September 5, 2023 •
California Passes Law to Bring Light to Political Influencers
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 678 into law on September 1. Senate Bill 678 requires a person paid by a committee to post content online supporting or opposing a candidate or a ballot measure to include a disclaimer stating […]
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 678 into law on September 1.
Senate Bill 678 requires a person paid by a committee to post content online supporting or opposing a candidate or a ballot measure to include a disclaimer stating they were paid to make the post.
This bill targets “influencers” and follows California’s recent trend on curtailing social media’s influence on elections.
The bill will become effective January 1, 2024.
March 13, 2020 •
FPPC of California Creates Task Force
The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) announced the formation of a Digital Transparency Task Force. The purpose of this group is to address the issues surrounding political advertising through social media and other digital outlets. The Digital Transparency Task […]
The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) announced the formation of a Digital Transparency Task Force.
The purpose of this group is to address the issues surrounding political advertising through social media and other digital outlets.
The Digital Transparency Task Force will study the current landscape of these outlets.
They will also look at trends and ways to keep up with the ever-changing field, including regulations possibly needing updated, enhanced, added, or strengthened.
The FPPC created the task force to help set standards and to develop best practices for transparent digital political advertising.
They will also assist the public to easily find the information in a publicly accessible database.
January 7, 2019 •
Federal Judge Enjoins Maryland from Enforcing Provisions of Election Law
U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm, has enjoined Maryland from enforcing M.C.E.L. §§ 13-405 and 13-405.1. The statutes in question, require online platforms, like search engines and social media sites, to publicly disclose the contact information and amount paid by […]
U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm, has enjoined Maryland from enforcing M.C.E.L. §§ 13-405 and 13-405.1.
The statutes in question, require online platforms, like search engines and social media sites, to publicly disclose the contact information and amount paid by the purchaser to the online platform for the placement of the qualifying paid digital communication within 48 hours.
In the 50-page opinion, the judge concludes the statutes encroach on First Amendment freedoms. The state may file an interlocutory appeal.
October 1, 2018 •
California Governor Signs “Social Media DISCLOSE Act”
On September 26, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill concerning political advertising in social media. Assembly Bill 2188, the “Social Media DISCLOSE Act”, requires disclosure for advertisements made “via a form of electronic media that allows users to engage […]
On September 26, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill concerning political advertising in social media. Assembly Bill 2188, the “Social Media DISCLOSE Act”, requires disclosure for advertisements made “via a form of electronic media that allows users to engage in discourse and post content, or any other type of social media”, and is paid for by a political party or a candidate-controlled committee.
The disclosure obligations fall on both the registered political parties and committees and on the “online platforms.” The online platform must maintain and make available for online public inspection a digital copy of a political advertisement, the number of impressions generated from the ad, information regarding the total amount spent on the advertisements, and other relevant information.
The bill defines an online platform as a “public-facing Internet Web site, web application, or digital application, including a social network, ad network, or search engine, that sells advertisements directly to advertisers. A public-facing Internet Web site, web application, or digital application is not an online platform for purposes of this [Act] to the extent that it displays advertisements that are sold directly to advertisers through another online platform.” The online platforms will be required to include with each political advertisement a disclosure of who funded the ad or a hyperlink to a website containing the required disclosures.
The bill takes effect on January 1, 2020.
April 24, 2018 •
JCOPE Adopts Comprehensive Lobbying Regulations
On April 24, the New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics adopted Part 943, commonly referred to as the Comprehensive Lobbying Regulations. The rules were originally introduced in October 2016 and have gone through several revisions. The adopted regulations compile […]
On April 24, the New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics adopted Part 943, commonly referred to as the Comprehensive Lobbying Regulations. The rules were originally introduced in October 2016 and have gone through several revisions.
The adopted regulations compile existing guidelines and advisory opinions regarding rules and requirements related to lobbying. For example, the adopted revised rules include an online ethics training requirement for lobbyists and provide further clarification regarding reportable expenses attributable to social media activities and grassroots lobbying.
The adopted rules will become effective January 1, 2019, and are available at the JCOPE website.
