National/Federal

Ex-Congressman Asks 11th Circuit to Toss Six-Figure Campaign Finance Penalty

Courthouse News Service – Kayla Gogging | Published: 4/16/2024

Former U.S. Rep. David Rivera took his fight against a six-figure campaign finance penalty to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, asking the panel to let a jury decide whether he made campaign contributions in another person’s name to undermine a Democratic rival in a Florida election. Rivera’s attorney told a three-judge panel that a federal judge ignored conflicting evidence in siding with the FEC and ordering Rivera to pay a $456,000 fine for violating the Federal Election Campaign Act.

Elections Have Gotten More Accessible for Disabled Voters, but Gaps Remain

DNyuz – Maggie Astor (New York Times) | Published: 4/18/2024

A series of laws – including the Help America Vote Act in 2022, which created new standards for election administration and grant for states to maintain those standards – have sought to make it easier for those facing physical challenges to vote. They have, but major gaps remain. While the gap has shrunk, disabled Americans still vote at much lower rates than those who are not disabled.

Conservative Broadcaster OAN Settles Defamation Claims by Voting-Machine Company Smartmatic

MSN – Erin Mulvaney (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 4/16/2024

One America News Network reached a confidential settlement to resolve a defamation lawsuit by voting-machine company Smartmatic over the conservative outlet’s broadcasting of false election-theft claims in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential contest. Smartmatic sued One America News in 2021, alleging the network provided a platform for false claims that voting machines helped tilt the election outcome for President Biden.

Senate Votes to Dismiss Impeachment Charges Against Mayorkas

MSN – Jaqueline Alemany and Liz Goodwin (Washington Post) | Published: 4/17/2024

The U.S. Senate voted to dismiss two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, which allege he mismanaged an influx of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Both votes were along party lines. The impeachment trial ended a little more than three hours after it started, following a Republican senator’s move to quickly quash an offer for limited debate and the creation of an impeachment committee, marking a rapid close to the first impeachment of a sitting Cabinet secretary.

Judge Cannon Skeptical of Trump Co-Defendants’ Arguments to Dismiss Charges

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 4/12/2024

U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon seemed skeptical about dropping charges against Donald Trump’s two co-defendants in the classified documents case and suggested their arguments for dismissal would be better suited as a defense at trial. Attorneys for Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira argued the charges against them should be dismissed, in part, because the indictment accused them of obstructing officials’ efforts to retrieve classified materials from Trump’s property without providing clear evidence the employees were aware of an ongoing investigation or knew the boxes of documents contained classified materials.

Leo Rejects Senate Subpoena from Panel Probing Gifts to Supreme Court Justices

MSN – Tobi Raji (Washington Post) | Published: 4/11/2024

The Senate Judiciary Committee sent a subpoena to conservative judicial activist Leonard Leo as part of a months-long inquiry into undisclosed gifts to Supreme Court justices and he promptly rejected it, calling the move “politically motivated.” The committee authorized subpoenas for Leo and billionaire Harlan Crow following reports that Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito accepted and did not disclose free travel and gifts from Crow, Leo, and conservative donor Robin Arkley II.

DNC Uses Political Donations to Pay Biden’s Legal Fees in Special Counsel Probe

MSN – Soo Rin Kim, Isabelle Murray, and Lucien Bruggeman (ABC News) | Published: 4/13/2024

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has been paying President Biden’s legal fees incurred in connection with special counsel Robert Hur’s investigation into his handling of classified documents. The DNC said the money they have paid for Biden’s legal purposes is not coming from their grassroots donors. The Democratic Party providing financial support for Biden’s legal challenges comes amid their criticism of the Republican Party’s fundraising for and paying of Donald Trump’s mounting legal bills.

Supreme Court Snubs House Republicans Who Dodged Metal Detectors in Congress After Jan. 6

MSN – Dan Morrison (USA Today) | Published: 4/15/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court turned away an appeal by three Republican members of Congress who were fined $5,000 each by the House for dodging security scanners installed after the attack on the Capitol. The court’s decision comes months after justices snubbed the case of three other GOP members of Congress who had their pay docked in 2021 for flouting a mask mandate on the House floor during the COVID pandemic.

Corruption or Just Politics? Supreme Court Weighs New Bribery Case as More Clashes Are Brewing

MSN – Jan Wolfe and C. Ryan Barber (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 4/15/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court for years has been making it more challenging for prosecutors to bring corruption cases against public officials, guided by the belief that some of the dealmaking and fundraising in the political realm is unseemly but not illegal. A new batch of cases making their way through the courts shows that where to draw the line remains in flux. The court jumped back into the fray in a case that examines the viability of prosecutions against officials who take gratuities after performing actions that helped their benefactors.

Supreme Court Divided Over Key Charge Against Jan. 6 Rioters and Trump

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 4/16/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court appeared divided over whether prosecutors improperly stretched federal law to charge hundreds of participants in the attack on the Capitol, a decision that will impact those rioters and, potentially, Donald Trump’s election interference trial in the District of Columbia. The court’s conservatives appeared most skeptical of the government’s decision to charge participants under a law that makes it a crime to obstruct or impede an official proceeding – in this case the joint session of Congress that convened to certify Joe Biden’s 2020 victory.

Red States Threaten Librarians with Prison – As Blue States Work to Protect Them

MSN – Hannah Natanson and Anumita Kaur (Washington Post) | Published: 4/16/2024

Legislation advancing nationwide seeks to do things like prohibit book bans or forbid the harassment of school and public librarians, the first such wave in the country, said John Chrastka, director of library advocacy group EveryLibrary. Legislators in 22 mostly blue states have proposed 57 such bills so far this year, and two have become law. But the library-friendly measures are being outpaced by bills in mostly red states that aim to restrict which books libraries can offer and threaten librarians with prison or thousands in fines for handing out “obscene” or “harmful” titles.

Trump Is Funneling Campaign Money into Cash-Strapped Businesses. Experts Say It Looks Bad.

Yahoo Finance – Zac Anderson and Erin Mansfield (USA Today) | Published: 4/17/2024

Donald Trump’s main campaign fundraising operation sharply increased spending at the former president’s properties in recent months, funneling money into his businesses at a time when he is facing serious jeopardy and desperately needs cash. Federal law and FEC regulations allow donor funds to be spent at a candidate’s business so long as the campaign pays fair market value, experts say. While the practice is legal, some campaign finance experts believe it raises ethical concerns when a candidate is generating personal revenue off running for office.

From the States and Municipalities

Europe – EU Auditors Say Lobbyists Can Easily Slip Under Bloc’s Radar

Yahoo Finance – Nette Noestlinger (Reuters) | Published: 4/16/2024

Lobbyists can easily bypass European Union (EU) transparency rules to influence policy, auditors said. The European Court of Auditors’ report comes as institutions discuss a new ethics entity to guide the conduct of officials and ahead of a planned review of the EU’s lobbyist register. That review follows a scandal at the heart of the European Parliament in which Qatar and Morocco have been accused of bribing decision-makers.

Canada – Federal Lobbying Commissioner Assessing Allegations Against Firm, Top Conservative Adviser

CBC – Benjamin Lopez Steven | Published: 4/16/2024

The federal lobbying commissioner confirmed that a “preliminary assessment” was opened into allegations against political strategist Jenni Byrne and a lobbying firm. It has been reported that a federal lobbying firm, Forecheck Strategies, is located at the same office as Jenni Byrne + Associates, a provincial lobbying firm. In addition to employing many of the same staff as Jenni Byrne + Associates, Forecheck Strategies is owned by Andrew Kimber and Simon Jefferies, who are also part-owners of Jenni Byrne + Associates. Although Byrne’s exact role with the Conservative Party is murky, she is viewed as one of the most powerful strategists in Canada.

Arkansas – Audit Says Arkansas Governor’s Office Potentially Violated Laws with $19,000 Lectern Purchase

Yahoo News – Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) | Published: 4/15/2024

Auditors found the purchase last year of a $19,000 lectern by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ office potentially violated state law. The auditors referred the findings to local prosecutors and the state attorney general, and lawmakers planned to hold a hearing on the report. It cited several potential violations, including paying for the lectern before it was delivered and the handling of records regarding the purchase.

California – L.A. Ethics Panel Approves Fine for Former CBS Exec Leslie Moonves Over Interference with LAPD Investigation

MSN – Richard Winston and Dakota Smith (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 4/17/2024

Former CBS President Leslie Moonves will pay $15,000 to settle an ethics complaint over his role in an alleged cover-up of sexual assault accusations against him. The Los Angeles City Ethics Commission unanimously approved the settlement after previously rejecting a proposal for $11,250 in fines as too low. Under the settlement, Moonves also admitted he violated city law by interfering with a police investigation into the sexual assault allegations.

California – Questions Swirled About Millions of Tax Dollars in OC. After Months of Silence, a Key Figure Weighs In

MSN – Nick Gerda (LAist) | Published: 4/17/2024

An Orange County supervisor’s daughter at the center of a controversy over what happened to millions of taxpayer dollars she had a limited role in the nonprofit that handled the money, despite records stating otherwise. Rhiannon Do also said she no longer works for the organization, Viet America Society (VAS). At Supervisor Andrew Do’s direction, VAS has received more than $9 million from the county to feed needy residents, plus $1 million to build a Vietnam War memorial. He also joined votes to fund up to $3.1 million in mental health subcontracts for the group, all without disclosing his close family connection.

Florida – Florida GOP Operative Admits Role in ‘Ghost’ Candidate Scheme That Defeated Utility-Targeted Dem

Floodlight – Mario Alejandro Ariza | Published: 4/12/2024

For the first time, the lead consultant to Florida Senate Republicans admitted to hiring a disgraced ex-senator and approving a dirty trick to recruit a third-party candidate to siphon votes from a South Florida Democrat. The scheme succeeded. In 2020, Jose Javier Rodriguez, the Democrat targeted by the GOP and by Florida Power & Light, lost by 32 votes to Ileana Garcia, the founder of Latinas for Trump. A third-party candidate who did not campaign and who shared the same last name as Rodriguez drew over 6,000 votes.

Georgia – New Prosecutor to Decide Fate of Georgia Lieutenant Governor in Trump Case

MSN – Holly Bailey (Washington Post) | Published: 4/11/2024

A state official tasked with finding a special prosecutor to investigate whether Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones should face criminal charges for his alleged role in seeking to overturn Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss in the state announced he had appointed himself to the case. Pete Skandalakis, executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, was assigned 21 months ago to find someone to oversee the investigation into Jones after a judge disqualified Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the case over a fundraiser she hosted for Jones’s political rival.

Hawaii – Retired State Ag Official’s Return to The Agency Has Critics Concerned Over Conflicts of Interest

Honolulu Civil Beat – Thomas Heaton | Published: 4/9/2024

The Department of Agriculture (DOA) is seeking to renew the contract of Hawaii’s acting biosecurity chief, Carol Okada, a controversial figure who many in the conservation community fear is protecting the industry she is supposed to be regulating. Okada, whose title is Acting Plant Industry Division Administrator, is the primary state official overseeing the plant nursery industry, whose products have been found to spread destructive pests throughout Hawaii. Okada retired in 2019 but returned to DOA last year. Her relationship with the nursery industry has fueled concern among lawmakers as well.

Hawaii – Inside the Late-Night Parties Where Hawaii Politicians Raked in Money

Honolulu Civil Beat – Eric Sagara and Irene Casado Sanchez (Big Local News), and Blaze Lovell | Published: 4/17/2024

In response to a series of scandals, Hawaii legislators in 2005 passed a law that barred government contractors from giving money to politicians. It was billed as one of the nation’s most ambitious efforts to end “pay-to-play” in contracting and designed to change the political culture of a state steeped in corruption. But the ban only applies to donations from the actual corporate entities that got contracts, but not to their owners, employees, or any related businesses.

Illinois – Giannoulias Calls for Disclosure of Lobbyist Contracts

NPR Illinois – Peter Hancock (Capitol News Illinois) | Published: 4/11/2024

Legislative lobbyists in Illinois are required to report how much they spend entertaining lawmakers. Currently, though, there is no law requiring lobbyists to disclose how much they are paid by corporations, industry groups, or other special interest organizations. That would change under a bill now pending in the Illinois House. It would, for the first time, require lobbyists to disclose how much they are paid by each of their clients.

Illinois – Chicago Lobbyists Escape Serious Punishment for Improper Donations to Mayor Johnson’s Campaign

WBEZ – Tessa Weinberg | Published: 4/17/2024

The Chicago Board of Ethics dismissed an enforcement action against four City Hall lobbyists who donated to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign. The board said it lacks the authority to enforce a decade-old executive order meant to curb such contributions. An outside law firm found that enforcement language for former Mayor Rahm Emmanuel’s order is not codified in the law. It was the first time the board has been confronted with trying to enforce the order since it was issued, said Executive Director Steve Berlin.

Illinois – Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin Fined $60K for Violating Ethics Ordinance

WTTW – Heather Cherone | Published: 4/15/2024

The Chicago Board of Ethics fined City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin $60,000 for violating the government ethics ordinance by using city resources to host a prayer service. The board found Conyears-Ervin committed 12 total infractions for violating her fiduciary duty to the city, the unauthorized use of city property, and prohibited political activity. It levied the maximum fine of $5,000 for each individual violation of the ordinance.

Kentucky – Ethics Commission Urges Metro Council to Amend Laws Following Greenberg Complaint

Yahoo News – Eleanor McCrary (Louisville Courier Journal) | Published: 4/16/2024

In its opinion dismissing the complaint against Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, the Ethics Commission called on Metro Council to specify local guidelines concerning the mayor’s spouse and other volunteers. Media reports said Rachel Greenberg had a Metro Hall office, a government email account, and gave orders to staffers. Ethics experts said the arrangement might violate the city’s ethics rules, which the administration denied.

Maryland – Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Issues Refunds, Amends Donations After Reporting 9 Over $6K Max

MSN – Emily Opilo (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 4/14/2024

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott amended several of his state campaign finance reports to correct errors regarding five individual contributors and issued refunds to four other donors after it was reported the campaign accepted donations above the $6,000 maximum limit from nine entities. Scott’s campaign manager said the campaign’s mistakes were likely due to donations submitted via company credit cards.

Michigan – Nessel Accuses Ex-Speaker Chatfield of Stealing Political Funds in Criminal Charges

Detroit News – Craig Mauger | Published: 4/16/2024

State Attorney General Dana Nessel unveiled 13 criminal charges against former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, saying he misused nonprofit dollars to pay off his personal credit card and fund purchases at wineries and luxury retail stores. Chatfield’s wife, Stephanie, was also charged for her role in the alleged scheme. Lee Chatfield got kickbacks from his associates and used $132,000 from his nonprofit organization to pay off his personal Chase credit card, Nessel said. Lee Chatfield’s actions were the product of a “dark money fueled culture” in Michigan’s capital, said Nessel.

Michigan – Democratic Majority in Michigan House Restored with Special Elections

MSN – Clara Hendrickson (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 4/17/2024

Democrats in the Michigan House saw their majority restored with a pair of victories in special elections. The Democratic victories could end the legislative gridlock that has defined the tied chamber for the past several months. The pair of seats have sat empty since late November last year after former state Reps. Kevin Coleman and Lori Stone were sworn in as mayors of their respective hometowns.

Mississippi – Lawmakers Update Public Service Commissioner Campaign Finance Law

Magnolia Tribune – Frank Corder | Published: 4/16/2024

Mississippi Public Service Commission members and candidates for the three offices have been required to adhere to strict guidelines regarding direct and indirect gifts and campaign contributions, specifically related to any person acting in any respect for utilities they regulate. But renewable energy lobbyists or company executives were not specifically covered by the campaign finance restrictions. The Legislature passed a bill changing the language to “covered person” to capture all entities or persons that may come before the commission.

Missouri – Speaker Dean Plocher Accused of ‘Absolute Obstruction’ in House Ethics Investigation

Missouri Independent – Jason Hancock | Published: 4/15/2024

Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher obstructed an investigation of his official acts through pressure on potential witnesses and refusing to issue subpoenas, leaders of the chamber’s Ethics Committee alleged. Details of the alleged obstruction were contained in a report laying out findings from the committee’s months-long investigation. The report concluded the committee lacked direct evidence of ethical misconduct in Plocher’s advocacy for a six-figure software contract, in his firing of a former staffer, or in years of filing false expense reimbursement reports.

New Jersey – Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. and His Wife Are Accused of Assaulting Their Teenage Daughter

MSN – Jesse Bunch (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 4/15/2024

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife, schools superintendent La’Quetta Small, were charged with assaulting their daughter, including an incident in which the mayor allegedly knocked the teenager unconscious with a broom, prosecutors announced. They are alleged to have physically and emotionally abused the 16-year-old “on multiple occasions” in December and January.

New York – How a Hush Money Scandal Tied to a Porn Star Led to Trump’s First Criminal Trial

Associated Press News – Michael Sisak and Eric Tucker | Published: 4/13/2024

It was the kind of tawdry tale that Donald Trump might have relished before politics: an adult film actress claiming they had sex. But on the eve of the 2016 presidential election, Trump feared the story, which he says is false, would cost him votes. So, prosecutors say, he arranged to pay Stormy Daniels to keep quiet. Now, after years of fits and starts before an indictment last year, Trump is on trial New York on state charges related to the scandal.

New York – Charged With Regulating Conflict of Interests, Ethics Commission Hides Its Own

New York Focus – Chris Bragg | Published: 4/17/2024

The chairperson of New York’s ethics watchdog agency praised its staff for their quick processing of Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests. The achievement, he said, showed the body’s commitment to “ultimate transparency in how we do our business.” But Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government staff fulfilled a FOIL request about the commissioners’ personal potential conflicts-of-interest and redacted all information about relationships that could force commissioners to recuse themselves from votes.

Ohio – Randazzo’s Death Clouds Path Forward on Criminal, Civil FirstEnergy Bribery Cases

MSN – Jake Zuckerman and Andrew Tobias (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 4/11/2024

The death of a former Ohio regulator has wrenched state and federal criminal cases accusing him of accepting a $4.3 million bribe from a power company before doing its bidding inside the government. Sam Randazzo was found dead in what officials said was a “suspected suicide.” The state also charged two top officials at FirstEnergy for allegedly orchestrating the bribes.

Oklahoma – Will You have to Vote on Your State Lawmaker in November? Most Races Will Already Be Decided

Oklahoma Watch – Keaton Ross | Published: 4/11/2024

For the third consecutive general election cycle, most Oklahoma voters will not elect their state lawmakers in November. Fifty of the 127 Senate and House seats up for re-election were decided on April 5, when just one candidate filed for office. Thirty-five races will be settled in the June 18 primary or August 27 runoff election. Uncompetitive races can cause voters to become apathetic and less interested in the democratic process, research has found.

Pennsylvania – Pa. House Amends Campaign Finance Bills to Cover All Nonprofits and Require More Detailed Reports

Pennsylvania Capital-Star – Peter Hall | Published: 4/15/2024

Lawmakers approved amendments to a pair of Pennsylvania House bills to make campaign finance reporting requirements for state lawmakers more robust and increase the transparency of independent expenditures in elections. House Bill 1472 would require campaign finance reports from civic leagues and 501(c)(4) tax-exempt social welfare organizations that independently advocate for or against candidates. The amendment would make the bill more broadly cover all tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c) of the federal tax code.

South Dakota – Four South Dakota Tribes Bar Gov. Kristi Noem, Trump V.P. Contender, From Lands

Spokane Spokesman-Review – Neil Vigdor (New York Times) | Published: 4/13/2024

Four of South Dakota’s federally recognized Native American tribes have barred the state’s governor, Kristi Noem, from their reservations. Three of the tribes barred Noem in April, joining another tribe that had sanctioned the governor after she told state lawmakers in February that Mexican drug cartels had a foothold on their reservations and were committing murders there. Noem further angered the tribes by appearing to suggest the tribes were complicit in the cartels’ presence on their reservations.

Virginia – Unleash America Was Supposed to Be About Supporting Va. Candidates. But the Money Didn’t Go There.

Yahoo News – Elizabeth Beyer (Staunton News Leader) | Published: 4/14/2024

Robert Landrum thought he was supporting Republicans in Virginia’s statehouse elections when he donated $500 to a federal super PAC in April 2023. Unleash America had one stated goal: to get Republicans elected during Virginia’s 2023 contests to support Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s agenda. But according to the FEC and State Board of Election, not a single Republican candidate for state or local office received any direct financial support from Unleash America.

Washington – Lobbying the Legislature from Behind Bars

Oregon Capital Chronicle – Grace Deng (Washington State Standard) | Published: 4/16/2024

The Department of Corrections (DOC) recorded 32 requests from prisoners to testify on bills during this year’s legislative session in Washington, and at least 18 got to testify. Advocates say testimony from prisoners has grown in Olympia since virtual testimony became common during the pandemic. But some prisoners allege the DOC has made it difficult for them to engage with lawmakers. Activists in prison say they feel silenced by what they describe as the agency’s lack of support for – and sometimes even interference with – their political advocacy.

Wisconsin – Business Group Challenges Evers’ Creative Veto That Extended School Aid for 400 Years

Yahoo News – Jessie Opoien (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | Published: 4/15/2024

Attorneys with Wisconsin’s largest business lobby asked the state Supreme Court to strike down Gov. Tony Evers’ use of his partial veto authority to increase funding for public schools for the next four centuries. Wisconsin gives its governors some of the most sweeping executive powers in the country, although partial veto authority has been scaled back over time.

National/Federal

Woman Sentenced to Month in Prison Over Theft of Ashley Biden’s Diary

DNyuz – Adam Goldman (New York Times) | Published: 4/9/2024

A federal judge sentenced Aimee Harris to a month in prison for her role in a brazen scheme to steal the diary of President Biden’s daughter and sell it to a right-wing group in the hope of disrupting the 2020 election. In August 2022, Aimee Harris pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport the stolen diary to New York, where she met with employees of Project Veritas and sold it for $40,000 just weeks before the election.

How the No Labels 2024 Presidential Campaign Failed to Launch

MSN – Ken Thomas and Kristina Peterson (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 4/4/2024

No Labels, the centrist group which has sought to field a third-party presidential bid, is abandoning efforts to create a “unity ticket” aiming to win the White House. Even as the group cited polling showing public dissatisfaction with President Biden and Donald Trump and support for a generic third-party candidate, No Labels could not convince any prominent leaders to mount a challenge that aimed to become the first substantial third-party effort since independent Ross Perot’s showing in the 1992 election.

Judge Cannon Shoots Down Trump’s Presidential Records Act Claim

MSN – Devlin Barrett and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 4/4/2024

U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon rejected Donald Trump’s bid to have his charges of mishandling classified documents dismissed on the grounds that a federal records law protected him from prosecution. The judge also defended her handling of the issue from special counsel Jack Smith, which had surprised legal experts and rankled prosecutors. Cannon’s decision comes two days after Smith criticized the rationale behind the judge’s demand for prospective jury instructions that seemed to largely adopt Trump’s interpretation of the law.

Super PACs Keep Testing the Limits of Campaign Finance Law

MSN – Jessica Piper (Politico) | Published: 4/8/2024

Super PACs keep pushing the boundaries of campaign finance law this cycle. They are using novel financial arrangements, like taking “bridge funding” in the form of loans from major donors or receiving ad revenue from a candidate’s podcast. They are also continuing to take advantage of long-standing loopholes in anti-coordination guidelines. Outside spending continues to increase dramatically.

Special Counsel Urges Supreme Court to Reject Trump’s Immunity Claim

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 4/8/2024

Special counsel Jack Smith urged the U.S. Supreme Court to reject Donald Trump’s “novel and sweeping” claim that he is immune from criminal prosecution on charges of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The ruling will determine whether and how quickly Trump faces trial. The justices’ decision to take up Trump’s claim, rather than let stand an appeals court decision that he can be prosecuted, has drawn criticism for delaying the trial, which initially was scheduled to begin in early March.

House Subpoena Lawsuit Risks Change to Oversight Power

MSN – Ryan Tarinelli (Roll Call) | Published: 4/8/2024

The House Judiciary Committee teed up a high-stakes legal clash with the Justice Department in a lawsuit that could influence congressional oversight authority far beyond the GOP’s impeachment investigation into President Biden, legal experts say. The committee’s lawsuit against two Justice Department attorneys asks a federal court to compel the officials to testify about the criminal case against Hunter Biden.

Trump’s The Likely GOP Nominee. He Can Serve Even If Convicted of a Crime.

MSN – David Nakamura (Washington Post) | Published: 4/11/2024

Donald Trump is facing felony charges in four separate criminal indictments in three states and the District of Columbia, with a guilty verdict in any of the cases possibly meaning a prison sentence. The circumstances have raised an often-asked question: Could Trump, or anyone else, be convicted of a felony and serve as commander in chief, possibly from prison? The short answer, legal experts said, is yes – because the U.S. Constitution does not forbid it.

Content Creators Ask Meta to Reverse Politics Limits on Instagram, Threads

MSN – Taylor Lorenz (Washington Post) | Published: 4/10/2024

Hundreds of political and news content creators signed an open letter to Meta asking the company to reverse its decision to limit the reach of accounts posting “political content” on Threads and Instagram. Meta announced in February it no longer would recommend content about politics and social issues on the two social media platforms, which have tens of millions of users in the U.S. Independent journalists and content creators say they have struggled to reach their audiences since the change was rolled out. They say the limits have significantly affected creators who are Black, female, and LGBTQ.

US Judicial Panel Proposes Greater Amicus Brief Financial Disclosures

Reuters – Nate Raymond | Published: 4/10/2024

A federal judicial panel called for greater transparency requirements for outside groups that file amicus briefs in cases by mandating they disclose when much of their revenue comes from a party involved in the lawsuit or its attorneys. The U.S. Judicial Conference’s Advisory Committee on Appellate Rules endorsed the proposal following calls by Democratic lawmakers and others for changes to shed a light on the extent to which litigants secretly fund efforts to influence cases’ outcomes through amicus, or friend-of-the-court, briefs.

Watchdog Groups Say Texas Sen. Ted Cruz ‘Brazenly Violated’ Federal Election Campaign Act

Yahoo News – Hogan Gore (Austin American-Statesman) | Published: 4/9/2024

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is facing a formal complaint over more than $630,000 sent from the company that syndicates his podcast to a super PAC supporting his reelection bid. The Campaign Legal Center and End Citizens United allege Cruz violated the Federal Election Campaign Act after iHeartMedia made deposits to The Truth and Courage PAC, which then reported the payments as “other federal receipts” rather than campaign contributions. The complaint says iHeartMedia’s donations qualify as “soft money” solicited or directed from Cruz.

Thousands of Alleged Lobbying Violations Languish at Justice Department

Yahoo News – Taylor Giorno (The Hill) | Published: 4/4/2024

Federal lobbyists must file new registrations within 45 days, quarterly disclosures detailing specific lobbying activities and how much they were paid, and semiannual political contribution reports. When a lobbyist or firm fails to comply, the secretary of the Senate and the clerk of the House notify them and make referrals to the U.S. attorney’s office when they fail to provide a proper response. The Government Accountability Office found thousands of reports of lobbying and political donation violations remain unresolved years after they were referred.

As Kushner’s Investment Firm Steps Out, the Potential Conflicts Are Growing

Yahoo News – Eric Lipton, Jonathan Swain, and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 4/9/2024

Jared Kushner’s investment fund is not especially large by global finance standards. But as he gets it fully up and running, each step is bringing with it ethical issues that would only grow if his father-in-law, Donald Trump, should win another term as president. Kushner’s $3 billion fund is financed almost entirely from overseas investors with whom he worked when he served as a senior adviser in the Trump White House.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Alabama Ethics Commissioner Resigns, Decision Comes as Senate Considers Ethics Law Change

MSN – Darryl Burke (WHNT) | Published: 4/10/2024

Stan McDonald resigned his seat on the Alabama Ethics Commission. The decision comes as the Senate considers a bill that would overhaul the existing state ethics code. According to campaign finance records, McDonald made contributions to at least one political campaign after being appointed to the commission in 2019. Members of the Ethics Commission are not allowed to make political donations.

Arizona – ‘Catastrophic,’ ‘a Shock’: Arizona’s Abortion Ruling Threatens to Upend 2024 Races

MSN – Maegan Vazquez and Mariana Alfaro (Washington Post) | Published: 4/10/2024

The Arizona Supreme Court revived a near-total ban on abortion, invoking an 1864 law that forbids the procedure except to save a mother’s life and punishes providers with prison time. The decision supersedes the state’s previous rule, which permitted abortions up to 15 weeks. While several states have enacted abortion restrictions, protecting access to reproductive care has been a winning issue for Democratic candidates. As a battleground state, there is a lot on the line in Arizona’s looming elections.

Arizona – Arizona Politicians’ Fundraising to Be Public Under Bill Inspired by Republic Reporting

Yahoo News – Stacey Barchinger (Arizona Republic) | Published: 4/8/2024

Arizonans will be able to see the political fundraising and spending of the state’s most powerful elected officials much sooner and more often under a measure signed into law recently. The law requires statewide officeholders, like the governor, attorney general, and others to report their finances to the public four times a year. They must do so during each of the three years between their elections.

California – How Long Before California’s Campaign Finance Website Is Replaced?

CalMatters – Sameea Kamal | Published: 4/3/2024

Cal-Access, the antiquated web portal to track California’s campaign money and lobbying, probably will not be replaced before December 2026. Secretary of State Shirley Weber’s office is currently evaluating bids and expects to have a primary vendor by this summer. An independent review estimates the project could take 27 months.

California – Every Vote Counts. Just Ask These Two Candidates Tied with Exactly 30,249 Votes Each

CalMatters – Yue Stalla Yu | Published: 4/4/2024

Whoever did not vote in a U.S. House primary in California may have helped make history. Tied for second in the March 5 election, with exactly 30,249 votes each, state Assemblyperson Evan Low and Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian are both advancing to the November general election, joining top vote-getter Sam Liccardo, a former mayor of San Jose. The stage is set for a competitive three-way November runoff, the first since California adopted its new primary system in 2012.

Colorado – Colorado GOP Ousts Reporter from Event, Claiming ‘Unfair’ Coverage

MSN – Anumita Kaur (Washington Post) | Published: 4/9/2024

The Colorado Republican Party expelled journalist Sandra Fish from its recent event in Pueblo after she was told the party chairperson finds her reporting “very unfair.” A sheriff’s deputy escorted the longtime reporter out, drawing backlash from lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and fellow journalists who criticized the move as an affront to democracy.

District of Columbia – Justice Official Clark Violated Ethics in Aiding Trump, D.C. Bar Panel Finds

MSN – Keith Alexander (Washington Post) | Published: 4/3/2024

A District of Columbia Bar committee ruled former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark violated at least one rule of ethics and should face professional sanctions for trying to use the department’s influence to help reverse Donald Trump’s 2020 election defeat. The discipline could include revocation of his law license, blocking him from practicing law in the nation’s capital.

Florida – Miami City Attorney Helped Steer $10M Meant for Citywide Projects to Carollo’s District

MSN – Tess Riski, Joey Flechas, and Sarah Blaskey (Miami Herald) | Published: 4/11/2024

When a developer came to the Miami City Commission with a deal to build a luxury high-rise on city-owned land, commissioners approved the project. As part of the agreement, the developer promised to give the city $10 million for park improvements and other public benefits across Miami. But the city attorney’s office and other officials quietly reshaped the deal to shift those funds to a single district. Behind-the-scenes revisions to the contract meant the money would be given to Commissioner Joe Carollo’s district, where the high-rise site is located.

Florida – Sarasota City Attorney to Prepare a Potential Ordinance to Track Political Lobbying

Yahoo News – Christian Casale (Sarasota Herald Tribune) | Published: 4/4/2024

Sarasota leaders will explore an ordinance to regulate lobbying in City Hall after several ethics issues have come up. City Commissioner Erik Arroyo said he envisioned a registration requirement for anyone paid to lobby the city and a requirement they disclose their clients. The information would be kept in a digital, publicly accessible database.

