October 31, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Ethics Trump Campaign Adviser Admitted to Lying about Russian Contacts by Rosalind Helderman and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post Manafort Indicted on 12 Counts, Surrenders to FBI by Katie Bo Williams for The Hill How Congress Plays by Different Rules on Sexual Harassment and Misconduct by Michelle […]
Ethics
Trump Campaign Adviser Admitted to Lying about Russian Contacts by Rosalind Helderman and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post
Manafort Indicted on 12 Counts, Surrenders to FBI by Katie Bo Williams for The Hill
How Congress Plays by Different Rules on Sexual Harassment and Misconduct by Michelle Ye Hee Lee and Elise Viebeck for Washington Post
California: California Assemblyman Was Disciplined After Woman Claimed He Groped Her by Melanie Mason for Los Angeles Times
Florida: Florida Senate’s Top Democrat Resigns after Admitting Affair with Lobbyist by Mary Ellen Klas for Miami Herald
South Carolina: Law Provides Loophole for South Carolina Legislators to Be Paid for ‘Consulting’ Work by Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) for Charleston Post and Courier
Campaign Finance
California: Judge Sentences Azano to Three Years in Federal Prison by Greg Moran for San Diego Union Tribune
New York: De Blasio Donor Says He Helped Mayor Get Ex-Jail Guards Chief ‘Under Control’ by Vivian Wang for New York Times
Procurement
Puerto Rico Moves to Cancel Contract with Whitefish Energy to Repair Electric Grid by Steven Mufson, Arelis Hernandez, and Aaron Davis for Washington Post
October 30, 2017 •
Santa Fe City Council to hold Public Hearings on Campaign Finance and Procurement Code Bills
The Santa Fe City Council will hold a public hearing on a bill relating to campaign finance on December 13, 2017. The bill will remove public disclosure of independent expenditures for groups supporting or opposing ballot measures. On January 10, […]
The Santa Fe City Council will hold a public hearing on a bill relating to campaign finance on December 13, 2017. The bill will remove public disclosure of independent expenditures for groups supporting or opposing ballot measures.
On January 10, 2018, the City Council will hold a public hearing on a bill regarding procurement. If adopted, the bill regarding procurement would adopt the New Mexico procurement code as the purchasing manual for Santa Fe.
Both bills are available at the Santa Fe, New Mexico website.
October 30, 2017 •
Court Gives City Wide Berth in Letting Non-Compliant Offerors Revise Forms
In United Healthcare Services, Inc. v. Mayor & City Council of Baltimore, United Healthcare Services, Inc. (United) was not awarded the city of Baltimore’s Request for Proposal (RFP) for medical administration services despite being fully compliant with listed Minority Business […]
In United Healthcare Services, Inc. v. Mayor & City Council of Baltimore, United Healthcare Services, Inc. (United) was not awarded the city of Baltimore’s Request for Proposal (RFP) for medical administration services despite being fully compliant with listed Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Women Business Enterprises (WBE) goals.
The companies awarded the contract did not comply with the requested MBE and WBE set at 11 percent and 4 percent respectively. After United complained, the city allowed the selected offerors to revise their MBE and WBE forms.
United filed suit against the city alleging violations of Baltimore’s procurement laws. The court found the city “is generally given a wide berth in making its decisions,” and United cannot point to a provision in the City Code the city clearly violated.
Additionally, the City Code only requires bidders make a “good faith effort” to be in compliance with the RFP and “the City has more expertise interpreting the City Code, and its own rules, than the Court.”
In turn, United failed to establish it would be likely to succeed on the merits.
