August 15, 2016 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Thought the U.S. Was Divided Already? Just Watch as Elections Go Digital.” by Stephen Ansolabehere for Washington Post California: “Lawmakers Weaken Bill to Ban Behind-the-Scenes Communications at Coastal Commission” by Dan Weikel for Los Angeles Times Campaign Finance Alaska: […]
Lobbying
“Thought the U.S. Was Divided Already? Just Watch as Elections Go Digital.” by Stephen Ansolabehere for Washington Post
California: “Lawmakers Weaken Bill to Ban Behind-the-Scenes Communications at Coastal Commission” by Dan Weikel for Los Angeles Times
Campaign Finance
Alaska: “Anchorage Rep. LeDoux’s New Fundraising Effort Targets Lobbyists, Bar Owners” by Nathaniel Herz for Alaska Dispatch News
New Jersey: “Voters to Decide on Belmar Pay-to-Play” by Paul Williams for Asbury Park Press
New Mexico: “New Mexico Election Officials Fix Campaign Spending Glitch” by Associated Press for KOB
Ethics
“Criticize Politicians on Twitter? They Might Block You” by Colin Campbell for Raleigh News & Observer
New York: “For Cuomo, Passing Ethics Bill Was Urgent, Signing It Was Not” by David Howard King for Gotham Gazette
Elections
“One Ally Remains Firmly Behind Donald Trump: The N.R.A.” by Nick Corasaniti and Alexander Burns for New York Times
“Hack of Democrats’ Accounts Was Wider Than Believed, Officials Say” by Eric Lichtblau and Eric Schmitt for New York Times
“Is Trump Wrecking Both Parties?” by Thomas Edsall for New York Times
Redistricting
North Carolina: “Federal Judges Find NC Legislative Districts Unconstitutional” by Lynn Bonner for Raleigh News & Observer
June 28, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying California: “Sweeping Public Utilities Commission Changes Announced” by Jeremy White for Sacramento Bee Campaign Finance “Report: It’s harder to know who’s paying for political ads” by Geoff Mulvihill (Associated Press) for Las Vegas Sun Kentucky: “Ethics Commission OKs Crowdfunding […]
Lobbying
California: “Sweeping Public Utilities Commission Changes Announced” by Jeremy White for Sacramento Bee
Campaign Finance
“Report: It’s harder to know who’s paying for political ads” by Geoff Mulvihill (Associated Press) for Las Vegas Sun
Kentucky: “Ethics Commission OKs Crowdfunding for Legislative Campaigns” by Ryland Barton for WFPL
Massachusetts: “State’s Chief Campaign Official Seeks Heftier Fines for PACs” by Matt Stout for Boston Herald
Ethics
Connecticut: “Cigna-Anthem Merger: Gov. Malloy’s Insurance Regulator Told Ethics Officials She Was Not Involved in Cigna Issues, even as Her Agency Was” by David Sirota for International Business Times
Florida: “Opa-locka’s Ethics Switcheroo Draws Laughs amid FBI Corruption Probe” by Jay Weaver for Miami Herald
South Carolina: “Gov. Nikki Haley Signs Ethics Reform into Law, Endorses Sen. Larry Martin” by Maya Prabhu for Charleston Post & Courier
Virginia: “Supreme Court Vacates Ex-Virginia Governor’s Graft Conviction” by Adam Liptak for New York Times
Elections
“Donald Trump and R.N.C. Crack Down on Rebelling Delegates” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times
Redistricting
North Carolina: “Supreme Court to Review NC’s Use of Race in Redistricting” by Jonathan Drew (Associated Press) for ABC News
May 24, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying Pennsylvania: “Pa. Officials, Lobbyists Split on How to Vet Business Propositions” by Brad Bumsted for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Campaign Finance “Key G.O.P. Donors Still Deeply Resist Donald Trump’s Candidacy” by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns for New York Times Massachusetts: […]
Lobbying
Pennsylvania: “Pa. Officials, Lobbyists Split on How to Vet Business Propositions” by Brad Bumsted for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Campaign Finance
“Key G.O.P. Donors Still Deeply Resist Donald Trump’s Candidacy” by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns for New York Times
Massachusetts: “New Bill Would Rein in State GOP’s Fund-Raising” by Frank Phillips for Boston Globe
