January 11, 2017 •
Missouri Ethics Bill Moves Through House
A Missouri ethics bill, being fast-tracked through the House, cleared committee yesterday with just three dissenting votes. The bill would prohibit legislators from receiving certain gifts from lobbyists. Exemptions to the proposed ban would include honorary plaques, flowers and gifts […]
A Missouri ethics bill, being fast-tracked through the House, cleared committee yesterday with just three dissenting votes.
The bill would prohibit legislators from receiving certain gifts from lobbyists. Exemptions to the proposed ban would include honorary plaques, flowers and gifts customarily received by someone before they became a legislator.
The bill is just one of a handful of ethics bills on the legislative agenda. The measure could hit the House floor as early as Thursday.
January 11, 2017 •
Missouri Attorney General Issues New Ethics Policy
Republican Attorney General Josh Hawley implemented a new ethics policy on Tuesday, January 10. His employees are now prohibited from accepting gifts from lobbyists. The policy also prohibits staff from discussing business of the attorney general’s office with anyone attempting […]
Republican Attorney General Josh Hawley implemented a new ethics policy on Tuesday, January 10. His employees are now prohibited from accepting gifts from lobbyists.
The policy also prohibits staff from discussing business of the attorney general’s office with anyone attempting to lobby on behalf of a client, unless such person is a registered lobbyist. This includes licensed attorneys who fall within the scope of state lobbying law.
Hawley’s policy also establishes a pay-to-play provision prohibiting campaign contributions from those who have applied for or who have pending state contracts if the attorney general’s office has decision-making authority over the contract. Hawley’s ethics policy is effective immediately.
January 10, 2017 •
Greitens Issues Executive Order Banning Lobbyist Gifts to Executive Branch Employees
Almost immediately upon being sworn in as Missouri governor, Eric Greitens issued an executive order banning lobbyist gifts to executive branch employees. The order also establishes a revolving door provision, prohibiting gubernatorial staff from lobbying his office after leaving their […]
Almost immediately upon being sworn in as Missouri governor, Eric Greitens issued an executive order banning lobbyist gifts to executive branch employees.
The order also establishes a revolving door provision, prohibiting gubernatorial staff from lobbying his office after leaving their positions.
At the Capitol, Republican lawmakers held a meeting yesterday to endorse a bill to expand the executive order by banning most lobbyist gifts to legislators. The actions are part of an effort to reform state ethics laws and curb government corruption.
January 6, 2017 •
Special Election Needed in Missouri House District 50
Caleb Jones (R) will leave the state House District 50 seat vacant when he joins Governor-elect Eric Greitens (R) as the new Deputy Chief of Staff starting January 9. Ashland Republican Party State Committeewoman Sara Walsh (R) announced her candidacy […]
Caleb Jones (R) will leave the state House District 50 seat vacant when he joins Governor-elect Eric Greitens (R) as the new Deputy Chief of Staff starting January 9.
Ashland Republican Party State Committeewoman Sara Walsh (R) announced her candidacy for the position this week. Until the special election to replace Jones, an office in the capitol dedicated to constituent services for members of his district will remain active.
December 29, 2016 •
Businesses Sue Over Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2
Constitutional Amendment 2, a reform measure approved in November, is facing a second legal challenge in federal court from plaintiffs who claim the amendment unconstitutionally restricts free speech and association. The suit was filed by Farmers State Bank and Herzog […]
Constitutional Amendment 2, a reform measure approved in November, is facing a second legal challenge in federal court from plaintiffs who claim the amendment unconstitutionally restricts free speech and association.
The suit was filed by Farmers State Bank and Herzog Services, with additional plaintiffs including the American Democracy Alliance, Missourians for Worker Freedom, Freedom PAC, the Free and Fair Election Fund, and John Elliott, a citizen. Plaintiffs contend the amendment’s contribution restrictions impermissibly prohibit corporate (including nonprofit) contributions in ballot measure and judicial retention campaigns.
A separate suit was filed by the Association of Missouri Electrical Cooperatives earlier in December.