October 30, 2017 •
Monday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Ethics Justice Department Agrees to Settle Lawsuits Over IRS Scrutiny of Tea Party Groups by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post California: Sexual Harassment Complaints Topic of California Assembly Public Hearings by Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee Florida: City Commissioners Nix Key Wording in Ethics Ordinance by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee […]
Ethics
Justice Department Agrees to Settle Lawsuits Over IRS Scrutiny of Tea Party Groups by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post
California: Sexual Harassment Complaints Topic of California Assembly Public Hearings by Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee
Florida: City Commissioners Nix Key Wording in Ethics Ordinance by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat
South Carolina: South Carolina GOP Caucus: Open records law doesn’t apply by The Associated Press for Raleigh News and Observer
Campaign Finance
FEC Drops Foreign Money Case Involving Super PAC Contributions by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA
Kansas: Kansas Ethics Panel Says No to Bitcoin Contributions, at Least for Now by Peter Hancock for Lawrence Journal-World
Lobbying
Florida: Ethics Board Cites Justin Sayfie, Capitol Group for Reporting Violations by Jim Rosica for Florida Politics
Illinois: Emanuel’s Ethics Board Walks Back $2,500 Fines Against 3 Who Illegally Lobbied Him by Bill Ruthhart for Chicago Tribune
Elections
Kentucky: Fired Elections Staffer Alleges Grimes Improperly Gathered Voter Data During Campaigns by Daniel Desrochers for Lexington Herald-Leader
Procurement
With Business Booming Under Trump, Private Prison Giant Gathers at President’s Resort by Amy Brittain and Drew Harwell for Washington Post
October 27, 2017 •
NYCU Video Digest – October 27, 2017
Let Becky give you this week’s Government and Ethics News You Can Use, and stick around for details on our annual donuts and cider sale on Halloween to benefit the United Way of Summit County!
Let Becky give you this week’s Government and Ethics News You Can Use, and stick around for details on our annual donuts and cider sale on Halloween to benefit the United Way of Summit County!
October 25, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Lobbying Washington: “Seattle Mayoral Aide Sees Conflict of Interest in Lobbying by Political Consultants” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times Campaign Finance “Black Executives Join Forces, Forming a PAC to Back Them Up” by Kate Kelly for New York Times […]
Lobbying
Washington: “Seattle Mayoral Aide Sees Conflict of Interest in Lobbying by Political Consultants” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times
Campaign Finance
“Black Executives Join Forces, Forming a PAC to Back Them Up” by Kate Kelly for New York Times
Florida: “Beach Commissioner Resigns, Cuts Deal Barring Him from Public Office for One Year” by Joey Flechas and Nicholas Nehamas for Miami Herald
Idaho: “City Attorney Investigates Helicopter Promotion” by Bruyan Clark for Post-Register
Missouri: “Greitens’ Office Coordinated with Campaign Fund Over Top Missouri Schools Job, Report Shows” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Ethics
California: “California Senate Hires Two Firms to Investigate Sexual Harassment Complaints” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee
Oregon: “State Senator: Fellow senator groped me in Oregon Capitol” by Gordon Friedman for Portland Oregonian
Texas: “Prosecutors Drop All Remaining Charges Against Rep. Dawnna Dukes” by Nolan Hicks, Mark Wilson, and Ryan Autullo for Austin American-Statesman
Elections
“Russia’s Favored Outlet Is an Online News Giant. YouTube Helped.” by Daisuke Wakabayashi and Nicholas Confessore for New York Times
Legislative Issues
“Sen. Jeff Flake Will Retire, Citing Direction of GOP Under Trump” by David Weigel and Ed O’Keefe for Washington Post
Procurement
Montana: “Small Montana Firm Lands Puerto Rico’s Biggest Contract to Get the Power Back On” by Steven Mufson, Jack Gillum, Aaron Davis, and Arelis Hernandez for Washington Post
October 20, 2017 •
Austin to Consider Procurement Overhaul
The Austin Financial Services Department is proposing drastic changes to the city’s anti-lobbying and procurement ordinance. The proposed changes shorten the no contact period during a bid solicitation and allow the purchasing officer to consider mitigating factors when determining if a […]
The Austin Financial Services Department is proposing drastic changes to the city’s anti-lobbying and procurement ordinance.