Georgia – Judge Rejects Trump’s First Amendment Challenge to Indictment in Georgia Election Case

MSN – Kate Brumback (Associated Press) | Published: 4/4/2024

The judge overseeing the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump and others rejected arguments by the former president that the indictment seeks to criminalize speech protected by the First Amendment. Trump’s attorneys argued that all the charges against him involved political speech that is protected even if the speech ends up being false.

Georgia – Former City of Atlanta Executive, Jim Beard, Enters Plea Deal in Federal Court

WXIA – Meleah Lyden | Published: 4/9/2024

A former chief financial officer in Atlanta pleaded guilty in federal court to taking money from the city and using tax deductions he was not eligible for. Jim Beard admitted using city money for personal expenses, including two custom-built machine guns he had ordered using his professional email address. He also took tax deductions of $12,000, which were based on false submissions.

Kansas – Kansas Newspaper Publisher Sues Over Police Raid, Claiming Retaliation

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) | Published: 4/4/2024

The publisher of a Kansas newspaper that was raided by police in August is now suing officials involved in the move, accusing them of retaliating against the paper and violating its First Amendment rights. The unprecedented raid on the Marion County Record’s newsroom and the home of its editor and publisher, Eric Meyer, alarmed press and free-speech advocates across the country. Meyer alleges in the lawsuit that the stress of the raid led to the sudden death of his mother, who lived with him and co-owned the paper.

Maryland – Maryland Town Apologizes, Offers Amends to Settle Voting Rights Lawsuit

MSN – Joe Heim (Washington Post) | Published: 4/4/2024

The small town of Federalsburg on Maryland’s Eastern Shore settled a federal voting rights lawsuit by agreeing to apologize for its history of racism, committing to actions that acknowledge Black contributions to the town, and promote reconciliation. The town also will pay $260,000 in legal fees by 2030 to the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland, which brought the lawsuit. Last year, following changes to the voting system overseen by a judge, the 200-year-old town with a population that is 43 percent Black elected its first Black representative.

Maryland – Baltimore County Official Helped Investigate Former Employee Who Lodged Complaints About Her

MSN – Lia Russell (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 4/10/2024

An official being considered for Baltimore County’s highest appointed position helped police investigate a former employee who accused her and County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. of ethics violations. D’Andrea Walker, whom Olszewski nominated to become county administrative officer, was the acting director of the county Department of Public Works and Transportation when she provided security footage and information to a detective who was investigating Michael Beichler, her former Solid Waste Management bureau chief, at the request of Olszewski’s aide, according to a police report and emails.

Maryland – Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Received Money from 9 Donors Who Exceeded $6K Limit

MSN – Emily Opilo (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 4/11/2024

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has received campaign contributions above the maximum from at least nine donors this election cycle, violating state campaign finance law. Most of the problem donations, which amount to an extra $29,250, are the result of multiple contributions, some made in early 2023, before the mayoral campaign was underway, combined with others made more recently. Maryland operates on a four-year campaign cycle, and individual donors are allowed to give only $6,000 during that span.

Michigan – Judge Shows Mercy to Ex-Romulus Mayor Who Spent Campaign Money on Yacht Club, Wedding

Yahoo News – Tresa Baldas (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 4/4/2024

Former Romulus Mayor LeRoy Burcroff used campaign funds to help pay for his daughter’s wedding, his yacht club dues, and a Florida vacation with friends but he is not going to prison for any of it, despite his guilty plea. Instead, a federal judge gave Burcroff three years’ probation and four months’ home confinement, sparing him a prison sentence the government sought.

New Jersey – Top NJ Legislators Failed to Disclose Campaign Spending. They Still Haven’t Fixed Reports

MSN – Ashley Balcerzak (Bergen Record) | Published: 4/3/2024

New Jersey’s most powerful legislators, Senate President Nicholas Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, have not filed amended reports nearly a month after media stories said they failed to properly disclose certain campaign spending. Critics of a controversial campaign finance overhaul said they wanted to examine provisions of the law, mainly a change that slashes the amount of time the Election Law Enforcement Commission has to investigate potential campaign finance violations from 10 years down to two years.

New York – Senate Democrats Renew Push for Changes to Matching Funds Program

Albany Times Union – Joshua Solomon | Published: 4/4/2024

State Senate Democrats are renewing their push to raise the threshold of campaign contributions a candidate needs to be eligible for New York’s new matching funds program. Sen. James Skoufis introduced an amended version of the legislation Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed in December. This time, lawmakers excluded what was widely viewed as the most controversial element of their proposal: allowing the first $250 of any contribution to be eligible for matching funds.

New York – Conservative Hoaxers to Pay Up to $1.25M Under Agreement with New York Over 2020 Robocall Scheme

MSN – Anthony Izaguirre (Associated Press) | Published: 4/9/2024

Two conservative political operatives who orchestrated a robocall campaign to dissuade Black people from voting in the 2020 election have agreed to pay up to $1.25 million under a settlement with New York Attorney General Letitia James. The operatives, Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman, were accused of making robocalls to phone numbers in predominately Black neighborhoods in Ohio, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois that told people they could be subjected to arrest, debt collection, and forced vaccination if they voted by mail.

New York – Ex-Trump Company Executive Weisselberg Sentenced to 5 Months in Jail

MSN – Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 4/10/2024

A longtime executive at Donald Trump’s company was sentenced to five months in jail after pleading guilty to lying under oath in the New York attorney general’s civil investigation into business practices at the Trump Organization and at the trial that resulted from it. Allen Weisselberg, who worked for the Trump family for a half-century before retiring recently, is expected to serve his sentence at Rikers Island.

New York – NYC Council Bill Would Ban Political Consultants, Fundraisers from Lobbying Former Clients

MSN – Michael Gartland (New York Daily News) | Published: 4/11/2024

Legislation introduced in the New York City Council would ban campaign fundraisers and consultants from lobbying their former bosses for two years after those politicians take office. Two of the most notable people who could be impacted by the new bill are Mayor Eric Adams’ longtime compliance attorney, Vito Pitta, and the top fundraiser for his 2021 campaign, Brianna Suggs, whose home was raided as part of a federal probe into the campaign’s ties to Turkey.

New York – Trump Fails to Delay N.Y. Criminal Trial for a Third Time This Week

MSN – Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 4/10/2024

Donald Trump’s attorneys failed to persuade an appeals court judge to delay the former president’s New York criminal trial by saying the presiding judge was not qualified to oversee the proceedings. The appeals court judge, Ellen Gesmer, denied Trump’s request shortly after it was argued at an emergency session. It was Trump’s third attempt to delay his trial on charges of falsifying business documents to help cover up an affair that allegedly happened a decade before the 2016 election.

Ohio – FirstEnergy Made Secret $1 Million Payment for ‘Husted Campaign’ in 2017, Documents Show

MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 4/10/2024

FirstEnergy, at the onset of what would become one of Ohio’s biggest public corruption schemes, gave a $1 million contribution to a nonprofit backing now-Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who was running for governor at the time, new records show. The donation was made in 2017 to Freedom Frontier, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that can accept unlimited funds from corporations without disclosing the source. FirstEnergy’s internal records classify the payment as for the “Husted campaign.”

Ohio – Ex-PUCO Chairman Sam Randazzo Accused in FirstEnergy Bribery Scheme Has Died

MSN – Laura Bischoff and Jessie Balmert (Cincinnati Enquirer) | Published: 4/10/2024

Former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairperson Sam Randazzo, who was facing criminal charges over a bribery scandal, has died by suspected suicide. Randazzo was recently accused of accepting $4.3 million from FirstEnergy to help the utility with a $1 billion bailout for two nuclear plants and regulation that would have cost the company money. He was also accused of embezzling from his clients.

Ohio – The Ohio Law That Could Keep Joe Biden Off the Ballot Has Been in Place for Years. Why Wasn’t It an Issue Until Now?

MSN – Andrew Tobias and Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 4/8/2024

Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden all have appeared on Ohio’s November ballots despite their parties nominating them after an obscure deadline in state law But that same deadline could prevent President Biden from qualifying for Ohio’s November ballot this year, a development that might have wide-reaching ramifications for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and other Ohio Democrats unless a court or Republican lawmakers agree to intervene, a top lawyer for GOP Secretary of State Frank LaRose warned.

Oklahoma – Campaign Finance Task Force Takes Aim at Outside Spending

Oklahoma Watch – Keaton Ross | Published: 4/4/2024

Politically active nonprofits allowed to spend unlimited amounts to sway Oklahoma voters should face greater scrutiny, a gubernatorial task force declared in its final report. The Oklahoma Ethics Commission could propose rules based on the report’s recommendations, which would take effect at the end of the legislative session in which they were considered unless the Legislature or governor objects.

Oregon – Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek to Seek Guidance from Ethics Commission Around First Lady’s Role

MSN – Dianne Lugo (Salem Statesman Journal) | Published: 4/3/2024

Gov. Tina Kotek said she is sending questions seeking clarification on what is appropriate for the role of the first spouse to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, which is reviewing a complaint against the governor related to questions about her wife’s role in her administration. It has been reported that three of the governor’s top aides have resigned over First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson’s involvement in the administration.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Supreme Court Liberal Won’t Run Again, Shaking Up Race for Control

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 4/21/2024

The longest-serving member of the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s liberal majority announced she would not run for reelection next spring, shaking up a consequential race in a swing state and improving the odds that conservatives can retake the control they lost last year. Justice Ann Walsh Bradley’s unexpected retirement sets the stage for an intense race for control of the court two years after candidates, political parties, and interest groups spent more than $50 million in the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history.

National/Federal

From Pizzagate to the 2020 Election: Forcing liars to pay or apologize

Las Vegas Sun – Elizabeth Williamson (New York Times) | Published: 4/2/2024

Michael Gottlieb, a partner at the firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher and a former associate counsel in the Obama White House, is at the forefront of a small but growing cadre of lawyers deploying defamation, one of the oldest areas of the law, as a weapon against a tide of political disinformation. Gottlieb has worked with Protect Democracy, a nonpartisan group that pushes for laws and policies to counter what it sees as authoritarian threats. Before the Trump era and the explosion of social media, though, such cases were virtually nonexistent.

Appeals Court Sides with Judge Who Threatened Peter Navarro with Contempt

MSN – Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 4/1/2024

A federal appeals court rejected arguments from former Trump adviser Peter Navarro, one of a series of legal losses that has the economist facing sanction for defying court orders even as he serves a four-month prison sentence for ignoring similar demands from Congress. A judge threatened him with contempt if he did not hand over more records from his years in the Trump administration. On appeal, Navarro argued the Justice Department had no authority to enforce the Presidential Records Act. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit dismissed that claim.

How Corporate PAC Money Could End Up in the Personal Coffers of Sens. JD Vance and Markwayne Mullin

MSN – Brian Metzger (Business Insider) | Published: 3/28/2024

U.S. Sens. JD Vance and Markwayne Mullin have spent the last year using campaign cash to pay themselves back for hefty loans they sunk into their 2022 races. At the same time, they have been taking tens of thousands of dollars in corporate PAC money, some of which may be ending up directly in the senators’ bank accounts. The murky reality of both Vance’s and Mullin’s finances can be attributed in part to the work of Sen. Ted Cruz.

FEC Fines Mike Braun Senate Committee $159k for Campaign Finance Violation

MSN – Kayla Dwyer (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 3/29/2024

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun’s campaign owes $159,000 for violating campaign finance rules during the 2018 election, among the largest fines in the FEC’s history, ending a multi-year saga with the campaign and Braun’s former treasurer. Since 1980, only about 50 cases have warranted larger fines, but the penalty represents a small percentage of the approximately $11.5 million in campaign loans that were misreported.

Trump Special Counsel Fires Back at Cannon Order That Could Disrupt Case

MSN – Perry Stein and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 4/3/2024

Special counsel Jack Smith warned the judge overseeing Donald Trump’s classified documents case she is pursuing a legal premise that “is wrong” and said he would probably appeal to a higher court if she would rule a federal records law can protect the former president from prosecution. Smith’s office pushed back against an unusual instruction from U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon, one that veteran national security lawyers and former judgers have said badly misinterprets the Presidential Records Act and laws related to classified documents.

Trump Media Stock Plunges as 2023 Truth Social Loss Put at $58 Million

MSN – Drew Harwell (Washington Post) | Published: 4/1/2024

Donald Trump’s social media company lost more than $58 million last year, sending its stock plunging more than 21 percent only days after a highflying public debut set the company’s value at more than $8 billion. The new figures throw into stark relief the gap between Trump Media’s highly hyped investor-driven valuation on the public stock market and the reality of its business performance. They also raise questions about the possibility that Trump could use the company as a financial lifeline. Trump cannot sell his shares or use them as collateral for a loan for six months because of a provision in the company’s merger agreement.

To Comply with Court, Federal Agency Lets White People Claim Social Disadvantage

MSN – Julian Mark (Washington Post) | Published: 4/3/2024

A federal judge ordered the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) to open its doors to entrepreneurs from all racial and ethnic backgrounds, ruling its presumption that minorities are inherently disadvantaged violated the Constitution’s equal protection clause. The MBDA directed its business centers to forgo racial considerations when vetting applicants. Instead, candidates must sign a form, attesting their disadvantage to certify they are “minority business enterprises.” It is the latest sign the government is untethering its definition of social disadvantage from broad racial and ethnic classifications.

Freedom Caucuses Push for Conservative State Laws, but Getting Attention Is Their Big Success

Yahoo News – Elaine Povich (Stateline) | Published: 4/2/2024

The State Freedom Caucus Network aims to push the Republican Party further to the right on issues such as immigration, voting access, and transgender restrictions. It is an outgrowth of the group in the U.S. House. The state chapters are proposing conservative legislation and slowing measures they do not like, even bills that were once considered routine and noncontroversial. Some Republicans say members of the Freedom Caucus gum up the legislative works and are more interested in publicity and grandstanding than conservative policymaking.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Alabama House Approves Legislation Overhauling State Ethics Code

Alabama Reflector – Alander Rocha | Published: 4/3/2024

The Alabama House approved a bill that would repeal the current ethics laws for public officials and employees, replace the code with tougher punishments for violations, and weaken the powers of the state Ethics Commission. House Bill 227 would raise the gift ban limit to public officials and employees to $100 per occasion and $500 per year. The legislation now goes to the Senate.

Arizona – UA President Robbins OK’d Effort to Erase Millions in Fines Against Fraudulent Online University

Yahoo News – Hannah Dreyfus and Helen Rummel (Arizona Republic) | Published: 3/27/2024

Lobbyist Richard Smotkin was ostensibly hired by the University of Arizona Foundation to help build the university’s relationship with Morocco. But behind the scenes, Smotkin worked to persuade the California attorney general to erase millions of dollars in fines against a fraudulent online school acquired by the university, documents show. While Smotkin has extensive connections in Morocco, he had another important relationship: a yearslong bond with California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

California – Former L.A. Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan Found Guilty in Sprawling City Hall Corruption Case

MSN – David Zahniser and Dakota Smith (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 3/27/2024

A jury found Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan secured bribes for himself and for former city Councilperson Jose Huizar as part of a sprawling “pay-to-play” scheme. Chan was f0und guilty on all 12 counts of corruption in a case focused on financial benefits provided by real estate developers with projects in Huizar’s district. During the trial, prosecutors portrayed Chan as a crucial intermediary between Huizar, who wielded huge power over downtown development projects, and Chinese real estate developers.

Colorado – Colorado Appeals Court Upholds Fine, Requirement for ‘Dark Money’ Group to Disclose Spending

Colorado Politics – Michael Karlik | Published: 3/28/2024

Colorado’s second-highest court agreed that a group that spent $4 million backing conservative causes on the ballot in 2020 is required to disclose its contributions and spending and pay a $40,000 fine for failing to register as an advocacy group. A trial judge previously believed Unite for Colorado, which spent roughly $17 million during 2020, was not subject to the registration and disclosure requirement because its $4 million spent across multiple ballot initiatives was not substantial enough when broken down issue-by-issue.

Florida – Federal Court Upholds DeSantis-Backed Congressional Map

Yahoo News – Gary Fineout (Associated Press) | Published: 3/27/2024

A panel of federal judges upheld Florida’s congressional map, turning away a challenge that alleged it was discriminatory against Black voters after the district held by former U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, a Black Democrat, was dismantled. The decision is a victory for Republicans and Gov. Ron DeSantis, who muscled the map through Florida’s GOP-controlled Legislature. The congressional map his administration crafted ultimately resulted in Republicans gaining four seats, helping the GOP flip the House during the 2022 midterm elections.

Florida – With Abortion Ballot Question, a ‘Path to Relevance’ for Democrats in Florida?

Yahoo News – Patricia Mazzei (New York Times) | Published: 4/2/2024

Florida, once the biggest battleground in presidential politics, has become less important as its election results have trended repeatedly toward the political right. Few consider it a true swing state anymore. But three rulings from the Florida Supreme Court on abortion and marijuana may inject new life into Democratic campaigns before the general election on November 6.

Florida – Can Elected Officials Do Business with Their City? Here’s What Ethics Commission Say

Yahoo News – Tess Riski (Miami Herald) | Published: 4/3/2024

Elected officials in Miami-Dade County can run businesses that interact with their city’s government if the scope of work is clerical in nature and does not involve advocacy, according to a draft opinion from the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust. The county ethics code prohibits public officials from receiving compensation from third parties, directly or indirectly, if the compensation is related to matters where the third parties are seeking a benefit from the city.

Georgia – Georgia Lawmakers Approve New Election Rules That Could Impact 2024 Presidential Contest

Yahoo News – Sudhin Thanawala and Jeff Amy (Associated Press) | Published: 3/29/2024

Georgia lawmakers approved new rules for challenging voters and qualifying for the state’s presidential ballot that could impact the 2024 presidential race in the battleground state. The bill would grant access to Georgia’s ballot to any political party that has qualified for the presidential ballot in at least 20 states or territories. The change could be a boost to independent candidates. It also spells out what constitutes “probable cause” for upholding challenges to voter eligibility.

Iowa – Republican Candidate’s Wife Sentenced to Prison for Voter Fraud

MSN – Kim Bellware (Washington Post) | Published: 4/3/2024

An Iowa woman who sought to boost her husband’s unsuccessful congressional bid in 2020 through a voter fraud scheme was sentenced by a federal judge to four months in prison in a rare case of fraudulent voting. Kim Taylor was convicted on 52 counts including fraudulent voting and providing false information in registering and voting. During the 2020 primary and general elections, federal prosecutors said, Taylor filled out voter registrations and absentee ballots for members of the Vietnamese community under the guise of offering translation help.

Kansas – Does Wichita Mayor’s Trip Abroad Fall Under City’s Ethics Policy? Here’s What We Found Out

Yahoo News – Chance Swaim (Wichita Eagle) | Published: 4/1/2024

Wichita Mayor Lily Wu’s trip to Switzerland – paid for by the Swiss government – falls in a gray area of a city council ethics policy that sought to limit gifts to elected and appointed city officials. The travel costs, which include flights, hotel stays, and dinners, are expected to far exceed the $150 gift limit council members can accept from a single source during a calendar year. But Wu says the all-expenses-paid trip is not a gift.

Kentucky – Louisville Mayor’s Wife Repeatedly Turned to City Worker for Social Media Help, Texts Show

Yahoo News – Eleanor McCrary and Josh Wood (Louisville Courier Journal) | Published: 4/2/2024

Text messages show a Communications Department staffer was frequently called upon by Rachel Greenberg, wife of Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, to assist her with her Instagram account by creating and providing content and offering advice. The texts also show Rachel Greenberg, described by the administration as a volunteer, instructed the staffer to edit posts on the mayor’s Instagram account. Two sources said the mayor’s wife had a Metro Hall office, a government email address, and gave orders to staffers. Experts said that arrangement might violate the city’s ethics rules.

Minnesota – ‘Book Senator Hoffman to speak’: DFL state senator’s consulting firm raises ethical questions

Yahoo News – Ryan Faircloth (Minneapolis Star Tribune) | Published: 4/3/2024

Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman prominently touted his political status on his personal consulting firm’s website as recently as a week ago, prompting government ethics experts to question whether he was promoting his official position for personal gain. The homepage of the website for Hoffman Strategic Advisors featured a posed photograph of the senator inside the state Capitol. Hoffman said he always considers himself a senator and had not thought about the optics of promoting his position on his personal website.

Missouri – Recall of Columbia First Ward Councilperson Nick Knoth Passes

KOMU – Hunter Walterman | Published: 4/2/2024

Columbia City Councilperson Nick Knoth was recalled over his lobbying work outside the council. Knoth was elected for a three-year term in April 2023 and took a job as a lobbyist for a trade association for real estate agents later that year. In October, a group of voters launched a campaign to recall Knoth, arguing his position amounted to a conflict-of-interest.

Nebraska – Nebraska Lawmakers Vote Against Trump-Fueled Push to Change Electoral Vote System

MSN – Patrick Svitek and Michael Scherer (Washington Post) | Published: 4/4/2024

Donald Trump’s push to get the Nebraska Legislature to change the way it awards electoral votes faced a major setback when lawmakers voted to prevent the change from being attached to an unrelated bill. Nebraska is one of only two states that divide electoral votes among statewide and congressional district winners. But Gov. Jim Pillen and Trump endorsed a proposal to return the state to a winner-take-all system.

New Jersey – New Jersey’s Unique Ballot Design Struck Down by Judge

MSN – Azi Paybarah (Washington Post) | Published: 3/29/2024

New Jersey’s unique way of displaying county-endorsed candidates on the ballot was struck down by a federal judge after a lawsuit by U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, who is running for Senate, and two other Democrats running for Congress, who called the design unfair and unconstitutional. The state’s ballot design process is unlike any other in the nation, and it allows parties to place their endorsed candidates in a specific portion of the ballot known as “the line.”

New York – Meet NYC’s New Campaign Finance Watchdog, Arriving Amid Probe into Mayor Adams’ Campaign

Gothamist – Brigid Bergin | Published: 3/27/2024

The New York City Campaign Finance Board took a reputational hit last year when then-Executive Director Beth Rotman was asked to resign over allegations of mismanagement. As the agency’s new leader, Paul S. Ryan is now responsible for charting the board’s path forward amid concerns over its oversight of campaigns, especially that of Mayor Eric Adams. “I’ve long considered this to be a model agency administering model laws for the country at a time when democracy in many places is really in crisis …,” Ryan said.

New York – Trump Ramps Up Attacks on Judges, Sparking Concerns as Criminal Trial Nears

MSN – Marianne LeVine, Clara Ence Morse, and Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 4/1/2024

Donald Trump is ramping up efforts to disparage judges overseeing his criminal and civil cases, reprising a long-standing strategy and prompting growing concerns from legal experts. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s approach, part of an election-year attempt to portray the judicial system as weaponized against him, was evident in a slew of attacks. Trump’s personal attacks against the daughter of the New York judge overseeing a hush money case prompted the judge to expand an existing gag order to include his family and the district attorney’s family.

New York – How a California Billionaire Known for Auto Loans Provided Trump’s Bond

MSN – Michael Kranish and Jonathan O’Connell (Washington Post) | Published: 4/2/2024

Donald Trump struggled to post a bond for more than $450 million to keep authorities from seizing his properties, billionaire Don Hankey and his wife started discussing a solution: Hankey’s business could cover it. But when a court reduced the bond to $175 million and Trump said he had the cash to post it himself, the matter seemed moot. Then the Trump team revived the talks and asked Hankey if he would back the new amount. Hankey agreed.

New York – Lobbyist Dating Carl Heastie Cleared to Return to Assembly – and Ethics Attorney Quits

New York Focus – Chris Bragg | Published: 3/26/2024

The lobbyist dating New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has been cleared to return to work at the Assembly. A spokesperson for the Greater New York Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust said after being barred on the advice of its former ethics lawyer, legislative and communications director Rebecca Lamorte can resume lobbying the Assembly, including Heastie’s staff, but not the speaker himself. After Lamorte was cleared to return, the former ethics attorney quit.

New York – Ex-NYPD Deputy Inspector Sentenced in Mayor Adams Campaign Straw Donor Scheme

Yahoo News – Molly Crane-Newman (New York Daily News) | Published: 4/2/2024

Dwayne Montgomery, a former New York Police Department deputy inspector who was friendly with Mayor Eric Adams, was sentenced to community service for his ringleader role in a straw donor scheme that gamed the system to boost Adams’ 2021 City Hall run and curry political favors. The cash funneled to Adams’ campaign in others’ names triggered a major injection of cash from the Campaign Finance Board that matches donations of up to $250 by eight-to-one, allowing the scheme’s architects to subvert caps on how much they could give.

North Carolina – Court Rejects Claim Challenging North Carolina Map for Diluting Black Vote

MSN – Rachel Weiner and Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff (Washington Post) | Published: 3/28/2024

A federal appellate court rejected an emergency challenge to North Carolina’s Republican-drawn legislative map, all but ensuring elections will go forward this year under contested lines drawn up in 2023 that Democrats and voting rights advocates say were created to weaken Black representation. That means 2024 elections will go forward with a map experts say will help Republicans retain a supermajority in the state Legislature. The new maps are also expected to give Republicans at least three more seats in Congress.

Ohio – The Randazzler: Court records detail chummy relationship between Sam Randazzo, FirstEnergy

Yahoo News – Jessie Balmert (Cincinnati Enquirer) | Published: 4/1/2024

Former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairperson Sam Randazzo had a close, chummy relationship with ex-executives of FirstEnergy and its allies. For example, Randazzo texted an image of himself dressed as a superhero and surrounded by terms like “Randazzler” to some of the executives. But Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost alleges Randazzo’s sophomoric communication with FirstEnergy leaders extended beyond memes to a “pay-to-play” scheme at ratepayers’ expense.

Oklahoma – Gov. Stitt Task Force Calls for Changing Campaign Donation Limits

Yahoo News – Nolan Clay (Oklahoman) | Published: 4/2/2024

A task force created by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is calling for no limits on how much money state politicians can accept from individuals in campaign donations. The Governor’s Task Force on Campaign Finance and Election Threats said a change is needed to combat the impact of “dark money” groups. A candidate currently can accept $3,300 from an individual per election. Fewer than a dozen states have no limits on individual donations.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Official with White Nationalist Ties Is Ousted in Recall Vote

Yahoo News – Brandy Zadrozny, Nnamdi Egwuonwu, and Micki Fahner (NBC News) | Published: 4/3/2024

Voters in Enid, Oklahoma, removed city Councilperson Judd Blevins over his ties to white nationalist groups. He faced the recall vote after local activists learned he had marched alongside neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017 and led an Oklahoma chapter of the white nationalist group Identity Evropa. Blevins will be replaced by Cheryl Patterson, a former teacher who campaigned on a return to “normalcy” for this small city, which was divided by the furor over Blevins.

Oregon – Gov. Tina Kotek Signs Historic Campaign Finance Bill

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 4/3/2024

Gov. Tina Kotek signed into law a bill that will limit the amount of money that individuals and groups can contribute to campaigns starting in 2027. The law is historic for Oregon, which has seen increasingly large sums of money poured into campaigns. The bill cleared the Legislature with overwhelming support. Good government groups, labor unions, and business groups, negotiated the details of the legislation.

South Carolina – South Carolina Latest State to Use Congressional Map Deemed Illegal

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 3/28/2024

In a scenario that has played out in three states in recent years, a federal court ruled time had run out to draw a new congressional district in South Carolina and the state would have to proceed this fall with an existing election map the court had previously deemed illegal. The ruling echoes redistricting cases in other Southern states where courts found congressional maps violated the voting rights of Black voters and other people of color but allowed them to be used anyway, at least temporarily.

Texas – Texas Appeals Court Overturns Crystal Mason’s Conviction, 5-Year Sentence for Illegal Voting

MSN – Karen Brooks Harper (Texas Tribune) | Published: 3/28/2024

A Texas appeals court overturned the illegal voting conviction of Crystal Mason, who was given a five-year prison sentence for casting a provisional ballot in the 2016 election while on supervised release for federal tax evasion. The court said there was no evidence Mason knew she was ineligible to vote when she cast her ballot, which is a condition that must be met to convict her of illegal voting. The case thrust Mason, who is Black, into the political fray amid a Republican-led crackdown on voter fraud, partly fueled by baseless claims of rampant illegal voting.

Texas – Texas Could Require Social Media Influencers to Disclose Paid Political Posts

MSN – Robert Downen (Texas Tribune) | Published: 3/28/2024

The Texas Ethics Commission gave initial approval to a proposal that would require social media users to disclose if they are being paid to share or create political advertisements. The action comes just months after it was reported that a secretive and politically connected company called Influenceable LLC paid internet influencers to defend state Attorney General Ken Paxton ahead of his impeachment trial. The proposed rule could be finalized at the commission’s next meeting in June.

Virginia – A Skill Game Company Gave a Va. Senator a $1.9K Trip. No One Will Explain It

Virginia Mercury – Graham Moomaw | Published: 4/1/2024

In 2022, Virginia Sen. Bryce Reeves disclosed a campaign finance report that skill game company Pace-O-Matic paid for a trip he took worth $1,900. Pace-O-Matic was hosting hundreds of guests in Wyoming at Cheyenne Frontier Days. But the campaign finance report gave no indication where Reeves went on the dime of a company that has lobbied the General Assembly for permission to put slot machine lookalikes in convenience stores and truck stops. Under the current rule, lawmakers cannot accept more than $108 in gifts from any single lobbying interest per calendar year, but there are several exceptions to that limit.

Washington – Washington State Legislative Maps Survive Supreme Court Appeal in Latest Battle Over Latino Voting Rights

Courthouse News Service – Kelsey Reichmann | Published: 4/2/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to block the use of Washington state’s new legislative district maps that give Latino voters greater representation. A Republican lawmaker and two voters asked the justices to allow the state’s 2024 election to move forward under a map that was found to have violated a section of the Voting Rights Act that prohibits race discrimination. A lower court judge recently enacted a remedial map after claims of Latino vote dilution, but the Republicans say the new map is more discriminatory than the first.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Becomes Latest State to Ban Private Funding of Elections

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 4/2/2024

Wisconsin voters opted to ban private funding for election administration, joining more than two dozen states that have ended or limited the practice after Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife spent $350 million to help local governments run elections during the coronavirus pandemic. They also approved a second proposal that limits who can perform election-related duties. Both measures were initiated by Republican state legislators.

Wisconsin – What Are Wisconsin’s Biggest Lobbying Law Violation Settlements Since 2016?

PBS Wisconsin – Hina Suzuki (The Badger Project) | Published: 3/26/2024

Wisconsin has strict lobbying laws – so strict that lobbyists are not allowed to give anything of monetary value to the politicians and government officials they lobby. If a lobbyist breaks the rules, the Wisconsin Ethics Commission will negotiate a settlement with the lobbyist or lobbying organization in lieu of civil litigation. Money received from settlements goes to the Common School Fund, the primary, and often only, funding source for school libraries in the state. The Badger Project obtained a list of the largest lobbying fines since 2016.

National/Federal

Trump’s Legal Fees Are Sky High. An Elaborate PAC Scheme Is Helping Pay Them – for Now

MSN – Erin Mansfield and Zac Anderson (USA Today) | Published: 3/24/2024

A pro-Donald Trump super PAC has been transferring millions of dollars every month to the former president’s fund for paying his legal bills. The transfers have kept the fund, Save America, afloat as it bled tens of millions of dollars on legal bills since a New York grand jury indicted Trump, the first in a wave of criminal indictments and civil judgments against him. Save America is a type of fund called a leadership PAC that can only accept $5,000 per election cycle from each donor but has few restrictions on how it spends money. It is being funded by Make America Great Again Inc., a super PAC that can raise unlimited amounts of money.