Ethics
Alabama: “One-Time Rising Star Hubbard to Stand Trial on Ethics Charges” by Mike Cason for AL.com
Colorado: “Audit: Colorado ethics commission rarely helps those filing complaints” by Joey Bunch for Denver Post
Hawaii: “Hawaii Lawmakers Again Balk at Ethics, Lobbying Reform” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat
Elections
“Why Democrats Are Set to Retake State Legislatures in 2016 (and It’s Not Just Trump)” by Amber Phillips for Washington Post
“Bernie Sanders Makes a Campaign Mark. Now, Can He Make a Legacy?” by Jonathan Mahler and Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times
Legislative Issues
Montana: “Term Limits Have Weakened Legislature, Some Observers Say” by Jayme Fraser for Helena Independent Record
Redistricting
Virginia: “Supreme Court Upholds Virginia Redistricting” by Richard Wolf for USA Today
April 4, 2016 •
One Person, One Vote Ruling by U.S. Supreme Court
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously decided a state or locality may draw its legislative districts based on the total population of all people rather than based on only the population of registered voters. In Evenwel v. Abbott, appellants argued […]
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously decided a state or locality may draw its legislative districts based on the total population of all people rather than based on only the population of registered voters.
In Evenwel v. Abbott, appellants argued apportionments based on total population for drawing Texas Senate legislative districts diluted their votes in relation to voters in other state Senate districts. They argued such dilution was a violation of the one-person, one-vote principle of the Equal Protection Clause.
While the Court found the apportionment was constitutionally drawn, the decision, written by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for six of the Justices, explicitly stated it does not address whether “states may draw districts to equalize voter-eligible population rather than total population.” Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito each issued separate concurring opinions. The Court decision is available here.
March 22, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying New York: “Nonprofit Linked to Mayor de Blasio Is Closing” by J. David Goodman for New York Times New York: “Harold Ickes, Mentor to Mayor Bill de Blasio, Builds Lobbying Victories” by Michael Grynbaum for New York Times Campaign […]
Lobbying
New York: “Nonprofit Linked to Mayor de Blasio Is Closing” by J. David Goodman for New York Times
New York: “Harold Ickes, Mentor to Mayor Bill de Blasio, Builds Lobbying Victories” by Michael Grynbaum for New York Times
Campaign Finance
“Scorecard: Essential disclosure requirements for contributions to state campaigns, 2016” by Staff for National Institute on Money in State Politics
“How ‘Ghost Corporations’ Are Funding the 2016 Election” by Matea Gold and Anu Narayanswamy for Washington Post
Massachusetts: “Large Donations Help Mass. GOP Avoid State Cap” by Frank Phillips for Boston Globe
Mississippi: “Many Mississippi Officials Take from Closed Campaign Accounts, Review Reveals” by The Associated Press for New York Times
Montana: “For Some Montana Office Seekers, It’s Not about Winning” by Bobby Caina Calvan (Associated Press) for Great Falls Tribune
Elections
“The U.S. Has ‘Worst Elections of Any Long-Established Democracy,’ Report Finds” by Rick Noack for Washington Post
“Trump Wannabes Shake Up Cable Airwaves” by Hadas Gold for Politico
Ohio: “Cleveland Prepares for Unrest at GOP Convention” by Tracy Jan for Boston Globe
Redistricting
Virginia: “Supreme Court May Decide against Va. Republicans in Redistricting Fight” by Robert Barnes and Jenna Portnoy for Washington Post
January 5, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “How Obama Failed to Shut Washington’s Revolving Door” by Josh Gerstein for Politico Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Legislature Aims at Lobbying Overhaul; Reaction Mixed” by Kate Giammarise and Chris Potter for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Campaign Finance Arizona: “APS Refuses Request to Disclose […]