The proposed changes shorten the no contact period during a bid solicitation and allow the purchasing officer to consider mitigating factors when determining if a violation has occurred. The recommendations also abbreviate, clarify, and consolidate what communications and representations are permitted and prohibited during the solicitation process.
Comments and suggestions for additional proposed changes are still being accepted.
This comes after city council voted to suspend the anti-lobbying and procurement ordinance for individuals seeking waste management contracts after they struggled to find and agree upon suitable contractors.
City Council met this week to discuss the proposed changes and postponed taking action until November 9, 2017.
September 11, 2017 •
Monday’s Government and Ethics News
Campaign Finance New Mexico: New Campaign Spending Rules to Take Effect by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal New York: Firm Uses Loophole to Secretly Donate $60G to de Blasio Campaign, Lobbying Records Show by James Fanelli for New York Daily […]
Campaign Finance
New Mexico: New Campaign Spending Rules to Take Effect by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal
New York: Firm Uses Loophole to Secretly Donate $60G to de Blasio Campaign, Lobbying Records Show by James Fanelli for New York Daily News
Ethics
Mueller Gives White House Names of 6 Aides He Expects to Question in Russia Probe by Carol Leonnig, Rosalind Helderman, and Ashley Parker for Washington Post
Kentucky: Legislative Sex Harassment Case Spurs Call for Change in Kentucky’s Ethics Law by Jack Brammer for Lexington Herald-Leader
Elections
On Facebook and Twitter, a Hunt for Russia’s Meddling Hand by Scott Shane for New York Times
In Free-Range Trump, Many See Potential for a Third Party by Jeremy Peters for New York Times
Lobbying
Canada: Quebec’s Lobbyist Registry Best in Canada, Though All Struggle in Key Transparency Metrics: Study by Marco Vigliotti for The Hill Times
Virginia: Virginia Lawmakers Attend Fewest Lobbyist-Paid Entertainment Events Since McDonnell Case by Will Houp for Virginian-Pilot
Procurement
Illinois: Aldermen Take Another Stab at Relaxing Ethics Rules for Contractors by Fran Spielman for Chicago Sun-Times
September 6, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News
Lobbying Delaware: “Politics of Persuasion: Dozens of lobbyists now work the legislature for more than 200 groups” by Matt Bittle for Delaware State News Texas: “Fred Lewis Appointment Stirs Controversy” by Jo Clifton for Austin Monitor Campaign Finance “Democrats Say […]
Lobbying
Delaware: “Politics of Persuasion: Dozens of lobbyists now work the legislature for more than 200 groups” by Matt Bittle for Delaware State News
Texas: “Fred Lewis Appointment Stirs Controversy” by Jo Clifton for Austin Monitor
Campaign Finance
“Democrats Say ‘Citizens United’ Should Die. Here’s Why That Won’t Happen.” by Sarah Kleiner for Center for Public Integrity
California: “SF’s Political Watchdog Agency Proposes Sweeping Reforms, Nonprofits Cry Foul” by Joshua Sabitini for San Francisco Examiner
Colorado: “Denver Proposal Aims to Force Disclosure of Independent Spending in Elections as ‘Dark Money’ Trickles Down” by Jon Murray for Denver Post
Maine: “Pressed to Reveal Funding Sources, Miami Real Estate Developer Withdraws from York County Casino Campaign” by Scott Thistle for Portland Press Herald
Ethics
“Mueller Examining Trump’s Draft Letter Firing FBI Director Comey” by Rosalind Helderman, Carol Leonnig, and Ashley Parker for Washington Post
“Menendez Trial Set to Begin with Tensions High and Washington Watching” by Nick Corasaniti for New York Times
Hawaii: “OHA’s Peter Apo To Pay $25,000 For Ethics Violations” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat
