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

Campaign Finance

National: “Sinclair Broadcast Group Solicits Its News Directors for Its Political Fundraising Efforts” by Paul Fahri (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune

National: “I Approved This Facebook Message – But You Don’t Know That” by Jennifer Valentino-DeVries for ProPublica

Arizona: “House Passes Measure to Keep Cities From Banning ‘Dark Money’” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Capitol Times

Massachusetts: “OCPF Transparency Rules Could Discourage Donations, Critics Say” by Katie Lannan (State House News Service) for MassLive.com

Missouri: “Former Missouri State Senator Accused of Campaign Irregularities Loses Fight to Avoid $229K Fine” by Jack Suntrup for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

West Virginia: “Democratic Candidate Turns House of Delegates Eviction Into $45k Fundraising Haul” by Jake Zuckerman for Charleston Gazette-Mail

Ethics

Utah: “Taxpayers Reimbursed Former Lawmaker for Rooms Linked to Prostitution Allegations” by David DeMille for St. George Daily Spectrum

Legislative Issues

National: “Judges Say Throw Out the Map. Lawmakers Say Throw Out the Judges.” by Michael Wines for New York Times

Maryland: “Wife of 80-Year-Old State Senator Accompanies Him to Work Each Day. Some Say She Assists Him with Duties.” by Ovetta Wiggins for Washington Post

Lobbying

National: “Exiting Lawmakers Put in Calls to K Street” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Arkansas: “Former Arkansas Legislator Eddie Cooper Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement” by Wesley Brown for KUAR

Campaign Finance

Missouri: “St. Louis County Council Looks into the Wisdom, and Practicality, of Campaign Donation Limits” by Jason Rosenbaum for St. Louis Public Radio

New York: “Mayor Wants City Charter Revision to Tackle Campaign Finance” by William Neuman for New York Times

Texas: “County Judge Sent $63K from Campaign Account to His Beer Company Without Reporting It” by Trent Seibert for Texas Monitor

Elections

Montana: “Montana’s Ban on Robocalls Upheld as Constitutional by Federal Judge” by Holly Michels for Helena Independent Record

Ethics

Federal: “Federal Grants Meant for Clean Coal Misspent on Liquor, Spas” by Ari Natter for Bloomberg

National: “A Whirlwind Envelops the White House, and the Revolving Door Spin” by Peter Baker (New York Times) for MSN

Florida: “Miami Beach Official Accepted Stays from Hotelier. Now Both Face Corruption Charges.” by Joey Flechas and David Ovalle for Miami Herald

Kentucky: “Kentucky Bill Seeks New Ethics Rules for KFC Yum! Center Board” by Marcus Green for WDRB

Legislative Issues

National: “She Was Naming Lawmakers Who Took Oil-and-Gas Money – So They Barred Her from the Public Hearing” by Avi Selk for Washington Post

Lobbying

Hawaii: “Development Lobbyist Failed to Register with Honolulu Ethics Commission” by Anita Hofschneider for Honolulu Civil Beat

Lobbying

“Lobbyists Use of Capitol Meeting Space Raises Questions” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call

Campaign Finance

Missouri: “In Missouri, New Campaign Limits Spur Growth of PACs” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Pennsylvania: “Former Judge Admits Concealing Payments He Got from Brady Campaign” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

Texas: “Amid Legal Challenge, Austin May Craft New Campaign Fundraising Limits” by Elizabeth Findell for Austin American-Statesman

Ethics

“Trump’s Company Had More Contact with Russia During Campaign, According to Documents Turned Over to Investigators” by Tom Hamburger, Rosalind Helderman, and Adam Entous for Washington Post

“Russians Took a Page from Corporate America by Using Facebook Tool to ID and Influence Voters” by Elizabeth Dwoskin, Craig Timberg, and Adam Entous for Washington Post

Florida: “Report: Review shows Florida’s utility watchdog has become a lapdog” by Mary Ellen Klas for Miami Herald

Legislative Issues

Michigan: “Mass Turnover Fuels Push for Mich. Term Limit Reform” by Jonathan Oosting for Detroit News