Rep. Mike Gallagher to Resign in April, Narrowing House GOP Vote Margin to 1

MSN – Patrick Svitek and Marianna Sotomayor (Washington Post) | Published: 3/22/2024

U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher announced he will resign effective April 19, leaving the slim House GOP majority with a one-vote margin that will make it even harder to pass legislation. Under Wisconsin law, Gallagher’s seat is likely to remain vacant until January, with the November general election to determine who wins his seat. The realities of the thin majority were on full display as the House passed a $1.2 trillion spending bill by a narrow margin.

Trump Media Merger Wins Investor Approval, Netting Trump a Potential Windfall

MSN – Drew Harwell (Washington Post) | Published: 3/22/2024

Shareholders voted to take Donald Trump’s media company public, a long-delayed move that will open the owner of Truth Social to stock-market investors and grant Trump a stake worth billions of dollars that he could use to pay down his legal debts. Some critics have said Trump Media is a “meme stock” with a more than $5 billion valuation they say is out of sync with its financial outlook. Trump Media lost $49 million in the first nine months of last year and brought in $3.4 million in revenue.

Federal Officials Say 20 Have Been Charged for Threatening Election Workers

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 3/24/2024

Justice Department officials said reports of widespread threats against officials running the 2020 and 2022 elections have resulted in charges against roughly 20 people, with more than a half dozen receiving sentences between one and three-and-one-half years. But the federal officials said at a news conference that it remains to be seen if the stiff sentences will serve as an effective deterrent to would-be-criminals in future election cycles.

NBC Reverses Decision to Hire Ronna McDaniel After On-Air Backlash

MSN – Jeremy Barr (Washington Post) | Published: 3/26/2024

Amid a chorus of on-air protest from some of the network’s biggest stars, NBC announced that former Republican National Committee Chairperson Ronna McDaniel will no longer be joining the network as a paid contributor. The network had announced four days earlier they were bringing McDaniel on board to provide “expert insight and analysis” on politics. But the company’s on-air personalities disagreed vehemently, saying McDaniel’s promotion of Donald Trump’s false election-fraud claims disqualified her from a role in their news divisions.

No Labels, No Candidate: Rejections pile up as time runs short

Seattle Times – Rebecca Davis O’Brien and Reid Epstein (New York Times) | Published: 3/22/2024

No Labels, the group that for months has pledged to run a centrist presidential ticket in the event of a rematch between President Biden and Donald Trump, is running out of time to recruit a standard-bearer after a string of rejections. With a number of prominent prospective candidates saying no thanks in recent months, some No Labels members and leaders have grown frustrated with the failure to advance a ticket. Still, the group’s leadership continues to hold out hope for November, even as the possibility of outright defeating both Biden and Trump seems increasingly remote.

Threats Against Politicians Are Prevalent. The FEC Wants to Let Campaigns Pay for Security.

Yahoo News – Zach Montellaro (Politico) | Published: 3/27/2024

The FEC wants to allow candidates to use campaign funds for a wide range of security measures, an expansion of what campaign accounts can be used for amid a heated political environment. The proposed changes would allow federal candidates to use their campaign funds to pay for things like as security personnel, cameras or motion detectors at their homes, and cybersecurity services – so long as these purchases “address ongoing dangers or threats” arising from their status as federal candidates or officials and they pay a fair market value.

How Justice Thomas’s ‘Nearly Adopted Daughter’ Became His Law Clerk

Yahoo News – Steve Eder and Abbie VanSickle (New York Times) | Published: 3/28/2024

One of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s law clerks for the court’s next term will be Crystal Clanton, a conservative organizer turned lawyer, who has such a close relationship with Thomas and his wife that the couple informally refer to her as their “nearly adopted daughter.” For Thomas’s critics, the selection of Clanton is blatant favoritism, if not nepotism, particularly for a justice already under an ethics cloud for revelations about his gifts and travel from wealthy benefactors.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Deepfake Kari Lake Video Shows Coming Chaos of AI in Elections

MSN – Reis Thebault (Washington Post) | Published: 3/24/2024

Journalist Hank Stephenson has made a living out of detecting lies and political spin. But even he was fooled at first when he watched the video of one of his home state’s most prominent congressional candidates. Kari Lake, the Republican U.S. Senate hopeful from Arizona, was on his phone screen, speaking words written by a software engineer. Stephenson was watching a deepfake, an artificial-intelligence-generated video produced by his news organization, Arizona Agenda, to underscore the dangers of AI misinformation in an election year.

California – L.A. City Councilmember Curren Price Accused of 21 Violations of City Ethics Laws

MSN – James Queally, David Zahniser, and Dakota Smith (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 3/27/2024

The Los Angeles Ethics Commission has privately accused city Councilperson Curren Price of voting on matters in which his wife had a financial interest. The commission accuses Price of 21 violations of the city’s ethics laws, many of them similar to those filed by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón against Price last year. In the criminal case, Price is accused of voting to support projects for developers that had done business with a consulting company founded by his wife. The allegations from the commission mostly involve violations of conflict-of-interest laws or the council member’s failure to fully disclose economic interests.

California – Judge Recommends Conservative Lawyer John Eastman Be Disbarred in California

MSN – Maegan Vazquez (Washington Post) | Published: 3/27/2024

A California judge recommended that John Eastman be disbarred in the state over his role in developing a legal strategy to help Donald Trump stay in power after his 2020 election loss. State Bar Court of California Judge Yvette Roland ordering that Eastman’s law license be put on “involuntary inactive” status. The California Supreme Court will issue a final ruling on the matter, which Eastman can appeal.

Colorado – Colorado Appeals Court Upholds Campaign Finance Fine for Ex-State Senate Candidate

Colorado Politics – Michael Karlik | Published: 3/26/2024

Colorado’s second-highest court agreed that a former state Senate candidate misinterpreted campaign finance law and failed to file the proper paperwork upon declaring her candidacy. Although Suzanne Taheri believed she had satisfied Colorado’s campaign finance requirements by submitting a copy of her federal tax return shortly after she became a candidate, an administrative law judge concluded that was not the correct form of disclosure.

District of Columbia – Former DOJ Official Jeffrey Clark Could Face Disbarment for Aiding Trump

MSN – Keith Alexander (Washington Post) | Published: 3/26/2024

Jeffrey Clark, a former senior Justice Department official who sought to use the agency’s influence to help reverse Donald Trump’s 2020 election defeat, violated legal ethics and should be sanctioned professionally, even prohibited from practicing law in the nation’s capital, an attorney for the District of Columbia Bar told a disciplinary panel. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel alleged Clark engaged in dishonest conduct when he drafted a letter he wanted the Justice Department to send to Georgia officials, demanding the state Legislature call a special session to examine votes in the presidential election.

Florida – DeSantis Tourism Board, Disney Reach Settlement to End Legal Feud

MSN – Lori Rozsa and Aaron Gregg (Washington Post) | Published: 3/27/2024

The board appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to oversee Disney’s former special taxing district agreed to a settlement with the company, capping a legal feud over who should control development at the theme park complex. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, made up of DeSantis appointees, agreed to drop its lawsuit against the company in exchange for Disney relinquishing some control over its property.

Florida – Florida Donors with State Business Fueled End of DeSantis Presidential Run

MSN – Michael Scherer, Josh Dawsey, and Hannah Knowles (Washington Post) | Published: 3/27/2024

The biggest donors in Republican politics largely shunned Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis after his presidential campaign began to falter last summer. So, his allies turned to donors the governor still held sway over because of his day job. Lobbyist friends and fundraisers of DeSantis called Florida clients asking them to contribute to the super PACs paying for television ads and field operations and many of those people gave. The pitch, according to one person who received a call, was DeSantis was likely to remain a powerful governor in the state.

Florida – In Public, Suarez Says He’s Not Ken Griffin’s Attorney. Under Oath, He Said Differently

MSN – Sarah Blaskey and Alexandra Glorioso (Miami Herald) | Published: 3/21/2024

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has said he has no conflict-of-interest when it comes to his public support for billionaire Ken Griffin, a major client of the law firm where Suarez is employed. But in an interview conducted under oath in December, Suarez contradicted previous public statements and said he is one of Griffin’s attorneys, a potential violation of ethics laws prohibiting elected officials from working for anyone who has business before their government.

Florida – Centners Downplay Ties to Arrested Miami Commissioner, Say They ‘Sprinkle Money Around’

MSN – Tess Riski, Joey Flechas, and Sarah Blaskey (Miami Herald) | Published: 3/24/2024

A wealthy couple at the center of the state’s money laundering and bribery case against a former Miami city commissioner told prosecutors they did not know the mechanics of how $245,000 from their business’s account ended up in the commissioner’s political committee coffers, according to audio recordings of interviews. David and Leila Centner, the operators of the private school Centner Academy, told prosecutors that as a “very high net-worth family,” they “sprinkle money around” and often approve large transactions without knowing the details.

Georgia – Georgia Election Official Seeking New Term Voted on Cases Involving His Lobbyist Clients

Just the News – Natalia Mittelstadt | Published: 3/22/2024

State Election Board member Edward Lindsey is up for reconfirmation before the Georgia House amid new revelations he has voted on cases involving counties for which he is a lobbyist. Lindsey is a lobbyist for both Cobb County and DeKalb County. He is also a registered lobbyist for Dentons, a global law and lobbying firm that has contracted with both Cobb County and DeKalb County. The elections board has had multiple complaints regarding both county’s elections during Lindsey’s tenure, which he has been involved in and voted on.

Kansas – In the Kansas House, When Lobbyists Ask for New Laws, Their Names Go on the Bills

Yahoo News – John Hanna (Associated Press) | Published: 3/26/2024

The Kansas House is making it a little easier for the state’s residents to find out who is lobbying its members. Besides a number and official sponsor, each bill now lists who asked for it, be it a lawmaker at someone else’s request or an individual lobbyist for a specific client. The change started in January. While at least a handful of states require lobbyists to list specific bills of interest to them in reports open for public inspection, the Council of State Governments knows of no other state legislative chamber that is listing lobbyists and groups on its bills.

Louisiana – How to Elect a Louisiana Sheriff: Runoff, recount, reversal, repeat

MSN – Molly Hennessy-Fiske (Washington Post) | Published: 3/24/2024

When Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator announced last summer that he would step down after more than four decades in law enforcement, residents braced for a divisive campaign. Yet few could have predicted they would have to go to the polls three times in six months to pick a successor, elections fraught with racial tensions and legal wrangling over voting rights that mirror national struggles.

Montana – Montana Supreme Court Strikes Down Voting Restrictions

MSN – Patrick Svitek (Washington Post) | Published: 3/27/2024

The Montana Supreme Court struck down four laws the state’s Republican-led Legislature passed in 2021 to restrict voting. The laws ended same-day voter registration in most cases, eliminated student ID cards as a permitted form of voter identification, and sought to curtail paid ballot-collection efforts. They also outlawed absentee ballots for people who would be 18 years old by Election Day.

New Jersey – Tammy Murphy Drops Out of U.S. Senate Race in Stunning Announcement

MSN – Brent Johnson (NJ Advance Media) | Published: 3/24/2024

New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy abruptly announced she has dropped her bid for U.S. Senate, a stunning development in what had increasingly become a bitter and dramatic Democratic primary for the state’s seat currently held by indicted Sen. Robert Menendez. Murphy was aiming to become the first woman ever to represent New Jersey in the upper chamber of Congress. Now, she leaves the race four months after entering it and two months before the June 4 primary.

New Jersey – In New Jersey, Some See Old-School Politics Giving Way to ‘Spring’ Amid Corruption Scandal

Yahoo News – Mike Catalini (Associated Press) | Published: 3/25/2024

New Jersey has the reputation as a home to backroom political dealing. But advocates hoping to break the boss-dominated culture in this Democratic stronghold say the ongoing corruption case against U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez might have opened the door to a new era in Garden State politics. Many progressives were cheered when Tammy Murphy withdrew from the Senate primary, since they viewed her as someone who was benefiting from a system they argue gives party leaders undue influence. The well-connected wife of Gov. Phil Murphy dropped her bid to succeed Menendez.

New York – Trump Wins Partial Stay of Fraud Judgment, Allowed to Post $175 Million

MSN – Mark Berman, Jonathan O’Connell, and Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 3/25/2024

An appeals court panel in New York said Donald Trump would be allowed to post a $175 million bond to stave off enforcement of a nearly $500 million civil judgment against him and his business. While the five judges on the panel eased the financial strain on Trump, they did not erase it entirely. They gave Trump 10 days to come up with the reduced bond of $175 million, saying they would only delay enforcement of the full amount if he put up that lower figure within this window and it is not immediately clear how he will come up with the money.

New York – NY Judge Issues Gag Order on Trump in Hush Money Trial, Blasting His ‘Threatening, Inflammatory, Denigrating’ Statements

MSN – Kara Scannell, Lauren del Valle and Jeremy Herb (CNN) | Published: 3/27/2024

A New York judge imposed a gag order on Donald Trump, limiting the former president from making statements about potential witnesses in the criminal trial relating to hush money payments scheduled to begin in April. Judge Juan Merchan said Trump cannot make statements about attorneys, court staff, or the family members of prosecutors or lawyers intended to interfere with the case. Trump is also barred from making statements about any potential or actual juror.

New York – N.Y. Judge Sets Firm April 15 Trial Date in Trump’s Historic Hush Money Case

MSN – Shayna Jacobs and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 3/25/2024

Donald Trump will begin his first criminal trial on April 15, a judge ruled, at the end of a contentious hearing in which he repeatedly slammed the former president’s legal team for claims of prosecutorial misconduct the judge said were unfounded. New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan rejected Trump’s assertion that the Manhattan district attorney’s office acted improperly with regard to newly available evidence. He also insisted the trial over reimbursement of an alleged hush money payment was back on track after a delay.

New York – Adams Adviser Frank Carone Pulls Lobbying Registration as His Firm Reveals City, State Targets

New York Daily News – Chris Sommerfeldt | Published: 3/21/2024

Frank Carone, New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ ex-chief of staff, rescinded his lobbying registration earlier recently – a move that coincided with his consulting firm revealing its other employees have lobbied officials in the administrations of both Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul. In amended filings, Oaktree Solutions removed Carone’s name from the list of employees lobbying on behalf of the firm’s 18 clients. Asked why his name was scrubbed, Carone said he only registered to undergo lobbying training.

Ohio – Imprisoned Ex-Ohio Speaker Householder Hit with New Charges Alleging Misuse of Campaign Funds

MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 3/25/2024

Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder is once again facing charges in the ever expanding state and federal bribery cases surrounding the passage of legislation in 2019. The newest charges go beyond Householder’s acceptance of a bribe from FirstEnergy that landed him in federal prison for 20 years. They allege he unlawfully used campaign funds to pay his criminal defense fees in the federal case and lied on state ethics forms that require candidates and office holders to disclose their earnings, assets, and liabilities.

Ohio – Ex-FirstEnergy Lobbyist Charged in Bribery Scheme Gets to Spend Easter at His Beach House, After All

MSN – Corey Shaffer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 3/25/2024

A former FirstEnergy lobbyist charged in connection with the largest bribery scandal in Ohio’s history will get to spend the Easter holiday at his vacation home in an upscale South Carolina beach community. Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Susan Baker Ross placed several conditions on Dowling, including giving the court a detailed itinerary of his weeklong trip, contact information for everyone who will be staying with him, and outfitting his phone with a GPS tracker in addition to the ankle monitor he is already wearing.

Ohio – Cuyahoga County Grand Jury Foreperson Lobbied Publicly for House Bill 6. Why Was He Allowed to Hear Case Against Larry Householder?

MSN – Andrew Tobias (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 3/27/2024

A politically connected labor leader served as the foreperson for a grand jury that returned a new criminal indictment against former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, a development experts said raises questions about the impartiality of the process and that could pose future legal issues for Attorney General Dave Yost’s case. Legal experts said Dave Wondolowski’s role on the grand jury could raise problems because of his familiarity with Householder. Wondolowski was involved with issues surrounding House Bill 6, which is at the center of federal corruption charges against Householder and that spawned the new state case.

Oregon – Oregon Secretary of State Says It Needs More Money, Employees to Overhaul Outdated Campaign Finance Filing System

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 3/21/2024

Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade says her office needs more money and employees if it is to overhaul its outdated campaign finance filing system to adhere to new campaign finance rules lawmakers approved recently. Lawmakers did not allocate any money to implement the new limits and change the current filing system, which is nearly 20 years old, so Griffin-Valade plans to request at least $4.1 million from the Legislature’s Emergency Board.

Oregon – Portland Elections Office Finds Zenith Energy Violated City Lobbying Rules

Portland Mercury – Taylor Griggs | Published: 3/26/2024

Zenith Energy attempted to influence officials by communicating directly with city directors and commissioners to gain approval of a controversial land use document that allows the company to continue doing business in Portland, according to an investigation by City Auditor Simone Rede’s office. Rede said Zenith violated the law requiring organizations that spend more than eight hours or $1,000 lobbying city officials in any quarter to register and report the activity.

Pennsylvania – Philly Ethics Board Looks to Tighten Rules After Jeff Brown Super PAC Scuffle

Billy Penn – Meir Rinde | Published: 3/22/2024

After losing a court battle over alleged campaign finance improprieties during last year’s mayoral election, the Philadelphia Board of Ethics is moving to tighten its restrictions on spending by super PACs. The board is also asking a judge to throw out a lawsuit filed against the city by Jeff Brown, the supermarket magnate and former mayoral candidate, and a dark money super PAC that spent heavily to support his run. The revisions would make it clear that someone who plans to run for office cannot get around the limits by delaying the announcement of their candidacy, as Brown did.

Pennsylvania – Upgrades to PA Governor’s Mansion Bankrolled by Private Group That Won’t Disclose Donors, Full Cost

Spotlight PA – Angela Couloumbis | Published: 3/25/2024

The remodeling of the official residence of Pennsylvania’s governor will focus on bringing in new pieces of furniture, art, and other items to the public areas of the historic mansion. Beyond that, little is known about the scale, scope, or even the price tag for the redesign. Despite the involvement of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s aides in the project, no one will say who is managing it, raising money for it, or exactly who is paying for the bill.

Rhode Island – Former Top RI Official Ordered to Pay $5,000 Fine Over Infamous Philly Trip. What to Know.

MSN – Katherine Gregg and Patrick Anderson (Providence Journal) | Published: 3/26/2024

Former state official David Patten agreed to pay a $5,000 fine for his actions on a now-infamous trip to Philadelphia to visit a company seeking to redevelop Providence’s Cranston Street Armory. The Rhode Island Ethics Commission also voted to find probable cause that Gov. Daniel McKee’s former administration director, James Thorsen, violated the law by accepting a free lunch during that trip. This is the first time the commission has brought a case under the state procurement law since being granted authority to do so by the General Assembly.

South Dakota – South Dakota Ethanol Lobbying Entered a ‘Borderline,’ ‘Gray’ Area, Critics Say

Yahoo News – Dominik Dausch (Sioux Falls Argus Leader) | Published: 3/27/2024

When a bill that would open the door to Summit Carbon Solutions’ pipeline in South Dakota was about to head to the state House for debate, major ethanol companies came out in force to support the legislation. Busloads of people with ties to ethanol companies showed up at the Capitol’s doorstep. A media investigation found these companies reimbursed and, in one case, paid, employees and board members to lobby legislators in the days leading up to the vote on the bill. The state’s broadly written lobbyist laws lack clarity about compensating lobbyists.

Texas – Texas AG Ken Paxton Reaches Deal to End Securities Fraud Charges After 9 Years

MSN – Juan Lozano (Associated Press) | Published: 3/26/2024

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton agreed to pay nearly $300,000 in restitution under a deal to end criminal securities fraud charges that have shadowed him for nearly a decade. The announcement came just weeks before Paxton was set to stand trial on felony charges that could have led to a prison sentence. It was the closest Paxton has ever come to trial over accusations he duped investors in a technology startup near Dallas.

Wisconsin – Prosecutors in 3 Wisconsin Counties Decline to Pursue Charges Against Trump Committee, Lawmaker

MSN – Scott Bauer (Associated Press) | Published: 3/22/2024

Prosecutors in three Wisconsin counties declined to pursue felony charges of campaign finance violations against Donald Trump’s fundraising committee and a state lawmaker related to an effort to unseat Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. The prosecutors cited conflicts-of-interest, in some cases because they too are actively involved in their local Republican parties. The state Ethics Commission referred the charges to counties adjacent to the three that declined to prosecute. Ultimately, Attorney General Josh Kaul, could be asked to prosecute the cases.

Wisconsin – Robin Vos Slams Shadow Lobbying Effort on Electric Grid Construction Bill

MSN – Jessie Opien (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | Published: 3/21/2024

The intense lobbying efforts behind a bill that would have changed regulations for transmission line construction exposed problems with Wisconsin’s ethics laws, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said. ” … For an entity to be able to donate to an outside group and have them do their lobbying for them, all unreportable, seems to me to be a … huge loophole in [the] law that we need to fix,” Vos said. The speaker named the conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity as a “prime” example of the issue, despite generally being politically aligned with the organization.

Wisconsin – Former Milwaukee Election Official Convicted of Absentee Ballot Fraud

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 3/20/2024

A jury convicted a former Milwaukee election official of absentee ballot fraud and misconduct in office in an unusual case that pitted a self-proclaimed whistleblower against election conspiracy theorists. Kimberly Zapata served as deputy elections director in 2022, when baseless claims about elections circulated among Republicans, including in the state Legislature. Zapata has said the focus by some lawmakers on meritless issues frustrated her and she wanted to alert them to what she viewed as a true vulnerability in Wisconsin’s voting system.

National/Federal

Supreme Court Rules Public Officials Can Sometimes Be Sued for Blocking Critics on Social Media

Associated Press News – Mark Sherman | Published: 3/14/2024

A unanimous Supreme Court ruled public officials can sometimes be sued for blocking their critics on social media. The court ruled in two cases involving lawsuits filed by individuals who were blocked after leaving critical comments on social media accounts belonging to school board members in Southern California and a city manager in Michigan. They are similar to a case involving Donald Trump and his decision to block critics from his personal account on Twitter. The justices dismissed the case after Trump left office.

Peter Navarro Begins 4-Month Jail Sentence for Contempt of Congress

DNyuz – Zach Montague and David Adams (New York Times) | Published: 3/19/2024

Peter Navarro, a trade adviser to Donald Trump, reported to federal prison, becoming the first senior Trump administration official to serve time over his role in the effort to subvert the results of the 2020 election. Navarro, who helped engineer Trump’s plans to stay in power after his electoral defeat in November 2020, was sentenced to four months in prison for contempt of Congress after defying a subpoena from the House select committee investigating the Capitol riot.

US Supreme Court Justices, Judges Face New Rules for Disclosing Free Trips

MSN – Nate Raymond (Reuters) | Published: 3/18/2024

U.S. Supreme Court justices and federal judges can no longer avoid disclosing the value of travel-related gifts they receive by classifying such free trips as “reimbursements” on their financial disclosure forms under new regulations now in effect. The rules follow revelations that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas had not disclosed luxury trips paid for by a wealthy benefactor.

Trump-Backed Candidate Bernie Moreno Wins Ohio Senate Primary

MSN – Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) | Published: 3/19/2024

Bernie Moreno, a Republican endorsed by Donald Trump, advanced to a general-election matchup against U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown in a contest that could determine control of the Senate. Democratic groups have spent money on ads on Moreno in recent weeks because some strategists view him as an easier opponent for Brown, who faced no challengers in the primary, to defeat in a general election.

Chinese Billionaire Pleads Guilty to Straw Donor

MSN – Jake Offenhartz (Associated Press) | Published: 3/18/2024

A Chinese billionaire pleaded guilty to violating U.S. election laws by funneling illegal straw donations to a New York City official, a member of the U.S. House, and a congressional candidate. Hui Qin admitted to using his fortune to recruit and reimburse people who made political donations on his behalf, beginning with a New York City race in 2021. Court papers filed do not identify the candidates backed by Qin. But there were only a handful of citywide races in New York that year, including the election of Mayor Eric Adams.

Super PAC Backing Ted Cruz Received $215,000 From iHeartMedia – Fueling Ethics Concerns After Podcast Deal

MSN – Molly Bohannon (Forbes) | Published: 3/20/2024

A super PAC affiliated with Sen. Ted Cruz reported receiving $215,000 in “digital revenue” from iHeartMedia, despite a spokesperson for the senator previously denying there was an ethical issue with the company producing his podcast. In 2022, shortly after Cruz and iHeartMedia entered a partnership in which the company markets and produces his podcast, the Campaign Legal Center asked the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate whether the deal violated a federal law barring senators from receiving gifts from registered lobbyists.

‘Very, Very Troubling’: Judges, lawyers flummoxed by Judge Cannon

MSN – Devlin Barrett and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 3/20/2024

Lawyers and former judges said they are baffled by an order issued by the federal judge overseeing Donald Trump’s pending trial on charges he mishandled classified documents, and believe her instructions suggest the case will not go to trial anytime soon. U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon ordered defense lawyers and prosecutors in the case to file submissions outlining proposed jury instructions based on two scenarios, each of which badly misstates the law and facts of the case, according to legal experts.

House Republican Divisions Over Governing Spill onto Campaign Trail

MSN – Marianna Sotomayor (Washington Post) | Published: 3/20/2024

The ideologically fractured House Republican conference has spent the past year debating what it takes to govern. Now that fight is spilling onto the campaign trail. Members from the far right and more traditional wings of the conference are campaigning against their colleagues in hopes of persuading primary voters to kick out incumbents and replace them with Republicans each group believes will better serve their political interests. The unusual interventions are a result of an ongoing intraparty dispute over what, or who, can bring about a “governing majority.”

Supreme Court Opens New Frontier for Insurrection Claims That Could Target State and Local Officials

MSN – Morgan Lee and Nicholas Riccardi (Associated Press) | Published: 3/19/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal from a former New Mexico county commissioner who was kicked out of office after he was convicted of trespassing during the attack on the U.S. Capitol. The state judge who barred him from office did so on the grounds his actions violated Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. The move came on the heels of an expected high court ruling that Section 3 cannot be used against federal officials or candidates until Congress writes a law outlining procedures to do so. The actions herald a new legal landscape as groups that pushed for Trump’s disqualification reboot efforts to target state and local officials linked to January 6.

Emails Show How a Right-Wing Group Steers GOP Leaders on Major Policy Issues

MSN – Daniel Medina and Bob Ortega (CNN) | Published: 3/18/2024

Tax laws allow donors to channel millions of dollars anonymously, through nonprofit foundations, to activist organizations that lobby for and work behind the scenes to enact legislation that reflects partisan goals. The Foundation for Government Accountability enjoys tax-exempt status as a charitable organization. It received more than $44 million from six conservative foundations tied to billionaire donors from 2013 through 2022. Those foundations have financed much of the push to tighten voting laws and spread election disinformation across the country since the 2020 election.

Election Laws Not Ready for Deepfakes, Experts Warn: ‘It’s the Wild West right now’

MSN – Jim Saska (Roll Call) | Published: 3/17/2024

Election law experts say there is little in the existing statutes to prevent artificial intelligence (AI)-powered bad actors, including meddling foreign powers, from unleashing campaign disinformation on an already saturated political landscape. While most commercial advertisers are prohibited from telling lies, there is nothing akin to truth-in-advertising laws for campaign ads because of the First Amendment’s heightened protection for political speech. Federal election laws do not currently regulate AI explicitly.

Supreme Court Likely to Reject Limits on White House Social Media Contacts

MSN – Ann Marimow and Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 3/18/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court seemed prepared to reject a Republican-led effort to sharply limit the federal government from pressuring social media companies to remove harmful posts and misinformation from their platforms. A majority of justices from across the ideological spectrum expressed concern about hamstringing White House officials and other federal employees from communicating with technology companies about posts related to public health, national security, and elections the government deems problematic.

Kushner Developing Deals Overseas Even as His Father-in-Law Runs for President

Seattle Times – Eric Lipton, Jonathan Swain, and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 3/15/2024

Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of Donald Trump, confirmed he was closing in on major real estate deals in Albania and Serbia, the latest example of the former president’s family doing business abroad even as Trump seeks to return to the White House. Kushner’s plans in the Balkans appear to have come about in part through relationships built while Trump was in office. Kushner, who was a senior White House official, said he had been working on the deals with Richard Grenell, who served briefly as acting director of national intelligence under Trump.

Jan. 6 Defendant Got 2 Congressional Internships After She Allegedly Breached the Building

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 3/18/2024

In the three years since the attack on the Capitol, Isabella DeLuca gained a right-wing following and burnished her résumé with two internships in the offices of GOP members of Congress. Now, the social media influencer has been criminally charged for storming the Capitol and helping to force the evacuation of the chamber. DeLuca stands apart from the other 1,300 people charged in the riot because she is the first known member of the mob who would take a position in Congress after her role in the insurrection.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Ninth Circuit Denies Injunction to Block Disclosure Rules for Alaska Elections

Courthouse News Service – Alanna Mayham | Published: 3/15/2024

A voter-backed measure to enforce campaign finance disclosures in Alaska prevailed after a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a judge’s denial of a preliminary injunction that would have blocked the law. A lawsuit by political donors claimed a 2020 voter initiative enforced burdensome disclosure rules that could lead to retaliation for their open support.

Alaska – Alaska Judge to Expedite Ruling on Campaign Ethics Violations by Ranked Choice Voting Opponents

Yahoo News – Iris Samuels (Anchorage Daily News) | Published: 3/17/2024

A judge will rule months before the November election on the legality of a decision by state campaign regulators to punish opponents of Alaska’s voting system. The Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) ruled that leaders of an effort to repeal Alaska’s open primary and ranked choice voting system violated state law when they funneled their campaign money through an organization registered as a church in Washington state. APOC fined the leaders of the ballot effort more than $94,000.

California – Outgoing City Atty. Mara Elliott Says Ethics Commission Needs Greater Independence

Times of San Diego – JW August | Published: 3/14/2024

Outgoing City Attorney Mara Elliott said it is time to increase the San Diego Ethics Commission’s independence to conduct investigations and issue larger fines when warranted. She plans to ask the city council to consider a series of upgrades to the commission. Some would be a ballot measure; others would require council action that would change how the commission is constituted and funded.

California – Fresno County Loses Again; Must Pay Legal Fees for Lawsuit Against City Council Members

Yahoo News – Tim Sheehan (Fresno Bee) | Published: 3/15/2024

Fresno County was ordered to pay more than $72,000 in legal fees to two Fresno City Council members for their defense against the county’s unsuccessful lawsuit over campaign finance issues. The county sued Councilpersons Garry Bredefeld and Luis Chavez last year, both candidates for the county’s board of supervisors, after the pair announced their intentions to transfer money from their city council campaign committees to their campaigns for supervisor.

Florida – Is Miami City Manager’s Furniture Saga Under Ethics Review? Here’s What We Know

MSN – Ana Claudia Chacin (Miami Herald) | Published: 3/21/2024

Miami City Manager Art Noriega told colleagues in an email that he had “engaged” with the county ethics commission about matters pertaining to the potential conflict-of-interest involving the city’s business with Pradere Manufacturing, a furniture vendor owned by his in-laws that employs his wife. He said the matter was “under review.” Jose Arrojo, director of the Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust, said he does not recall ever meeting with or speaking to Noriega about the matter.

Florida – Ethics Complaint Against Moms for Liberty Founder Is Tossed

MSN – Josh Fiallo (Daily Beast) | Published: 3/16/2024

A complaint that kept Mom for Liberty co-founder Tina Descovich from being confirmed to the Florida Commission on Ethics was rejected by the state ethics panel. The man behind the complaint, political consultant and blogger Robert Burns III, said it was rejected because the commission cannot investigate one of its own members.