Lobbying
“How Obama Failed to Shut Washington’s Revolving Door” by Josh Gerstein for Politico
Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Legislature Aims at Lobbying Overhaul; Reaction Mixed” by Kate Giammarise and Chris Potter for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Campaign Finance
Arizona: “APS Refuses Request to Disclose Political Contributions” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic
California: “Super Bowl Committee Raising Millions, with Little Transparency” by Joe Garofoli for San Francisco Chronicle
Illinois: “Madigan Uses Quirk in Law to Stockpile 2016 Campaign Cash against Rauner” by Rick Pearson for Chicago Tribune
Ethics
California: “Farmers Try Political Force to Twist Open California’s Taps” by Michael Wines and Jennifer Medina for New York Times
Colorado: “Colorado Ethics Commission Has No Investigators, Little Authority” by Joey Bunch for Denver Post
Missouri: “Missouri Lawmakers Vow Once Again to Tackle Ethics Reform” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star
New York: “JCOPE Finds Gabryszak Violated State Law, Faces Fines” by Jimmy Vielkind for Capital New York
Redistricting
Florida: “Judge Sides with Voters Groups in Senate Redistricting Case” by Gray Rohrer for Orlando Sentinel
December 10, 2015 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “Under Contract” in The Hill “Lobbying World” in The Hill “Top McCarthy aide heading to K Street” by Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer in Politico Campaign Finance “Poll: Americans not fans of public campaign financing” by The Associated Press […]
Lobbying
“Under Contract” in The Hill
“Lobbying World” in The Hill
“Top McCarthy aide heading to K Street” by Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer in Politico
Campaign Finance
“Poll: Americans not fans of public campaign financing” by The Associated Press in the Columbia Daily Tribune
“Super-PACs set to influence Senate primaries” by Ben Kamisar in The Hill
Michigan: “Senate votes to write super PACs into state campaign finance law” by Emily Lawler in MLive
Utah: “SLC Council slashes campaign contribution limits” by Christopher Smart in the Salt Lake Tribune
Ethics
District of Columbia: “Long-running probe ends without charges against former D.C. mayor Vincent Gray” by Ann E. Marimow, Spencer S. Hsu and Keith L. Alexander in The Washington Post
Legislative Issues
“Why State Legislatures Are Still Pretty White” by Teresa Wiltz in Governing
Redistricting
“Supreme Court Mulls One-Person, One-Vote Redistricting Case” by Todd Ruger in Roll Call
“Republican Redistricting Rows Rock SCOTUS” by Kimberly Robinson in Bloomberg BNA
Texas: “Analysis: In Redistricting, Somebody Will Be Slighted” by Ross Ramsey in The Texas Tribune
November 24, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying Arizona: “In Arizona, lobbyist disclose spending; you just don’t know on whom” by Justin Price in The Arizona Republic Canada: “Lobbying: important amendments to the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct” by Gregory Kane, V. Peter Harder and Danylo Korbabicz in Lexology […]
Lobbying
Arizona: “In Arizona, lobbyist disclose spending; you just don’t know on whom” by Justin Price in The Arizona Republic
Canada: “Lobbying: important amendments to the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct” by Gregory Kane, V. Peter Harder and Danylo Korbabicz in Lexology
Campaign Finance
Kansas: “House-Senate panel votes to double campaign donation limits” by Tim Carpenter in The Topeka Capital-Journal
State Legislatures
Florida: “State Lawmakers Pushing To Extend Legislative Terms” by Nick Evans in WFSU.org
Vermont: “Off-session legislative activity causes concern” by Neal Goswami in the Times Argus
Washington: “Liias, Ryu selected for leadership posts in State Legislature” in My Edmonds News
Elections