Redistricting

“Kennedy’s Vote Is in Play on Voting Maps Warped by Politics” by Adam Liptak and Michael Shear for New York Times

 
This Thursday, August 31, State and Federal Communications is taking part in The Agora: Government Relations & Public Affairs Marketplace on the campus of George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

From the event coordinator, “The Grassroots Professional Network (GPN) in partnership with George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political School of Management (GSPM) and The Hill are hosting the Agora ‘The Marketplace for the Government Relations & Public Affairs’ Industry. Join hundreds of advocacy professionals for an outdoor marketplace, network with industry peers, and sample the latest technology, tools, and trends. Make sure you visit the center stage to listen to live fireside chats hosted by GPN, GSPM, and The Hill’s leadership.”

You can find Gamble Hayden and Jon Spontarelli from 3-6 p.m. at the University Yard on H Street between 20th and 21st streets, NW. Stop by and see how State and Federal Communications can help you in your government relations and public affairs activities!

Lobbying

“Trump Rejects Wealthy Friends’ Pleas for Help” by Alex Guillen and Eric Wolff for Politico

District of Columbia: “In D.C., Lobbying ‘Swamp; Isn’t Drained So Much as Clogged” by Matt Viser for Boston Globe

Iowa: “Special Interest Groups Spend Big at Iowa Capitol” by Brianne Pfannenstiel for Des Moines Register

Campaign Finance

New Mexico: “Secretary of State: Public election fund almost gone” by Daniel Chacón for Santa Fe New Mexican

Ethics

“Trump Asked Sessions About Closing Case Against Arpaio, an Ally Since ‘Birtherism’” by Philip Rucker and Ellen Nakashima for Washington Post

“At CIA, a Watchful Eye on Mike Pompeo, the President’s Ardent Ally” by Greg Miller for Washington Post

Georgia: “Ethics Board Proposal ‘Retaliation’ for Falcons Ticket Request, Councilwoman Says” by Nicole Carr for WSB

Illinois: “Jury: Buncich guilty on all counts in sheriff corruption case” by Craig Lyons for Chicago Tribune

Kentucky: “Ethics Group Wants to Know What Led Mnuchin to View Eclipse in Kentucky” by Drew Harwell and Beth Reinhard for Washington Post

Michigan: “Mich. GOP Strategist’s ‘News’ Site Touts Clients” by Jonathan Oosting for Detroit News

Elections

“Service Union Plans Big Push to Turn Midwest Political Tide” by Noam Scheiber for New York Times

National:

Lobbyist Gift-Giving at Issue in More States
Governing – Scott Rodd (Stateline) | Published: 7/21/2017

The laws that govern gift-giving from lobbyists to public officials vary widely from state to state. In states with relatively lenient laws, watchdogs and some elected officials have been working to impose tougher restrictions. They argue gifts from lobbyists may corrupt elected officials’ decision-making and cause them to stray from the best interests of their constituents. But critics have met resistance from lawmakers who say lobbyists offer informed perspectives on key issues, and these exchanges often happen over meals or sporting events that lobbyists pay for. A federal judge recently ruled a Kentucky law banning gifts from lobbyists to legislators violates lobbyists’ First Amendment rights.

Local Governments Keep Using This Software – But It Might Be a Back Door for Russia
Washington Post – Jack Gillum and Aaron Davis | Published: 7/23/2017

Many local and state government agencies say they are using a Russian brand of security software despite the federal government’s instructions to its own agencies not to buy the software over concerns about cyberespionage. The General Services Administration recently removed Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab from its list of approved vendors. In doing so, the agency’s statement suggested a vulnerability exists in Kaspersky that could give the Russian government backdoor access to the systems it protects, though they offered no explanation or evidence of it. Kaspersky has strongly denied coordinating with the Russian government and has offered to cooperate with federal investigators.