Georgia – Fani Willis Can Stay on Trump Georgia Case, but Only If Wade Steps Aside, Judge Says

MSN – Holly Bailey and Amy Gardner (Washington Post) | Published: 3/15/2024

The judge overseeing the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies ruled Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis could continue with the prosecution but only if Nathan Wade, the lead prosecutor she appointed and had a romantic relationship with, exits the case. Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee said the defendants “failed to meet their burden” in proving Willis’s relationship with Wade was enough of a “conflict-of-interest” to merit her removal from the case. But the judge also found an “appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team.”

Hawaii – House Panel Spikes Bill to Publicly Fund Hawaii Elections

Honolulu Civil Beat – Chad Blair | Published: 3/14/2024

The House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee rejected Senate Bill 2381, which would have set up a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates seeking election to state and county offices beginning with the 2028 election year. But the bill did not include the $30 million estimated to be needed to fund the program, nor $200,000 to add staff to the state Campaign Spending Commission, which would be responsible for implementing the system.

Kentucky – Piagentini Keeps Council Seat Amid Ethics Controversy

MSN – Eleanor McCrary (Louisville Courier Journal) | Published: 3/18/2024

The Louisville Metro Council Court voted to keep embattled member Anthony Piagentini on the council after a lengthy misconduct trial. Piagentini was accused of using his position to land a $40 million grant for the nonprofit Louisville Healthcare CEO Council to receive federal American Rescue Plan money. He removed himself as a sponsor of the ordinance and did not vote on it, citing a conflict-of-interest. The day after the vote, he accepted a one-year consulting position with the organization.

Maryland – Mosby Legal-Defense Fund Donor List to Remain Secret Following Circuit Court Ruling

MSN – Emily Opilo (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 3/18/2024

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lawrence Fletcher-Hill overturned a Public Information Act Compliance Board ruling that ordered the release of the names of donors to a legal-defense fund set up to benefit City Council President Nick Mosby and his wife. The board argued the donations were akin to campaign contributions, which are disclosable under Maryland law. Fletcher-Hill relied on a 2016 ruling that permitted the state comptroller to withhold specific financial information related to unclaimed funds.

Michigan – Prominent Lansing Fundraiser Arraigned on Campaign Finance Charges

Detroit News – Craig Mauger | Published: 3/21/2024

Heather Lombardini, one of the top Republican fundraisers in Michigan politics, was arraigned on charges that she violated campaign finance law and created a false document after officials began investigating. The state attorney general’s office has been scrutinizing the movement of about $2.7 million from two nonprofit organizations tied to state Senate Republicans to the Unlock Michigan ballot proposal campaign, which gathered signatures to diminish Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency powers.

Michigan – Michigan Lawyer Who Claimed Election Fraud Arrested after Dominion Hearing

MSN – Rachel Weiner and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 3/18/2024

An attorney for former Overstock Chief Executive Officer Patrick Byrne was detained at the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., after defending her decision to disseminate internal documents from Dominion Voting Systems to revive debunked claims about the 2020 election. Stefanie Lambert was facing a bench warrant from a state court in Michigan, where she is accused of taking part in a conspiracy to tamper with voting machines in hopes of finding proof of fraud. She is simultaneously representing Byrne, who is being sued for defamation by Dominion over related falsehoods claiming the firm’s machines enabled vote tampering.

Michigan – ‘New Day in Lansing’ as Lawmakers Advance FOIA Bills, Introduce Transparency Measures

MSN – Arpan Lobo and Clara Hendrickson (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 3/14/2024

Legislation to expand Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act to include the governor’s office and state Legislature is advancing after members of the Senate Oversight Committee voted to report bills to the full Senate floor. There were concerns over some exemptions to open records requests that are currently in the legislation, like shielding the communications in the governor’s office for issuing pardons and criminal reprieves, and exemptions for communications between constituents and employees of the governor’s office or Legislature.

Nebraska – Lawmaker Apologizes After Inserting Colleague’s Name into Book Rape Scene

MSN – Annie Gowan and Kelsey Ables (Washington Post) | Published: 3/19/2024

Nebraska Sen. Steve Halloran apologized for reading a sexually graphic passage during debate over an obscenity bill and inserting Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh’s name into the text, a moment that sparked widespread outrage and calls for his resignation from across the political spectrum. Kevin Smith, a professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, said lingering tensions over Cavanaugh’s strong stance against a bill banning gender-affirming care may have had “some emotional spillover” in the debate over the obscenity measure.

New Hampshire – Group Sues After Novel Biden Deepfake Urged Voters to Skip N.H. Primary

MSN – Tobi Raji (Washington Post) | Published: 3/17/2024

A voting advocacy group is suing a political consultant and companies behind an AI-generated robocall o President Biden that in January urged New Hampshire voters not to participate in the state’s presidential primary. The League of Women Voters of New Hampshire accuses campaign consultant Steve Kramer, Life Corp., and Lingo Telecom of voter intimidation and deception in violation of federal and state laws.

New Jersey – Primary Ballot in N.J. Is ‘Unconstitutional,’ State Attorney General Says

MSN – Azi Paybarah (Washington Post) | Published: 3/18/2024

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin’s office said the state’s unique way of displaying county-backed candidates for U.S. Senate and governor on primary ballots is “unconstitutional” and will not defend it in court, following a lawsuit filed by U.S. Rep. Andy Kim. The move is the latest twist in an already tumultuous Democratic nominating contest for a Senate seat in the reliably blue state. Kim and the state’s first lady, Tammy Murphy, are running in the June 4 primary for the seat held by embattled U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez.

New Mexico – How NM Will Enforce the New Deepfake Disclosure Law

Source New Mexico – Austin Fisher | Published: 3/20/2024

About one week after early voting in New Mexico’s primary elections begins, a new law will go into effect requiring campaigns and candidates to tell the public whenever they use false information generated by artificial intelligence in a campaign ad. The secretary of state’s office and the New Mexico Ethics Commission will investigate alleged violations. New Mexico is among eight states that have enacted similar legislation since 2019. Thirty-one more states are considering related bills.

New Mexico – Senator Sues Secretary of State in Dispute Over Campaign Donation to Student

Yahoo News – Daniel Chacón (Santa Fe New Mexican) | Published: 3/15/2024

Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino is taking New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver to federal court over what he contends is an unconstitutional provision in the state’s campaign finance law. The complaint alleges Toulouse Oliver “ambushed” the “good senator” over a $200 donation from his campaign to a high school student in Albuquerque. The secretary of state’s office says the contribution violated state law and it has been working to get Ortiz y Pino to comply by replacing the campaign funds with his own money.

New York – Trump’s Lawyers Say It Is Impossible for Him to Post Bond Covering $454 Million Civil Fraud Judgment

Associated Press News – Michael Sisak | Published: 3/18/2924

Donald Trump’s lawyers told a New York appellate court it is impossible for him to post a bond covering a $454 million civil fraud judgment in state Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit. while he appeals. Senior Assistant Solicitor General Dennis Fan wrote a full bond was necessary, in part, because Trump’s lawyers “have never demonstrated that Mr. Trump’s liquid assets, which may fluctuate over time, will be enough to satisfy the full amount of this judgment following appeal.”

New York – Judge Orders Delay in Trump Hush Money Trial Until at Least Mid-April

MSN – Shayna Jacobs and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 3/15/2024

The judge overseeing the expected first criminal trial of Donald Trump, which was due to begin in March, has pushed it back until at least mid-April, saying lawyers need more time to review a fresh set of potential evidence and he wants to hear arguments about whether the material was handled properly. The scheduling twist is an outgrowth of the strange legal path that led to Trump being indicted last year on state charges of business records fraud for hush money paid to an adult-film actress.

New York – Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie Has Been Dating a Legislative Lobbyist

New York Focus – Chris Bragg | Published: 3/14/2024

Rebecca Lamorte is the legislative and communications director for the Greater New York Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust. She lobbies the Legislature on behalf of building trades and construction unions and their contractors, which the cooperative represents. She has been romantically involved with House Speaker Carl Heastie, apparently since at least last November. Heastie’s office has declined to acknowledge the relationship publicly, or to describe what steps the speaker has taken to avoid conflicts-of-interest.

Ohio – No Easter Vacation for Indicted FirstEnergy Lobbyist, Judge Rules

MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 3/18/2024

A judge said Mike Dowling, a FirstEnergy lobbyist charged with a sweep of bribery related crimes, cannot take a two-week trip to South Carolina to celebrate Easter. Dowling had asked Common Pleas Judge Susan Baker Ross for leave from terms of his pre-trial bond, which require him to stay in Ohio, to travel by car to his second home from March 23 to April 4.

Pennsylvania – Lawmakers Want to Ban Public Agencies from Hiring Lobbyists

The Center Square – Anthony Hennen | Published: 3/13/2024

The Pennsylvania Game Commission was criticized for hiring a lobbyist, something no state agency had done for two decades. Now, though the commission announced it will no longer use a lobbyist, legislators want to ban the practice statewide. Such a ban would preclude public entities, from boroughs and townships to counties and state agencies, from using a lobbying firm to plead their case for more funding.

Pennsylvania – Pa. Lawmakers Weigh Measures Exposing ‘Dark Money,’ Banning Ballot Drop Boxes

Yahoo News – Eric Scicchitano (The Daily Item) | Published: 3/20/2024

A bill in the Pennsylvania House seeking to shine light on “dark money” advanced out of committee and toward a floor vote, A dissenter to the proposal warned it could run afoul of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The bill was among four election-related proposals addressing either money or election security to move through committees in the House and Senate, getting closer to floor votes in the respective chambers.

Texas – U.S. Supreme Court Hears Texas Case on Politically Motivated Arrests

Yahoo News – William Melhado (Texas Tribune) | Published: 3/20/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a Texas case in which a former council member sued the city of Castle Hills, arguing she was arrested in retaliation for criticizing the city manager. The question at the center of the case is whether people who criticize the government can sue local officials over retaliatory arrests. Several justices asked whether a lower court had too narrowly interpreted previous case law concerning the question.

Wisconsin – Trial Opens for Kimberly Zapata, Ex-Milwaukee Election Official Accused of Ordering Fake Military Ballots

MSN – Alison Dirr (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | Published: 3/18/2024

As the trial of former Milwaukee Election Commission Deputy Director Kimberly Zapata opened, the jury heard significantly different narratives about her actions in the fall of 2022 from her defense attorney and the prosecutor. Zapata is accused of ordering three military absentee ballots under fake names and sending them to a Republican lawmaker who embraces conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. She is facing charges of misconduct in public office and three counts of making a false statement to obtain an absentee ballot.

National/Federal

Nikki Haley Suspends Her Campaign and Leaves Donald Trump as the Last Major Republican Candidate

Associated Press News – Steve Peoples and Meg Kinnard | Published: 3/6/2024

Nikki Haley suspended her presidential campaign after being soundly defeated across the country on Super Tuesday, leaving Donald Trump as the last remaining major candidate for the 2024 Republican nomination. Haley challenged Trump to win the support of the moderate Republicans and independent voters who supported her. Haley has made clear she does not want to serve as Trump’s vice president or run on a third-party ticket arranged by the group No Labels.

New Jersey Businessman Pleads Guilty and Agrees to Cooperate in Sen. Bob Menendez’s Corruption Case

MSN – Larry Neumeister (Associated Press) | Published: 3/1/2024

A New Jersey businessperson pleaded guilty to trying to bribe U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, agreeing to a deal with prosecutors that calls for him to testify in the corruption case against the senator and his wife. Jose Uribe was among three businesspeople charged in the corruption case against Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez. Authorities say the couple accepted bribes of cash, gold bars, and a luxury car in exchange for the senator’s influence over foreign affairs.

Appeals Court Ruling Means Over 100 Jan. 6 Rioters May Be Resentenced

MSN – Rachel Weiner and Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 3/1/2024

A federal appeals court overturned a sentencing enhancement used against January 6 defendants charged with felony obstruction, a decision that means that over 100 convicted rioters may have to be resentenced. The ruling could have an impact in plea negotiations, eliminating one bargaining chip used by prosecutors when encouraging defendants to plead guilty without a trial.

FEC Allows Candidates to More Easily Pay Themselves from Campaign Funds

MSN – Taylor Giorno (The Hill) | Published: 3/1/2024

A new rule allowing federal candidates to more easily draw salaries from their campaign funds went into effect on March 1. The new rule aims to remedy a commonly cited barrier to working Americans considering running for office, which is often an all-consuming and expensive endeavor. Incumbent federal officeholders cannot receive compensation from campaign funds under the updated rule.

Supreme Court Keeps Trump on Ballot, Rejects Colorado Voter Challenge

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 3/4/2024

The Supreme Court restored Donald Trump to the Colorado primary ballot, ruling the state lacked authority to disqualify him after his actions during the attack on the U.S. Capitol. The justices warned of chaos if a candidate for nationwide office could be declared ineligible in some states, but not others, based on the same conduct. While the decision was unanimous, the court’s three liberal justices also wrote separately, saying the conservative majority went too far and decided an issue that was not before the court to “insulate all alleged insurrectionists from future challenges to their holding office.”

Trump Pulls Closer to GOP Nomination with Super Tuesday Wins

MSN – Hannah Knowles (Washington Post) | Published: 3/5/2024

Donald Trump won resounding primary victories in more than a dozen states, pulling closer to securing the Republican presidential nomination and catapulting more fully into a rematch with President Biden. More than a third of the delegates who eventually will vote on the GOP’s candidate were up for grabs on Super Tuesday, putting Trump on track to win a majority of delegates by March 19 at the latest, according to his team’s projections. Biden was quickly projected to notch decisive victories in almost every contest.

Sen. Menendez Faces New Charges in Bribery Case

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram and Anumita Kaur (Washington Post) | Published: 3/5/2024

Federal prosecutors charged U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife with extortion and obstruction of justice. Menendez; his wife, Nadine Menendez; and two associates, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, were charged in an 18-count indictment that built upon the bribery charges they face in a case accusing them of conspiring to have the senator act as an illegal foreign agent on behalf of the Egyptian government.

The Fed Hates Politics. Now It’s Trying to Cut Rates in an Election Year.

MSN – Rachel Siegel (Washington Post) | Published: 3/6/2024

The Federal Reserve is eyeing multiple interest rate hikes  starting sometime this year. As the months pass, the chances grow that those cuts end up juicing the economy in the run-up to Election Day, just as Republicans and Democrats fight to leverage the economy in their appeals to voters. Decisions about interest rates, Fed officials say, are based solely on how the economy evolves, and whether inflation keeps trending down.

Supreme Court Sets Trump Immunity Claim in D.C. Trial for April 25

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 3/6/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court scheduled argument for April 25 to review Donald Trump’s claim that he is immune from criminal prosecution on charges of trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The case will determine whether and how quickly Trump faces trial in the District of Columbia for allegedly trying to block Joe Biden’s election victory. The court’s decision to consider Trump’s claims, rather than letting stand a lower court decision that he can be prosecuted, drew criticism for further delaying the election obstruction trial.

Foreign Agent Law Faces Sweeping Changes

Yahoo News – Taylor Giorno (The Hill) | Published: 3/5/2024

The Department of Justice is expected to propose sweeping updates to the Foreign Agents Registration Act. It has been decades since there have been major legislative or regulatory updates to the law, which imposed registration and reporting requirements for individuals and entities seeking to sway U.S. policy or the public on matters of foreign interests. The law has not kept up with societal changes in recent years, including the rise of social media, even as the Justice Department has been more aggressive in its enforcement, practitioners say.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Judge Dismisses Challenge to New Arizona Campaign Finance Law Exposing Dark Money Donors

MSN – Sasha Hupka (Arizona Republic) | Published: 3/1/2024

A Maricopa County judge rejected a lawsuit challenging a new law requiring so-called dark money groups to expose their political donors. Judge Scott McCoy ruled the Center for Arizona Policy and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club are not immune from Proposition 211, which was passed in 2022. The measure garnered wide support with its argument that the public has a right to know who is funding anonymous political messages from vaguely named committees.

Arizona – Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona Says She Won’t Seek Reelection, Avoiding 3-Way Race

MSN – Jonathan Cooper (Associated Press) | Published: 3/5/2024

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona announced she will not run for a second term after her estrangement from the Democratic Party left her politically homeless and without a clear path to reelection. Sinema’s decision avoids a three-way contest in one of the most closely watched 2024 Senate races, a hard-to-forecast scenario that spawned debate among political operatives about whether one major party would benefit in the quest for the Senate majority. Most analysts agreed Sinema had faced significant, likely insurmountable hurdles if she had decided to run.

Arizona – Arizona’s Trump Electors Subpoenaed in Grand Jury Investigation

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 3/6/2024

A grand jury issued subpoenas to Republicans who took part in the attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election by signing and transmitting paperwork that falsely purported to show Donald Trump had won Arizona’s 11 electoral votes. The subpoenas request each of the Republicans testify before the grand jury about their involvement in the elector plan. They are part of an investigation by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, who has indicated her office would soon conclude the criminal probe.

California – Billionaire Flynn Says He Met Newsom Staff in Lobbying Effort Against Wage Bill

MSN – Eliyahu Kamisher, Daniela Sirtori-Cortina, and Josh Eidelson (Bloomberg) | Published: 3/1/2024

Billionaire Greg Flynn, who owns two dozen Panera Bread franchises in California, said he suggested excluding fast-casual restaurants from a bill raising minimum wages for fast-food workers in the state, but was surprised when chains that make and sell bread were specifically exempted from the final legislation. Flynn, a long-time Newsom campaign donor and one of the world’s largest restaurant-franchise operators, said he never met with the governor over the bill, though he “did meet with his staff in a group meeting with other restaurant owners.”

California – Ethics Overhaul Looks to Be Heading to Easy Victory

San Francisco Examiner – Troy Wolverton | Published: 3/5/2024

Voters approved Proposition D, a measure to overhaul San Francisco’s ethics laws, which was prompted by the corruption scandal involving former Department of Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru. It broadens the definition of people who are prohibited from giving gifts to city officials. The measure also greatly increases the number of city officials who would be required to undergo annual ethics training, among other provisions.

California – San Francisco Commissioner Resigns After City Says She OK’d Nonprofit’s Fake Invoices

San Francisco Standard – Jonah Owen Lamb | Published: 2/29/2024

The chairperson of the commission that oversaw a new community center in San Francisco resigned after facing allegations she approved false invoices for a nonprofit that bilked the city for at least $100,000. Susan Murphy resigned after the city attorney’s office announced the findings of an investigation that alleged Murphy approved the invoices for a nonprofit called J&J Community Resource Center, which provides services for low-income families and youth. Murphy used to be the nonprofit’s secretary, according to tax filings.

Connecticut – CT Election Regulators Want More Oversight of Local Town and City Political Campaign Finances

CT Insider – Ken Dixon | Published: 3/5/2024

Local political candidates including mayors, selectmen, and school boards would be required to file their campaign finance statements electronically with the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) under legislation supported by Connecticut’s top election regulator. Michael Brandi, executive director and general counsel of the SEEC, said the current system, in which candidates for local office file their reports in local city and town halls, is hard to monitor by the SEEC, the public, and the news media.

Florida – Moms for Liberty’s Descovich Hit with Ethics Complaint as She Awaits Confirmation to Ethics Commission

Florida Bulldog – Dan Christensen | Published: 3/5/2024

Tina Descovich, co-founder of the controversial political group Moms for Liberty, awaits a confirmation vote before the state Senate for a seat on the Florida Commission on Ethics, even as a newly filed complaint could well lead to her ouster. Descovich is not registered to lobby in Tallahassee, or apparently anywhere else. But she has been an outspoken advocate pushing a variety of conservative public policy positions with Gov. Ron DeSantis and legislators. “Members [of the commission] are prohibited from lobbying state and local governments,” according to the commission’s rules.

Florida – Deegan’s Chief of Staff Says Questions About Consultant Are ‘Political Shenanigans’

MSN – David Bauerlein (Florida Times-Union) | Published: 3/7/2024

Jacksonville City Council members questioned how a consultant working on a city grant-writing contract got a badge for entry to City Hall and a cubicle in the mayor staff’s office without going through a background check since he had a misdemeanor conviction in 1989. At issue is how the city handles background checks for contract employees and what the policy is for providing entry badges to them so they are able to enter City Hall and designated offices within the building.

Florida – Appeals Court Blocks Fla. ‘Stop Woke Act,’ Says It’s a ‘First Amendment Sin’

MSN – Anumita Kaur (Washington Post) | Published: 3/4/2024

A federal appeals court upheld a ruling that blocked Florida from enforcing a law, backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that restricts how private companies teach diversity and inclusion in the workplace. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled the Stop Woke Act “exceeds the bounds” of the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment right to freedom of speech and expression in its attempts to regulate workplace trainings on race, color, sex, and national origin.

Illinois – Ex-Illinois State Sen. Terry Link Gets Probation for Campaign-Cash Tax Conviction

MSN – Jason Meisner and Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 3/6/2024

Former Illinois Sen. Terry Link, who wore a secret FBI wire in a sting against a colleague in the Legislature, was sentenced to three years of probation on tax evasion charges stemming from the withdrawal of campaign funds for personal use. Link pleaded guilty to failing to report income on his tax returns to the IRS and spending more than $73,000 in campaign funds on personal expenses.

Kansas – Wichita City Council Lifts Ban on Corporate Political Donations, with One Requirement

MSN – Matthew Kelly (Wichita Eagle) | Published: 3/4/2024

The Wichita City Council voted to lift a short-lived ban on corporate campaign contributions to city candidates. The rollback of the campaign finance reform was approved as council members supported an amendment requiring candidates to report the name of the principal owner of the company that gave to their campaign. Another amendment that would have banned the practice of giving multiple donations through different companies failed.

Kentucky – Appeals Court Sides with GOP Constitutional Officers on Ethics Commission Power

Kentucky Lantern – McKenna Horsley | Published: 3/1/2024

A ruling from a three-judge panel of the Kentucky Court of Appeals upheld a law allowing the state’s constitutional officers to each appoint a member of the Executive Branch Ethics Commission. Gov. Andy Beshear, whose office has said it will ask the state Supreme Court to hear the case, filed a lawsuit block the law that reduced his authority over appointments to the commission. The governor had been responsible for appointing the five commission members.

Maine – Judge Suspends Enforcement of New Maine Law Barring Foreign Spending on Referendum Elections

Maine Public – Steve Mistler | Published: 3/1/2024

A federal judge delayed the implementation of a voter-approved law in Maine that aimed to close an election law loophole by stopping foreign government spending on state referendum races. U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Torresen issued a preliminary injunction on the day before the new law was to go into effect. Torresen suggested she viewed significant portions of the law could include domestically held corporations and, as a result, is unconstitutional.

Maine – Measure to Limit PAC Contributions in Maine Could Be Headed for November Ballot

Portland Press Herald – Eric Russell | Published: 2/22/2024

An effort to limit individual and business contributions to PACs in Maine is likely headed for the November ballot. Although the proposal only applies to Maine-based PACs, the measure is seen as a test case for national supporters of campaign finance reform whose broader goal is to regulate PACs that have operated unchecked, and often in secret, for years. The citizen initiative as written would limit annual contributions to PACs from individuals, business, and other PACs to $5,000 in a calendar year. Right now, there are no limits.

Mississippi – Campaign Finance Reform Bill Gets Cold Response; Lawmakers Axe Transparency Component

Mississippi Today – Geoff Pender | Published: 3/6/2024

Campaign finance reform legislation in Mississippi would add transparency, increase penalties and fines, and allow the secretary of state to sidestep the attorney general office’s office if it refuses to go after alleged violations of the law. But lawmakers on the Senate Elections Committee were skeptical of the bill. They removed its main transparency component, and added a “reverse repealer,” ensuring it cannot be passed into law as is. Only then did they send it along to the full Senate.

Nevada – New Ethics Standards Coming to Clark County Government

MSN – Taylor Avery (Las Vegas Review-Journal) | Published: 3/5/2024

Clark County commissioners and some county employees have some new ethics rules to follow. Commissioners unanimously approved a handful of changes to the ethics law, including revisions to how conflicts-of-interest are disclosed, clarifications to language about waiting periods, and changes to required training on ethics standards.

Nevada – As CSN Taps Ex-Rep. Ruben Kihuen for Lobbyist Job, Some Lawmakers Question the Move

Nevada Independent – Jacob Solis | Published: 3/1/2024

Soon after the College of Southern Nevada announced it would hire former U.S. Rep. Ruben Kihuen, who left Congress amid an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations, as its top lobbyist, some lawmakers signaled concerns about working with him. As the college’s new executive director of government affairs, Kihuen’s job would require frequent, sometime one-on-one meetings with lawmakers and lobbyists. “To put us in a position where we’re making women uncomfortable in the building, I think, is unacceptable,” said a female lawmaker.

New Jersey – N.J. Was Once Heralded for Its Tough Pay-to-Play Laws. Not Anymore.

MSN – Riley Yates and Brent Johnson (NJ Advance Media) | Published: 3/4/2024

The Elections Transparency Act reworked New Jersey’s campaign finance system. While the reforms injected more money into politics, raising overall contribution limits for the first time in two decades, it also required “dark money” groups to disclose their major donors. Supporters of the new law insist the old rules were confusing, difficult to enforce, and rife with workarounds that made them ineffective. But critics maintain the changes only made things worse, all but dismantling “pay-to-play” rules once heralded as the strongest in the nation.

New York – Former Trump CFO Allen Weisselberg Pleads Guilty to Perjury in Deal That Doesn’t Require Cooperation

MSN – Jake Offenhartz and Michael Sisak (Associated Press) | Published: 3/4/2024

Allen Weisselberg, the former chief financial officer of Donald Trump’s company, pleaded guilty to lying under oath during his testimony in the ex-president’s New York civil fraud case. His plea deal will send him back to jail but does not require that he testify at Trump’s hush-money criminal trial. In pleading guilty, Weisselberg found himself caught again between the law and his loyalty to Trump.

New York – Meet the New York City Hall Community Liaison Whose House Was Raided by the FBI

MSN – Joe Anuta and Jeff Coltin (Politico) | Published: 3/4/2024

The FBI searched the two homes of Winnie Greco, a longtime aide to Ner York City Mayor Eric Adams, making her the second community liaison in the administration caught up in a federal probe. Greco is the administration’s director of Asian Affairs. Neither she nor anyone in the Adams administration has been accused of a crime, though the New York Post reported federal officials suspect Greco of potentially orchestrating straw donors who gave to the mayor’s campaign.

Ohio – Ohio AG to PUCO: HB6 subpoenas could let Randazzo, FirstEnergy execs escape prosecution

MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 3/1/2024

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) significantly narrowed its investigations into the alleged bribery schemes of FirstEnergy, blocking subpoenas of its former chairperson and the two corporate executives accused of bribing him. The order from Attorney Examiner Megan Addison, came within 24 hours of a request from a top lawyer with the attorney general’s office to stop the subpoenas. She warned failure to do so could imperil the state’s criminal bribery cases against former FirstEnergy Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones, company lobbyist Mike Dowling, and PUCO Chairperson Sam Randazzo.

Ohio – Alicia Reece’s Convention Center Votes Raise Conflict of Interest Question

MSN – Sharon Coolidge and Scott Wartman (Cincinnati Enquirer) | Published: 3/6/2024

Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece has twice cast the lone “no” vote in matters related to the Duke Energy Convention Center’s renovation. In February, she abstained on a vote to spend $10 million in county money on the expansion. Her father, Steve Reece Sr., has been paid nearly $200,000 by the firm that runs the center, Oak View Group, to book events there. Any decisions the commissioners make about the convention center, including votes related to renovation, could impact her father’s contract.

Ohio – J.R. Majewski, Embattled Congressional Candidate, Exits Ohio House Race

Yahoo News – Ally Mutnick (Politico) | Published: 3/2/2024

J.R. Majewski announced he will bow out of the GOP primary for a key Ohio congressional seat after a week of waffling on his future in the race. His departure before the March 19 primary is welcome news for the House Republicans leaders who have maneuvered behind the scenes to nudge him out of the primary out of fear that he would lose the general election to U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, a Democrat.

Oregon – Ninth Circuit Rejects GOP Senators’ Appeal for Reelection After Walkouts

Courthouse News Service – Alanna Mayham | Published: 2/29/2024

Two Republican state senators who boycotted Oregon’s Legislature in 2023 lost an appeal after a three-judge panel ruled legislative walkouts are not a form of free speech. The lawsuit followed an order from Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade that upheld a voter-backed measure barring lawmakers from reelection if they accrued over 10 unapproved absences during a legislative session.

Oregon – Oregon House Passes Compromise Campaign Finance Reform Bill

Yahoo News – Dianne Lugo (Salem Statesman-Journal) | Published: 3/6/2034

The Oregon House passed a campaign finance bill that would establish new contributions limits. Oregon is one of five states without caps on campaign donations and one of 11 without limits on individual candidate contributions. Lawmakers adopted final amendments on House Bill 4024 after discussions during the session between labor unions, business groups and good-government advocates. If the bill is signed into law, backers of ballot initiative efforts said they would withdraw petitions that would bring reform to November’s ballot.

South Dakota – State House Bans Senator for Breach of Decorum

South Dakota Searchlight – Joshua Haiar and Makenzie Huber | Published: 3/4/2024

A state senator has been banned from the South Dakota House floor and lobby for the last week of the 2024 legislative session after placing a bottle of syrup on another lawmaker’s desk. Sen. Tom Pischke placed the bottle of syrup on Rep. Kristin Conzet’s desk days after Conzet motioned to defeat a commemoration celebrating the late Nancy Green, whose likeness was used to create the Aunt Jemima advertising character.

Tennessee – Another Tennessee Legal Battle Brews Over Bill Preventing Challenge of House Rules in State Court

Tennessee Lookout – Sam Stockard | Published: 2/29/2024

A Tennessee House committee passed legislation removing state courts from challenges of House rules despite the threat of another court battle. House Bill 1652 says circuit, chancery, and other lower state courts would no longer have jurisdiction over cases involving House and Senate rules. Rep. Gino Bulso contends the First Amendment does not apply to House rules and argues the Constitution allows the Legislature to hold floor sessions in secret without judicial review.

Virginia – Virginia Senator Who Does Legal Work for Skill Game Industry Will Help Write Skill Game Bill

Virginia Mercury – Graham Moomaw | Published: 2/29/2024

A state senator whose law firm has helped the skill game industry fight Virginia’s ban on the slots-like gambling machines is among the handful of senators picked to write legislation behind closed doors that could determine whether the industry remains profitable or ceases to exist in the state. Many members of the Virginia General Assembly are lawyers, and it is not uncommon for them to vote on legislation that could conceivably impact a client. Tangential associations are not usually enough to trigger the conflict-of-interest law.

Wisconsin – Pro-Trump Lawyers Central to Alternate-Elector Plot Settle Wisconsin Lawsuit

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 3/4/2024

Two attorneys who advanced a strategy to try to overturn the 2020 presidential election by organizing rosters of Republicans to falsely portray Donald Trump as the winner of several states, have reached a legal settlement in Wisconsin with the state’s two rightful electors and a Democratic voter, ending a lawsuit.  As part of the settlement, James Troupis, a former Dane County judge who oversaw Trump’s legal efforts in Wisconsin, and Kenneth Chesbro, an architect of the plan to try to invalidate Joe Biden’s win by convening Republican electors in seven states, released a trove of their communications about their work after the 2020 election.

National/Federal

Lawmakers Across the U.S. Seek to Curb Utility Spending on Politics, Ads and More Extras

Arkansas Advocate – Robert Zullo | Published: 2/27/2024

After a string of scandals and amid rising bills, lawmakers in statehouses across the country have been pushing legislation to curb utilities spending ratepayer money on lobbying, expert testimony in rate cases, goodwill advertising, charitable giving, trade association memberships, and other costs. At least a dozen states have considered bills to limit how gas, water, and electric utilities can spend customers’ money.