Wisconsin: “Report: New Ethics Commission has conducted just 1 investigation, says compliance is up” by Mark Sommerhauser for Wisconsin State Journal
Procurement
New Mexico: “New Mexico Sues Chiefs Owner Clark Hunt, Alleging Kickbacks in $300 Million Investment” by Robert Cronkelton and Ian Cummings for Kansas City Star
August 31, 2017 •
Thursday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Lobbying “How to Get Rich in Trump’s Washington” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times Oregon: “Marijuana Lobbyists Harvest Cash from Bankers, Accountants, Lawyers and Others” by Scott Thistle for Portland Press Herald Utah: “State Lawmaker Chosen to Head Utah […]
Lobbying
“How to Get Rich in Trump’s Washington” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times
Oregon: “Marijuana Lobbyists Harvest Cash from Bankers, Accountants, Lawyers and Others” by Scott Thistle for Portland Press Herald
Utah: “State Lawmaker Chosen to Head Utah Technology Council Advocacy Group” by Lee Davidson for Salt Lake Tribune
Campaign Finance
Arizona: “Utility Regulators Consider Giving Service Territory to Campaign Donors” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic
Ethics
“DOJ Is Investigating Whether Uber Broke the Law Against Foreign Bribery” by Elizabeth Dwoskin for Washington Post
“Members of Congress Scoring Personal Loans from Political Supporters” by Nicholas Jahr and Ellen McCreary Ionas for Center for Public Integrity
Alaska: “New Ballot Initiative Targets Legislators’ Per Diem Pay” by James Brooks for Juneau Empire
New York: “State Worker Is Interrogated for Allegedly Letting Someone in the Building” by Rick Karlin for Albany Times Union
Procurement
Missouri: “KCI Contract Selection Delayed by Conflict of Interest Complaint against Justus” by Steve Vockrodt and Lynn Horsley for Kansas City Star
August 11, 2017 •
Los Angeles City Council Seeking Disclosure Ordinance for Contractors Working on Border Wall
The Los Angeles City Council voted to draft a law that would require contractors doing business with the city to disclose whether they have any contracts connected with the proposed border wall between Mexico and the United States. The current […]
The Los Angeles City Council voted to draft a law that would require contractors doing business with the city to disclose whether they have any contracts connected with the proposed border wall between Mexico and the United States.
The current proposal would not ban companies working on the wall from doing business with Los Angeles, but many council members said it would be a factor they could consider when voting on city contracts.
The City Council voted 13-0 to have city attorneys draft the ordinance. Once drafting is complete, the council will consider the ordinance for approval.
July 26, 2017 •
Wednesday’s State Government and Ethics News
Lobbying New York: “De Blasio Ally Didn’t Register as Lobbyist Despite Big Push for a Donor” by William Neuman for New York Times Ethics “Manafort Agrees to Turn Over Notes That Could Provide New Details on Trump Tower Meeting with […]
Lobbying
New York: “De Blasio Ally Didn’t Register as Lobbyist Despite Big Push for a Donor” by William Neuman for New York Times
Ethics
“Manafort Agrees to Turn Over Notes That Could Provide New Details on Trump Tower Meeting with Russian Lawyer” by Rosalind Helderman and Karoun Demirjian for Washington Post
“Five Sentenced to Days in Jail for Supreme Court Disruption Over Campaign Finance” by Spencer Hsu for Washington Post
Elections
“Federal Judge Allows Trump Commission’s Nationwide Voter Data Request to Go Forward” by Spencer Hsu for Washington Post
California: “A New Suit Says Lawmakers Broke the Law When They Changed California’s Recall Election Rules” by John Myers for Los Angeles Times