Federal:

New Ethics Chief Has Fought to Roll Back Restrictions
New York Times – Eric Lipton | Published: 7/26/2017

Former colleagues of David Apol, who was named the new director of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), praised his intelligence and his experience as a government ethics lawyer at a half-dozen different federal agencies over three decades. But tension has been building during two stints that Apol served at the OGE, his former colleagues said. Former OGE employees said they wondered if at times Apol had gone too far in questioning agency standards. Apol acknowledged he had frequently raised questions about how the OGE interprets ethics laws that govern the activity of 2.7 million federal employees in more than 130 executive agencies, including the White House.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona: Arizona Legislators Attend Conference with Help from Corporations That Lobby Them at Home
Arizona Republic – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez | Published: 7/23/2017

More than a third of the Republicans in the Arizona Legislature gathered in Denver to absorb conservative ideas and mingle with lobbyists at a conference where corporate donors picked up much of the tab. Arizona is always well-represented at the annual gathering of the American Legislative Exchange Council, an organization best-known for producing ready-to-introduce legislation crafted with input from corporate America. Helping to foot the bill were some of the very companies and lobbyists who work the halls of the Legislature to advance their own agendas.

Illinois: Ex-Ald. Singer Among 6 Fined for Illegally Lobbying Emanuel Via Email
Chicago Tribune – Hal Dardick | Published: 7/21/2017

A former city council member and an Internet pioneer turned venture capitalist were penalized for illegally lobbying Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel through his personal email account. The Board of Ethics levied a fine of $25,000 on former Ald. William Singer. The panel imposed a $2,000 fine on Marc Andreesen, the inventor of the Netscape Internet browser. Those were among the latest group of individuals the ethics panel said had violated city law and been fined for attempting to influence Emanuel or other officials through emailed contacts. The new sanctions raise the total to eight of those fined for improper lobbying in connection with the emails.

Kentucky: Complaints Over Gov. Matt Bevin’s Anchorage Mansion Unanimously Dismissed by Ethics Panel
Louisville Courier-Journal – Tom Loftus | Published: 7/21/2017

A state ethics panel said even if Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin got a $1 million discount on a mansion bought from a political donor and appointee, he did not violate the law. The ruling comes after two complaints were filed against Bevin over his purchase of a house and 10 acres of land from Neil Ramsey, who Bevin appointed to the Kentucky Retirement Systems board of trustees. The complaints alleged Bevin accepted what amounted to an improper gift in buying the mansion in March.

Nevada: 20 Years of Term Limits: How the faces of Nevada’s Legislature have changed
Las Vegas Sun – Yvonne Gonzalez | Published: 7/20/2017

Term limits have helped make the Nevada Legislature more diverse in the almost 20 years since they were implemented, though the higher turnover has come with some costs. Experts say term limits have brought in new faces but reduced institutional knowledge as veteran lawmakers are pushed out. They say lobbyists have more power and the Legislative Counsel Bureau is even more vital both in educating new lawmakers and keeping the legislative process moving.

New Mexico: Secretary of State Unveils Changes to Proposed Disclosure Rules
Albuquerque Journal – Dan Boyd | Published: 7/25/2017

New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver released revisions to proposed rules aimed at so-called dark money groups that can spend unlimited amounts to influence elections and ballot measures when acting independently. Several conservative groups with a statewide and national presence say Toulouse Oliver is overstepping her authority by requiring that independent expenditure groups disclose their contributors. Toulouse Oliver says New Mexicans have a right to know who is paying for ads that attempt to influence their vote. The revisions would raise the spending threshold to $2,500 before independent expenditure groups must reveal their donors.

New York: De Blasio Ally Didn’t Register as Lobbyist Despite Big Push for a Donor
New York Times – William Neuman | Published: 7/24/2017

Neal Kwatra, a political consultant and lobbyist with ties to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, ended up working so closely with top City Hall officials on behalf of a restaurant owner, Harendra Singh, that a city commissioner complained officials were giving Kwatra confidential information during delicate negotiations to settle a lawsuit with Singh. Yet none of Kwatra’s efforts on behalf of Singh in 2015 were registered as lobbying work, even though Kwatra and his company, Metropolitan Public Strategies, have registered as lobbyists for other clients, including United for Affordable NYC, a short-lived nonprofit group created by de Blasio to support his housing policies.