N.R.A. Stung by Corruption Verdict Tied to Millions of Misspent Dollars

DNyuz – Jesse McKinley, Liset Cruz, and Kate Christobek (New York Times) | Published: 2/23/2024

In a sweeping rebuke of the National Rifle Association (NRA), a jury ruled its leaders had engaged in a yearslong pattern of financial misconduct and corruption. The jury found the group’s former leader, Wayne LaPierre, had used NRA funds pay for personal expenses, including vacations, luxury flights for his relatives, and yacht rides, and that two other top executives had failed in their duties to the nonprofit organization.

Instagram’s Uneasy Rise as a News Site

DNyuz – Sapna Maheshwari and Mike Isaac (New York Times) | Published: 2/22/2024

A crop of personalities figured out how to package information and deliver it on Instagram, increasingly turning the social platform into a force in news. Many millennials and Gen X-ers, in an echo of how older generations used Facebook, have grown more comfortable reading news on Instagram and reposting posts and videos for friends on Instagram Stories, which disappear after 24 hours. Traditional news organizations have large Instagram feeds where they share reporting, but these news accounts hold a different appeal and have become more visible in recent years.

RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel Will Leave Post on March 8 as Trump Moves to Install New Loyalists

MSN – Steve Peoples (Associated Press) | Published: 2/26/2024

Republican National Committee Chairperson Ronna McDaniel will leave her post on March 8, having been forced out of the GOP’s national leadership as Donald Trump moves toward another presidential nomination and asserts control over the party. McDaniel was a strong advocate for the former president and helped reshape the party in his image. But the MAGA movement increasingly blamed McDaniel for Trump’s 2020 loss and the party’s failures to meet expectations in races the last two years.

As Trump Continues to Trounce Haley, She Presses on as MAGA Antagonist

MSN – Hannah Knowles (Washington Post) | Published: 2/25/2024

Nikki Haley suffered another blow in the lopsided race for the Republican presidential nomination, losing to Donald Trump by about 20 points in her home state of South Carolina. Yet she promised to press on. As the last Republican candidate standing against Trump, she has drawn polarized reactions as she has become a vehicle for the deep discontent that some in the party feel about a Trump rematch with President Biden.

Court Battle Reveals Effort to Undermine No Labels Presidential Bid

MSN – Michael Scherer (Washington Post) | Published: 2/26/2024

Political operatives opposed to No Labels’ potential 2024 presidential ticket took over the NoLabels.com domain last year and purchased Google search ads aimed at spreading the misleading claim that the group supported Donald Trump and other right-wing causes, according to testimony. The court case comes amid ongoing debate over the goals of the No Labels effort, which aims to potentially place a yet-to-be-identified bipartisan presidential ticket on as many ballots as possible.

Supreme Court to Weigh Trump’s Immunity Claim in D.C. 2020 Election Trial

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 2/28/2024

Donald Trump’s trial for seeking to subvert the 2020 election is likely to remain on hold for several more months while the U.S. Supreme Court takes up his argument that he is immune from prosecution for actions he took while president. The justices set arguments for the week of April 22 to consider a lower court ruling that rejected Trump’s sweeping assertion of immunity from prosecution. The move puts the Supreme Court in the politically fraught position of influencing the timing of an election obstruction trial for the leading Republican presidential candidate.

Justices Skeptical of Tex., Fla. Laws That Bar Platforms from Deleting Content

MSN – Ann Marimow and Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 2/26/2024

A majority of the U.S. Supreme Court seemed broadly skeptical that state governments have the power to set rules for how social media platforms curate content, with both liberal and conservative justices inclined to stop Texas and Florida from immediately implementing laws that ban the removal of certain controversial posts or political content. A majority of the court seemed to think the First Amendment prevents state governments from requiring platforms such as Facebook and YouTube to host certain content.

McConnell Will Step Down as the Senate Republican Leader in November After a Record Run in the Job

Yahoo News – Michael Tackett (Associated Press) | Published: 2/28/2024

Mitch McConnell, the longest serving Senate leader in history who maintained his power in the face of dramatic turmoil in the Republican Party or almost two decades, will step down from that position in November. McConnell said he plans to serve out his Senate term, which ends in January 2027. His decision punctuates an ideological transition underway in the Republican Party, from Ronald Reagan’s brand of traditional conservatism and strong international alliances, to the fiery, often isolationist populism of Donald Trump.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Ethics Commission Pushes Back on Proposed Law Changes

Alabama Daily News – Mary Sell | Published: 2/29/2024

Alabama Rep. Matt Simpson said he is not giving up on efforts to add clarity to the state’s ethics law. During a public hearing, those speaking against Simpson’s reform bill included Alabama Ethics Commission Executive Director Tom Albritton, and commission member and former state Supreme Court Justice Lyn Stuart. “There are specific provisions which can be addressed and should be addressed, but an entire rewrite of the act would be overkill and would be bad for the people of Alabama.,” said Albritton.

California – California Lawmakers Can’t Take Lobbyist Donations – Unless They’re Running for Congress

MSN – Julia Wick, Anabel Sosa, and Gabrielle LaMarr LeMee (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 2/24/2024

State law forbids California lobbyists from donating to the campaigns of state lawmakers. But there are no such restrictions on lobbyists donating to campaigns for federal office, even when the candidate is a state lawmaker. So as state Sen. Susan Rubio runs for Congress this year, she can take donations for her federal campaign from lobbyists who may seek to influence her votes in Sacramento. Lobbyists are not required to publicly report which lawmakers they have attempted to influence on various bills, making it difficult to draw direct lines between their lobbying efforts and their donations.

California – Orange County’s Wild West of Campaign Finance: The Board of Education

Voice of OC – Noah Biesiada | Published: 2/28/2024

Almost every campaign for city, county and state government in Orange County has a limit on how much donors can give to their favorite candidates. But one big outlier is the county Board of Education, which has no limitations on political contributions. A review of the most recent election cycle found over $700,000 in contributions to the current board that would violate state campaign finance limits for cities and counties without their own campaign financing caps. But they are legal for school districts and boards of education.

Florida – The End of Public Campaign Finance? Senate Approves Referendum to Repeal Standing Law

Florida Politics – A.G. Gancarski | Published: 2/28/2024

Florida voters may soon decide whether to end a program providing matching state funds for candidates that agree to spending limits. The Senate approved a measure approving a ballot referendum asking voters to weigh in on repealing the Florida Election Campaign Financing Act. Accessing that money is one way that candidates who are not wealthy can get a leg up to make their cases to the voters.

Florida – DeSantis Staffers Blocked Public Records, Ex-Law Enforcement Officials Say

MSN – Beth Reinhard (Washington Post) | Published: 2/23/2024

Top aides to Gov. Ron DeSantis blocked the release of records detailing his taxpayer-funded travel and retaliated against those who favored making them public, according to sworn statements from two former Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials. The statements were filed as part of a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a new state law limiting release of the governor’s travel records. The officials describe DeSantis’s staff demanding a close review of many requests from media organizations, often hampering the release of public information.

Georgia – ‘Star Witness’ Testifies His Claims About Fani Willis Were Only ‘Speculation’

MSN – Holly Bailey and Amy Gardner (Washington Post) | Published: 2/27/2024

A lawyer billed as the “star witness” in the case to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testified it was mere “speculation” when he told a defense attorney that Willis began a romantic relationship in 2019 with the outside lawyer that she appointed to lead the case against Donald Trump, years earlier than Willis has publicly acknowledged. Defense attorneys had claimed his testimony would “refute” claims by Willis and Wade that their romantic relationship began months after Wade was appointed to manage the Trump case.

Hawaii – City Ethics Commission Reviews Gift Prohibitions for Employees

Yahoo News – Ian Bauer (Honolulu Star-Advertiser) | Published: 2/22/2024

A proposal to prohibit city and county of Honolulu employees from accepting gifts related to their official duties is under scrutiny. But Bill 26 is on a tight two-year deadline, with a looming expiration date in April, to either pass or die while it awaits further council review. As drafted, it would prohibit gifts to the mayor, prosecuting attorney, council members, city administration officers, or any person employed by the city, to curb potential conflicts-of-interest or even prevent public corruption.

Illinois – Unlimited Funds Can Flow in State’s Attorney, Board of Review, Circuit Court Clerk Races

MSN – A.D. Quig (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 2/27/2024

Retired Judge Eileen O’Neill Burke has opened the door for unlimited cash to flow into the Cook County state’s attorney primary, making that race the latest county contest without contribution limits. Candidates can also rake in as much cash as they want in the Circuit Court clerk and the county’s Board of Review races. The shattered contribution limits are thanks to the personal wealth of the candidates or in one case, their main benefactor.

Kentucky – ‘It’s the Metro Council That’s on Trial’: Opening arguments made on day one of Piagentini trial

MSN – Eleanor McCrary (Louisville Courier Journal) | Published: 2/27/2024

Louisville Metro Council Court began to weigh the removal of member Anthony Piagentini. He is accused of using his position to land a $40 million grant for the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council, a nonprofit, to receive federal American Rescue Plan money. He removed himself as a sponsor of the ordinance and did not vote on it, citing a conflict-of-interest. The day after the vote, he accepted a one-year consulting position with the organization.

Kentucky – $25 Million Was Spent in 2023 to Influence KY Legislators. Who Wrote the Biggest Lobbying Checks?

Yahoo News – Austin Horn (Lexington Herald-Leader) | Published: 2/23/2024

How do you try to influence Kentucky’s Legislature and win their favor? Spending nearly $25 million to lobby lawmakers is one way, state records reveal. Despite the odd-numbered short session year, the spending topped the record set in 2022, which was about $22.4 million. Several lobbyists were paid well as a result.

Massachusetts – Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden Is Facing Two Ethics Probes from Separate State Entities

MSN – Danny McDonald (Boston Globe) | Published: 2/24/2024

Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden is facing two ethics investigations related to statements he made about his opponent during the 2022 race. The contest to serve a full term as district attorney was Boston city politics at its most bare-knuckled. One of the ethics probes is by the state’s Office of Bar Counsel, which investigates allegations of lawyer misconduct. Hayden is also being investigated by the state ethics commission for similar allegations.

Michigan – Indiana Man Andrew Nickels Indicted in Threats About 2020 Election Results Pleads Guilty

Detroit News – Robert Snell | Published: 2/27/2024

An Indiana man accused of threatening to kill former Rochester Hills Clerk Tina Barton for defending the integrity of the 2020 presidential election pleaded guilty, a development coinciding with Michigan’s 2024 presidential primary election. Andrew Nickels pleaded guilty to one count of transmitting threats in interstate commerce, which carries a maximum five-year prison sentence.

Michigan – Biden Wins Michigan Primary but Faces Notable Showing by ‘Uncommitted’

MSN – Yasmeen Abutaleb and Marianne LeVine (Washington Post) | Published: 2/27/2024

President Biden won Michigan’s Democratic primary but faced a challenge from voted selecting “uncommitted” to protest his handling of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, a potential sign of vulnerability for Biden. Donald Trump continued his sweep of early primary contests, but former Nikki Haley appeared poised to garner a significant share of the vote, an indicator of Trump’s own potential vulnerabilities in November’s general election.

Missouri – ‘Dark Cloud’: Ethics investigation of Dean Plocher continues to hang over Missouri House

Missouri Independent – Jason Hancock | Published: 2/27/2024

Dean Plocher’s last year as Missouri House speaker was not supposed to go this way. He was riding high at the end of the 2023 legislative session, able to point to big wins while pinning any disappointments on continued dysfunction in the state Senate. Ploucher had amassed an impressive campaign fund he hoped would help carry him to the lieutenant governor’s office in the upcoming elections. But in the midst of the 2024 session, things could not get much worse.

Nevada – Judge Blocks 2024 Ballot Initiatives Seeking Independent Redistricting

MSN – Jessica Hill (Las Vegas Review-Journal) | Published: 2/20/2024

A judge ruled that two initiative petitions aiming to change how Nevada redraws state and federal legislative districts were legally deficient and cannot be placed on the 2024 November ballot. The judge sided with Clark County resident Eric Jeng, who argued the petitions violated the state constitution because they would require government funding.

New Hampshire – Democratic Operative Admits to Commissioning Biden AI Robocall in New Hampshire

MSN – Pranshu Verma and Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) | Published: 2/26/2024

Steve Kramer, a longtime Democratic consultant working for presidential candidate Dean Phillips, admitted he commissioned the artificial intelligence-generated robocall of Joe Biden that was sent to New Hampshire voters in January and triggered a state criminal investigation. After the robocall, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a ruling that clarified generating a voice with AI for robocalls is illegal and issued a cease-and-desist letter to Kramer.

New Jersey – N.J. AG Corruption Investigation Focuses on George Norcross’ Influence Over Camden Waterfront Developments, Sources Say

MSN – Andrew Seidman and Jeremy Roebuck (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 2/29/2024

South Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross III has found himself under scrutiny from state and federal authorities repeatedly over the last two decades. They have tapped his phones, had an informant record his conversations, and reviewed scores of documents. But they have never filed criminal charges. Now, prosecutors appear to be trying again, this time with a wide-ranging probe by the state attorney general’s office and the FBI.

New York – Democrats Propose Slight Changes to N.Y. Congressional Districts

Albany Times Union – Joshua Solomon | Published: 2/27/2024

Democratic state lawmakers unveiled a slightly reconfigured map for New York’s 26 congressional districts they are proposing should be used for the remainder of the decade. The map was issued a day after they voted to reject a bipartisan commission’s map. Republican lawmakers, who had warned they would file new litigation if Democrats created new boundaries that would benefit their candidates, remained relatively quiet as the proposed maps would have only marginal impacts on either party.

New York – NYC’s Public Housing Agency Seeking ‘Restitution’ in Corruption Scheme

Gothamist – Dave Brand and Brittany Kriegstein | Published: 2/27/2024

New York City’s public housing agency will belatedly implement more than a dozen recommendations meant to stop low-level corruption within the next year while seeking “restitution” from employees implicated in a long-running kickback scheme, administrators said. Top officials from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) made the commitments during a city council hearing, three weeks after 70 current and former NYCHA employees were charged with taking cash bribes from vendors in exchange for small repair contracts.

New York – Judge Won’t Delay Trump Financial Penalty but Lets Sons Remain atop Company for Now

MSN – Shayna Jacobs and Mark Berman (Washington Post) | Published: 2/28/2024

A judge rejected a request from Donald Trump to delay enforcement of a judgment totaling at least $4500 million while he appeals that order but allowed the former president’s adult sons to remain in leadership positions at the Trump Organization for the time being. New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron had determined Trump and others had given false data to financial institutions and insurance companies so they could borrow money at lower rates and save on costs.

New York – N.Y. Prosecutor Seeks Trump Gag Order, Jury Protections Ahead of 1st Criminal Trial

MSN – Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 2/26/2024

Prosecutors preparing for Donald Trump’s first criminal trial in March are seeking a partial gag order to prevent the former president and those speaking on his behalf from disparaging witnesses, jurors, and others involved in the case, and have asked a judge to protect jurors by shielding their names and addresses from public view. The motions show the high stakes and tensions surrounding the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president, one of four prosecutions Trump faces as he closes in on the 2024 Republican nomination for president.

Ohio – A Former Ohio House Speaker Is in Prison. A Top Regulator Is Indicted. But State Lawmakers Still Haven’t Touched Ethics Reform

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 2/25/2024

There is little sign that Ohio lawmakers will pass legislation addressing the largest corruption case in the state’s history, even following the recent indictments of former top state utilities regulator Sam Randazzo and two former FirstEnergy executives, and a 20-year prison sentence for former House Speaker Larry Householder. Randazzo and Householder were charged with accepting millions of dollars in bribe money to secure FirstEnergy’s policy priorities. Democratic lawmakers, who are behind a majority of the reform bills, say it is a reflection of how dominant of a hold Republicans have on the statehouse.

Oklahoma – How Libs of TikTok Became a Powerful Presence in Oklahoma Schools

MSN – Taylor Lorenz (Washington Post) | Published: 2/24/2024

Far-right activist Chaya Raichik splits her time between California, where she is registered to vote, and Florida, where she often travels. But the place where she arguably is having the biggest impact these days is Oklahoma, a state she has visited only once. Raichik, who operates the social media account Libs of TikTok, has amassed an audience of millions on X, largely by targeting LGBTQ+ people. In January, Raichik was appointed to the Oklahoma Library Media Advisory Committee.

Oregon – Lawmakers Push to Pass Oregon Campaign Finance Limits in Next 2 Weeks, Amid Concerns About Loopholes

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 2/24/2024

Oregon lawmakers from both parties indicated that passing campaign finance limits has become a priority this legislative session. During a hearing in the House Rules Committee, lawmakers, union leaders, and lobbyists for business groups testified in support of House Bill 4024, a compromise to restrict campaign contributions and require additional disclosure of political spending.

Oregon – Portland, Businesses Push for Public Records Exemption Amid Pending Release of Which Firms Paid Clean Energy Tax

MSN – Shane Dixon Kavanaugh (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 2/28/2024

Oregon lawmakers are considering a change to the state’s public records law as Portland officials and business groups attempt to block the release of information related to the city’s voter-approved climate fund. But journalists have raised alarms that the proposal could have broad unintended consequences that would lessen government accountability.

Pennsylvania – McClelland’s Pa. Treasurer Campaign Raised and Spent Money Months Before It Officially Existed

Pennsylvania Capital-Star – Peter Hall | Published: 2/28/2024

Erin McClelland, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for state treasurer, campaigned and accepted donations months before registering a fundraising committee with the Pennsylvania Department of State, as candidates for state office are required to do. While McClelland’s campaign chairperson said the donations and spending were properly reported to Allegheny County, election law experts say Pennsylvania’s campaign finance reporting rules are clear that statewide candidates must report their campaign donations and spending to the state.

Pennsylvania – Philly’s Ethics Board Is Changing the Rules at the Heart of Its Fight with the ‘Super PAC’ That Backed Jeff Brown’s Bid for Mayor

Philadelphia Inquirer – Sean Collins Walsh | Published: 2/21/2024

The Philadelphia Board of Ethics is moving to amend city campaign finance regulations in the wake of its botched lawsuit against the super PAC that supported Jeff Brown’s unsuccessful campaign in last year’s mayoral election. A notable change would clarify what constitutes illegal coordination between candidates and independent expenditure committees. That issue was at the center of the legal fight between the ethics board, Brown, and the super PAC supporting him.

Pennsylvania – Transparency and Accountability: Pennsylvania lawmakers target dark money in campaigns

WESA – Ben Wasserstein | Published: 2/26/2024

In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court opened the floodgates for corporations and nonprofits to make unlimited hidden contributions to political causes. While Pennsylvania cannot override this federal decision, one state lawmaker believes it can make those entities more transparent with their spending. Rep. Joe Webster is proposing legislation that would require the disclosure of corporate expenditures on elections and limit donations, among other provisions.

Rhode Island – Providence NAACP President Found Guilty of Violating Campaign Finance Laws

MSN – Steph Machado (Boston Globe) | Published: 2/28/2024

The president of the Providence NAACP was found guilty of violating state campaign finance laws when he ran for city council in 2022. District Court Judge Anthony Capraro sentenced Gerard Catala to 20 hours of community service and a one-year filing, which means the case can be expunged if Catala stays out of trouble for a year. In handing down the sentence, Capraro noted Catala was given ample time and latitude to come into compliance with campaign finance laws, but it appeared “he just didn’t seem to want to.”

Virginia – Virginia’s Finance Reform Bill to Prevent Personal Use of Campaign Funds Defeated Again

MSN – Sarah Rankin (Associated Press) | Published: 2/28/2024

Virginia lawmakers defeated campaign finance reform legislation that would have prohibited elected officials from spending donations on personal expenses such as mortgages, vacations, or gym memberships. Virginia – which allows unlimited donations from individuals, corporations, and special interest groups – is a national outlier for lacking such a ban, and advocates at the General Assembly have been trying for more than a decade to put personal use restrictions on candidates’ spending.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Ethics Commission Alleges Illegal Scheme by Trump Fundraising Committee and Rep. Janel Brandtjen

MSN – Molly Beck (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | Published: 2/23/2024

The Wisconsin Ethics Commission recommended that state prosecutors file felony charges against a fundraising committee for Donald Trump and a state lawmaker related to an effort to unseat Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. The commission alleges Save America PAC and Rep. Janel Brandtjen conspired in a scheme to evade campaign donation limits to support the Republican primary challenger to Vos in 2022, steering at least $40,000 to the bid.

National/Federal

The Quiet Way Democrats Hope to Expand Their Power at the State Level

DNyuz – Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) | Published: 2/20/2024

Locked out of power on the U.S. Supreme Court and still playing catch-up against Republicans in the federal judiciary, Democrats are hoping to gain a political advantage on a less visible but still important playing field: the state courts. Governors have the power to appoint judges in nearly every state. These responsibilities are set to take center stage in political campaigns this year, as the Democratic Governors Association begins a multimillion-dollar effort, called the Power to Appoint Fund, aimed at key governor’s races.

Election Deniers Seek to Rewrite the Law

DNyuz – Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) | Published: 2/22/2024

More than three years after the 2020 election, the lies and falsehoods about President Biden’s victory persist, and they continue to influence efforts to pass election laws across the country. More than 70 bills in at least 25 states draw some connection to conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. Those theories include falsehoods about the security of ballot drop boxes and voting by undocumented citizens, as well as questions about fraudulent absentee ballots and corrupted election machines, all of which have been debunked.

Mike Lindell Must Pay Man $5M in ‘Prove Mike Wrong’ Challenge, Judge Says

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram (Wahington Post) | Published: 2/22/2024

In 2021, MyPillow founder Mike Lindell offered $5 million to anyone who could disprove his claim he had data showing voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Now, he must pay a man from Nevada that award, a federal judge ruled. If someone could “Prove Mike Wrong,” as the challenge was called, and show the data was unrelated to the election, they would get the payout, Lindell said ahead of an August 2021 “cyber symposium.” Robert Zeidman, a computer forensics expert did just that, a federal judge determined, upholding a previous ruling from a private arbitration panel.

Informant Charged with Lies About Bidens Also Claimed Russian Contacts, Feds Say

MSN – Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 2/21/2024

A former FBI informant charged with making up a bribery scheme involving President Biden had contacts with Russian intelligence-affiliated officials, prosecutors said. Alexander Smirnov was charged with lying to the FBI when he claimed to have knowledge of corruption by Biden and his son Hunter. The accusations, memorialized in an FBI document, were championed by congressional Republicans but Smirnov’s indictment and detention memo suggest the allegations were not only false, but possibly a Russian-inspired smear.

Tax Records Reveal the Lucrative World of Covid Misinformation

MSN – Lauren Weber (Washington Post) | Published: 2/21/2024

Four major nonprofits that rose to prominence during the coronavirus pandemic by capitalizing on the spread of medical misinformation collectively gained more than $118 million between 2020 and 2022, enabling the organizations to deepen their influence. The influx of pandemic cash sent executive compensation soaring, boosted public outreach, and seeded the ability to wage legislative and legal battles to weaken vaccine requirements and defend physicians accused of spreading misinformation.

Juul’s Internal Playbook Opens a Rare Window into Influence in Washington

STAT News – Nicholas Florko | Published: 2/15/2024

Juul spent significant sums on registered lobbyists and political donations in 2018 and 2019, when the head of the Food and Drug Administration declared youth vaping an epidemic. Documents show Juul tried everything from orchestrating untraceable campaign contributions to paying think tanks for favorable research, to revamp its image and prevent both Congress and the FDA from taking action that could cost the company financially. The strategies are not necessarily surprising themselves, transparency advocates said. But it is rare to see them laid out like this.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – House Bill Would Close ‘Loophole’ Regarding Campaign Finance Reports

Eastern Arizona Courier – Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) | Published: 2/18/2024

Legislation in the Arizona House would amend the law that allows anyone who serves a four-year term to file the required annual reports on who gave them money and how they have spent it once after they get elected, and then not until January of the year they are on the ballot again. The issue arose after it was revealed that Gov. Katie Hobbs, first elected in 2022, did not file reports this January, which is different from what is required of members of the Legislature.

California – Fight Continues Over Whether Nonprofits Should Have to Disclose Lobbying Activity

Long Beach Post – Jason Ruiz | Published: 2/17/2024

The Long Beach Ethics Commission is continuing to revise its proposal to overhaul Long the lobbying disclosure law, something it plans to eventually present to city council, which will have the final say over any changes. The commission met to discuss the most recent draft addressing who must disclose meeting with city officials and attempts to influence policy, but the commission was again met with concerns from nonprofit leaders whose organizations might be included under the new rules.

California – L.A. Ethics Panel Rejects Proposed $11,250 Fine for Leslie Moonves as Too Low

MSN – Dakota Smithand Meg James (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 2/21/2024

The Los Angeles Ethics Commission rejected a proposed settlement between the city and former CBS Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves, saying a tougher penalty was warranted for Moonves, who had been accused of interfering with a police investigation into sexual assault allegations against him. Moonves had agreed to pay $11,250 to settle a complaint that accused him of inducing a government official to violate laws so Moonves would have a tactical advantage in a police complaint against him.

California – Anaheim Begins Implementing Changes from Fall of Reform Debates

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 2/20/2024

A corruption report alleged Disneyland resort interests and lobbyists exert enormous influence on Anaheim’s policy making. Investigators painted a picture of loose oversight on lobbyists, developer favoritism, and influence peddling by Disneyland Resort interests through the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce. Their findings led Mayor Ashleigh Aitken and city Councilperson Natalie Rubalcava to call for a series of reform proposals to be developed and debated, and which are now being implemented.

California – Anaheim Changes How Political Candidates Fundraise in Wake of Corruption Scandal

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 2/15/2024

Anaheim City Council members are changing campaign finance laws to limit how long candidates can fundraise debt repayment and how much they can loan themselves during elections. Two council members are calling for city staff to explore making it easier for residents to see who is spending in local elections and the financing behind the mailers they receive in their mailbox every election season.

Florida – Orange County Mayor Demings Fires Lobbyist Over Conflict of Interest

MSN – Stephen Hudak (Orlando Sentinel) | Published: 2/15/2024

Orange County fired lobbying firm GrayRobinson less than a week after the Orlando Sentinel revealed the lobbyist assigned to represent the county’s interests was behind legislation directly conflicting with its top legislative priority. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings labeled as “disturbing” the involvement of lobbyist Chris Carmody in a bill to limit the county’s authority over the Visit Orlando tourism marketing agency. But Demings moved more quickly than many expected.

Florida – Florida Law Blasted After Permission Slip Sent to Hear Black Author’s Book

MSN – Kim Bellware (Washington Post) | Published: 2/15/2024

A controversial law in Florida is facing renewed scrutiny after a rule about parental permission slips sparked confusion at a Miami elementary school when it asked parents to sign a slip allowing their children to hear a guest speaker read a book “written by an African American.” The state rule in question is an extension of a law Gov. Ron DeSantis touted as a way to help parents combat what he and other conservative figures claimed was “liberal indoctrination” woven through the K-12 and higher education system.

Georgia – Fani Willis’ Testimony Evokes Long-Standing Frustrations for Black Women Leaders

MSN – Matt Brown and Jocelyn Noveck (Associated Press) | Published: 2/17/2024

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is used to prosecuting high-profile, challenging cases. But as she parried questions about her own personal conduct from the witness stand against the legal teams for defendants her office has accused of election interference, many Black women recognized a dispiriting scene. Willis testified during an extraordinary hearing that could result in her office being removed from the state’s case against Donald Trump.

Hawaii – Hawaii Has a Voter Enthusiasm Problem, Could Publicly Funded Campaigns Help?

Yahoo News – Jeremy Yurow (USA Today) | Published: 2/15/2024

Hawaii taxpayers could soon find themselves footing a $30 million bill to fund state political campaigns. Could this initiative breathe new life into local elections by ensuring more diverse candidates? Several lawmakers, activists, and residents say the answer is yes. The current system in Hawaii is seen as favoring a small group of donors, who often gain undue access to candidates and officials, according to the bill. Despite recent reforms, voter turnout is among the nation’s lowest.

Idaho – Support This Bill or Else: Idaho lawmakers cite pressure from ‘wealthy’ campaign donor

MSN – Ian Max Stevenson (Idaho Statesman) | Published: 2/20/2024

As a controversial bill to implement mandatory minimum prison sentences for fentanyl crimes made its way through the House, several key lawmakers reported having uncomfortable experiences with interested parties that amounted to a pressure campaign. They recounted receiving a clear, straightforward threat: vote against this bill, and I will bankroll your next opponent. House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel said Republicans have been threatened by “a very wealthy individual.”

Illinois – In Last-Minute Reversal, Former Sen. Sam McCann Pleads Guilty to Corruption Charges

Capitol News Illinois – Hannah Meisel | Published: 2/13/2024

As federal prosecutors were preparing to rest their case in the corruption trial of former state Sen. Sam McCann plead guilty on all counts. In the trial, prosecutors accused McCann of “greed, fraud and arrogance” in illegally using campaign funds for personal expenses, including paying two mortgages, financing multiple vehicles and vacations, fraudulently cutting himself checks for work not performed, and double-dipping on reimbursement for miles driven.

Illinois – Illinois Democratic PAC Loses Appeal of Massive Fines for Not Timely Reporting Campaign Spending

MSN – Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 2/21/2024

The State Board of Elections rejected a request to reconsider or lower more than $100,000 in fines levied against a PAC that helped expand the Democratic Party’s majority on the Illinois Supreme Court. The board’s unanimous vote followed a request by All for Justice, an independent expenditure PAC backed by Senate President Don Harmon, after it was fined $108,500 last year for failing to timely file detailed expenditure reports in spending $7.3 million. The fines were among the largest ever levied by the election board.

Illinois – As Corruption Trials Continue, Illinois Lobbyist Reform Effort Pushed in General Assembly

Yahoo News – Ray Long and Dan Patella (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 2/19/2024

As the Illinois General Assembly begins its spring session, legislation is being proposed that aims to tackle two key issues around lobbying – requiring statehouse lobbyists to report the compensation they receive from their clients and giving the secretary of state’s office the power to boot bad actors. Following a string of corruption trials, including a bribery scandal involving Commonwealth Edison and lobbyists trying to influence ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said, “The timing is ripe for this legislation to be acted on and passed.”

Indiana – Four Goshen School Board Members Criminally Charged with Campaign Finance Violations

WVPE – Mark Mazurek | Published: 2/21/2024

A campaign mailer for the 2022 Goshen School Board elections resulted in criminal charges against five candidates. The mailer endorsed Jose Elizalde, Mario Garber, Roger Nafziger and Andrea Johnson in the general election and denigrated an opposing slate of candidates. The candidates were fined by the election board last year, but now they face felony criminal charges for not disclosing the names of their donors.

Kentucky – Ethics Experts Say Kentucky Lawmaker’s Push to Ease Pollution Penalties for Local Companies – Including His Employer – Is a Problem

Louisville Public Media – R.G. Dunlop | Published: 2/16/2024

State Rep. Jared Bauman asked the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission if he could sponsor and vote on legislation that could benefit his employer. Commission Executive Director said because his proposed bill would affect “other, similarly situated businesses in the same way” it applied to Lubrizol Corp., there was no conflict-of-interest. Ethics experts said while Bauman’s involvement in the bill may not violate state law, it nevertheless highlights questions that arise when the perception of a conflict exists.

Maine – Special Funds Let Maine Lawmakers Raise and Spend with Few Limits

centralmaine.com – Randy Billings (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 2/18/2024

While restrictions remain for campaign contributions to a legislative candidate in Maine, businesses and individuals can donate unlimited amounts to PACs run by candidates after they are elected. More than a dozen lawmakers who have their own committees do not appear to have broken any rules. But disclosures highlight the widely diverging uses of the money and the loose regulations around so-called leadership PACs, which traditionally have been used by lawmakers to help elect political allies and build influence.