“What to Know About the Presidential Race Today” in The New York Times
Redistricting
Florida: “Redistricting challengers amend filed maps, withdraw plan to cross Tampa Bay” by Mary Ellen Klas in Tampa Bay Times
November 18, 2015 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying Texas: “Lobby Reform Rules Move Forward” by Jo Clifton for Austin Monitor Campaign Finance “What Are the Benefits of Campaign Finance Reform?” by Sam Power for Washington Post California: “Vacations, Groceries, Hotels: Supervisor Todd Spitzer’s spending from obscure fund […]
Texas: “Lobby Reform Rules Move Forward” by Jo Clifton for Austin Monitor
Campaign Finance
“What Are the Benefits of Campaign Finance Reform?” by Sam Power for Washington Post
California: “Vacations, Groceries, Hotels: Supervisor Todd Spitzer’s spending from obscure fund raises questions” by Meghann Cuniff for Orange County Register
Connecticut: “Dems Would Scrap Clean Election Program to Balance Budget” by Christine Stuart for CTNewsJunkie.com
Ethics
“Chris Christie, Taking Law-and-Order Stance, Sidesteps Bridge Scandal in ’16 Race” by Alexander Burns for New York Times
North Carolina: “NC Rep. Lewis Took Last-Minute Action to Protect Friend’s State Contract” by Patrick Gannon for Raleigh News & Observer
Wisconsin: “Assembly GOP Approves Rewritten Campaign Finance Laws, GAB Overhaul” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Redistricting
“Supreme Court Takes Up Virginia Redistricting Case” by Jenna Portnoy for Washington Post
November 6, 2015 •
Florida Legislature Adjourns Special Session Early; Still No Senate District Map
After multiple attempts, and multiple special sessions, the Florida Legislature adjourned the third special session of the year on November 5, 2015 without reaching a redistricting agreement for the state senate. The adjournment came a day earlier than expected after […]
After multiple attempts, and multiple special sessions, the Florida Legislature adjourned the third special session of the year on November 5, 2015 without reaching a redistricting agreement for the state senate. The adjournment came a day earlier than expected after the two chambers reached an impasse on the latest version of the map.
Now a Tallahassee Circuit Court judge will likely choose a map from drafts submitted throughout the process. This latest roadblock has renewed calls for an independent commission to handle redrawing the map.
Photo of the Old and New Florida State Capitols by Infrogmation on Wikimedia Commons.
November 5, 2015 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “New Generation of Trade Group CEOs Take More Aggressive – and at Times Unorthodox – Approach to Lobbying” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post California: “Tighter Rules for Lobbying Win S.F. Voter Approval” by Kevin Fagan for San Francisco […]
“New Generation of Trade Group CEOs Take More Aggressive – and at Times Unorthodox – Approach to Lobbying” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post
California: “Tighter Rules for Lobbying Win S.F. Voter Approval” by Kevin Fagan for San Francisco Chronicle
Rhode Island: “38 Studios: House panel chairwoman wants investigation of deal maker Michael Corso” by Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal
Campaign Finance
Florida: “Dade Medical College Owner Turns Himself In” by Michael Vasquez for Miami Herald
“Maine Backs Post-Citizens United Campaign Finance Initiative” by Paul Blumenthal for Huffington Post
South Dakota: “Council Nixes PAC Contribution Limit” by Joe Sneve for Sioux Falls Argus Leader
Washington: “‘Democracy Vouchers’ Win in Seattle; First in Country” by Bob Young for Seattle Times
Ethics
“Mayor de Blasio’s Hired Guns: Private consultants help shape City Hall” by Thomas Kaplan for New York Times
Elections
“Joseph Ganim, Disgraced Ex-Mayor of Bridgeport, Conn., Wins Back Job” by Kristin Hussey for New York Times
“Matt Bevin, Republican, Wins Governor’s Race in Kentucky” by Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Alan Blinder for New York Times