New York: Watchdogs Say Cuomo Is Skirting Campaign Finance Rules
New York Times – Brian Rosenthal | Published: 7/26/2017

Watchdogs say New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is again skirting campaign finance rules by using a secretive nonprofit to advance his agenda. The rules limit donations to political campaigns and require disclosure, and politicians are not supposed to get around them by using organizations that can accept unlimited secret contributions. But New Yorkers United Together is the third nonprofit formed by allies of Cuomo’s to emerge and support his policies.

North Carolina: NC Elections and Ethics Oversight Is Frozen Between Old and New, with Local Votes Approaching
Raleigh News and Observer – Anne Blythe | Published: 7/21/2017

The North Carolina Supreme Court said a revamped state elections board that also oversees ethics and lobbying controversies can stay in limbo for now, a holding pattern that could last months. The justices said Gov. Roy Cooper is not required to appoint members of the new state elections and ethics enforcement board created by Republican legislators. That means the board would be unable to make decisions or settle disputes until after the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the case on August 28.

Pennsylvania: Aide Pleads Guilty, Says Brady Campaign Paid Primary Challenger to Quit
Philadelphia Inquirer – Jeremy Roebuck and Chris Brennan | Published: 7/25/2017

A former aide to a political challenger of U.S. Rep. Robert Brady admitted she helped funnel the Brady’s cash to her former boss in exchange for his withdrawal from an election. Carolyn Cavaness, a pastor who was an aide to Philadelphia Judge Jimmie Moore during his 2012 candidacy in the Democratic primary, told officials she set up at Moore’s direction a shell company that would be used to accept $90,000 from Brady. In turn, she said, Moore would drop out of the race and use the cash to pay off his campaign debt. The money was routed through two political consultants who falsified invoices intended to justify the payments, officials said. Cavaness pleaded guilty to filing false statements to hide the transactions.

Pennsylvania: Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski Put City Hall Up for Sale to Highest Bidders, Prosecutor Says
Allentown Morning Call – Emily Opilo, Peter Hall, and Matt Assad | Published: 7/27/2017

The mayor of Allentown and the former mayor of Reading were indicted on federal corruption charges for engaging in an alleged series of “pay-to-play” schemes in which the politicians shook down businesses and individuals for campaign contributions in exchange for political favors. Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski and former Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer have been charged with multiple counts of bribery and fraud. In two indictments, federal prosecutors spelled out charges against five people in the parallel corruption cases in Allentown and Reading.

South Carolina: FBI Investigating South Carolina Statehouse Corruption, Could Expand Scope of State Probe
Charleston Post and Courier – Andy Shain, Glenn Smith, and Schuyler Kropf | Published: 7/22/2017

Two former South Carolina Ports Authority officials say they have talked with FBI agents about an ongoing political corruption investigation. Former authority Chairperson Pat McKinney said the agents focused on the work the consulting firm run by Richard Quinn Sr. did for the agency. His son, state Rep. Rick Quinn Jr., was suspended from his seat after being charged with misconduct in office. The probe already has rattled the capital, where the Quinn family has been a force for decades. The addition of the FBI to the case only ratchets up the stakes, putting the federal government’s resources at the disposal of investigators and potentially allowing them to expand the scope of the inquiry to other targets.

Virginia: Transgender Woman Challenges Virginia Bathroom Bill Sponsor
Roanoke Times – 2017 Sarah Rankin (Associated Press) | Published: 7/25/2017

Democrat Danica Roem is challenging Republican Bob Marshall for his seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. With such stark differences between the candidates, the race is expected to draw in big money and is seen by some as a referendum on rights for gay and transgender people. Roem would be the first openly transgender candidate to win and serve in a state Legislature, according to the Victory Fund, a PAC that supports her and calls Marshall “the most anti-LGBTQ member of the Virginia state legislature.” Marshall has sponsored some of the most socially conservative legislation in the past 25 years, including a measure this year that would have restricted the bathrooms that transgender people can use.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

Lobbying

“Cash Surges to Lobby Firms in Trump Era” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Arizona: “Arizona Legislators Attend Conference with Help from Corporations That Lobby Them at Home” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez for Arizona Republic