Maryland – Ethics Board Won’t Require Last Names of Mayor Scott’s Baby Registry Donors

Baltimore Brew – Mark Reutter | Published: 2/16/2024

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and fiancée Hana Pugh will not be required to fully identify the people or organizations that donated more than $12,000 worth of baby merchandise, gift cards, and cash to an online baby registry they set up, the city Ethics Board decided. Many of the people who sent presents and cash through the Babylist.com portal were identified only by their first names or nicknames, such as Weasel, Garfield, and Aunt Fuff. Others had untraceable organization names.

Michigan – Nessel Levels Charges Against Two GOP Political Fundraisers in Campaign Against Whitmer

Detroit News – Craig Mauger | Published: 2/21/2024

State Attorney General Dana Nessel charged two political operatives connected to the group Unlock Michigan, which protested COVID-era health orders, for their part in a “dark money” scheme. Heather Lombardini faces multiple criminal charges for allegedly violating Michigan campaign finance law by soliciting contributions for the petition drive utilizing two nonprofits to skirt disclosure requirements. Sandy Baxter was charged with perjury for allegedly lying about her involvement in the scheme.

Michigan – Sidney Powell and Other Trump-Aligned Lawyers Will Face Legal Penalties

DNyuz – Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) | Published: 2/22/2024

Sidney Powell, L. Lin Wood, and several other lawyers who advanced Donald Trump’s false claims of a stolen election will face legal penalties after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up their appeal. The penalties, upwards of $130,000 in legal fees incurred by the election officials they sued, plus referrals to their state bar associations for potential discipline, stem from a lawsuit the lawyers filed in Michigan in November 2020.

Missouri – Missouri Treasurer Under Fire Over Ads on Slot Machines

St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Kurt Erickson | Published: 2/21/2024

The chairperson of a House budget panel said the state treasurer is refusing to appear before his committee to answer questions about links he may have to one of the top gas station gambling companies in Missouri. Rep. Scott Cupps had requested that Treasurer Vivek Malek appear before his House Budget subcommittee but was told the treasurer would not be available. Photos and videos taken by Cupps show payout kiosks for the slot machines now include advertisements for the state’s unclaimed property program, which is operated by Malek’s office.

New Mexico – Lawmakers for Second Year Kick Ethics Fixes Down the Road

New Mexico In Depth – Marjorie Childress | Published: 2/16/2024

An effort to fix the state’s anti-corruption statute after the New Mexico Supreme Court barred prosecutors from bringing criminal charges under several of its provisions was defeated in the Senate. The court ruled that three of the statute’s four provisions used by prosecutors were too vaguely written to result in criminal charges.  The lack of action comes at a time when former Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton is reportedly negotiating a plea deal after being indicted on numerous criminal counts, including racketeering, money laundering, and fraud.

New Mexico – Lobbyists Spent Tens of Thousands of Dollars Wining, Dining Lawmakers

Yahoo News – Daniel Chacón | Published: 2/20/2024

Lobbyists spent close to $150,000 entertaining New Mexico lawmakers during this year’s 30-day legislative session. The spending is almost certainly much higher. Not only does the secretary of state’s office rely on voluntary compliance, but lobbyists are only required to report single expenditures of $500 or more during a legislative session.

New York – Appellate Court Hears Cuomo’s Challenge to Fledgling Ethics Agency

Albany Times Union – Dan Clark | Published: 2/16/2024

Judges on a state appellate court tasked with deciding the constitutionality of New York’s fledgling ethics agency expressed skepticism during a hearing on whether its investigative and enforcement powers should be restored. The case brought by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, centers on the constitutionality of the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, which was formed in 2022 and tasked with regulating and enforcing ethics rules in state government.

New York – New York Congressional Map Would Make Modest Tweaks to Swing House Seats

MSN – Colby Itkowitz (Washington Post) | Published: 2/15/2024

A congressional map for New York would make it easier for Democrats to flip at least one seat this year in a state critical to Democrats’ hopes of retaking the U.S. House majority. But an independent commission otherwise left the lines similar to those used in 2022 when Republicans picked up four House seats in New York. Democratic leaders in Albany can choose to instead advance a map that is more favorable to their party but would almost certainly face legal challenges.

New York – Judge Orders Trump to Pay More Than $350 Million after Civil Fraud Trial

MSN – Shayna Jacobs and Mark Berman (Washington Post) | Published: 2/16/2024

A judge ordered Donald Trump to pay more than $350 million in penalties, plus interest, following a civil fraud trial, finding he and others had carried out a years-long scheme to use “blatantly false financial data” to borrow money at lower rates. New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron issued a deluge of punishments, including years-long bans on Trump and his adult sons taking top jobs in companies in the state.

New York – A Family Affair: Carones give to legal defense fund in the nick of time

MSN – Irie Sentner (Politico) | Published: 2/20/2024

Employees of a firm run by Mayor Eric Adams’ former chief of staff registered as lobbyists weeks after he and his relatives gave $15,000 to Adams’ legal defense fund. The arrangement highlighted the murky ethics of contributing to a politician’s attorney fees. People in the city database, along with their spouses, are barred from giving to legal defense trusts. But because the Carones donated before appearing on the list, they were able to evade the prohibition.

Ohio – Summer Homes and (Attempted) Florida Trips. FirstEnergy Bribery Case Puts Millionaires on Trial

MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 2/18/2024

Former FirstEnergy Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones, the company’s former top lobbyist Mike Dowling, and former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairperson Sam Randazzo sat at the defense tables in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas at a recent hearing. They face charges including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. The defense arguments previewed what the state of Ohio is up against in a white-collar prosecution alleging a corrupt pipeline between FirstEnergy’s C-suite and Ohio’s top utility regulator: the kind of legal firepower that wealthy defendants can buy from well-heeled law firms.

Oklahoma – Bill Preventing Foreign Contributions to Ballot Initiatives, Now Going to Ethics Commission

Yahoo News – M. Scott Carter (Oklahoman) | Published: 2/21/2024

House Bill 3815 in Oklahoma prevents foreign contributions to ballot initiatives. After the state Ethics Commission expressed concern, the bill was withdrawn from the House Rules Committee and is now being considered by the commission. Since the legislation created a new rule for the commission, its staff asked the sponsor to make the measure a rule request instead of going through the legislative process.

Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rules That GOP Subpoena for Voter Information Cannot Be Enforced

MSN – Megan Lebowitz (NBC News) | Published: 2/21/2024

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that Republicans’ subpoena of voter information after the 2020 election was unenforceable, overturning a previous court ruling.  The justices said the subpoena was unenforceable because the 2021-2022 legislative session had already ended. The move is the latest legal defeat for Republicans who took to courts nationwide over the 2020 election.

Pennsylvania – Mayor Cherelle Parker Racked Up a $1 Million Campaign Payroll – but It’s Not Clear Who Got Paid

MSN – Ryan Briggs and Anna Orso (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 2/20/2024

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s campaign and transition committee took advantage of a gray area in campaign finance laws by filing financial reports that list staff costs as withdrawals by third-party payroll services, rather than payments to specific people. Those companies then cut paychecks to the staffers. Lauren Cristella, president of the Committee of Seventy, said the growing practice of campaigns reporting payments to third-party services instead of to individuals undermines the intent of the rules by obfuscating the recipients of the funds.

Tennessee – New TN House Ticketing Policy Allowable Under State Constitution, Attorney General Says

MSN – Melissa Brown (Tennessean) | Published: 2/19/2024

The Tennessee House’s new ticketing policy for its public galleries is permissible under the state constitution, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said. House Republican leadership began enforcing an unwritten, surprise rule in January requiring tickets to access the west gallery of the House chamber. The east gallery remains open on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Texas – Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson Paid Campaign Money to Firm Tied to His New Republican Group

MSN – Everton Bailey Jr. (Dallas Morning News) | Published: 2/21/2024

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson woman reelection in May, then started paying a consulting firm run by his former chief of staff thousands of dollars a month in campaign funds. Adept Strategies, which was registered with the state on the same day the mayor reported making his first payment to it, is also tied to a group created by Johnson to promote Republican mayors.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin’s Democratic Governor Signs His New Legislative Maps into Law after Republicans Pass Them

Yahoo News – Scott Bauer (Associated Press) | Published: 2/19/2024

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed new legislative district maps into law that were passed by Republicans who control the Legislature to avoid having the liberal-controlled state Supreme Court draw the lines. Democrats are almost certain to gain seats in the Assembly and Senate under the new maps, which be in place for the November election. Republicans have been operating since 2011 under maps they drew that were recognized as among the most gerrymandered in the country.

Wyoming – Legislative Housing Task Force Member Denies Conflict of Interest

WyoFile – Angus Thuermer Jr. | Published: 2/21/2024

A member of a legislative housing task force who has plans for an accessory housing unit on his own lot says he does not have a conflict-of-interest, even after recommending the state strip local government control over such developments. Former Jackson Mayor Mark Barron voted last year to remove local control over accessory residential units, essentially making their construction a state-guaranteed right.

National/Federal

Chief Witness Against Gaetz Is Cooperating with House Ethics Investigation

DNyuz – Robert Draper and Michael Schmidt (New York Times) | Published: 2/9/2024

A lawyer for the chief witness against U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz said the witness was cooperating with a House ethics committee investigation into whether Gaetz had sex with an underage girl while he was serving in Congress. Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to charges including sex trafficking, is serving an 11-year prison sentence. He had previously cooperated with a Justice Department investigation into whether Gaetz had engaged in sex trafficking of a minor.

AI Companies Agree to Limit Election ‘Deepfakes’ but Fall Short of Ban

MSN – Gerrit De Vynck (Washington Post) | Published: 2/13/2024

Leading artificial intelligence (AI) companies are planning to sign an “accord” committing to developing tech to identify, label, and control AI-generated images, videos, and audio recordings that aim to deceive voters ahead of crucial elections in multiple countries this year. It does not ban deceptive political AI content. X, previously Twitter, was not a signatory to the agreement.

House Republicans Impeach Alejandro Mayorkas by a Single Vote

MSN – Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 2/13/2024

House Republicans moved in historic fashion and impeached Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas by a single vote, succeeding on their second try in punishing the steward of President Biden’s immigration policy. The unprecedented and partisan resolution may not go very far in the Senate, as some Republicans in the upper chamber do not believe Mayorkas’s actions clear the bar as the “high crimes and misdemeanors” necessary for conviction. Some bipartisan and legal observers worry the most serious tool the U.S. Constitution provides to rein in a public official is being misused as partisan weapon.

Families Using Re-Created Voices of Gun Violence Victims to Call Lawmakers

MSN – Terry Spencer (Associated Press) | Published: 2/14/2024

The families of six young people killed by guns are using artificial intelligence to create messages in their loved ones’ voices and robocalling them to U.S. senators and House members who support the National Rifle Association and oppose tougher gun laws. Manuel and Patricia Oliver, parents of Joaquin Oliver, who was killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, say the campaign is based on the oft-cited idea that if someone wants laws changed, the first step is calling elected representatives.

The Mystery Behind $10 Million of ‘Bridge Funding’ Supporting RFK Jr.’s Presidential Bid

MSN – Brittany Gibson (Politico) | Published: 2/14/2024

The super PAC supporting Robert F. Kennedy Jr. padded its account with millions of dollars in contributions from one of the best-known private security executives in the country, Gavin de Becker. Then it did something remarkable: it returned nearly all of the funds, making his donations effectively a loan. Campaign finance watchdogs said they have never seen such an arrangement before. The contributions helped the PAC report a high fundraising total that can, in turn, be seen as a sign of legitimacy for the committee. All told, de Becker made $10 million in donations to the super PAC; $9.65 million of which was returned.

Trans Adults on Edge as Legislatures Broaden Focus Beyond Children

MSN – Casey Parks (Washington Post) | Published: 2/15/2024

A record number of bills introduced across the country significantly reshape the way transgender people live their lives. Republican-dominated Legislatures have already enacted more than 100 laws to limit LGBTQ+ rights over the past few years, but most affected adolescents and schools. Now, policymakers are increasingly turning their focus to adults. The lawmakers pushing the bills universally contend there should be limits on how far society goes to embrace transgender adults.

Special Counsel Asks Supreme Court to Let Trump’s D.C. Trial Proceed

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 2/14/2024

Special counsel Jack Smith asked the Supreme Court to clear the way for the prosecution of Donald for his efforts to remain in office after losing the 2020 election, pushing back against the former president’s claim that he should be shielded from standing trial as he again seeks the White House. The Supreme Court’s response will have a significant impact on whether and when Trump goes on trial in Washington, where the presiding judge has already postponed a planned March 4 start date.

County Election Officials Call for More Funding, Better Security Ahead of 2024 Elections

MSN – Justin Papp (Roll Call) | Published: 2/12/2024

Threats and harassment are causing a crisis for election workers and could endanger the integrity of upcoming elections, speakers said at an annual gathering of local officials from around the country. The problem is personal for Bill Gates, a member of Maricopa County’s board of supervisors who has repeatedly shared his own experience with threats in Arizona. But it goes beyond any one county and reflects “a time today very different than what we had in the past,” Gates said.

From the States and Municipalities

Oceania – Lobbyists Are Back at Parliament – with a New Privacy Measure Hiding Their Identities

RNZ – Guyon Espiner | Published: 1/21/2024

The identities of people allowed to freely come and go from the New Zealand Parliament have been made secret by the new speaker. Gerry Brownlee said he did not agree with the blanket ban on lobbyists having swipe card access and some discretion was needed. He had approved swipe card access for about four new people, who he said could be described as having lobbying roles. But they were not employed by professional lobbying firms and largely had jobs assisting parties in Parliament.

Alabama – Rep. Simpson on New Ethics Bill: We want you to know where the line is

Alabama Daily News – Mary Sell | Published: 2/9/2024

State Rep. Matt Simpson is circulating a draft of legislation that would make several significant changes to Alabama’s ethics laws. The proposal revises multiple sections of code dealing with the rules about 300,000 elected officials and state and local government employees, and sometimes their family members, must obey. Simpson plans to file the bill soon, but said he first wants to give his colleagues and anyone else a chance to “poke holes in” his attempt to clean up ethics law revisions made in 2010 and some of the unintended consequences they created.

Arizona – To Avoid Election Crisis, Arizona Lawmakers Try Bipartisanship

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 2/9/2024

Alarmed that Arizona’s 11 electoral votes might not be counted in the process for selecting the next president, Republicans and Democrats in this political battleground state did something rare: they found consensus. After months of warnings and a frantic series of negotiations, the narrowly divided Legislature passed a bill aimed at giving election officials more time to run the 2024 primary and general elections.

Arizona – Arizona Congressional Candidate’s 3 Young Children Gave Almost $10K to His Campaign

MSN – Laura Gersony (Arizona Republic) | Published: 2/12/2024

It is standard for candidates to draw on their personal connections to raise funds, asking for buy-in from family members, friends, or work colleagues. But Conor O’Callaghan, a Wall Street executive running in the crowded Democratic primary in Arizona’s First Congressional District, has accepted money from an unusual network: his young children, who are minors.

California – Can Judges Endorse Political Candidates? Competitive Bay Area Races Are Testing Boundaries

MSN – Bob Egelko (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 2/14/2024

Candidates for Superior Court judge generally look for endorsements wherever they can find them. But endorsements by a judicial candidate can trigger ethical concerns, an issue that has been raised in upcoming votes in Alameda County and San Francisco. In Alameda County, Court Commissioner Mark Fickes’ opponent in the March 5 election, Michael Johnson, filed a formal complaint against Fickes for publicly supporting District Attorney Pamela Price, whose office regularly argues cases in Superior Court.

California – San Francisco’s New Ethics Watchdog Hates This Election Loophole

San Francisco Standard – Josh Koehn | Published: 2/12/2024

As the new leader of the San Francisco Ethics Commission, Patrick Ford has one of the most important roles in the city, especially in an election year. The commission is tasked with processing and publishing a huge volume of campaign records, investigating reports of violations, proposing improvements in local ethics laws, and rooting out corruption. Ford has his hands full with the upcoming Democratic County Central Committee race, where some candidates for the little-known body are raising six-figure sums.

Delaware – Supreme Court Rules in Former State Auditor Kathy McGuiness’ Criminal Conviction Appeal

Yahoo News – Xerxes Wilson (Delaware News Journal) | Published: 2/13/2024

The Delaware Supreme Court affirmed the misdemeanor conflict-of-interest conviction of former state Auditor Kathy McGuiness while overturning her other misdemeanor conviction, remanding that charge for a potential second trial. McGuiness was the first sitting, statewide public office holder in Delaware to be convicted of criminal charges when a jury found her guilty of two misdemeanors, tied to her hiring her daughter as a part-time employee in the auditor’s office. A third guilty verdict based on state purchasing rules was tossed by the trial judge after the verdicts.

Florida – Lobbyist Wrote Bill to Protect Visit Orlando but Sought to Hide His Role

MSN – Stephen Hudak (Orlando Sentinel) | Published: 2/11/2024

Senate Bill 1594, filed by Florida Sen. Linda Stewart at a time Orange County commissioners were eyeing cuts to Visit Orlando’s $100 million county subsidy, was written by the county’s own lobbyist, Chris Carmody, not the lawmaker. The bill would have required a supermajority of five of the seven commissioners to make such cuts. Carmody sought to hide his role in the legislation, which is now stirring anger among commissioners who believe he was undermining the county’s interests when he is paid to defend them.

Florida – Florida Senate Committee Advances Lobbying Transparency Bill

MSN – Andrew Powell (The Center Square) | Published: 2/10/2024

Florida lawmakers advanced legislation that would add transparency to lobbying in the state. Senate Bill 734 would make various changes to ethics rules for local governments and prohibit state and local officials from accepting or soliciting anything from a foreign country of concern. Under the bill, individuals would be required to register as a lobbyist with the Florida Commission on Ethics if they plan to lobby a municipality, county, or special district.

Florida – Jacksonville Ethics Commission: Florida House amendments would ‘handcuff local watchdogs’

Yahoo News – Hanna Holthaus (Florida Times-Union) | Published: 2/12/2024

Changes to a Florida ethics bill would “dismantle” government oversight efforts, the Jacksonville Ethics Commission said in a letter. The commission joined with offices of four other municipalities to oppose the changes. The amendment would eliminate the ability of state and local ethics commissions to research the informal complaints or tips they receive for their independent investigations into government offices and employees.

Georgia – What Happens if Fani Willis Is Disqualified from the Trump Case?

DNyuz – Richard Fausset and Danny Hakim (New York Times) | Published: 2/15/2024

A judge in Georgia seeks to determine whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should be disqualified from leading the prosecution of former President Trump on election interference charges. If Judge Scott McAfee finds Willis has a conflict-of-interest because of her romantic relationship with the prosecutor she hired to manage the case, and that it merits disqualification, his decision would disqualify her entire office. The case would be reassigned to another prosecutor, who would have the ability to continue with the case as it is, make major changes, or to even drop the matter.

Georgia – Black Churches in Georgia Unite to Mobilize Voters in a Key Battleground

Seattle Times – Nick Corasaniti and Maya King (New York Times) | Published: 2/11/2024

Two of the largest Black church groups in Georgia are formally uniting for the first time to mobilize Black voters in the battleground state before the November presidential election.  The two congregations, the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, plan to combine their resources and their more than 140,000 parishioners in the state for the get-out-the-vote program.

Illinois – Feds Accuse Ex-Lawmaker of ‘Greed, Fraud and Arrogance’ in Misusing Campaign Funds

Capitol News Illinois – Hannah Meisel | Published: 2/13/2024

Former Illinois Sen. Sam McCann is accused of illegally using campaign funds for personal expenses, including paying two mortgages, financing multiple vehicles and vacations, and double-dipping on reimbursement for miles driven. His trial finally got underway after a week of delays stemming from McCann’s sudden hospitalization. U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless ordered him arrested and detained for violating her direct orders to communicate with the federal probation office after being discharged from the hospital.

Illinois – Ex-Lawmaker Convicted of Cheating on Taxes, in a Case Tied to Corruption Probe That Led to Madigan Indictment

Chicago Sun-Times – Jon Seidel | Published: 2/12/2024

Former Illinois Sen. Annazette Collins was convicted in federal court of cheating on her taxes, in a case tied to the larger corruption investigation that led to the indictment of former House Speaker Michael Madigan. Prosecutors said used Collins used money from her lobbying firm to make car, tuition, and mortgage payments, and to fund a trip to Punta Cana, all while filing income tax returns that made it seem she earned sums of as little as $11,000 a year after leaving public office.

Illinois – Tim Mapes, Former Aide to Speaker Michael Madigan, Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years for Lying to Federal Grand Jury

MSN – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 2/12/2024

Tim Mapes, who spent decades in Michael Madigan’s inner circle while serving as the ex-Illinois House speaker’s chief of staff, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison after he was convicted of lying under oath to protect his former boss. The hearing punctuated a stunning downfall for Mapes, who in addition to his role as Madigan’s chief gatekeeper was also the executive director of the Illinois Democratic Party and clerk of the House before he was forced to resign in 2018 amid a sexual harassment scandal.

Indiana – Indiana AG’s Site to Report School Content Ignites Fear for Teachers

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram and Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff (Washington Post) | Published: 2/14/2024

Teachers’ unions in Indiana are calling for the state attorney general to shut down a new website that invites parents to report “potentially inappropriate materials” in schools, describing the measure as a “blatant attack” on educators. Attorney General Todd Rokita recently launched the Eyes on Education website, which he said is a “transparency portal” for parents to see “real examples of socialist indoctrination from classrooms.” Its implementation follows attempts by conservative politicians across the country to restrict how students learn about race and gender.

Kansas – Senate Bill Aims to Stop Government Entities in Kansas from Using Tax Dollars for Lobbying

Kansas Reflector – Tim Carpenter | Published: 2/13/2024

A bill in the Kansas Senate would prohibit the use of public dollars for direct or indirect lobbying, to pay membership dues of associations engaged in lobbying, or for gifts or campaign contributions to elected officials or government workers. Violations would leave public employees – those working for a county, township, city, school district, or state agency, authority, or institution – open to disciplinary action ranging from suspension to termination.

Michigan – Michigan House Disciplines Lawmaker Over His Tweets on Racist Theory

MSN – Daniel Wu (Washington Post) | Published: 2/13/2024

The Michigan House stripped Rep. Josh Schriver of his staff members and a committee positions, days after Schriver posted online about a racist conspiracy theory. Schriver sparked furor when he shared a post on social media of an image captioned, “The great replacement!” The image referenced the far-right conspiracy theory that non-White immigrants are deliberately brought into White-majority countries to undermine the political power and cultures of White people.

New Mexico – Ivey-Soto Bill Raises Conflict of Interest Questions

Source New Mexico – Justin Horwath (New Mexico In Depth) | Published: 2/14/2024

A bill meant to modernize New Mexico’s marriage laws would increase the money people pay to the state’s county clerks for a marriage license. Meanwhile, the bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, is paid by numerous county clerks on a contract basis for technical, legal, and training services. The State Ethics Commission investigates complaints that accuse Ivey-Soto, in part, of using his position as a lawmaker to curry favor with his clients.

New York – Suozzi Wins New York Special Election, Replacing George Santos

MSN – Hannah Knowles and Julie Zauzmer Weil (Washington Post) | Published: 2/13/2024

Democrat Tom Suozzi won a hotly contested special election for Congress, retaking a seat in suburban New York to replace George Santos. National issues dominated the campaign, making the vote this year’s first high-profile test of the parties’ messages on abortion, the economy, and immigration. Suozzi represented the area for six years previously and campaigned as a moderate.

New York – New York Hush Money Case Will Be First Trump Criminal Trial, Set for March

MSN – Devlin Barrett and Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 2/15/2024

A judge said jury selection for Donald Trump’s trial in New York will begin on March 25, setting a date with history for what would be the first criminal prosecution of an ex-president, one who also leads the Republican field of 2024 candidates for the White House. State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan said he will go forward with the trial on charges that Trump falsified business records during the heat of the 2016 political campaign to keep secret a past sexual liaison with an adult-film star.

New York – Top NYCHA Chiefs Repeatedly Rejected New Rules to Curb Corrupt Contracts

The City – Greg Smith | Published: 2/12/2024

When law enforcement officials arrested 70 mid-level New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) bureaucrats on bribery charges, they touted the sweep as a very public splash meant to send a clear anti-corruption message. It appears that NYCHA’s top managers received and rejected a similar message years earlier when the city Department of Investigation looked into the same issue: bribes paid to superintendents and assistant superintendents to obtain small contracts of less than $10,000 for repairs without competitive bidding.

North Dakota – North Dakota Legislature’s Conflict Rules Span Decades of Controversy

North Dakota Monitor – Mary Steuer | Published: 2/8/2024

In 1968, the North Dakota Supreme Court struck down a law aimed at curbing corruption in the statehouse, ending a 14-year tug-of-war between lawmakers and voters. Under the law, no lawmaker nor their spouse, nor any business either one had more than a five percent stake in, could do greater than $10,000 worth of business with the state in a year. North Dakota Ethics Commission Executive Director Rebecca Binstock said the history of the 1954 statute may shed light on why, at least in the opinion of the commission, today’s Legislature remains at odds with the state’s conflict-of-interest regulations.

Ohio – Ex-FirstEnergy CEO, Top Lobbyist, and Former Top Ohio Utility Regulator Indicted in State Government Bribery Scandal

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer and Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 2/12/2024

Two former executives with FirstEnergy, Charles Jones and Michael Dowling, face state charges in what has been called the largest corruption scandal in Ohio history. Former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairperson Sam Randazzo was also indicted. While the related federal prosecution that sent ex-House Speaker Larry Householder to prison focused on the passage of House Bill 6, the legislation tailor made to benefit FirstEnergy, the state charges focus on a broader picture of a corporation’s corrupt relationship with the helm of state power.

Ohio – Some College Students Find It Harder to Vote Under New Republican Laws

MSN – Maddie Kasper (Washington Post) | Published: 2/7/2024

Legislation signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine last January introduced significant changes to Ohio’s election laws, most notably establishing a photo ID requirement that is considered among the most restrictive in the nation. A federal judge shot down a Democratic attempt to block it, saying the law “imposes no more than a minimal burden, if any, for the vast majority of voters.” But some Ohio college students say they are the exception, and the legislation fits within a nationwide Republican effort in recent years to restrict their voting rights.

Ohio – Judge Denies GOP Lawmakers’ Request to Block House Speaker Jason Stephens’ Access to Campaign Cash

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 2/14/2024

A judge denied a request by a group of Ohio House Republicans to prevent Speaker Jason Stephens and his allies from accessing the GOP caucus’s multi-million-dollar campaign bank account. Rep. Derek Merrin and legislative allies are trying to wrest control over the House GOP’s campaign arm, the Ohio House Republican Alliance (OHRA) from Stephens. It remains to be seen how the judge will rule on the larger lawsuit over who should be given control of the OHRA.

Oregon – Oregon Power Players in Business, Labor Are Negotiating a Campaign Finance Package

OPB – Dirk VanderHart | Published: 2/9/2024

Oregon business and labor groups have quietly begun negotiating a deal that could result in campaign contribution limits in state races for the first time in decades. The surprising development is an attempt to avoid a potentially costly ballot fight in November. If the two sides can find a workable proposal – a tall order in the compressed timeline of a five-week short session – it could be an opportunity for lawmakers to act. Oregon is one of just five states with no limits on political giving.

Pennsylvania – Former Top Pa. Lawmaker’s Lobbying Firm Paid $41K by Game Commission in Unusual Arrangement

Spotlight PA – Angela Couloumbis | Published: 2/8/2024

The state agency that promotes hunting in Pennsylvania has hired a lobbying firm run by a former top lawmaker using tens of thousands of dollars in public funds, an unusual arrangement that at least one legislator has tried to ban. The Pennsylvania Game Commission entered into a contract with Allegheny Strategy Partners. Joe Scarnati, who once held the top leadership post in the state Senate, is one of three partners in the firm. Though a handful of cities and regional authorities that rely on state aid deploy lobbyists to Harrisburg, state-level government agencies rarely employ these firms to gain influence with people who are essentially colleagues.

Pennsylvania – Josh Shapiro Accepted $1,650 in ‘Event Tickets’ from Powerful Pa. Lobbyist

Spotlight PA – Stephen Caruso | Published: 2/13/2024

Under a policy that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro instituted in January 2023, the governor and other executive branch employees are not allowed to accept tickets to recreational events from people or entities that have “financial relations” with or are “seeking to obtain business or an outcome” from the state. But Shapiro accepted $1,650 in tickets from a Harrisburg lobbyist last year. The governor’s office did not disclose the tickets as a gift. Rather, it was Shapiro’s campaign committee that reported the tickets as a political contribution.

South Dakota – State Supreme Court Clarifies Conflicts of Interest; Noem Pledges to Fill Legislative Seats

MSN – Seth Tupper and John Hult (Sioux Falls Argus Leader) | Published: 2/9/2024

A South Dakota Supreme Court ruling enables state legislators to enter into contracts with the government, provided the funds come from the annual budget bill. Language in the state constitution has been a subject of debate since last year, when it was revealed Sen. Jessica Castleberry’s business received federal pandemic relief funds through a state contract. Castleberry resigned and agreed to repay approximately $500,000 to the state.

Virginia – Should Cities Require Disclosure of Lobbying Efforts on Planning Projects? Chesapeake Is Exploring the Issue.

MSN – Natalie Anderson (Virginian-Pilot) | Published: 2/8/2024

The city of Chesapeake is exploring a potential change that would disclose on public planning documents the names of companies and individuals paid to lobby city leaders for project approval. If the city council eventually votes to approve the change, it could be a first for Virginia municipalities.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Republicans Vote to Weaken Their Lock on the Legislature

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 2/13/2024

Wisconsin Republicans approved maps that would weaken their grip on the state Legislature, backing new district lines supported by the Democratic governor out of fears the state Supreme Court could impose ones that are even worse for them. If approved by Gov. Tony Evers, the package would jettison what experts consider one of the country’s most gerrymandered set of maps in a state that has been one of the most competitive in presidential and other statewide races.

National/Federal

Luxury Spending, Internal Strife Leave NRA Staggering Into 2024 Election

Anchorage Daily News – Beth Reinhard and Sylvia Foster-Frau (Washington Post) | Published: 2/4/2024

In 2016, the National Rifle Association (NRA) endorsed helped catapult Donald Trump to the White House with $31 million in campaign spending. But as Trump stages his comeback, the NRA has tumbled from power. Internal feuds, corruption allegations, and an onslaught of litigation have ravaged the group’s finances and public image. Longtime chief executive Wayne LaPierre stepped down on the eve of a civil corruption trial, with prosecutors claiming he and other NRA leaders cheated donors by squandering millions on personal expenses.

In More Places This Year, People Can Vote in Their First Language

Center for Public Integrity – Katherine Hapgood | Published: 2/2/2024

A larger swath of the country will have access to translated ballots this year than in any prior presidential election. Under federal Voting Rights Act requirements, 331 voting areas in 30 states must provide language access to more than 24 million voters with limited English proficiency. But voter rights activists say the newest numbers, based on U.S. Census Bureau data, represent an undercount.

The Wild Probe into Investors of DWAC, Trump Media’s Proposed Merger Ally

MSN – Drew Harwell (Washington Post) | Published: 2/3/2024

In October 2021, Donald Trump announced that his media company, the owner of the platform Truth Social, had closed a merger with a “special purpose acquisition company (SPAC)” that would deliver to his firm $300 million toward his promise of giving “a voice to all.” By then, however, the insider trading by investors in the SPAC, Digital World Acquisition, had already begun. Digital World’s chief executive, Patrick Orlando, had been telling investors privately for months that he had been talking with Trump about the deal, filings assert, a violation of federal securities law.