December 8, 2016 •
Lawsuit Filed Challenging Missouri Campaign Finance Changes
The Association of Missouri Electrical Cooperatives filed suit Wednesday morning in federal district court challenging changes to campaign finance laws that became effective December 8. Voters approved the changes via a constitutional amendment on the November ballot. Among other things, […]
The Association of Missouri Electrical Cooperatives filed suit Wednesday morning in federal district court challenging changes to campaign finance laws that became effective December 8.
Voters approved the changes via a constitutional amendment on the November ballot. Among other things, the amendment establishes contribution limits for individuals and entities supporting statewide and judicial candidates, as well as prohibits certain corporate and labor union contributions.
The Association of Missouri Electrical Cooperatives unsuccessfully attempted to block the statewide referendum prior the November election; an appeals court stopped its lawsuit because it would not consider campaign restrictions not yet in effect. The new suit alleges the campaign finance changes violate free speech rights as they unfairly limit some businesses and associations from participating in political campaigns.
December 8, 2016 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “Gun Control Advocates Find a Deep-Pocketed Ally in Big Law” by Jessica Silver-Greenberg and Ben Protess for The New York Times “Bob Dole Worked Behind the Scenes on Trump-Taiwan Call” by Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Eric Lipton for The […]
Lobbying
“Gun Control Advocates Find a Deep-Pocketed Ally in Big Law” by Jessica Silver-Greenberg and Ben Protess for The New York Times
“Bob Dole Worked Behind the Scenes on Trump-Taiwan Call” by Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Eric Lipton for The New York Times
Alabama: “Ethics Commission Pulls Opinion Over Nonprofit Concerns” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser
Florida: “Hillsborough County to Copy Richard Corcoran’s Proposal to Ban Texting by Lobbyists?” by Mitch Perry for Florida Politics
Campaign Finance
Missouri: “Lawsuit Seeks to Stop Campaign Contribution Limits Approved by Missouri Voters Last Month” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Ethics
“Trump Adviser’s Son Removed from Transition after Spreading Conspiracy Theory” by Greg Miller for The Washington Post
“Trump’s Top Conflict Critics Take Over Watchdog Group” by Darren Samuelsohn for Politico
California: “Ex-LAPD Sergeant Broke City Rules by Leaking Recording of ‘Django Unchained’ Actress, Ethics Group Says” by Kate Mather for Los Angeles Times
Missouri: “Nine Face Corruption Charges, Including ESL Councilwoman, Board of Review Member” by George Pawlacyzk and Beth Hundsdorfer for Belleville News Democrat
Legislative Issues
South Carolina: “South Carolina Lawmakers Change Rules to Limit Obstructions” by Robert Kittle and John Hart for WJBF
December 5, 2016 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying Florida: “Corcoran Offers Lobbyist ‘Training’ to Adjust to New Legislative Limitations” by Allison Nielson for Sunshine State News West Virginia: “Ethics Panel Puts Question about WV House Speaker’s Job on Hold” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette Campaign Finance […]
Lobbying
Florida: “Corcoran Offers Lobbyist ‘Training’ to Adjust to New Legislative Limitations” by Allison Nielson for Sunshine State News
West Virginia: “Ethics Panel Puts Question about WV House Speaker’s Job on Hold” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette
Campaign Finance
Canada: “Ontario Overhauls Campaign Finance Rules with Sweeping Reforms” by Adrian Morrow for Toronto Globe and Mail
Arizona: “Burns Responds to APS Settlement Offer: No thanks” by Rachel Leingang for Arizona Capitol Times
Missouri: “Politicians Fatten Coffers before Missouri’s New Campaign-Donation Limits Kick In” by Jo Mannies for St. Louis Public Radio
New York: “Anthony Weiner Fined $65,000 for Campaign Finance Violations” by J. David Goodman for The New York Times
Ethics
“Trump’s Complex Stock Portfolio Could Create Yet More Conflicts” by Rosalind Helderman and Drew Harwell for The Washington Post