January 9, 2018 •
Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News
Lobbying Arizona: “A Sexist Culture Endures at Arizona Capitol, Insiders Say” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Dustin Gardiner for Arizona Republic Ethics “These Are the Only Two States That Don’t Require Lawmakers to Disclose Finances” by Kristian Hernandez for Center […]
Lobbying
Arizona: “A Sexist Culture Endures at Arizona Capitol, Insiders Say” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Dustin Gardiner for Arizona Republic
Ethics
“These Are the Only Two States That Don’t Require Lawmakers to Disclose Finances” by Kristian Hernandez for Center for Public Integrity
“Kushner’s Financial Ties to Israel Deepen Even with Mideast Diplomatic Role” by Jesse Drucker for New York Times
Colorado: “Change to Colorado Conflict-of-Interest Rule Limits Information Elected Officials Must Share with Voters” by John Frank for Denver Post
Maryland: “Maryland’s Female Lawmakers Push Back – Quietly – on Sexual Harassment” by Ovetta Wiggins for Washington Post
Oregon: “Oregon Ethics Commission Rebukes Cylvia Hayes for ‘Blatant Disregard of Ethics Laws” by Hillary Borrud for Portland Oregonian
South Carolina: “As Corruption Probe Continues, Some Lawmakers Want South Carolina Politics to Be More Transparent” by Andrew Brown for Charleston Post and Courier
Virginia: “Growing Pains: How the departure of a longtime town manager spawned political scandal” by Antonio Olivo for Washington Post
Tech and Social Media
“Without Naming Trump, Twitter Says It Won’t Block World Leaders” by Mike Isaac for New York Times
February 4, 2016 •
Roundtable Scheduled and Comment Period Extended for Advisory Opinion Regarding Lobbying and Social Media
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics will be hosting a roundtable discussion on February 12th on proposed guidance on the topic of social media activities and whether certain activities are considered lobbying under the New York Lobbying Act. JCOPE has […]
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics will be hosting a roundtable discussion on February 12th on proposed guidance on the topic of social media activities and whether certain activities are considered lobbying under the New York Lobbying Act. JCOPE has extended the comment period through February 19th.
The original comment period ran through January 11th, and involved input regarding when social media activity constitutes reportable lobbying activity in terms of direct lobbying, grassroots lobbying, and linking to a lobbying website.
The commission is also seeking input on whether expenditures made in connection with social media activity could be considered “expenses” under the Lobbying Act.
December 21, 2015 •
New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics Seeking Public Comment
As more lobbyists turn to the internet and social media, the New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics has begun soliciting informal comments on the applicability of New York’s Lobbying Act to social media activities. The Commission seeks guidance on […]
As more lobbyists turn to the internet and social media, the New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics has begun soliciting informal comments on the applicability of New York’s Lobbying Act to social media activities.
The Commission seeks guidance on when social media activity constitutes reportable lobbying activity in terms of direct lobbying, grassroots lobbying, and linking to a lobbying website.
The Committee is also seeking input on whether expenditures made in connection with social media activity could be considered “expenses” under the Lobbying Act.
Comments will be taken by the Committee until January 11, 2016.
January 26, 2015 •
Government Tech and Social Media Report
“Google Reveals its Innovation Lab for Government” by Jason Shueh in Government Technology. “The Federal Government May be Unpopular, but Science and Tech Agencies Remain a Hit” by Hallie Golden in Nextgov. “For Feds, Choosing Cloud Services is a Lot […]
“Google Reveals its Innovation Lab for Government” by Jason Shueh in Government Technology.
“The Federal Government May be Unpopular, but Science and Tech Agencies Remain a Hit” by Hallie Golden in Nextgov.
“For Feds, Choosing Cloud Services is a Lot Like Dating” by Frank Konkel in Nextgov.
Maine: “Social media trending in municipal government” by Kelley Bouchard in the Portland Press Herald.
South Carolina: “Social media to be banned for state employees while working” by Cassie Cope in The State.
January 6, 2015 •
Government Tech and Social Media Report
Government Tech “Morning Tech” by Tony Romm, Erin Mershon, Brooks Boliek and Alex Byers on Politico. “The Mobile Wave Still Looks Like a Trickle in Government” by Jack Moore in Nextgov. “From Federal Hill, federal contractor patrols social networks for […]
Government Tech
“Morning Tech” by Tony Romm, Erin Mershon, Brooks Boliek and Alex Byers on Politico.