Oversight Board Rebukes Meta’s Policies After Altered Biden Video Spreads

MSN – Naomi Nix (Washington Post) | Published: 2/4/2024

Meta was criticized by a company-funded oversight board for its “incoherent” and “confusing” policies on manipulated media after an altered video of President Biden spread on Facebook. The company opted not to remove the video, which had been edited to show Biden appearing to touch his granddaughter inappropriately. The board upheld the decision to leave the video in place but called on the company to clarify its policies amid widespread concerns about the risks of artificial intelligence.

Federal Appeals Court Rejects Trump’s Claim of Absolute Immunity

MSN – Alan Feuer and Charlie Savage (New York Times) | Published: 2/6/2024

A federal appeals court rejected former President Donald Trump’s claim that he was immune to charges of plotting to subvert the results of the 2020 election, ruling he must go to trial on a criminal indictment accusing him of seeking to overturn his loss to President Biden. The panel’s ruling signaled an important moment in American jurisprudence, answering a question that had never been addressed by an appeals court: can former presidents escape being held accountable by the criminal justice system for things they did while in office?

DOJ Report on Biden Classified Documents Coming Soon; No Criminal Charges

MSN – Devlin Barrett and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 2/6/2024

The Justice Department is preparing to release a special counsel report that is critical of President Biden and his aides for mishandling classified documents in Biden’s private home and former office, but prosecutors do not plan to pursue criminal charges in the case. Based on what is publicly known about the two classified documents probes, the investigation of Donald Trump seems significantly different from the Biden investigation.

In Stunning Vote, House Republicans Fail to Impeach Secretary Mayorkas

MSN – Jacqueline Alemany, Amy Wang, Marianna Sotomayor, and Paul Kane (Washington Post) | Published: 2/6/2024

A House GOP effort to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas failed as three Republicans joined Democrats in voting against what would have been the second-ever impeachment of a Cabinet official. Democrats have decried the process as a sham, with only two hearings that featured no fact witnesses or testimony from the secretary. Even if the measure had passed, Mayorkas was unlikely to have been convicted in a trial in the Democratic-led Senate.

Lawmakers Clash Over ‘Zuckerbucks’ and How to Stop Private Election Funding

MSN – Jim Saska (Roll Call) | Published: 2/7/2024

A recent House Administration Committee hearing on private donations helping to fund the administration of elections was contentious. The hearing centered on grants the Center for Tech and Civic Life and related groups provided to state and local election offices in 2020. Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife donated more than $300 million to the effort. Private funding is now banned or limited in 27 states.

The Evolving Watchdog Group Behind the Ballot Challenge to Trump

Seattle Times – Kenneth Vogel (New York Times) | Published: 2/7/2024

Since it was founded in 2002, the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has been caught in a tug of war between Democratic donors who wanted it to wage political warfare and less partisan supporters who wanted to expose corruption and ethical lapses regardless of party. Donald Trump’s emergence as a political force changed the equation. During his presidency, CREW was able to satisfy both sides of the internal debate by training its sights almost entirely on him and his allies as they flouted ethics rules.

Special Counsel Questioned Witnesses About 2 Rooms FBI Didn’t Search Inside Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Residence: Sources

Yahoo News – Katherine Faulders, Mike Levine, and Alexander Mallin (ABC News) | Published: 2/1/2024

Special counsel Jack Smith’s team has questioned several witnesses about a closet and a “hidden room” inside Donald Trump’s residence at Mar-a-Lago that the FBI did not check while searching the estate in August 2022, sources said. The line of questioning suggests that long after the FBI seized dozens of boxes and more than 100 documents marked classified from Mar-a-Lago, Smith’s team was trying to determine if there might still be more classified material there.

Cast as Criminals, America’s Librarians Rally to Their Own Defense

Yahoo News – Elizabeth Williamson (New York Times) | Published: 2/3/2024

As America’s libraries have become noisy and sometimes dangerous new battlegrounds in the nation’s culture wars, librarians and their allies have moved from the stacks to the front lines. People who normally preside over hushed sanctuaries are now battling groups that demand the mass removal of books and seek to control library governance. Last year, more than 150 bills in 35 states aimed to restrict access to library materials, and to punish library workers who do not comply.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – ‘Issue of Transparency’: Arizona Coyotes’ land interest raises ethics flags for Gov. Katie Hobbs

MSN – Stacey Barchenger (Arizona Republic) | Published: 2/6/2024

After voters rejected the Arizona Coyotes’ plans to build a hockey arena and entertainment district in Tempe, the team’s chief executive officer, Xavier Gutierrez, met with Gov. Katie Hobbs. That June meeting came weeks before an application was filed to buy trust land from the Arizona State Land Department under Hobbs’ oversight. Two months later, schedules show Gutierrez had another meeting in the governor’s office. That time, Gutierrez was to meet with Hobbs’ chief of staff, Chad Campbell, a former lobbyist for the Coyotes and whose consulting firm worked on the team’s Tempe campaign before Campbell joined the Hobbs administration.

Arizona – AZ Democrat Accuses Fellow Latina Lawmakers of ‘False Imprisonment’ Over Political Differences

MSN – Ray Stern (Arizona Republic) | Published: 2/8/2024

Arizona Rep. Lydia Hernandez is accusing fellow Democratic Latino caucus members of holding her hostage in her office for more than an hour last year over political differences. Hernandez also tried to lodge a criminal complaint in January with Department of Public Safety troopers at the Capitol about the incident, which she claims occurred after weeks of bullying, bigotry, and ageism by several Democratic lawmakers.

Arizona – Why Arizonans Can’t See Gov. Katie Hobbs’ Fundraising Numbers, but Can See Others

Yahoo News – Stacey Barchenger (Arizona Republic) | Published: 2/2/2024

According to Arizona law, officeholders serving four-year terms who will run for a second term do not have to make details of their campaign finances public for three years. Prior to 2016, candidates and officeholders were required to make public reports at least every year. Under the law, Gov. Katie Hobbs does not have to publicly detail the money flowing to and from her main campaign bank account until January 2026, when she would face reelection. That leaves Arizonans in the dark for all of 2023, 2024, and 2025 as Hobbs has continued fundraising.

California – A Bill for Every Problem? Why California Lawmakers Introduce Longshots

CalMatters – Sameea Kamal | Published: 2/6/2024

It is common practice for California legislators on both sides of the aisle to author bills to make a political statement. Besides bills that are just political statements, dozens of others do not make it into law because they duplicate existing laws or are deemed “solutions in search of a problem.” Party leaders and committee chairpersons might be hard-pressed to block bill introductions.

Colorado – Supreme Court Sounds Broadly Skeptical of Efforts to Kick Trump Off Ballot over Capitol Attack

Associated Press News – Mark Sherman | Published: 2/8/2024

The Supreme Court sounded broadly skeptical of efforts to kick former President Trump off the 2024 ballot. Both conservative and liberal justices raised questions of whether Trump can be disqualified from being president again because of his efforts to undo his loss in the 2020 election, ending with the attack on the U.S. Capitol. The primary concern was whether Congress must act before states can invoke a constitutional provision  that was adopted after the Civil War to prevent former officeholders who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office again.

Florida – Florida Ethics Board Plans Hearing in Miami Mayor’s Gift Case, Tosses Second Complaint

Yahoo News – Sarah Blaskey (Miami Herald) | Published: 2/1/2024

The Florida Commission on Ethics dismissed a complaint against Miami Mayor Francis Suarez that raised concerns over his use of city police officers as his private security while traveling the country campaigning for president last year. Suarez is still the subject of a second, ongoing inquiry by the commission into his attendance at high-priced sporting events. Ethics officials recently completed their months-long investigation, and a hearing date is expected to be set in regarding that case.

Florida – Government Watchdogs Warn Florida Legislation Would Have Chilling Effect in Ethics Cases

Yahoo News – Ana Ceballos and Joey Flechas (Miami Herald) | Published: 2/2/2024

As local ethics investigators dig into government scandals in Miami, state lawmakers are proposing changes that could reign them in by removing their ability to launch their own investigations into alleged public corruption and ethical violations. The Florida Senate passed a broad ethics package that would bar local ethics panels across the state from investigating misconduct by public officials unless someone with personal knowledge of wrongdoing is willing to identify themselves by name and file a complaint under oath.

Georgia – Larry David Breaks Georgia’s Voting Law in ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’

DNyuz – Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) | Published: 2/5/2024

Television comedies like “Veep” and “Parks and Recreation” have poked fun at the absurdities of national and local politics, but it is rare for them to zero in on the fine print of laws passed by state Legislatures. So, it was surprising that the end of the season premiere of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” took aim at the major voting law Georgia passed in 2021. It highlights a provision that bars third-party groups or anyone else who is not an election worker from providing food and water to voters waiting in line within a 150-foot radius of a polling place.

Illinois – Day in Court Postponed for Former Lawmaker Who Checked into Hospital on Eve of Corruption Trial

Capitol News Illinois – Hannah Meisel | Published: 2/7/2024

On what was supposed to be the third day of the corruption trial of former Illinois Sen. Sam McCann, the onetime third-party candidate for governor instead video-conferenced into U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Lawless’ courtroom from his hospital bed. McCann had checked himself into Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis after feeling unwell. McCann allegedly “engaged in a scheme to convert more than $200,000 in contributions and donations made to his campaign committees to pay himself and make personal purchases,” prosecutors allege.

Illinois – Ex-State Legislator Going on Trial on Tax Counts Stemming from Madigan Probe

Yahoo News – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 2/5/2026

Former Illinois Rep. Annazette Collins’ trial on federal tax charges began nearly three years after she was indicted amid the investigation into an alleged scheme by Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) to bribe then-House Speaker Michael Madigan. Collins, who worked as a ComEd lobbyist after her career in Springfield ended, faces charges alleging she underreported income and failed to file federal income tax returns for her lobbying and consulting firm.

Iowa – Founder of Group That Opposes Book Bans Files Ethics Complaint Against Iowa Lawmaker

Yahoo News – Chris Higgins (Des Moines Register) | Published: 2/2/2024

Sara Hayden Parris, president of Annie’s Foundation, a group that draws attention to book bans and hands out free copies of books that have been challenged or removed from libraries, filed an ethics complaint against state Rep. Jeff Shipley alleging defamation. Hayden Parris alleges Shipley broke the House ethics code and used social media to defame her and falsely accuse her of breaking the law by giving obscene material to children. Her complaint refers to a back-and-forth thread they had on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Louisiana – Campaign Cash Covers Louisiana Officials Tabs at Washington Mardi Gras

Louisiana Illuminator – Julie O’Donoghue | Published: 2/5/2024

Each year, thousands of Louisiana residents kick off carnival season at one of the state’s premiere annual political events, Washington Mardi Gras. The four-day festival features a formal ball, industry group luncheons, panel discussions, fundraisers, and plenty of parties thrown by the politically connected. Private businesses the government regulates are among the most visible sponsors of the event. Louisiana elected officials and candidates spent a total of $605,000 from their campaign accounts and PACs on the 2023 celebration.

Maryland – Baltimore Mayoral Candidate Thiru Vignarajah Could Access Up to $1.7M in Public Money for Campaign

Yahoo News – Emily Opilo (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 2/5/2024

In his previous three bids for office, Baltimore mayoral candidate Thiru Vignarajah has run financially competitive campaigns, some costing upward of $1 million, fueled by donations from some of the region’s most well-funded business executives and community leaders. In 2024, Vignarajah hopes to harness hundreds of thousands of dollars in public money – potentially up to $1.7 million – to help pay for his campaign.

Michigan – Bipartisan Bills Extending FOIA to the Governor and State Lawmakers Gets Senate Hearing

Michigan Advance – Anna Liz Nichols | Published: 2/7/2024

Michigan is one of only two states that broadly exempt the governor’s office and Legislature from Freedom of Information Act requests. New legislation would remedy that, allowing residents and journalists to seek out records to increase accountability in government. But the legislation’s bipartisan sponsors reviewed various special exemptions that will be afforded to the governor’s office, lieutenant governor’s office, and Legislature outside of exemptions made for other elected officials and state agencies.

New Hampshire – New Hampshire Opens Criminal Probe into AI Calls Impersonating Biden

MSN – Cat Zakrzewski and Pranshu Verma (Washington Post) | Published: 2/6/2024

New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella announced a criminal investigation into Life Corp., a Texas-based company that was allegedly behind thousands of AI-generated calls impersonating President Biden in the run-up to the state’s primary elections. A multistate task force is also preparing for potential civil litigation against the company. Formella said the actions were intended to serve notice that New Hampshire and other states will take action if they use AI to interfere in elections.

New York – Scores of N.Y. Public Housing Workers Charged in Record Corruption Case

DNyuz – Jesse McKinley, Mihir Zaveri, and Corey Kilgannon (New York Times) | Published: 2/6/2024

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan unsealed bribery and extortion charges against 70 current and former employees of the New York City Housing Authority, a sweeping indictment for a troubled organization. In describing the scheme, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said dozens of employees, including superintendents and assistant superintendents, had taken more than $2 million in bribes from contractors seeking to do work at apartment buildings throughout the city’s five boroughs.

New York – Donors to Adams’ 2025 Campaign Say They Were Secretly Reimbursed Thousands of Dollars

The City – George Joseph (The Guardian), April Xu (Documented), Yoav Gonen, Bianca Pallaro, and Haidee Chu | Published: 2/1/2024

Three donors to New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ 2025 re-election campaign recounted in interviews how they, and in two cases their spouses, were reimbursed for a total of more than $10,000 by hotel and construction executives in violation of state law. Suspicions of so-called straw donations spurred an indictment of a fundraising group involved in Adams’ 2021 race, which has led to two guilty pleas, and are part of a federal probe into whether they have been used to veil illegal contributions from the Turkish government.

New York – Eric Adams’ Former NYPD Colleague Pleads Guilty to Orchestrating Straw Donations

Yahoo News – Joe Anuta (Politico) | Published: 2/5/2024

A former colleague of New York City Mayor Eric Adams pleaded guilty to orchestrating a straw donor scheme that allegedly funneled tens of thousands of dollars to Adams’ 2021 campaign. Dwayne Montgomery, whose career in the police department overlapped that of Adams, pleaded guilty to one conspiracy charge. That accusation was one of several included in the original indictment that detailed a scheme to funnel illegal contributions to Adams’ run for office with the hope of reaping kickbacks.

North Dakota – North Dakota Lawmakers Scarcely Declare Conflicts of Interest

North Dakota Monitor – Mary Steurer | Published: 2/5/2024

North Dakota lawmakers are required to speak out if they believe they have a personal or private interest in the outcome of a bill, a policy intended to prevent officials from using their positions for their own personal gain. But conflict declarations are extremely rare. State lawmakers claimed conflicts on bills just three times in 2023.

Ohio – Battle Over the Ohio House: Speaker could be saddled with convicted Householder’s $1.6M debt

MSN – Jake Zuckerman and Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 2/7/2024

A legal fight over a $1.6 million lease backed by ex-Speaker Larry Householder’s political operation could reverberate in the expensive political battle for control of the Ohio House next year. Just before Householder’s 2020 arrest, his political operation signed a lease for an entire floor of the Chase Tower overlooking the statehouse campus. A slew of criminal convictions scuttled whatever Householder planned with the lease. Now the property managers say they are owed $1.6 million, and they want to collect from current Speaker Jason Stephens’ political arm as he fights to keep control of the chamber.

Ohio – Voting Amendment Backers Accuse Dave Yost of ‘Shameful Abuse of Power’ in New Lawsuit

MSN – Andrew Tobias (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 2/2/2024

Backers of a proposed constitutional amendment that would expand state voting laws have sued Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost for refusing to sign off on proposed petition language for the amendment due to its proposed title. The lawsuit asks the state Supreme Court to force Yost to approve the petition language, saying the attorney general’s office only has legal authority to determine whether it accurately summarizes the proposal, not to comment on the title, much less reject the proposal over it.

Oregon – Republican Senators Who Walked Out of Oregon Legislature Can’t Seek Reelection, State Supreme Court Rules

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 2/1/2024

The Oregon Supreme Court said 10 state senators who staged a walkout last year to stall bills on abortion, transgender health care, and gun rights cannot run for reelection. The ruling upholds the secretary of state’s decision to disqualify the senators under a voter-approved measure aimed at stopping such boycotts. Measure 113 amended the state constitution to bar lawmakers from reelection if they have more than 10 unexcused absences. Oregon is one of four states that requires a two-thirds majority in the Legislature to meet a quorum.

Pennsylvania – Philly Sheriff’s Campaign Takes Down Bogus ‘News’ Stories Posted to Site That Were Generated by AI

Yahoo News – Maryclaire Dale and Ali Swenson (Associated Press) | Published: 2/5/2024

The campaign team behind Philadelphia’s embattled sheriff acknowledged that a series of positive “news” stories posted to their site were generated by ChatGPT. It came after a Philadelphia Inquirer story reported that local news outlets could not find the stories in their archives. Experts say this type of misinformation can erode public trust and threaten democracy. Bilal’s campaign said the stories were based on real events.

Rhode Island – Records Show ‘Not Adequate’ Vetting of R.I. Ethics Commission Appointee

MSN – Edward Fitzpatrick (Boston Globe) | Published: 2/1/2024

A public records request showed no sign that Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee’s staff knew about the sexual harassment complaints made by six women against state Ethics Commission nominee Bryant Da Cruz until minutes after his appointment was announced. Emails and text messages regarding McKee’s ill-fated choice for the commission last November show the main question raised was whether Da Cruz could serve on the panel while working as a federal political coordinator for the National Association of Realtors.

South Dakota – South Dakota Apologizes to Transgender Advocacy Group, Will Pay $300K Over Cancelled Contract

Yahoo News – Lauren Sforza (The Hill) | Published: 2/7/2024

South Dakota will pay $300,000 and has apologized to a transgender advocacy group after the state cancelled a contract with the organization. The Transformation Project alleged its contract became a “political liability” after a conservative outlet brought it and one of the group’s planned events to Gov. Kristi Noem’s attention. The group alleged its contract was “abruptly terminated” in December 2022 “based purely on national politics.”

Tennessee – Tennessee’s Legislature Can’t Move Past the Bitter Clashes of 2023

DNyuz – Emily Cochrane (New York Times) | Published: 2/2/2024

Tennessee House Republicans in 2023 expelled state Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson for leading a gun control protest on the chamber floor, and festering tensions are surfacing even before lawmakers tackle the major work of the 2024 session. With their supermajority, Republicans can easily swat away Democratic objections to their agenda. That ironclad grip has pushed both Democrats and activists to turn to more aggressive tactics to draw attention to their positions.

Texas – When Mental Health Treatment Becomes a Political Identity

DNyuz – J. David Goodman (New York Times) | Published: 2/6/2024

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has spoken openly and often about her mental health, making her struggle with depression an increasingly central part of her political identity. Hidalgo has added her name to a growing list of politicians who have chosen to be public about their mental health. But the approach remains politically risky. Consultants still point to U.S. Sen. Thomas Eagleton, whose history of mental health treatment doomed his prospects as a vice-presidential running mate in 1972.

Texas – Texas AG’s Pursuit of Transgender Medical Records Stirs Privacy Concerns

MSN – Molly Hennessy-Fiske (Washington Post) | Published: 2/2/2024

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is using an exception in federal medical-privacy law to demand records from health-care providers far beyond his state’s borders – any hospitals, clinics, and practices that may have treated transgender youth from Texas. The aggressive attack on the LGBTQ community is one that legal experts say could pose a threat to medical privacy for all.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Supreme Court Grants Ballot Access to Presidential Candidate Dean Phillips

MSN – Jessie Opoien (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | Published: 2/2/2024

Democratic presidential candidate Dean Phillips earned a place on Wisconsin’s primary ballot, the state Supreme Court decided. The court ruled unanimously that the state’s Presidential Preference Selection Committee failed to demonstrate it exercised discretion in keeping Phillips off the ballot. Phillips has challenged similar decisions in Florida and North Carolina.

State and Federal Communications, Inc. is home to the one-and-only News You Can Use digest and its accompanying daily newsletter, LobbyComply News Roundup. For 23 years, Jim Sedor, Manager of News Services, has been providing this award-winning news service to clients and followers.

Jim started his career by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences at Edinboro University and later attending graduate school for Library Information Science at Kent State University. In 2000, Jim came across an ad in the Akron Beacon Journal to be the first Manager of News Services at State and Federal Communications, Inc. He has been here ever since.

“This job had just been created when I applied for it and got it, so I’ve been able to sort of shape how it’s done, which has been satisfying. It started out as an in-house report so we could show our seven or eight employees at the time what was going on,” Jim explained.

What began in-house evolved into daily newsletters and a weekly e-mail digest that gets sent to hundreds of recipients. Additionally, State and Federal Communications, Inc. received the Outstanding Service Award from the Council of Governmental Ethics Laws in 2020 primarily because of News You Can Use.

“We couldn’t have done this before the internet because that’s where I do all the research. Then we saw there was so much information that our clients and others would need to know or would want to know about. So it’s just grown as the company has grown,” he said.

Jim’s contributions have been invaluable to our Research and Compliance departments, as well as the Marketing and Sales teams.

“If a court decision comes up or if a governor signs a new law that we need to know about because it affects lobbying or campaign finance, I’m able to alert them, send out information, so that we keep up-to-date,  don’t miss anything, and everything is updated  in a timely manner.”

When it comes to helping our clients, Jim provides a unique and invaluable product. When he meets clients and industry experts at events like the Annual COGEL Conference, he’s able to hear from them about what issues they are seeing, problems they may be having, and solutions that are being considered.

“And after 23 years, I think that’s given me some gravitas,” he said.

Jim’s contributions don’t only provide up-to-date information and the latest news, however. Through the LobbyComply News Roundup and News You Can Use, government affairs professionals can also understand why compliance is so important.

“Big companies realize they need to know the law before they act, and that’s where State and Federal comes in, because we know the fine points of the law and we can alert them when they’re running into problems and how to avoid having their company name in a headline,” he explained.

National/Federal

Biden Super PAC Plans a Historic $250 Million Ad Blitz

DNyuz – Reid Epstein and Shane Goldmacher (New York Times) | Published: 1/30/2024

The main Democratic super PAC supporting President Biden’s re-election bid, Future Forward, is beginning to reserve $250 million in advertising across the most important battleground states. It is the largest single purchase of political advertising by a super PAC in the nation’s history. The ads, which are to be split between $140 million on television and $110 million on digital and streaming platforms, will start the day after the Democratic National Convention concludes in August and will run through Election Day.

Voting Is Bewildering This Primary Season. That Worries Experts.

DNyuz – Maggie Astor (New York Times) | Published: 1/29/2024

As voters enter an election year in which many feel democracy itself is on the ballot, they face a bewildering set of dates and procedures to choose their presidential nominees. That is without even getting into the longtime snag of some states’ scheduling separate primaries for president and other offices, as well as special elections, all of which adds up to some voters having as many as five Election Days. A large body of research suggests that the morass could reduce participation.

Ex-IRS Contractor Who Leaked Trump’s Tax Returns Sentenced to 5 Years

MSN – Salvador Rizzo (Washington Post) | Published: 1/29/2024

A former government contractor who leaked confidential tax records filed by the wealthiest Americans, including those of Donald Trump was sentenced to the maximum of five years in prison. Charles Littlejohn pleaded guilty last year to one count of unauthorized disclosure of income tax returns. He admitted leaking Trump’s confidential tax information to the New York Times in 2019 and then replicated his work the next year, filtering the tax returns and financial data of thousands of wealthy Americans to ProPublica.

Congresswoman Cori Bush Under Investigation for Alleged Misuse of Security Funds

MSN – Marianna Sotomayor, Perry Stein, and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 1/30/2024

The Justice Department is investigating U.S. Rep. Cori Bush for allegedly misusing money intended for members of Congress to spend on private security. Bush has come under fire for using campaign money to hire her husband, Cortney Merritts, as her security. But the Office of Congressional Ethics dismissed a complaint filed against Bush last fall alleging her campaign’s employment of Merritts was a violation of federal election law.

Republicans Advance Mayorkas Impeachment as Democrats Decry Process as a Sham

MSN – Jacqueline Alemany and Amy Wang (Washington Post) | Published: 1/30/2024

House Republicans voted to advance an impeachment case against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the full chamber, moving one step closer to impeaching the first Cabinet member in almost 150 years. Members of the House Homeland Security Committee advanced two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas, accusing him of “willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law” and breach of the public trust. Democrats repeatedly asserted that Republicans have no constitutional basis to impeach Mayorkas.

‘Delusions of Immortality’: These lawmakers want Congress to get real about continuity

MSN – Justin Papp (Roll Call) | Published: 1/30/2024

According to the Constitution, only directly elected representatives can serve in the U.S. House, which means a special election is called for every vacancy. But that process can take a while, and if a catastrophe struck, it could kill many lawmakers at once. Rep. Derek Kilmer sees an opening to talk about continuity planning – not the well-known practice of designating a survivor who could replace the commander in chief but the lesser-known ways of the legislative branch.

Who Are No Labels’ Donors? Democratic Groups File Complaints in an Attempt to Find Out

MSN – Brian Slodysko and Jonathan Cooper (Associated Press) | Published: 1/24/2024

For months, the centrist group No Labels has stockpiled cash and diligently worked to secure ballot access for a potential third-party presidential bid, striking fear among allies of President Biden that the effort could siphon away votes and hand the White House to Donald Trump. Now, two Democratic-aligned groups filed campaign finance complaints, hoping to crimp No Labels’ pipeline of campaign money and force it to follow the same rules as formal political parties.

Peter Navarro Sentenced to 4 Months for Contempt of Congress in Jan. 6 Probe

MSN – Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 1/25/2024

Peter Navarro, a White House aide to then-President Trump who claimed credit for devising a plan to overturn the 2020 election, was sentenced to four months in prison for ignoring a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Capitol attack. Navarro became the second senior Trump aide sentenced for stonewalling Congress’s investigation, joining Stephen Bannon, a former Trump political adviser with whom Navarro said he worked on a plan to delay and ultimately change the outcome of the formal count of the presidential election results.

Does Your Congress Need Fixing? Call These Former Staffers

MSN – Jim Saska (Roll Call) | Published: 1/25/2024

There are a few well-trod career paths for a congressional staffer. Many decide to trade their hard-earned institutional knowledge for fat paychecks on K Street, while others put their experience to use working on some political passion project at an interest group. Others still leave politics behind entirely, and an increasingly rare few are lifers who never want to leave. But then there are some staffers who love Congress so much, they had to let it go. They left Congress so they could try to fix it.

State and Federal Lobbying Spending Tops $46 Billion After Federal Lobbying Spending Broke Records in 2023

OpenSecrets – Anna Massoglia | Published: 1/26/2024

Federal lobbying spending skyrocketed to over $4.2 billion in 2023, a nominal record, a new OpenSecrets analysis found. The report said lobbyists reported over $46 billion in combined federal and state lobbying expenditures since 2015. Influential corporations and other special interest groups wanting a say in policy decisions beefed up their lobbying game, and not just on K Street. Amid congressional gridlock, many moved to sidestep the chaos on Capitol Hill by realigning their influence operations to include state-level officials.

GOP Legislatures in Some States Seek Ways to Undermine Voters’ Ability to Determine Abortion Rights

Yahoo News – Christine Fernando (Associated Press) | Published: 1/28/2024

Legislative efforts in Missouri and Mississippi are attempting to prevent voters from having a say over abortion rights, building on anti-abortion strategies seen in other states, including last year in Ohio. Democrats and abortion rights advocates say the efforts are evidence that Republican lawmakers and abortion opponents are trying to undercut democratic processes meant to give voters a direct role in forming state laws.

Republican Lawsuits Challenge Mail Ballot Deadlines. Could They Upend Voting Across the Country?

Yahoo News – Christie Fernando, Emily Wagster Pettus, and Jack Dura (Associated Press) | Published: 2/1/2024

Republicans are challenging extended mail ballot deadlines in at least two states in a legal maneuver that could have widespread implications for mail voting ahead of this year’s presidential election. Democratic and voting rights groups are concerned about the potential impact beyond those two states if a judge rules that deadlines for receiving mailed ballots that stretch past Election Day violate federal law.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Trudeau’s Holiday Travel Didn’t Break the Rules, Ethics Commissioner Tells MPs

CBC – Elizabeth Thompson | Published: 1/30/2024

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s trip to Jamaica did not break the rules that govern gifts and travel for elected officials because the stay was a gift from a longtime family friend, Interim Ethics Commissioner Konrad Von Finckenstein told Members of Parliament (MP). Von Finckenstein said the rules governing the gifts and travel that MPs can accept makes an exception for gifts or travel given by parents or friends. But the rules on MPs’ travel could be about to change.

Canada – Fundraising Scandal: CAQ says it’s ready to end donations to political parties

CTV News – Canadian Press | Published: 1/31/2024

The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) said it is prepared to end contributions to political parties, after several CAQ members were accused of soliciting $100 donations from mayors hoping to meet with ministers. Under Quebec’s Election Act, only citizens, not legal entities such as companies or unions, can give to political parties. The law specifies that contributions cannot be given to gain a favor or an advantage.

Alaska – Dunleavy Reelection Backers Ordered to Comply with Subpoenas in Campaign Finance Case

Yahoo News – Sean Maguire (Anchorage Daily News) | Published: 1/27/2024

A judge ordered backers of Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s reelection campaign to respond to subpoenas that seek to find whether they violated state law in the lead-up to the 2022 election. Two Alaska watchdog groups filed a complaint alleging the Republican Governors Association created A Stronger Alaska as a shell entity to improperly spend money in Alaska in violation of campaign finance laws.

Arizona – Rep. Leezah Sun Resigns from the Arizona House

KJZZ – Wayne Schutsky | Published: 1/31/2024

Minutes before the Arizona House was set to vote on expelling her from the chamber in the wake of an ethics probe that found she engaged in “disorderly behavior,” including threatening to kill a lobbyist, Rep. Leezah Sun resigned. An investigation determined Sun behaved inappropriately on multiple occasions while acting in her official capacity. That includes when she allegedly told several attendees at a conference that she wanted to slap Pilar Sinawi, a lobbyist for the city of Tolleson, and throw her over a balcony.

Arizona – Scottsdale Mayor Nixed New Old Town Restaurant but Denies Any Favor to Campaign Donors

MSN – Sam Kmack (Arizona Republic) | Published: 2/1/2024

Scottsdale’s mayor received nearly half of his campaign contributions over the past two years from employees of the prominent local development company that successfully fought to defeat a competitor’s plan to build a new restaurant in the city. Employees of Riot Hospitality Group, owned by Shawn Yari, donated $36,000 to Mayor David Ortega. The mayor cast a deciding vote to block the development of a proposed upscale restaurant that would have competed with Yari’s properties and plans.

Arkansas – Federal Appeals Court Won’t Revisit Ruling That Limits Scope of Voting Rights Act

MSN – Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) | Published: 1/31/2024

A federal appeals court declined to reconsider its decision that would prevent private groups from suing under a key section of the Voting Rights Act, prompting a potential fight before the U.S. Supreme Court over a ruling that civil rights groups say erodes the law aimed at prohibiting racial discrimination in voting. An Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled that only the U.S. attorney general can enforce Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

California – California Lawmakers, Raising Fears of Political Violence, Want to Shield Their Properties

CalMatters – Alexei Koseff | Published: 1/30/2024

Citing safety threats, California lawmakers are advancing a bill that would keep the property they own and other personal information from annual financial disclosures off the internet. Assembly Bill 1170 would shift to an electronic filing system for the statement of economic interest that elected officials and some public employees in California are required to complete each year. But a provision proposes to expand the redactions on publicly available versions of the form, shielding the addresses of filers’ real property interests and businesses, though they would still be available upon request.

