State Job
Dothan Eagle; Staff – | Published: 1/4/2017
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley says a former state representative, who pleaded guilty to bribing a lobbyist, will no longer work at a state liquor store. Bentley said he told his chief of staff to advise the Alcohol Beverage Control Board that former Rep. Terry Spicer will not be employed. Spicer pleaded guilty in 2011 to taking cash and a ski vacation from a lobbyist. Spicer, a former school superintendent and community college employee, needs more time in state employment to draw his pension.
Arkansas – Arkansas State Legislator Neal Pleads Guilty in Kickbacks Scheme
Arkansas Online – Doug Thompson | Published: 1/5/2017
Arkansas Rep. Micah Neal pleaded guilty to directing state funds to two nonprofit organizations in exchange for kickbacks. As part of his plea, Neal admitted that between January 2013 and January 2015, while serving in the House, he conspired with a state senator to use their official positions to appropriate budget surplus funds, known as General Improvement Fund money, to two nonprofit organizations in exchange for bribes. The unnamed state senator involved is described in court documents as serving “in the Arkansas Senate from 2013 to the present. Prior to his service in the Arkansas Senate, Senator ‘A’ serves as a representative in the Arkansas House of Representative from 2007 to 2012.” Four members of the state Senate have political careers that fit that description.
California – Political Donations Flow as Rick Caruso Seeks Approval for a 20-Story Tower Near the Beverly Center
Los Angeles Times – David Zahniser | Published: 12/28/2016
Real estate developer Rick Caruso has been a reliable benefactor at Los Angeles City Hall, giving big donations to the city’s politicians and their pet causes. Now, Caruso wants the mayor and city council to approve a 20-story residential tower on a site where new buildings are currently limited to a height of 45 feet. Opponents of the project view Caruso’s political contributions with alarm, saying the steady stream of money has undermined their confidence in the city’s planning process.
Florida – Ron Book Is Big Winner in Local Government Lobbying Contracts
Miami Herald – Steve Bousquet | Published: 1/3/2017
The Florida House is now posting copies of contracts between lobbyists and local governments online and nearly half of the first set of contracts posted are with Ron Book, who has been a fixture in the halls of the Capitol for four decades and has built local government lobbying work into a cottage industry in the state. Lobbyists hired to represent local governments often get unparalleled access to the powerful because they make campaign contributions, which cities and counties cannot do.
Indiana – State Senator Introduces Ethics Bill to Ban All Gifts from Lobbyists
WTHR – Bob Segall | Published: 1/3/2017
Indiana Sen. Mike introduced a bill that would make it illegal for lawmakers to accept a gift from a lobbyist. Gifts prohibited by the proposed legislation would include anything that has value, such as tickets to athletic events, and anything that may be classified as entertainment. The bill would also require lobbyists to keep a public log of all communication with lawmakers, and lobbyists would have to update those logs frequently. Texts and emails between lobbyists and state lawmakers would for the first time become public records.
Missouri – Missouri Campaign Contribution Limits Remain in Place After Latest Hearing
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Kurt Erickson | Published: 12/29/2016
In a federal court hearing, opponents of a new Missouri law limiting campaign contributions withdrew a request to block the caps. U.S. District Court Judge Catherine Perry said she wants to first hear arguments about the merits and pitfalls of the new limits before deciding whether to place a temporary hold on the caps while the lawsuit moves through the legal system. Under the change to the state constitution, Missouri voters capped donations to individual candidates at $2,600 per election. Maximum contributions to a political party would be set at $25,000.
Montana – Montana Fails to Retain Decades of Emails Despite Open Government Law
The Missoulian – Jayme Fraser | Published: 1/2/2017
The state archives are supposed to be the final destination for the most important records about Montana government and how leaders made their decisions. Experts say the fact that no emails are saved there is a sign something is wrong. They describe a two-pronged problem: agencies are deleting emails too soon and the archives do not have the storage or equipment to accept them. As a result, Montanans have lost decades of public information. Retention decisions are made by individual state agencies, and few of them have preserved emails consistently, if at all.
New York – Why Developers of Manhattan Luxury Towers Give Millions to Upstate Candidates
ProPublica.org – Cezary Podkul and Derek Kravitz (ProPublica), and Will Parker (The Real Deal) | Published: 12/30/2016
ProPublica and The Real Deal mapped contributions from limited liability companies and individuals tied to the 60 biggest developers of New York City rental properties receiving a lucrative state subsidy. While it has long been known that developers donate a lot of money to state elections, the analysis shows for the first time just how tactical the industry is about bankrolling candidates across the state that are friendly to its cause. The state oversees New York City’s system of capping rent increases, known as rent stabilization. By influencing state elections, developers have undermined rent stabilization and preserved a key tax break that saves them far more money than they spend on political campaigns.
