January 10, 2019 •
Irvine Strengthens Restrictions on Lobbyists
Irvine City Council unanimously approved legislation to strengthen its conflict of interest policy this week. The bill adds a provision to contracts with the city that allows the city to cancel a contract and get reimbursed if a member of […]
Irvine City Council unanimously approved legislation to strengthen its conflict of interest policy this week.
The bill adds a provision to contracts with the city that allows the city to cancel a contract and get reimbursed if a member of council or an employee of the city lobbied on behalf of a contractor, paid or unpaid.
Councilwoman Christina Shea said she brought the item forward after she learned former Councilman Jeff Lalloway helped a Los Angeles-based firm with an Irvine office try to get a contract for the Anaheim streetcar project.
December 10, 2018 •
Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance National: “Democratic, GOP Super PACs Quadruple Fundraising as Big-Money Groups’ Influence Grows” by Maggie Severns for Politico Elections North Carolina: “Harris Campaign Owes $34K, in Part for Disputed Bladen Absentee Effort” by Travis Fain for WRAL Ethics National: […]
Campaign Finance
National: “Democratic, GOP Super PACs Quadruple Fundraising as Big-Money Groups’ Influence Grows” by Maggie Severns for Politico
Elections
North Carolina: “Harris Campaign Owes $34K, in Part for Disputed Bladen Absentee Effort” by Travis Fain for WRAL
Ethics
National: “Billionaire GOP Donor Gave Scott Pruitt $50,000 for Legal Expenses” by Brady Dennis and Juliet Eilperin (Washington Post) for MSN
Legislative Issues
New York: “Commission Recommends Pay Increases and Ethics Reforms for State Legislators” by Ben Brachfeld for Gotham Gazette
Lobbying
Kansas: “Lynn Jenkins Sets Up Lobbying Business — But She’s Still a Kansas Congresswoman” by Jonathan Shorman (Wichita Eagle) and Bryan Lowry for McClatchy DC
Missouri: “Missouri Lawmaker Quits in Last Moment Before Lobbying Limit” by David Lieb (Associated Press) for Columbia Missourian
Procurement
Tennessee: “Nashville Mayor David Briley Taps Former Judge as First-Ever Chief Compliance Officer” by Joey Garrison for The Tennessean
November 26, 2018 •
D.C. Council Approves Pay-to-Play Reforms
The Washington D.C. Council approved a bill in a first full council vote that aims to restrict political contributions by government contractors doing business with the district. The bill also addresses improper coordination between campaigns, political action committees and independent […]
The Washington D.C. Council approved a bill in a first full council vote that aims to restrict political contributions by government contractors doing business with the district.
The bill also addresses improper coordination between campaigns, political action committees and independent expenditure committees.
The pay-to- play component of the bill would ban campaign contributions by businesses seeking contracts of $250,000 or more.
The council votes again on the bill in December. If approved and funded, the bill would take effect on October 1, 2019.
Pay-to-play provisions would take effect after the November 2020 general election.
November 16, 2018 •
The District of Columbia Adjusts Procurement and Lobbying Requirements
Act A22-0442, which included the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Amendment Act of 2018, passed congressional review. The Act expands the scope of procurement lobbying in the District of Columbia to include action by an executive agency or official […]
Act A22-0442, which included the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Amendment Act of 2018, passed congressional review.
The Act expands the scope of procurement lobbying in the District of Columbia to include action by an executive agency or official in the executive branch to contract, grant or procure goods or services.
The lobbyist reporting periods change from semi-annual to quarterly reporting in January 2019.
Additional registration requirements were added including the precise description of the subject matter, including any bill, proposed resolution, contract, or other legislation of all writing or oral communications related to lobbying activities conducted with an executive or legislative member or official’s staff.
October 30, 2018 •
Washington D.C. Campaign Finance Reform Addresses Pay-to-Play
The Washington D.C. Council Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety unanimously passed a bill that aims to restrict political contributions by government contractors doing business with the district. The bill also addresses improper coordination between campaigns, political action committees […]
The Washington D.C. Council Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety unanimously passed a bill that aims to restrict political contributions by government contractors doing business with the district.