California – State Auditors: Anaheim hasn’t properly managed tourism money

MSN – Michael Slaton (Orange County Register) | Published: 1/30/2024

State auditors said Anaheim has not properly managed its tourism contracts and millions of dollars in related funding, and some of that public money was used for political purposes. The audit put public money sent by the city to Visit Anaheim and the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce under a microscope for potential misuse of funds. The auditors are recommending the city implement additional oversight of its contracts and of the millions in tourism district funds that come from hotel stays each year.

California – Former L.A. Councilman Jose Huizar Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison in Corruption Case

MSN – Dakota Smith and David Zahniser (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 1/26/2024

Former Los Angeles City Councilperson Jose Huizar was sentenced to 13 years in prison for using his position to shaker down real estate developers for at least $1.5 million in cash and benefits in exchange for help driving projects through the city’s approval process. Huizar was the prime architect of a criminal enterprise that relied on bribery, extortion, obstruction of justice, and other crimes to achieve its goals of enriching himself and his associates, and expanding their political power, U.S. District Court Judge John Walter said.

Florida – Miami Mayor Pushed for No-Bid City Contract Benefiting His Private Employer’s Partner

MSN – Sarah Blaskey, Joey Flechas, Alex Harris, and Tess Riski (Miami Herald) | Published: 1/30/2024

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and his top aides spent months last year advocating for a no-bid city contract for a little-known software company that was simultaneously negotiating a partnership with a firm paying the mayor a $20,000-a-month salary. The mayor advocacy on behalf of the software company, NZero and the behind-closed-doors discussions involving its partnership with Suarez’s private employer, Redivider, were laid out in dozens of emails. The emails raise new questions about conflicts-of-interest involving Suarez, whose outside work for a local developer is already the subject of a federal investigation.

Florida – Federal Judge Throws Out Disney’s Lawsuit against DeSantis

Yahoo News – Gary Fineout (Politico) | Published: 1/31/2024

Disney lost a battle in its struggle with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis after a federal judge tossed out the company’s lawsuit against the governor and his handpicked board that now oversees the land around Disney World. U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor said Disney lacked standing and jurisdiction in arguing that actions pushed by DeSantis were retaliatory and violated the First Amendment rights of the company. Disney said it intends to appeal.

Florida – Florida Supreme Court Will Consider Challenge to DeSantis’ Redistricting Map

Yahoo News – Gary Fineout (Politico) | Published: 1/24/2024

Florida’s contested congressional map that helped Republicans capture the U.S. House may get left in place for the 2024 elections after the state Supreme Court signaled it could be months before it rules on a lawsuit challenging the current districts. Gov. Ron DeSantis urged the Supreme Court to keep in place an appeals court ruling that upheld a map that dismantled the seat that former Democratic Rep. Al Lawson held, and which led to a net gain of four seats for Republicans during the 2022 election cycle. That map was muscled into law by DeSantis.

Hawaii – Hawaii Legislators Target Deepfake Political Messaging

Yahoo News – Dan Nakaso (Honolulu Star Advertiser) | Published: 1/30/2024

To keep artificial intelligence – or deepfake – messaging out of Hawaii elections, two bills would ban false information of a candidate or party, and a third would make it a petty misdemeanor to distribute, or conspire to distribute, fake political messages. A winning House or Senate candidate often needs only 3,000 votes or so. The outcome could be determined by “a handful of votes that could very easily be swayed by deepfake messaging in the critical hours before the vote …,” Rep. Trisha La Chica said.

Indiana – An Indiana State Senator Could Benefit from Her Bill Easing Child Labor Laws. Here’s How

MSN – Brittany Carloni and Rachel Fradette (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 1/30/2024

A bill by state Sen. Linda Rogers would expand work hours and time restrictions for young people and allow 18-year-olds to serve alcohol in restaurants and hotels. Rogers and her husband own Juday Creek Golf Course, which is registered as a business that employs minors. The potential connection between the bill and Rogers’ business points to the challenge, or benefit some might say, of having a part-time Legislature, where lawmakers have other sources of income or jobs in their home communities, ethics experts said.

Nevada – Court Dismisses Lombardo Ethics Case on ‘Technicality,’ Attorneys Intend to Appeal

Nevada Independent – Tabitha Mueller | Published: 1/31/2024

A Carson City judge in early January dismissed a lawsuit filed by Gov. Joe Lombardo challenging a decision from the Nevada Commission on Ethics to censure and fine the governor for using his Clark County sheriff uniform and badge on the 2022 campaign trail, but attorneys for Lombardo said they were unaware of the court’s order until recently and plan to appeal. Judge James Russell’s order, which ethics commission attorneys were also unaware of, dismissed the appeal on procedural grounds.

New York – The Secretive Court Fight Roiling New York’s Democratic Socialists

DNyuz – Nicholas Fandos (New York Times) | Published: 1/25/2024

As New York socialists looked to expand an electoral beachhead in 2022, they steered supporters to a special campaign committee set up to advance not just a single candidate, but a socialist slate. The group, DSA for the Many, allowed the fledgling movement to act something like a major political party, pooling resources and coordinating directly with a dozen candidates. Eight socialists ultimately won seats in the state Legislature. But a state elections official found the group never filed the authorizations needed to raise and spend candidate funds.

New York – ‘Full of Loopholes’ – Mayor Adams’ 2021 Fundraising Shows Weaknesses in Campaign Finance Law

Gothamist – Charles Lane | Published: 1/25/2024

Campaign finance regulators overseeing New York City’s matching funds program for campaigns flagged nearly 400 donations to Eric Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign as possibly bundled and requiring disclosure the campaign never provided, according to records. People familiar with the audit say it has been paused while the FBI investigates if the mayor’s campaign collected foreign and straw contributions. But the federal probe has also made clear that rules and enforcement around campaign finance in New York need improvement.

New York – Jury Orders Trump to Pay E. Jean Carroll More Than $83 Million for Defaming Her

MSN – Shayna Jacobs and Mark Berman (Washington Post) | Published: 1/26/2024

A civil jury ordered Donald Trump to pay the writer E. Jean Carroll more than $83 million for defaming her, a financial penalty that doubled as a denunciation of his rhetoric. The verdict delivered a stinging courtroom loss to the former president as he closes in on another Republican presidential nomination. At the same time, it illustrated the degree to which Trump’s year could be defined as much by courtrooms as the campaign trail.

New York – Justice Dept. Says Cuomo Created ‘Sexually Hostile Work Environment’ as Governor

MSN – Azi Paybarah abd Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 1/26/2024

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo “subjected female employees to a hostile work environment” and “retaliated against employees who spoke out about the harassment,” the Justice Department announced, after reaching a settlement with the state. The report is based on an investigation into allegations against Cuomo, who resigned after a state investigation found he sexually harassed 11 women and oversaw an unlawful attempt to exact retribution against one of his accusers.

North Carolina – North Carolina Redistricting Lawsuit Tries ‘Fair’ Election Claim to Overturn GOP Lines

MSN – Gary Robertson (Associated Press) | Published: 1/31/2024

Another lawsuit challenging district lines for Congress and the Legislature in North Carolina seeks a new legal route to strike down the maps that are to be used this year. Plaintiffs ask judges to declare there is a right in the state constitution to “fair” elections. They also want at least several congressional and General Assembly districts they say violate that right struck down and redrawn.

Ohio – Every Politician Has Got to Have Somebody That’s the Hit Man

DNyuz – Ian MacDougall (New York Times) | Published: 1/25/2024

In July 2020, the FBI arrested then-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, lobbyist Neil Clark and three others on corruption charges. They were accused of taking tens of millions of dollars in donations from an energy company in exchange for passing a law that awarded the company $1.3 billion in subsidies. Householder was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Clark pleaded not guilty but committed suicide before a trial date could be set.

Ohio – Ohio Rep. Dobos Drops Reelection Bid Following Revelations of MIT Degree Misstatements

MSN – Billy Bush (Columbus Dispatch) | Published: 1/30/2024

Ohio Rep. Dave Dobos, who drew scrutiny when it was discovered he had not earned a college degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as he had long claimed, dropped out of his reelection bid ahead of the March primary, where he faced two opponents. Just before the November 2022 election, Dobos said he was “in error” when he did not include on a required report that two creditors claimed he owed them $1.3 million as the result of a business dispute.

Ohio – The Comeback Bid Is On: Ohio Supreme Court allows former lawmaker to appear on ballot

Ohio Capital Journal – Nick Evans | Published: 1/31/2024

The Ohio Supreme Court cleared the path for Steven Kraus to run for the state House, sidestepping difficult questions about the former state lawmaker’s comeback bid. Kraus was removed from office in 2015 after a felony theft conviction, but he has since gotten that case sealed by the court. State law bars ex-felons from holding office unless their conviction is “reversed, expunged or annulled.” Kraus insisted his sealed case is the same as an expunged case, because sealing the conviction was the only option available to him.

Pennsylvania – Former Mayoral Candidate Jeff Brown and Super PAC Sue Philly Ethics Board

Billy Penn – Meir Rinde | Published: 1/31/2024

Former Philadelphia mayoral candidate Jeff Brown and a super PAC that spent millions of dollars to back his unsuccessful bid have sued the city’s Board of Ethics, alleging the agency used its power to undermine his candidacy. The board sued the super PAC and a related nonprofit, both called For A Better Philadelphia, during last year’s Democratic primary campaign, alleging its staff illegally coordinated with Brown and his campaign. Following the board’s allegations and a series of unrelated campaign missteps, Brown finished in fifth place.

Tennessee – GOP Ex-Lawmaker Using Old Campaign Cash to Bankroll Law School Bearing His Name

MSN – Mark Alesia (Raw Story) | Published: 1/30/2024

When Lincoln Memorial University received a $5,000 donation in October, it came from a familiar source, the old campaign committee account of former U.S. Rep. John Duncan, who last served in Congress five years ago. Over the past 19 years, Duncan has given more than $48,000 in leftover campaign funds to the university. That money has helped sustain the university and the law school that bears Duncan’s name. Campaign finance experts consider the practice as ethically murky when political donations enhance former lawmakers’ legacies with “monuments to me.”

Texas – Proposed Changes to the City’s Ethics Commission Falter

Austin Monitor – Elizabeth Pagano | Published: 1/26/2024

A proposal to remake Austin’s ethics panel as an independent entity appears to be on hold at the Charter Review Commission after a motion to form a working group to look into the issue failed without any support. Commissioner Betsy Greenberg, who made the motion to form a working group, presented her research on the topic at the commission’s most recent meeting. Most of her presentation centered on a 2018 recommendation from the previous incarnation of the commission.

Utah – Parents Claim SLC District Official Had a Conflict of Interest with School Closures

KUER – Martha Harris | Published: 1/26/2024

Some parents in the Salt Lake City School District are asking the school board to redo its recent school closure study over claims the district official overseeing much of the process had a conflict-of-interest. Brian Conley, the district’s director of boundaries and planning, was often the public face of this effort.  Critics note Conley’s spouse, who is the principal of an elementary school within the district, and that his stepchild attends a separate elementary school. Both schools were not recommended for closure.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin’s Democratic Governor Promises to Veto Last-Ditch Republican Redistricting Effort

MSN – Scott Bauer (Associated Press) | Published: 1/25/2024

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers promised to veto a redistricting proposal the Republican-controlled Assembly passed and that largely mirror maps he proposed, but with changes that would reduce the number of GOP incumbents who would have to face one another in November. Evers’ veto will leave it to the Wisconsin Supreme Court to install the state’s new maps.

National/Federal

Billionaires Wanted to Save the News Industry. They’re Losing a Fortune.

DNyuz – Benjamin Mullin and Katie Robertson (New York Times) | Published: 1/18/2024

There is an old saying about the news business: If you want to make a small fortune, start with a large one. As the prospects for news publishers waned in the last decade, billionaires swooped in to buy some of the country’s most fabled brands. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, bought The Washington Post in 2013 for about $250 million, for example. But it increasingly appears that the billionaires are struggling just like nearly everyone else.

No Labels Sued by New York Donors Claiming ‘Bait and Switch’

DNyuz – Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 1/23/2024

Two members of the powerful Durst real estate family in New York sued the centrist group No Labels, accusing it of pulling a “bait and switch” by seeking donations for a bipartisan governing group and then moving to fund a third-party presidential candidacy. The lawsuit seeks damages and reimbursements after the Dursts donated $145,000 years ago, when No Labels was founded on the promise of finding governing solutions.

Once Professor and Student, These Lawmakers Are Out to Protect Journalists’ Secret Sources

MSN – Megan Mineiro (Roll Call) | Published: 1/19/2024

Bipartisan legislation to protect journalists from government surveillance passed the U.S. House recently. The Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act would block federal law enforcement agencies from subpoenaing journalists’ emails, phone records, recordings, and photographs to nail down the identity of confidential sources in their reporting. It includes tailored exceptions for terrorism or threats of imminent violence or harm.

These Lawmakers Are Still Invested in Banning Congressional Stock Trades

MSN – Justin Papp (Roll Call) | Published: 1/18/2024

Scrutiny of members’ trading has been building since the pandemic, when some lawmakers raised eyebrows by selling stocks soon before the market crashed. That prompted investigations from the Department of Justice, though no charges were filed. Reports from the media followed, highlighting a litany of questionable deals coming from the Capitol. Advocates say a ban on individual trades would curb worries about conflicts-of-interest and insider trading in Congress. But lack of buy-in from leadership has been a sticking point.

Here’s How ChatGPT Maker OpenAI Plans to Deter Election Misinformation in 2024

MSN – Ali Swenson (Associated Press) | Published: 1/16/2024

ChatGPT maker OpenAI outlined a plan to prevent its tools from being used to spread election misinformation as voters in more than 50 countries prepare to cast their ballots in national elections this year. It will ban people from using its technology to create chatbots that impersonate real candidates or governments, to misrepresent how voting works, or to discourage people from voting. It said until more research can be done on the persuasive power of its technology, it will not allow its users to build applications for the purposes of campaigning or lobbying.

Lobbying Spending by Top Interest Groups Dipped Amid 2023 Gridlock

MSN – Caitlin Reilly (Roll Call) | Published: 1/24/2024

A year of gridlock amid divided government and Republican infighting on Capitol Hill drove down spending by the biggest interest groups by about 13 percent in 2023 from the previous year. Tax policy, artificial intelligence, and China, along with perennial issues like health care and defense, drove interest and revenue on K Street last year, lobbyists said. Those trends are expected to hold this year.

How Many of Your State’s Lawmakers Are Women? If You Live in the Southeast, It Could Be Just 1 in 5.

ProPublica – Jennifer Berry Hawes | Published: 1/11/2022

The United States saw a record number of women elected to statehouses last year. Nationally, one-third of legislators are women, the most in history. In recent years, three states – Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado – achieved parity. But much of the Southeast lags far behind. Women constitute fewer than one in five state lawmakers across much of the region. This leaves large majorities of men controlling policy, including laws that most impact women, at a time when the U.S. Supreme Court is sending more power to statehouses.

‘We Don’t Have a Clear Path to Victory’: DeSantis exits presidential race

Yahoo News – Gary Fineout and Alez Isenstadt (Politico) | Published: 1/21/2024

Gov. Ron DeSantis ended his presidential campaign after he was unable to convince Republicans to set aside their allegiance to the man who helped his own political career. DeSantis’s run came to a halt following a dispiriting second-place finish in Iowa, a state where he and allies poured millions of dollars into an aggressive get-out-the-vote effort that featured the governor visiting all 99 counties. He spent week after week in the state instead of establishing a presence in other early voting states like New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Pro-Biden PAC Launches $1 Million Campaign to Pay Social Media Influencers

Yahoo News – Rebecca Kern (Politico) | Published: 1/23/2024

Priorities USA, a super PAC supporting President Biden, is spending $1 million for its first-ever “creator” program, enlisting about 150 influencers to post on social media in the 2024 election cycle. The effort is part of a larger Democratic strategy to lure young voters in battleground states. Priorities USA plans to transition all its spending to digital communications in 2024 and sees the influencer campaign as key to reaching people who do not see typical campaign ads on television.

Appeals Court Declines Further Review of Trump Jan. 6 Gag Order

Yahoo News – Rebecca Beitsch and Zach Schonfeld (The Hill) | Published: 1/23/2024

A federal appeals court declined an effort by Donald Trump to have his challenge to a gag order in his election interference case heard by the full court, teeing up a likely U.S. Supreme Court battle over restrictions to his speech. A three-judge panel of the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals had largely upheld a lower court ruling restricting Trump’s speech in the case.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Arizona GOP Lawmaker Targets ‘Conflict of Interest’ in Donations to City Bond Projects

KJZZ – Wayne Schutsky | Published: 1/19/2024

Arizona Rep. Laurin Hendrix is pushing a bill that would bar construction companies that donate to local bond elections from then benefitting from the array of city projects funded by those bonds, a move that could drain hundreds of thousands of dollars out of the campaigns that push for passage of those bonds every election cycle. In the lead up to those elections, voters are often inundated with advertising and marketing efforts backed by local politicians and PACs that support passage of the bond questions. A lot of the money that pays for those efforts come from businesses or individuals with ties to the construction industry.

Arizona – Arizona Republican Party Chair Resigns After Kari Lake Recording Is Made Public

MSN – Maegan Vazquez (Washington Post) | Published: 1/24/2024

Arizona Republican Party Chairperson Jeff DeWit announced his resignation after a recording was made public that appeared to show him attempting to entice Kari Lake to sit out the 2024 election for the state’s U.S. Senate seat. The recording and DeWit’s resignation mark major challenges for a state GOP struggling to bounce back from years of tough election losses. What happens politically in Arizona, a swing state, could have broader consequences for both the presidency and the Senate majority in 2024.

California – She Went to Prison for Bribing Nuru with a Rolex. Now She Has to Pay S.F. $750,000

MSN – St. John Barned-Smith (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 1/23/2024

Businessperson Florence Kong has already spent a year in prison for pleading guilty to bribing Mohammed Nuru with a Rolex watch and other gifts and lying to FBI agents about her relationship with the former head of San Francisco’s Public Works Department. Now she is on the hook to pay the city $750,000 to resolve civil penalties related to the matter, according to a settlement proposal.

California – SoCalGas Billed Customers Millions to Fight Clean Energy, The Bee Found. This Bill Could Stop That

MSN – Ari Plachta (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 1/17/2024

New legislation in California strengthens laws that prevent energy utilities from passing on the costs of lobbying to their customers. It comes in response to a media investigation that found the nation’s largest gas provider, Southern California Gas Company, booked at least $36 million to ratepayers since 2019 to oppose clean energy policies. The bill explicitly defines “political influence activity,” prevents the use of customer money for membership dues to trade groups, and requires utilities to disclose whether advertising campaigns are paid for by customers or shareholders.

California – OC Supervisor Quietly Routed Millions More to His Daughter’s Group

MSN – Nick Gerda (LAist) | Published: 1/22/2024

Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do directed an additional $6.2 million in taxpayer dollars to his 22-year-old daughter’s nonprofit group. Records show a total of $13.5 million in county funding that Do is now known to have played a major role awarding to Viet America Society since late 2020, all without publicly disclosing the relationship. The newly discovered grants were awarded by Do to his daughter Rhiannon Do’s nonprofit outside of public meetings. Details of these grants were also not included in public meeting agendas.

California – OC Board of Supervisors Deadlock on Conflict of Interest, Discretionary Spending Policy Updates

Orange County Register – Destiny Torres | Published: 1/23/2024

Orange County supervisors deadlocked on a proposal to require leaders and their top staffers to broaden the instances involving family connections that would require disclosure when approving contracts or spending money. Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento proposed the reform following reports that Supervisor Andrew Do voted for subcontracts with the Warner Wellness Center, a mental health program, without publicly disclosing that his daughter was part of the organization’s leadership.

Colorado – Embattled Colorado House Republican Leader Resigns Leadership Role in Fallout of Drunken Driving Arrest

MSN – Seth Klamann (Denver Post) | Published: 1/24/2024

State Rep. Mike Lynch, the embattled Colorado House Republican and congressional candidate whose 2022 drunken driving arrest was revealed recently, said he was stepping down as minority leader. Lynch’s position as the top Republican in the House has been on the brink of collapse for several days amid fallout from the news about his arrest.

Connecticut – Conn. Mayor Wins Do-Over Race After GOP Seized on Democratic Ballot-Stuffing

MSN – Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff (Washington Post) | Published: 1/25/2024

A Connecticut mayor whose September primary election win was invalidated after ballot-fraud allegations won a do-over primary, months after his case became a flash point in conservative arguments about debunked theories of voter fraud. Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, whose supporters allegedly stuffed absentee ballots on his behalf in September, won reelection over John Gomes in the primary held on January 23.

Florida – Lubby Navarro Had Other Jobs. At Least One of Them Is Probing Her Spending After Her Arrest

MSN – David Goodhue (Miami Herald) | Published: 1/24/2024

Lubby Navarro, the former Miami-Dade County School Board member accused of stealing more than $100,000 from taxpayers by way of her district-issued credit cards, is under investigation by a hospital chain that put her on unpaid leave after she was arrested. Yanet Obarrio Sanchez, a spokesperson for the South Broward Hospital District, where Navarro works as a registered lobbyist, said an internal investigation was launched “as a standard protocol” right after Navarro’s arrest.

Florida – Split City Council Approves Legislation in Reaction to Deegan Using Single Source Contract

Yahoo News – David Bauerlein (Florida Times Union) | Published: 1/25/2024

Any future no-bid selection of a firm to do lobbying or grant writing for Jacksonville will have to get city council approval, a reaction to Mayor Donna Deegan awarding a contract to a campaign supporter. The bill was filed after Deegan awarded a $300,000 no-bid contract to Langton Consulting to do federal lobbying, grant writing, and public policy development. The city did not invite proposals from any other firm.

Georgia – Georgia Secretary of State Says It’s Unconstitutional for Board to Oversee Him, but Lawmakers Differ

Yahoo News – Jeff Amy (Associated Press) | Published: 1/24/2024

An attempt to state that Georgia’s State Election Board has the legal power to investigate Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s handling of elections blossomed into a constitutional showdown, with a lawyer for Raffensperger saying board members cannot legally oversee him. But the Senate Ethics Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 358. The proposal would remove Raffensperger from his nonvoting post on the board, allow the board to hire election investigators instead of solely relying on those working for Raffensperger, and clearly give the board power to investigate the secretary of state.

Illinois – Paul Vallas Facing $10,500 Fine from City’s Ethics Board

Yahoo News – A.D. Quig (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 1/24/2024

Recent mayoral runner-up Paul Vallas is being fined $10,500 for violating Chicago’s campaign finance law. In November, the Board of Ethics found probable cause that Vallas, who lost to Brandon Johnson in the April 2023 runoff election, violated a rule that limits campaign contributions from entities doing business with the city.

Kentucky – Why Are KY Legislators Fleeing Frankfort? Blame Trump, Low Pay and Nasty Politics

MSN – Austin Horn (Lexington Herald-Leader) | Published: 1/25/2024

Seventeen senators and representatives in Kentucky are not seeking reelection this year. The numbers are growing relative to years past. Virtually all the elected officials in Frankfort will tell you that serving in the Kentucky General Assembly is an honor and a privilege. But is it a good job?

Kentucky – How Much Could Be Spent on Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg’s Ethics Complaint Defense?

Yahoo News – Josh Wood and Eleanor McCrary (Louisville Courier Journal) | Published: 1/24/2024

Outside counsel hired to defend Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg against an ethics complaint signed a contract to receive up to $25,000 in city funds for their services but the actual cost passed on to taxpayers could be much higher. Jefferson County Attorney’s Office spokesperson Josh Abner said the office does not limit the amount it spends on legal representation, despite the ordinance.

Louisiana – Louisiana Legislature Approves New Congressional Map with Second Majority-Black District

MSN – Maegan Vazquez (Washington Post) | Published: 1/19/2024

The Louisiana Legislature approved a new congressional map that includes two majority-Black districts after being ordered to do so by a federal court that found the existing map illegally diminished Black voting power. Previously, Black voters in Louisiana had a majority in just one of the state’s six congressional districts, despite making up nearly a third of the statewide population.

Minnesota – You Might Be a Lobbyist Now

Minnesota Reformer – Madison McVan | Published: 1/19/2024

A change to the lobbying law in Minnesota is expected to mandate a bevy of new people register as lobbyists under the rule’s wide umbrella, said Jeff Sigurdson, executive director of the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. Now, anyone making or spending more than $3,000 to influence decisions by governmental bodies across the state must register. The new law applies to all the state’s political subdivisions. Previously, lobbying rules did not apply to local governments except those in the Twin Cities metro area.

New Hampshire – Trump Beats Haley Decisively in N.H., Closing in on Nomination

MSN – Isaac Arnsdorf, Colby Itkowitz, Sabrina Rodriguez, and Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) | Published: 1/23/2024

Donald Trump marched closer to the Republican nomination for president by defeating Nikki Haley in New Hampshire’s primary. Trump’s victory dealt another blow to critics in his party who saw the vote as perhaps the last best chance to stop or slow him. Haley’s strength with independents exposed weaknesses for Trump in a potential rematch with President Biden, as moderate Republicans and right-leaning independents sent a message that the party’s internal divisions will not disappear quickly.

New Mexico – Leader of New State Office Faces Ethics Complaint Over Lobbying Request

Yahoo News – Daniel Chacón (Santa Fe New Mexican) | Published: 1/22/2024

Beth Gillia, head of the New Mexico Office of Family Representation and Advocacy, is facing an ethics complaint after using her government email to encourage employees to lobby legislators on the office’s behalf but without specifically instructing them to disclose their roles. Maralyn Beck, founder of the New Mexico Child First Network, said she will be filing a formal complaint with the State Ethics Commission and sharing her concerns with members of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee.

New Mexico – Changes to New Mexico Employees’ and Politicians’ Anti-Corruption Law Clear First Committee

Yahoo News – Robert Nott (Santa Fe New Mexican) | Published: 1/24/2024

Public employees and elected officials could find themselves facing fines of up to $10,000 if they violate the state’s Governmental Conduct Act under a new bill that cleared its first committee. House Bill 8 would not only raise the ceiling for fines but provide more clarity regarding prohibited activities under the law.

New York – State GOP Officials Took Trip Backed by Chinese Communist Party

Albany Times Union – Raga Justin | Published: 1/21/2024

Four members of the New York Assembly traveled to China in December. The group that funded the trip, the American Chinese Commerce Association, has been described as linked to an arm of the Chinese Communist Party known as the “united front work” department. According to U.S. security agencies, united front work seeks to influence American individuals and institutions, especially state-level lawmakers, through various overtures that include sponsored trips to meet Chinese officials.

North Carolina – NC Confidential: Keeping voters in dark about campaign finance probes

Carolina Public Press – Mehr Shur | Published: 1/22/2024

Campaign finance investigations are confidential in North Carolina. While candidates are innocent until proven otherwise, the confidentiality provision passed by state lawmakers in 2018 can also keep voters from making informed decisions, according to ethics experts. The public is barred from finding out any details about a complaint or an ongoing State Board of Elections investigation and can only have access to information once an investigation has concluded and it proceeds to a hearing.

North Carolina – From Lobbying to Congress? NC Candidate’s Fundraiser Draws Questions About His Support

Yahoo News – Danielle Battaglia (Raleigh News and Observer) | Published: 1/24/2024

When a lawmaker leaves office, there is a good chance they will become a lobbyist. Sometimes, though, the “revolving door” swings in the other direction. Addison McDowell resigned as a lobbyist on December 13, the same day he announced he would run for Congress. McDowell, a former lobbyist for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, highlighted his ties to the people he lobbied when he announced a January 30 fundraiser that is being hosted by some of the biggest names in North Carolina politics, including both lawmakers and lobbyists.

Ohio – Trans Candidates Face Challenges to Get on Ohio Ballots Over ‘Deadnames’

MSN – Anumita Kaur (Washington Post) | Published: 1/22/2024

Vanessa Joy is one of three transgender women whose candidacies for Ohio House seats have been challenged under a little-known state law that requires disclosure of previous legal names on election documents. While the law is not new, some advocates fear it is being used to hinder transgender candidates, and regardless of intent, it has ensnared several such contenders this election cycle in Ohio, raising concerns that trans candidates elsewhere might face similar hurdles when running for public office.

Oklahoma – New Ethics Commission Director Gets Guardian System Extended for 2024 Election

NonDoc – Tres Savage | Published: 1/22/2024

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission’s new director said its Guardian System, a database used for reporting and tracking campaign financial information and lobbyist registrations, will be extended through February 2025. The Guardian System had been scheduled to lose functionality after July 1 because a software and services firm decided to shelve the underlying software used to operate Oklahoma’s reporting system.

Oregon – Oregon Voters Likely to Decide on Dueling Campaign Finance Measures This Fall

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 1/24/2024

Gov. Tina Kotek said campaign finance limits will not come up this legislative session, so Oregon voters will almost certainly decide the issue through a ballot measure in November. Voters will likely face two similar-looking measures, each of which would limit how much individuals and groups can donate to candidates. But one of the proposed measures, backed by labor unions, contains several loopholes that would allow unions to continue pouring millions of dollars into campaigns.

Rhode Island – R.I. Ethics Commission Dismisses Complaint Against Governor McKee

MSN – Edward Fitzpatrick (Boston Globe) | Published: 1/23/2024

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint filed against Gov. Dan McKee alleging he violated state ethics law after a lobbyist picked up a tab for lunch. The state Republican Party accused McKee of participating in a “pay-to-play political culture” by accepting a lunch with a lobbyist and executives from a Philadelphia firm, Scout Ltd., who were seeking $55 million to redevelop the Cranston Street Armory.

South Carolina – How Nikki Haley’s Lean Years Led Her into an Ethical Thicket

Seattle Times – Sharon LaFraniere and Alexandra Berzon (New York Times) | Published: 1/21/2024

Nikki Haley had been serving in the South Carolina Legislature for less than two years when she applied for a job as an accounting clerk at Wilbur Smith Associates, an engineering and design firm with state contracts. Because of her wide-ranging network. The firm put Haley on a retainer, asking her to scout out new business. That contract, and a subsequent, more lucrative one as a fundraiser for a hospital in her home county, allowed Haley to triple her income in three years. But they also led her into an ethical gray area that tarnished her first term as governor.

Tennessee – Campaign Finance Exec: Former Sen. Kelsey can’t use PAC funds on legal fees

Tennessee Lookout – Sam Stockard | Published: 1/24/2024

Bill Young, executive director of the Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance, advised former state Sen. Brian Kelsey he cannot use his PAC to pay attorneys as he tries to reverse a conviction for violating federal campaign finance law. Kelsey transferred $196,833 from his state campaign account to his Red State PAC last summer.

Tennessee – Tennessee Will No Longer Pursue Nearly a Million Dollars in Unpaid Fines Against Former Candidates

WTVF – Jennifer Kraus | Published: 1/24/2024

Over the last 30 years, hundreds of fines for campaign finance violations, totaling more than $2.5 million, have never been paid in Tennessee. Now the state has decided to no longer pursue nearly $1 million of those fines. Bill Young, executive director of the Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance, said when he took the job in 2019, he discovered unpaid fines dated back to 1991. So last year, the Legislature agreed to update the law to allow the bureau to declare certain fines “uncollectible.”

Washington – The Failed Promise of Independent Election Mapmaking

MSN – Marilyn Thompson (ProPublica) | Published: 1/17/2024

In most states, lawmakers draw new districts every 10 years to accommodate changes in population and ethnic makeup. They are usually exercises of raw political power allowing lawmakers to, in essence, choose their voters instead of the other way around. As the nation grapples with ever-more-aggressive battles over access to voting, a review of what unfolded in Washington state shows that independent commissions, still reformers’ best hope for fixing this problem nationwide, have not always succeeded in taking this central democratic function out of politicians’ hands.