South Carolina – South Carolina’s Pending Ethics Commission Isn’t All That Independent, Experts Say
Charleston Post and Courier – Maya Prabhu | Published: 1/3/2017
South Carolina lawmakers voted last year to create an eight-member Ethics Commission that will be appointed by April 1. While outside groups applauded the move in the wake of scandals in the state, others cautioned there is still room for politics to creep in. Many give South Carolina credit for taking a step, however small, toward having its suspect lawmakers investigated by a separate entity when accused of wrongdoing.
Tennessee – Attorney General Says Political Fundraisers at TN Governor’s Mansion, State Property Legal
Chattanooga Times Free Press – Andy Sher | Published: 1/5/2017
Holding campaign fundraisers at the governor’s mansion and other state property is legal, said an opinion issued by Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery. In an unrelated opinion, Slatery said social media accounts that are created and maintained by a municipality can be a matter of public record.
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.
December 22, 2016 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “A Lobbying Roadmap to Influencing Trump” by Isaac Arnsdorf for Politico “Nuclear Weapon Firms Pay to Settle Illegal Lobbying Cases” by Patrick Malone (Center for Public Integrity) for USA Today “Trump’s Ex-Campaign Manager Starts Lobbying Firm” by Shane Goldmacher, […]
Lobbying
“A Lobbying Roadmap to Influencing Trump” by Isaac Arnsdorf for Politico
“Nuclear Weapon Firms Pay to Settle Illegal Lobbying Cases” by Patrick Malone (Center for Public Integrity) for USA Today
“Trump’s Ex-Campaign Manager Starts Lobbying Firm” by Shane Goldmacher, Isaac Arnsdorf, Josh Dawsey, and Kenneth Vogel for Politico
Campaign Finance
“The Future of Campaign Finance Reform Is at The State and Local Level” by Paul Blumenthal for Huffington Post
California: “State Investigation Clears Coastal Commissioner of Improperly Voting for a Pismo Beach Housing Project” by Dan Weikel for Los Angeles Times
Ethics
“Trump Team Discussing ‘Half-Blind’ Trust for Conflicts of Interest” by Josh Gerstein for Politico
“Access to Donald Trump, for $500,000: Pitfalls for Presidents’ Families” by Eric Lipton for New York Times
Colorado: “Denver Officials Move Closer to Listing Their Gifts Online and Tightening Ethics Rules” by Jon Murray for Denver Post
New York: “N.Y. Pay-to-Play Plot Fueled by Bribes, U.S. Says” by Bob Van Voris and Chris Dolmetsch for Bloomberg.com
North Carolina: “NC Senator Seeking Money from Program He Created” by Mark Binker for WRAL
South Carolina: “Smarter Corruption: How Lost Trust evolved into ‘Capitol Gains’” by Tony Bartelme and Doug Pardue for Charleston Post & Courier
November 18, 2016 •
Georgia Sets Lobbyist Registration Renewal Period for 2017
The Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission has announced the lobbyist registration renewal window for 2017. Current lobbyists who do not owe any fees, fines, penalties, or reports may renew their registrations online beginning December 1, 2016, until 12:00 […]
The Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission has announced the lobbyist registration renewal window for 2017.
Current lobbyists who do not owe any fees, fines, penalties, or reports may renew their registrations online beginning December 1, 2016, until 12:00 p.m. on January 13, 2017. Lobbyists who fail to timely renew their registration must register as a new lobbyist using paper forms.
Lobbyist badges are also expected to be sent much sooner than in past years. The Commission has asked lobbyists to allow up to two weeks for badges to be delivered.
November 17, 2016 •
Lobbyists Need Not Apply For High-Level Posts with Trump Administration
Lobbyists hoping to work for President-elect Donald J. Trump will have to terminate their lobbyist registrations to be vetted for high-level positions, according to CNN. Additionally, as an agreement to work with the next administration, officials leaving their future positions […]
Lobbyists hoping to work for President-elect Donald J. Trump will have to terminate their lobbyist registrations to be vetted for high-level positions, according to CNN.
Additionally, as an agreement to work with the next administration, officials leaving their future positions will be banned from lobbying for five years. Republican National Committee spokesman Sean Spicer says the goal of the ban is to make sure “people aren’t using the government to enrich themselves and using their service in government to do that.”
Trump’s transition team told CNN this will help fulfill Trump’s campaign promise to “drain the swamp” in Washington.
November 16, 2016 •
Florida’s Incoming Speaker Proposes Rules Changes for Lobbyists
Speaker-Designate Richard Corcoran recently proposed sweeping changes to House Rules for when lawmakers return to Tallahassee next year. Corcoran is specifically taking aim at lobbyists and their interactions with House members. Some of the proposed changes include banning lobbyists from […]
Speaker-Designate Richard Corcoran recently proposed sweeping changes to House Rules for when lawmakers return to Tallahassee next year. Corcoran is specifically taking aim at lobbyists and their interactions with House members.
Some of the proposed changes include banning lobbyists from texting lawmakers while in committee or in the House chamber, proposing a constitutional amendment banning elected officials from lobbying for six years after leaving office, and requiring lobbyists to disclose the bill or amendment they are trying to influence.