Campaign Finance

Michigan: “GOP Consultant’s Purchase of Michigan Talk Radio Stations Sparks Concerns” by Paul Egan for Detroit Free Press

Ethics

California: “Is Riverside’s Ethics Code Broken? Seven Hearings, $57,000 Later, Some Say Yes” by Alicia Robinson for Press-Enterprise

Florida: “Miami Lobbyist’s Business Made $1 Million Profit on State Anti-Hazing Contract” by Arek Sarkissian for Naples News

South Carolina: “FBI Investigating South Carolina Statehouse Corruption, Could Expand Scope of State Probe” by Andy Shain, Glenn Smith, and Schuyler Kropf for Charleston Post and Courier

Elections

“Local Governments Keep Using This Software – But It Might Be a Back Door for Russia” by Jack Gillum and Aaron Davis for Washington Post

“Ivanka Trump Received at Least $12.6 Million Since 2016, Disclosure Shows” by Rachel Abrams and Jesse Drucker for New York Times

Legislative Issues

Nevada: “20 Years of Term Limits: How the faces of Nevada’s Legislature have changed” by Yvonne Gonzalez for Las Vegas Sun

Lobbying

Arkansas: “Arkansas Panel Advises Limit to Pot Lobbyists’ Pay” by Brian Fanney for Arkansas Online

Canada: “Commissioner’s Report Indicates Much More Lobbying Last Year” by Derek Abma for Hill Times

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Corporation Commissioner Continues Bid for APS Financial Records” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star

Ethics

“Lawmakers Want Trump’s Tax Returns, but Won’t Release Their Own” by Stephanie Akin for Roll Call

“Kushner Firm’s $285 Million Deutsche Bank Loan Came Just Before Election Day” by Michael Kranish for Washington Post

Alabama: “Former Alabama Legislator Oliver Robinson Charged in Bribery Scheme; Enters Federal Plea Deal” by Kent Faulk for AL.com

Connecticut: “Newton Lands Job Helping Fellow Ex-Offenders” by Brian Lockhart for Connecticut Post

Florida: “Federal Authorities Launch Probe into City of Tallahassee” by Gary Fineout (Associated Press) for U.S. News & World Report

West Virginia: “WV Senate Leader Sent Invites to Coalition’s Event During Special Session” by Jake Zuckerman for Charleston Gazette

Lobbying

“Book Explores How Lobbyists Fill a Void in Congress” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call

Hawaii: “What Honolulu Lobbyists Don’t Tell You” by Anita Hofschneider for Honolulu Civil Beat

Campaign Finance

Missouri: “Steve Stenger’s Campaign Did Not Disclose That Donors Held County Contracts” by Stephen Deere for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Ethics

Connecticut: “Lobbyists, Corporate PACs Help Legislator Pay for His Travels as RNC Member” by Jon Lender for Hartford Courant

New York: “Ex-Assemblyman Who Crusaded Against Opioid Addiction Indicted in Connection with Pill Mills, Medicaid Fraud” by Nathan Tempey for Gothamist

North Carolina: “NC Has No Elections Board Until Cooper Makes Appointments – But He’s Suing” by Colin Campbell for Raleigh News & Observer

Pennsylvania: “Seth Williams’ Corruption Trial: The case against the Philly DA explained” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

Rhode Island: “Political Scene: Some legislators could use the expungement bill themselves” by Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal

Redistricting

“Supreme Court to Hear Potentially Landmark Case on Partisan Gerrymandering” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

District of Columbia: “Council Member Todd Gets Minor Fine for Many Campaign Finance Infractions” by Aaron Davis for Washington Post

Maine: “Ethics Commission Staff Calls for Probe of Casino Referendum Campaign” by Kevin Miller for Portland Press Herald

New Jersey: “2 Birdsall Execs Get Jail Time in $1M Pay-to-Play Scheme” by S.P. Sullivan (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star-Ledger

Ethics

“How G.O.P. Leaders Came to View Climate Change as Fake Science” by Coral Davenport and Eric Lipton for New York Times

Michigan: “Ex-Detroit Principal Uses Robin Hood Defense at Corruption Sentencing” by Gus Burns for MLive.com