The bill also addresses improper coordination between campaigns, political action committees and independent expenditure committees.
The pay-to-play component of the bill would ban campaign contributions by businesses seeking contracts of $250,000 or more.
If passed by the full council, the bill is subject to appropriation and, if funded, would take effect on October 1, 2019.
Pay-to-play provisions would take effect after the November 2020 general election.
October 15, 2018 •
Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Elections Georgia: Voting Rights Become a Flashpoint in Georgia Governor’s Race by Ben Nadler (Associated Press) for WRAL Ethics National: Watchdog: Issues with IRS processing of improper political activity complaints by Naomi Jagoda for The Hill October National: Facebook Purged […]
Elections
Georgia: Voting Rights Become a Flashpoint in Georgia Governor’s Race by Ben Nadler (Associated Press) for WRAL
Ethics
National: Watchdog: Issues with IRS processing of improper political activity complaints by Naomi Jagoda for The Hill October
National: Facebook Purged Over 800 Accounts and Pages Pushing Political Messages for Profit by Elizabeth Dwoskin and Tony Romm for Washington Post
New York: Assemblyman Joe Errigo Charged with Accepting a Bribe to Eid a Development by Gary Craig and Steve Orr for Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
South Carolina: Will SC Lawmakers Close Loopholes Exposed by State House Corruption Probe? by Maayan Schechter for The State
Lobbying
National: From Wall Street to K Street, Companies Gauge the Risks of Doing Business with Saudi Arabia by Mark Landler, Kenneth Vogel, and Kate Kelly for New York Times
Alaska: Alaska Law Says Lobbyists Can’t Fundraise for Candidates. But the Invitations Keep Coming by Nathaniel Hertz for Alaska Public Media
Procurement
Louisiana: Louisiana’s Lucrative Voting Machine Contract Award Canceled by Melinda Deslatte (Associated Press) for Washington Times
September 6, 2018 •
Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance New York: “Mayoral Charter Revision Commission Puts Three Questions on November Ballot” by Samar Khurshid for Gotham Gazette Elections National: “Once Bipartisan, an Election Security Bill Collapses in Rancor” by Catie Edmonson for New York Times Massachusetts: “Ayanna […]
Campaign Finance
New York: “Mayoral Charter Revision Commission Puts Three Questions on November Ballot” by Samar Khurshid for Gotham Gazette
Elections
National: “Once Bipartisan, an Election Security Bill Collapses in Rancor” by Catie Edmonson for New York Times
Massachusetts: “Ayanna Pressley Upsets Capuano in Massachusetts House Race” by Katharine Seelye for New York Times
North Carolina: “Court Won’t Force North Carolina Redistricting This Year” by Josh Gerstein for Politico
Ethics
National: “A Broken Relationship and Accusations of Emotional Abuse: The case of Keith Ellison” by Julie Turkewitz and Farah Stockman for New York Times
Colorado: “Colorado Lawmakers Who Don’t Attend Sexual Harassment Training Could Be Publicly Shamed” by John Herrick for Colorado Independent
Florida: “Andrew Gillum’s Receipts for New York and Costa Rica Trips Leave Unanswered Questions” by Jeff Burlew and Jeffrey Schweers for Tallahassee Democrat
Maryland: “Ex-Maryland Lawmaker Sentenced to 48 Months in Liquor Board Bribery Scheme” by Lyn Bui (Washington Post) for Danbury News Times
Procurement
Texas: “Texas Schools Agency Botched Award of Huge No-Bid Contract on Special Ed Student Data, Audit Finds” by Robert Garrett for Dallas News
July 9, 2018 •
Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Ethics National: “As Tariffs Near, President Trump’s Business Keeps Profiting from Chinese Ties” by Jonathan O’Connell and David Fahrenthold for San Jose Mercury News Arizona: “Corporation Commission Director Resigns Amid Concerns of Conflict with APS” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona […]
Ethics
National: “As Tariffs Near, President Trump’s Business Keeps Profiting from Chinese Ties” by Jonathan O’Connell and David Fahrenthold for San Jose Mercury News
Arizona: “Corporation Commission Director Resigns Amid Concerns of Conflict with APS” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic
Illinois: “Federal Judge Orders Illinois to Adopt Ethics Rules for Environmental Regulators” by Michael Hawthorne for Chicago Tribune