“The Mobile Wave Still Looks Like a Trickle in Government” by Jack Moore in Nextgov.
“From Federal Hill, federal contractor patrols social networks for spies” by Ian Duncan in The Baltimore Sun.
“Why Commercial Clouds are More Secure than Federal Data Centers” by Roger Baker in Nextgov.
“Data-Driven Innovation: Why States Should Build Multipurpose Analytics Platforms” by Daniel Castro in Government Technology.
Social Media
“Inside the Twitter world of U.S. Sen. Cory Booker” by Everett Merrill in the Daily Record.
Nevada: “Money talks: What Las Vegas-area cities spend on communication” by Bethany Barnes, Ben Botkin, James Dehaven and Eric Hartley in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Open Government
“Yes, That Text Message Is a Public Record” by Michael Grass in Government Executive.
“Can Transparency Be Legislated?” by Paul Eder in Government Executive.
December 17, 2014 •
Government Tech and Social Media Report
“Citizen Engagement: Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Claus” by Emily Jarvis in GovLoop. “3 Bold Predictions for 2015” by Patrick Fiorenza in GovLoop. “White House Launches Open Data Disaster Portal” in Government Technology. “Eastern Foundry, A New Government Tech […]
“Citizen Engagement: Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Claus” by Emily Jarvis in GovLoop.
“3 Bold Predictions for 2015” by Patrick Fiorenza in GovLoop.
“White House Launches Open Data Disaster Portal” in Government Technology.
“Eastern Foundry, A New Government Tech Incubator Opens” by Eric Hal Schwartz in InTheCapitol.
Arizona: “How an Arizona Town Uses Its Website and Facebook to Promote Local Businesses” by Michael Grass in Government Executive.
Massachusetts: “Boston hackathon app helps upgrade city permitting system” by David Stegon in StateScoop.
“Tennessee City Bans Negative Social Media Comments” by Michael Grass in Government Executive.
Texas: “Texas Wants to Be a Cloud Model for Other States” by Eric Pfeiffer in Government Executive.
Washington: “Washington state audit reveals cyber weakness” by David Stegon in in StateScoop.
November 4, 2014 •
Digital Government & Politics – Election Day Edition
A news summary where government and politics meet tech and social media: 2014 Midterm Elections “Google, Facebook aim to get out the vote” by Julian Hattem in The Hill. “Cell Phones, Social Media and Campaign 2014” by Aaron Smith in […]
A news summary where government and politics meet tech and social media:
2014 Midterm Elections
“Google, Facebook aim to get out the vote” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.
“Cell Phones, Social Media and Campaign 2014” by Aaron Smith in Pew Internet Research Project.
“Help Us #FactcheckFacebook’s Election Efforts Today” by Micah L. Sifry in TechPresident.
“10 Races Federal Employees Should Watch on Election Day” by Eric Katz on Government Executive.
Bing Elections and Voter Guide – U.S. Senate Predictions
Google Politics and Elections | United States Midterm Elections
E-Government
“Is E-Gov Really Delivering?” by Tod Newcombe in Government Technology.
“Recreation.gov a Test Case for Government Tech” by Miranda Neubauer in TechPresident.
September 24, 2014 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “Lobbying World” in The Hill. “Americans Are O.K. With Big Business. It’s Business Lobbying Power They Hate.” by Neil Irwin in The New York Times. “TechAmerica Axes Top Government Representative” in Government Technology. Campaign Finance “Study: Major companies are […]
Lobbying
“Lobbying World” in The Hill.
“Americans Are O.K. With Big Business. It’s Business Lobbying Power They Hate.” by Neil Irwin in The New York Times.
“TechAmerica Axes Top Government Representative” in Government Technology.
Campaign Finance
“Study: Major companies are increasingly disclosing their political spending” by Tom Hamburger in The Washington Post.
“Why the Billionaires Got Bupkus” by Michael Lind in Politico Magazine.
“D’Souza Avoids Prison in Campaign Finance Case” by Jonathan Mahler in The New York Times.