South Dakota: “Hearing Set on Move to Repeal New Anti-Corruption Measure” by Bob Mercer for Rapid City Journal
Elections
“‘Rigged’ or Not, Election Positions Trump to Shape Rules on How You Vote” by Michael Wines for The New York Times
November 30, 2016 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “How Exactly Do You ‘Drain the Swamp’? Here Are 4 Ways It Could Be Done.” by Catherine Ho for The Washington Post Campaign Finance “Justin Trudeau Faces Criticism Over Fund-Raisers in Canada” by Ian Austen for The New York Times […]
Lobbying
“How Exactly Do You ‘Drain the Swamp’? Here Are 4 Ways It Could Be Done.” by Catherine Ho for The Washington Post
Campaign Finance
“Justin Trudeau Faces Criticism Over Fund-Raisers in Canada” by Ian Austen for The New York Times
Ethics
“News Outlets Rethink Usage of the Term ‘Alt-Right’” by Sydney Ember for The New York Times
“The Controversial Legal Theory That Could Get Trump Sued” by Josh Gerstein for Politico
“Trump Names White House Counsel as Potential Conflicts Loom” by Jennifer Jacobs and Toluse Olorunippa for Bloomberg.com
Alabama: “Bodyguard: Alabama governor spent anti-terror funds on staff” by Tim Lockette for The Anniston Star
Missouri: “Could 2017 Be The Year That Ethics Reform Takes Hold in Missouri?” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star
Elections
“How Stable Are Democracies? ‘Warning Signs Are Flashing Red’” by Amanda Taub for The New York Times
“Trump’s Baseless Assertions of Voter Fraud Called ‘Stunning’” by Andrew Restuccia for Politico
“For Trump Son-in-Law and Confidant Jared Kushner, a Long History of Fierce Loyalty” by Shawn Boberg for The Washington Post
November 23, 2016 •
2016 NCSL State Vote Recaps Campaign Finance Ballot Initiatives
The 2016 election was about a lot more than just a battle between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Across the country, states asked voters to consider a variety of ballot measures, including a few campaign finance issues. At the 2016 National Conference […]
The 2016 election was about a lot more than just a battle between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Across the country, states asked voters to consider a variety of ballot measures, including a few campaign finance issues. At the 2016 National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) State Vote seminar held in Washington, D.C., Wendy Underhill recapped a number of those issues and the decisions that voters made on Nov. 8.
Both California and Washington held votes related to the United States Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United vs. FEC. Voters approved ballot measures that urged government leaders to use their power to work to overturn the Supreme Court’s ruling, possibly through a constitutional amendment, if possible.
In Missouri, voters approved an initiative establishing limits on campaign contributions to candidates for state or judicial office; while in South Dakota, voters approved an initiative to create a publicly funded campaign finance program and an ethics commission.
For more from the NCSL State Vote seminar you can view some of the presentation slides here. To see a list of ballot measure election results of interest to government relations professionals, take a look at our 2016 election dashboard.
November 21, 2016 •
Missouri Lawmaker Outlines Ethics Reform Proposal
Missouri Rep. Kip Kendrick wants to see his seven-point ethics reform proposal introduced in the House. The proposal bans gifts from lobbyists, amends the state’s revolving door policy for legislators seeking to become lobbyists, imposes term limits for statewide officeholders, […]
Missouri Rep. Kip Kendrick wants to see his seven-point ethics reform proposal introduced in the House.
The proposal bans gifts from lobbyists, amends the state’s revolving door policy for legislators seeking to become lobbyists, imposes term limits for statewide officeholders, prohibits the giving or solicitation of political contributions during a legislative session, prohibits someone no longer seeking office from maintaining a candidate committee, restricts the use of campaign funds, and broadens the Missouri Ethics Commission’s enforcement authority.
Each part of the proposal will be pre-filed as a separate bill. He is working to find seven House Democrats to pre-file the bills.