Indiana: “Attorney General Curtis Hill Under Investigation Following Calls by Top Indiana Republicans” by Tony Cook and Ryan Martin for Indianapolis Star
South Dakota: “Critics Concerned About Power of Initiative’s Ethics Panel” by the Associated Press for Mitchell Republic
Lobbying
National: “Countries Hosting Trump Businesses Have Added Lobbyists at Rapid Pace Since Inauguration” by Frank Bass for MapLight.org
National: “EPA’s Acting Administrator Has Long Lobbying Record on Issues Before the Agency” by Steven Mufson (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune
Procurement
Canada: “Construction Magnate Antonio Accurso Sentenced to 4 Years for Fraud, Corruption” by Paul Cherry for Montreal Gazette
July 2, 2018 •
Fort Wayne Passes Another Pay-to-Play Ordinance
The Fort Wayne City Council passed another bill related to pay-to-play practices. Similar to last year’s pay-to-play ordinance, the City Council overrode Mayor Tom Henry’s veto in a 7-2 vote. The newly passed measure, prohibits business entities, with any officer, […]
The Fort Wayne City Council passed another bill related to pay-to-play practices.
Similar to last year’s pay-to-play ordinance, the City Council overrode Mayor Tom Henry’s veto in a 7-2 vote.
The newly passed measure, prohibits business entities, with any officer, partner, or principal with more than 10 percent ownership who have donated more than $2,000 to a campaign of someone with ultimate responsibility for awarding city contracts, from bidding on city contracts.
Legislation amending San Francisco’s Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code takes effect next week. Ordinance No. 129-18 is effective June 30, though most of its provisions are not operative until January 1, 2019. The ordinance extends the restriction period for contractor […]
Legislation amending San Francisco’s Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code takes effect next week. Ordinance No. 129-18 is effective June 30, though most of its provisions are not operative until January 1, 2019.
The ordinance extends the restriction period for contractor contributions from six to 12 months following contract approval. It also requires interested parties making a behested payment or payments of $10,000 or more to file a disclosure within 30 days.
Other changes include, but are not limited to, additional disclosure requirements for contributions from business entities and for bundled campaign contributions, as well as an additional pre-election statement for committees.
June 21, 2018 •
Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance National: “Democrats Dodge Campaign Finance Law” by James Arkin for Politico Colorado: “Colorado Enacts Replacement Campaign Finance Enforcement System” by Andrew Garrahan for National Law Review New Mexico: “Secretary of State Loses Bid for Emergency Funds” by Dan […]
Campaign Finance
National: “Democrats Dodge Campaign Finance Law” by James Arkin for Politico
Colorado: “Colorado Enacts Replacement Campaign Finance Enforcement System” by Andrew Garrahan for National Law Review
New Mexico: “Secretary of State Loses Bid for Emergency Funds” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal
Ethics
National: “Commerce Secretary Shorted Stock as Negative Coverage Loomed” by Mike McIntire for New York Times
Arkansas: “Arkansas Senate OKs Overhaul of Ethics Rules” by Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) for The Times-Record
Colorado: “Denver City Council Committee Votes to Allow Expensive Business Class Trips as Gifts” by Ben Markus for Colorado Public Radio
Kentucky: “Kentucky Man Gets 30-Day Sentence in Attack on Senator Rand Paul” by Suzannah Gonzales for Reuters
New York: “Corruption Retrial Begins for Ex-New York Senate Leader, Son” by Associated Press for Tampa Bay Times
Procurement
National: “Korean Firm Tied to Trump Lawyer Got U.S. Contract Despite Corruption Probe” by Shawn Boburg and Aaron Davis for Washington Post
Gov. Steve Bullock announced he will sign an executive order to further Montana’s goal of shedding light on dark money spending in elections. The executive order applies to new contracts for goods over $50,000 and new services contracts over $25,000 […]
Gov. Steve Bullock announced he will sign an executive order to further Montana’s goal of shedding light on dark money spending in elections.