Maine: “Groups’ spending on Maine elections hits record $4.6 million” by Steve Mistler in the Portland Press Herald.
San Diego, California: “Leaders OK campaign crackdown” by David Garrick in The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Ethics
“Lawmakers push for new limits to political intelligence brokers” by Peter Schroeder in The Hill.
“QUIZ: Do You Know How to Be an Ethical Political Appointee?” by Eric Katz in Government Executive.
Georgia: “AG’s office pays $10,000 fine in ethics commission case” by Aaron Gould Sheinin in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Georgia: “DeKalb Commission releases money for ethics investigations” by Mark Niesse in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Political Advertising
“When NOT to Air Political Ads on TV” by Abby Livingston in Roll Call.
Minnesota: “Minnesota campaign regulators give social media advice, suggest online posts carry disclaimers” by The Associated Press in the Star Tribune.
Missouri: “Few 2014 campaign TV ads in Missouri” by The Associated Press in the Springfield News-Leader.
Elections
Florida: “Hillary Clinton to campaign for Charlie Crist” by Maggie Haberman in Politico.
North Carolina: “N.C. sees rise in unaffliated voters” by Benjamin Brown in the Charlotte Observer.
Legislative Sessions
Montana: “Legislative Update September 2014” by Sen. Matt Rosendale in The Roundup.
Utah: “2015 Legislature Could See Record Number of Bills” by Bob Bernick in Utah Policy.
Tech and Social Media
“Procurement: What if We’re Doing it Wrong?” by Mark Headd in Government Technology.
September 18, 2014 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “Under Contract” in The Hill. “Anthony Weiner and the Revolving Door” by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren in The Huffington Post. “Eric Cantor’s out, Wall Street’s still in” by Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman in Politico. “Lyft hires Gephardt’s K […]
Lobbying
“Under Contract” in The Hill.
“Anthony Weiner and the Revolving Door” by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren in The Huffington Post.
“Eric Cantor’s out, Wall Street’s still in” by Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman in Politico.
“Lyft hires Gephardt’s K Street firm” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.
Ontario, Canada: “McGuinty’s gig as a lobbyist problematic” by Andrew Coyne in the Leader-Post.
Campaign Finance
“Dems Getting Stingier With Campaign Cash to Colleagues” by Lalita Clozel on Open Secrets Blog.
Colorado: “Citizens United wants press exemption from CO campaign finance disclosure” by Tess Cheek in The Colorado Independent.
Georgia: “Atlanta City Council weighs in on campaign finance issue” by Dave Williams in the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Rhode Island: “Law professors debate campaign finance reform” by Aliza Reisner in the Brown Daily Herald.
Ethics
Florida: “Florida Ethics Commission dismisses complaints against Mayor Brown and Clay County School Board officials, not so Rep. Fullwood case” by David Bauerlein in The Florida Times-Union.
Elections
“Bigger and Better Things: Staffers Who Run for Office” by Rebecca Gale in Roll Call.
“Dems, GOP hone messages for final campaign push” by Alexander Bolton in The Hill.
“5 States Put Voting Reform to the Voters” by J.B. Wogan in Governing.
Ohio: “John Kasich, Ed FitzGerald won’t debate, a first in Ohio gubernatorial contests since the late ’70s” by Robert Higgs in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
State Legislatures
California: “Governor signs much-debated ridesharing bill” by Allen Young in the Sacramento Business Journal.
Nevada: “Education called top priority for Nevada Legislature” by Laura Myers in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Nevada: “Tesla triumphs: Sandoval signs off on$1.3 billion untax package” by Dennis Myers in the Reno News & Review.
North Dakota: “Western ND lawmakers want $800 million for development” by Jessica Holdman in the Bismarck Tribune.
Virginia: “Va. House of Delegates plans to vote on Medicaid expansion” by Laura Vozella in The Washington Post.
Tech and Social Media
“Tweets made easy for bankers lobbying lawmakers” by Greg Edwards in the St. Louis Business Journal.
“Twitter’s new guide for campaigners” by Darren Samuelsohn in Politico.
Tennessee: “Chattanooga Launches Website to Track City Goals” by Joy Lukachick Smith in Government Technology.
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