November 21, 2016 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Trump’s New Lobbying Rules Could ‘Drain the Swamp.’ But They May Be Illegal and Are Porous.” by Catherine Ho for The Washington Post Missouri: “Missouri Senate Moves to End Pizza-for-Play Bank Account” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch […]
Lobbying
“Trump’s New Lobbying Rules Could ‘Drain the Swamp.’ But They May Be Illegal and Are Porous.” by Catherine Ho for The Washington Post
Missouri: “Missouri Senate Moves to End Pizza-for-Play Bank Account” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Campaign Finance
Texas: “Zimmerman Appeals Campaign Contribution Limits” by Jo Clifton for Austin Monitor
Ethics
“Ethics Rules Bar Bannon from Helping Breitbart” by Isaac Arnsdorf and Taylor Gee for Politico
Michigan: “Text Messages Help FBI Nab 3rd Macomb County Politician in Rizzo Probe” by Tresa Baldas and Christina Hall for Detroit Free Press
New Jersey: “Passaic Mayor Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribes” by Richard Cowen and Todd South for Bergen Record
Legislative Issues
“Rep. Tim Ryan Launches Long-Shot Challenge to Pelosi as Democrats Struggle with Postelection Strategy” by Paul Kane for The Washington Post
November 15, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Campaign Finance “Campaign Finance Laws Poised for Rollback Under Trump” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call “Howard Voters Approve Measure to Use Taxpayer Dollars for Local Campaigns“by Fatimah Waseem for The Baltimore Sun Elections “Critics See Stephen Bannon, Trump’s Pick for Strategist, […]
Campaign Finance
“Campaign Finance Laws Poised for Rollback Under Trump” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call
“Howard Voters Approve Measure to Use Taxpayer Dollars for Local Campaigns“by Fatimah Waseem for The Baltimore Sun
Elections
“Critics See Stephen Bannon, Trump’s Pick for Strategist, as Voice of Racism” by Michael Shear, Maggie Haberman and Michael Schmidt for The New York Times
Ethics
“Former Illinois Congressman with ‘Downton Abbey’ Office Is Indicted” by Matt Zapotosky for The Washington Post
“How Federal Ethics Laws Will Apply to a Trump Presidency” by Steve Eder for The New York Times
Kentucky: “Longmeyer Found Guilty of 45 Ethics Violations” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal
Massachusetts: “Mass. Ethics Task Force OK’d” by Andy Metzger (State House News Service) for Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise
Lobbying
“Trump Campaigned Against Lobbyists, but Now They’re on His Transition Team” by Eric Lipton The New York Times
Florida: “Corcoran’s Changes Target Tallahassee’s ‘Good Ol’ Boy Culture’” by Steve Bousquet for Tampa Bay Times
Missouri: “Former Missouri Lawmaker Registers as Lobbyist After Quitting Early” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
November 9, 2016 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Elections “Donald Trump Is Elected President in Stunning Repudiation of the Establishment” by Matt Flegenheimer and Michael Barbaro for The New York Times “News Media Yet Again Misreads America’s Complex Pulse” by Jim Rutenberg for The New York Times “Republicans Keep Control […]
Elections
“Donald Trump Is Elected President in Stunning Repudiation of the Establishment” by Matt Flegenheimer and Michael Barbaro for The New York Times
“News Media Yet Again Misreads America’s Complex Pulse” by Jim Rutenberg for The New York Times
“Republicans Keep Control of Congress” by Eric Bradner for CNN
“GOP Dominates Democrats in Governors’ Races” by Michael J. Mishak and Ben Wieder for The Center for Public Integrity
Missouri: “Missouri Supports Voter ID, Campaign Limits” by the Staff of St. Joseph News Press
Rhode Island: “R.I. Ethics Commission’s Jurisdiction Over Assembly Is Restored” by Alex Kuffner for Providence Journal
South Dakota: “The Latest: Voters choose to allow public campaign finance” by The Associated Press for The Sacramento Bee
Campaign Finance
“Panel Upholds ‘Soft-Money’ Ban but Sends GOP Campaign Finance Challenge to Supreme Court” by Spencer S. Hsu for The Washington Post
Alaska: “Federal Judge Rejects Lawsuit Challenging Alaska’s Limits on Campaign Donations” by Nathaniel Herz for Alaska Dispatch News
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