The executive order applies to new contracts for goods over $50,000 and new services contracts over $25,000 and requires government contractors who have spent more than $2,500 in the past two years in elections to disclose their donations.
The executive order aims to shed light on contributions not otherwise required to be disclosed.
Gov. Bullock will sign the executive order into law on June 8, 2018.
June 4, 2018 •
Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Elections National: “Trump Ran as a Renegade. Now He’s Trying to Keep Them at Bay.” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times Ethics National: “Lawsuit Says Citizenship Question on Census Targets Minorities for Political Gain” by Michael Wines for New […]
Elections
National: “Trump Ran as a Renegade. Now He’s Trying to Keep Them at Bay.” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times
Ethics
National: “Lawsuit Says Citizenship Question on Census Targets Minorities for Political Gain” by Michael Wines for New York Times
Arizona: “Bribery Trial Involving Ex-Utility Regulator, Three Others Begins” by Michael Kiefer for Arizona Republic
Illinois: “Lawmaker Resigns from Madigan’s Leadership Team Following Allegations of Retaliation, Verbal Abuse” by Monique Garcia, Ray Long, and Kim Grieger for Chicago Tribune
New York: “The #MeToo Movement Came to Albany. But Will It Stick?” by Vivian Wang for New York Times
New York: “Mangano Corruption Trial Ends in Mistrial on Long Island” by Colin Moynihan for New York Times
Lobbying
Florida: “Gillum Meeting with FBI Undercover Agents Took Shape During Costa Rica Trip with Lobbyists” by Jeffrey Schweers for Tallahassee Democrat
Procurement
Kansas: “After Backlash, Kansas DCF Strikes New Rule Banning Opposition to Agency” by Sherman Smith for Hayes Daily News
May 2, 2018 •
Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News
Campaign Finance Canada: “Trudeau Government Proposes Major Changes to Elections Law” by Aaron Wherry for CBC Florida: “FEC Plans Crackdown on Zombie Campaigns” by Christopher O’Connell for Tampa Bay Times California: “Former Lobbyist Gets 4 Months in Prison for Role […]
Canada: “Trudeau Government Proposes Major Changes to Elections Law” by Aaron Wherry for CBC
Florida: “FEC Plans Crackdown on Zombie Campaigns” by Christopher O’Connell for Tampa Bay Times
California: “Former Lobbyist Gets 4 Months in Prison for Role in Azano Campaign Finance Scandal” by Greg Moran for San Diego Union-Tribune
Ethics
National: “Senate Democrats Question the Role of a Former For-Profit College Lobbyist at the Education Department” by Danielle Douglas-Gabriel (Washington Post) for Seattle Times
National: “Trump-Allied House Conservatives Draft Articles of Impeachment Against Rosenstein as ‘Last Resort’” by Robert Costa, Sari Horwitz, and Matt Zapotosky (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “Mueller Has Dozens of Inquiries for Trump in Broad Quest on Russia Ties and Obstruction” by Michael Schmidt (New York Times) for MSN
Arkansas: “Wilkins, Former Arkansas Legislator, Pleads Guilty to Bribery” by Jan Cottingham for Arkansas Business
Kentucky: “She Advised KY House GOP During Hoover Scandal. Now She’ll Advise the Investigators.” by Daniel Desrochers for Lexington Herald-Leader
Procurement
Missouri: “Auditor: Missouri highway patrol officials with ties to transportation firm steered it business” by Sky Chadde for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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