Tennessee: “Tennessee Watchdogs Owed More Than $1 Million in Unpaid Fines” by Joel Ebert and Dave Boucher for The Tennessean

Wisconsin: “Critics Deride Secrecy, Limits on Investigations by State Ethics Commission as It Nears 1-Year Mark” by Mark Sommerhauser for Wisconsin State Journal

Lobbying

Pennsylvania: “A Philly Teacher’s Stunts Draw Interest from The Board of Ethics” by Chris Brennan for Philadelphia Inquirer

South Carolina: “Firms Named in SC Corruption Probe Have Hundreds of Millions at Stake” by Jamie Self and Avery Wilks for The State

West Virginia: “DHHR Head Owns Part of Health Care Lobbying Firm, Documents Show” by Jake Zucherman for Charleston Gazette

Lobbying

“White House Backs Down on Keeping Ethics Waivers Secret” by Eric Lipton for New York Times

Pennsylvania: “Lack of Gift Ban for Pa.’s Legislators Continues to Miff Critics” by Angela Couloumbis (Philadelphia Inquirer) and Karen Langley for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Court: Former Attorney General Tom Horne’s rights violated in campaign case” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez for Arizona Republic

Missouri: “Candidate Spending Gets Little Scrutiny under Missouri Ethics Laws” by Ellen Cagle for Southeast Missourian

Washington: “Citizen Watchdog Peppers Washington State with Campaign-Finance Complaints Against Dems” by Joseph O’Sullivan for Seattle Times

Ethics

“A Constitutional Puzzle: Can the president be indicted?” by Adam Liptak for New York Times

“Congress Expands Russia Investigation to Include Trump’s Personal Attorney” by Brian Ross and Matthew Mosk for ABC News

“How Michael Flynn May Have Run Afoul of the Law” by Charlie Savage for New York Times

Kentucky: “Bevin, Facing Ethics Complaint, Blasts Journalist Over Reporting About His Mansion” by Allison Ross (Louisville Courier-Journal) for Lexington Herald-Leader

Michigan: “Lawyer Is 7th Person Charged in Macomb County Corruption Probe” by Tresa Baldas for Detroit Free Press

Legislative Issues

Texas: “Texas Lawmaker Threatens to Shoot Colleague After Reporting Protesters to ICE” by Matthew Haag for New York Times

Campaign Finance

“Court Allows Challenge to FEC Rule Shielding Nonprofit Donors” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA

Arizona: “Arizona Firefighters Have Grip on Financial Power in Local Elections – But Should They?” by Jessica Boehm for Arizona Republic

Connecticut: “Democrats Back Ban on ‘Dark Money’ in State Campaigns” by Mark Pazniokas for Connecticut Mirror

Illinois: “Campaign Donation Limits Lifted in Illinois Governor’s Race” by Sophia Tareen (Associated Press) for Northwest Herald

Maine: “Under Proposal, Some Campaign Finances Could Be Hidden Until Weeks After Election” by Steve Mistler for Maine Public

West Virginia: “WV Senate Passes Campaign Finance Overhaul” by Jake Zuckerman for Charleston Gazette

Ethics

“Mar-a-Lago Can’t Release Visitor Logs – Because It Doesn’t Keep Them” by Darren Samuelsohn for Politico

Florida: “Florida Paid Law Firm for Meeting with House Speaker” by Gary Fineout (Associated Press) for U.S. News & World Report

Michigan: “Sources: FBI, State Police probe Johnson on payroll” by Jonathan Oosting and George Hunter for Detroit News

Montana: “City Council Repeals Ethics Ordinances, Disbands Board in Favor of State Statutes” by Mike Ferguson for Billings Gazette

Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications, Inc., was invited to close out the last session for students in a five-week public affairs class at Kent State University. Bartz led a discussion of why it is so important to understand state and federal laws when assisting clients and how it may affect decision-making. She encouraged the students to stay true to themselves and remember to remain ethical during those tough decisions.

The class is for students in The School of Journalism and Mass Communications (JMC) who have an interest in government relations. JMC Director Thor Wasbotten also had a chance to stop by.