“Michigan Lawmakers Ousted Over Affair Lose Bid to Regain House Seats” by Associated Press for New York Times
Redistricting
Ohio: “Voters Approve Issue to Reform Ohio’s Redistricting Process” by Jim Siegel for Columbus Dispatch
November 3, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Campaign Finance “Larry Lessig Ends Presidential Campaign, Citing Unfair Debate Rules” by David Weigel for Washington Post Arizona: “Elections Panel Moves to Uncover Political ‘Dark Money’” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) for Arizona Daily Star New Jersey: “Analysis: Outside […]
Campaign Finance
“Larry Lessig Ends Presidential Campaign, Citing Unfair Debate Rules” by David Weigel for Washington Post
Arizona: “Elections Panel Moves to Uncover Political ‘Dark Money’” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) for Arizona Daily Star
New Jersey: “Analysis: Outside money may flood 2017 election” by Dustin Racioppi for Bergen Record
New Mexico: “Flurry of Campaign Finance Cases after Duran Indictment Renews Call for Ethics Commission” by Justin Horwath for Santa Fe New Mexican
Oregon: “Activists Angle for Oregon Campaign Finance Measures” by Taylor Anderson for Bend Bulletin
Ethics
New York: “In Two Corruption Cases, the Culture of Albany Will Go on Trial” by William Rashbaum and Susanne Craig for New York Times
North Carolina: “McCrory Brokered Meeting on Contract for Friend and Campaign Donor” by Joseph Neff, Craig Jarvis, and Ames Alexander for Raleigh News & Observer
Elections
“How Donald Trump Leverages America’s Fault Lines” by Lynn Vavreck for New York Times
Redistricting
Maryland: “D.C. Law Student Takes Case against Md. Gerrymandering to Supreme Court” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post
October 29, 2015 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “The Commission’s Corporate Job Pipeline” by James Panichi for Politico “Top Lobbyists 2015: Associations” by Staff for The Hill “Top Lobbyists 2015: Grassroots” by Staff for The Hill California: “Former SF Police Union President Fined for Illegally Lobbying Last […]
Lobbying
“The Commission’s Corporate Job Pipeline” by James Panichi for Politico
“Top Lobbyists 2015: Associations” by Staff for The Hill
“Top Lobbyists 2015: Grassroots” by Staff for The Hill
California: “Former SF Police Union President Fined for Illegally Lobbying Last Year” by Jonah Owen Lamb for San Francisco Examiner
Rhode Island: “R.I. House Panel Opens Investigation into 38 Studios Loan” by Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal
Campaign Finance
“Is There a Silver Lining to Citizens United?” by Thomas Edsall for New York Times
Florida: “Mystery Surrounds Largest Donor to Florida Solar Power Ballot Initiative” by Jeremy Wallace for Miami Herald
Ethics
“Dennis Hastert, Ex-Speaker of House, Pleads Guilty to Banking Violation” by Monica Davey and Mitch Smith for New York Times
New York: “Albany’s Museum of Political Corruption No Longer Just a Funny Idea” by Michael DeMasi for Albany Business Review
Redistricting
“In Swing-State Ohio, Both Parties Want to Limit Their Own Power in Redistricting” by Daniel Vock for Governing
August 24, 2015 •
Florida Legislature Fails to Agree on New Congressional Districts; Adjourns Special Session
A special session of the legislature adjourned Friday, August 21, 2015, without an agreement on a new congressional district map. Florida’s supreme court ruled the current map unconstitutional, forcing lawmakers to return to Tallahassee earlier this month. The failure to […]
A special session of the legislature adjourned Friday, August 21, 2015, without an agreement on a new congressional district map. Florida’s supreme court ruled the current map unconstitutional, forcing lawmakers to return to Tallahassee earlier this month.
The failure to reach an agreement likely means the new map will be drawn by the courts. Gov. Rick Scott could force the legislature back into session before a court hearing on Tuesday, August 25, but he has stated he would not do so.
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