Virginia: “Transgender Woman Challenges Virginia Bathroom Bill Sponsor” by 2017 Sarah Rankin (Associated Press) for Roanoke Times
Legislative Issues
“In Congress, New Fears and New Protections in Wake of Baseball Team Shooting” by Ed O’Keefe for Washington Post
Procurement
Illinois: “New Details Emerge of Former DCFS Head’s Controversial Contracts, Hires” by David Jackson and Gary Marx for Chicago Tribune
July 6, 2017 •
Thursday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying “Florida Lobbyist Turning Trump Ties into Mega-Millions” by Rachel Wilson for Center for Public Integrity Campaign Finance Canada: “Justin Trudeau Lobbied at Recent Fundraising Event, Critics Raise Flags About New Rules” by Amy Minsky for Global News Colorado: “Colorado […]
Lobbying
“Florida Lobbyist Turning Trump Ties into Mega-Millions” by Rachel Wilson for Center for Public Integrity
Campaign Finance
Canada: “Justin Trudeau Lobbied at Recent Fundraising Event, Critics Raise Flags About New Rules” by Amy Minsky for Global News
Colorado: “Colorado Supreme Court: Douglas County School District didn’t violate campaign laws” by Brian Eason for Denver Post
Ethics
“Justice Dept. Compliance Expert Whose Contract Ended Early Says Trump Conflicts Made Work Feel Hypocritical” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post
“As Mueller Builds His Russia Special-Counsel Team, Every Hire Is Under Scrutiny” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post
“CNN Story About Source of Trump Wrestling Video Draws Backlash” by Daniel Victor for New York Times
Arizona: “Sue or Be Sued: Indicted developer George Johnson has long history in court” by Michael Kiefer for Arizona Republic
Arkansas: “Former Arkansas Judge’s Bribery Conviction, Prison Sentence Upheld” by Debra Hale-Shelton for Arkansas Online
California: “Appeals Court Throws Out Some Criminal Charges for Angela Spaccia, a Top Official in the Bell Corruption Scandal” by Corina Knoll for Los Angeles Times
Elections
Kansas: “Kobach: Kansas won’t give Social Security info to Kobach-led voter commission at this time” by Bryan Lowry for Kansas City Star
Procurement
Florida: “Florida’s Departing Fiscal Watchdog Used Public Scrutiny as a Weapon” by Mary Ellen Klas (Miami Herald) for Bradenton Herald
June 19, 2017 •
Monday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Campaign Finance “This Hyperpartisan Conservative Site Is Connected To Several Pro-Trump PACs” by Craig Silverman Tarini Parti for BuzzFeed News California: “Contra Costa DA Resigns, Is Now a Convicted Felon” by Nate Gartrell for East Bay Times Ethics “Special Counsel […]
Campaign Finance
“This Hyperpartisan Conservative Site Is Connected To Several Pro-Trump PACs” by Craig Silverman Tarini Parti for BuzzFeed News
California: “Contra Costa DA Resigns, Is Now a Convicted Felon” by Nate Gartrell for East Bay Times
Ethics
“Special Counsel Is Investigating Jared Kushner’s Business Dealings” by Sari Horwitz, Matt Zapotosky, and Adam Entous for Washington Post
“How Michael Flynn’s Disdain for Limits Led to a Legal Quagmire” by Nicholas Confessore, Matthew Rosenberg, and Danny Hakim for New York Times
“Office of Government Ethics: Bannon’s waiver ‘problematic'” by Megan Wilson for The Hill
Washington: “Mayor Ed Murray Not Ruling Out Write-In Campaign, As Accuser in Sex-Abuse Lawsuit Vows to Revive Case” by Lewis Kamb and Jim Brunner for Seattle Times
Lobbying
Illinois: “Emanuel Friend, Alderman’s Husband Both Illegally Lobbied Mayor Via His Personal Email: Ethics board” by Bill Ruthhart for Chicago Tribune
New Jersey: “Bringing Balloons Down to Earth: Bill would end mass release” by Scott Fallon for Bergen Record
Procurement
District of Columbia: “D.C. Council Report: Bowser administration favored top donor in contracting” by Aaron Davis for Washington Post
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