Newly elected lawmakers will be sworn in on November 22, 2016, and the 2017 regular session will begin on March 7.
November 7, 2016 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Lobbying Commissioner Karen Shepherd Won’t Seek Another Term” by Marco Vigliotti for The Hill Times “K Street Says Social Media Is Growing Faster Than Traditional Lobbying as Way to Influence Washington” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post “Top Lobbyists […]
Lobbying
“Lobbying Commissioner Karen Shepherd Won’t Seek Another Term” by Marco Vigliotti for The Hill Times
“K Street Says Social Media Is Growing Faster Than Traditional Lobbying as Way to Influence Washington” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post
“Top Lobbyists 2016: Grassroots” by The Hill Staff for The Hill
“Top Lobbyists 2016: Associations” by The Hill Staff for The Hill
“JCOPE Hits Lobbyist with $180K Fine for Failure to File, Repeatedly” by Rick Karlin for Albany Times Union
Campaign Finance
“Washington Judge Fines Food Group $18M in 2013 GMO Fight” by Phuong Lee and Rachel LaCorte (Associated Press) for Fresno Bee
Ethics
“Lobbyist for State Aids Pence Campaign” by Brian Slodysko (Associated Press) for Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette
Elections
“Who Are You Writing In? The Overwhelming Allure of Voting for Someone Who Won’t Win.” by Amy Argetsinger for Washington Post
“Emails Warrant No New Action Against Hillary Clinton, F.B.I. Director Says.” by Matt Apuzzo, Michael S. Schmidt and Adam Goldman for New York Times
September 22, 2016 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying New York:”Uber Gets Creative in Lobbying for Expansion into Upstate NY” by Patrick Lohmann for NewYorkUpstate.com Campaign Finance “Sheldon Adelson Focuses on Congressional Races, Despite Donald Trump’s Pleas” by Nicholas Confessore and Maggie Haberman for New York Times “GOP […]
Lobbying
New York:”Uber Gets Creative in Lobbying for Expansion into Upstate NY” by Patrick Lohmann for NewYorkUpstate.com
Campaign Finance
“Sheldon Adelson Focuses on Congressional Races, Despite Donald Trump’s Pleas” by Nicholas Confessore and Maggie Haberman for New York Times
“GOP Beat Fundraising Goal for Convention, New Filings Show” by Megan Wilson for The Hill
“Why Campaign Finance Laws Probably Won’t Stop Hannity and Lewandowski from Helping Trump” by Callum Borchers for Washington Post
California: “State Agency Under Fire for Pressuring Open-Government Groups It Regulates to Change Position on Legislation” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times
Florida: “Campaign-Finance Rules Won’t Be on Miami-Dade Ballot” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald
Iowa: “Ron Paul Aides Avoid Jail Time in Endorsement Scheme” by Grant Rodgers for Des Moines Register
Missouri: “Campaign Contribution Limits Clear First Hurdle in the City” by Rachel Lippmann for KWMU
Ethics
California: “Changes Coming to San Diego Ethics Commission” by David Garrick for San Diego Union-Tribune
Texas: “Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller Admits to Getting ‘Jesus Shot’ but Avoids Criminal Charges” by Lauren McGaughy for Dallas Morning News
Elections
“Donald Trump Jr.’s Skittles Post on Twitter Fits a Pattern” by Jason Horowitz for New York Times
August 3, 2016 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “Lobbyists Woo Potential Freshmen Long Before Election Day” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call California: “S.F. Ballot Measure Takes Aim at Lobbyists’ Fundraising” by Noah Arroyo for San Francisco Public Press California: “Billion-Dollar Beverly Hills Development Challenged Because of […]
Lobbying
“Lobbyists Woo Potential Freshmen Long Before Election Day” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call
California: “S.F. Ballot Measure Takes Aim at Lobbyists’ Fundraising” by Noah Arroyo for San Francisco Public Press
California: “Billion-Dollar Beverly Hills Development Challenged Because of Ex-Mayor’s Lobbying” by Kim Christensen for Los Angeles Times
California: “Bill to Ban Private Communications by California’s Coastal Commissioners Gets Sidetracked” by Dan Weikel for Los Angeles Times
Campaign Finance
“Women Are Finally Breaking into the Top Tier of Political Donors” by Matea Gold for Washington Post
“Court: Super PAC Can Use Candidates’ Names” by Josh Gerstein for Politico
Minnesota: “New Boss at Minnesota Campaign Board Is Old Hand” by Brian Bakst for Minnesota Public Radio
Elections
“Left Turns to Ballot Measures to Enact Political Change” by Reid Wilson for The Hill
“The States Where Third-Party Candidates Perform Best” by Russell Berman and Andrew McGill for The Atlantic
North Dakota: “Federal Judge Bars North Dakota from Enforcing Restrictive Voter ID Law” by Michael Wines for New York Times
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