August 6, 2013 •
Texas Third Special Session Adjourned
Sine Die
Yesterday, the Texas Legislature adjourned its third special session sine die.
Governor Rick Perry had called the special session to consider legislation relating to the funding of transportation infrastructure projects. According to KVIA.com, the Legislature passed a constitutional amendment boosting transportation spending with money coming from oil and gas revenues diverted away from the state’s Rainy Day Fund. The amendment will be voted on next year by the state’s voters.
August 1, 2013 •
Thursday News Roundup
Here are some great articles for today’s government relations news summary:
Lobbying
“Industries Cut Lobbying Expenditures – Again” by Russ Choma in Open Secrets Blog.
California: “Cupid’s work gets complicated as California lawmaker dates lobbyist” by Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee.
Wisconsin: “Wisconsin lobbyists spend $15.6M in first half of 2013” by M.D. Kittle in the Wisconsin Reporter.
Campaign Finance
Alabama: “Alabama’s cap on corporate political donations ends today under changes to campaign finance law” by Mike Cason in Birmingham News.
Ethics
Florida: “Sarasota lawyer to lead Ethics Commission” by Lloyd Dunkelberger in the Herald-Tribune.
New Jersey: “Ex-Justice Wallace to head N.J. ethics panel” by Maddie Hanna in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
New York: “Speaker Silver appoints judge to NY ethics board; replaces veteran who resigned” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
From the State Legislatures
Kansas: “State Dems want voting law change in special session” by The Associated Press in the Topeka Capital-Journal.
New York: “Cuomo to decide on more than 100 bills” by Jessica Bakeman in the Democrat and Chronicle.
Government Tech and Social Media
“App Sends Traffic Complaints Straight to Congress” by Ryan Holeywell in Government Technology.
May 28, 2013 •
Texas Legislature Adjourns and Special Session Called
May 27
The Texas Legislature adjourned sine die yesterday on May 27.
However, the Legislature was immediately called into special session by Governor Rick Perry. The special session began in the evening, but cannot last longer than 30 days.
The initial call for the special session will focus on approving redistricting maps drawn for the 2012 election by federal judges, according to KRISTV.com. Other items are expected to be added to the special session’s agenda.
Photo of the Texas State Capitol by Kumar Appaiah on Wikipedia.
April 25, 2013 •
Mississippi Lawmakers Return for Special Session
Medicaid reauthorization will not be addressed
Lawmakers will return to Jackson on Friday, April 26, for a special session.
The session will likely focus on economic incentives for an automobile manufacturer considering building a manufacturing plant in Clay County, but Governor Bryant would only say it relates to the state’s automobile corridor.
The state’s Medicaid reauthorization will be addressed in a separate special session.
April 18, 2013 •
Mississippi Special Session Expected at the End of April
Economic incentives and Medicaid could be on the table
A special session of the Legislature may convene at the end of April. Lawmakers have said they were told to report back on April 29, but a spokesperson for Governor Bryant would not confirm a special session or date.
It’s expected the session, if called, will involve economic incentives for an automotive supplier. It’s not clear if the Legislature will tackle Medicaid reauthorization in the same session, though lawmakers speculate a separate special session will be held.
April 10, 2013 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Here is our roundup of the latest articles on campaign finance, ethics, and more!
Campaign Finance
“DOJ, IRS tight-lipped on campaign finance probes” by Tarini Parti and Byron Tau in Politico.
Arizona: “Ariz. proposal would flood money into politics” by The Associated Press in the Arizona Daily Sun.
Ethics
Arkansas: “House approves proposed amendment on ethics, term limits, salaries” by John Lyon in the Arkansas News Bureau.
New York: “Cuomo Offers Plan to Fight Corruption After Arrests” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times.
New York: “Albany Riveted by Double Life of an Assemblyman and Informer” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times.
Virginia: “New documents raise more questions about financing of McDonnell’s daughter’s wedding” by Rosalind S. Helderman in The Washington Post.
Virginia: “McEachin calls for closing Virginia gift loophole” by Laura Vozella in The Washington Post.
Elections
Illinois: “Ex-Ill. lawmaker elected to succeed Jackson Jr.” by The Associated Press in the Quad City Times.
From the State Legislatures
Missouri: “Term limit change suggested for Missouri lawmakers” by Virginia Young in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Washington: “The next question: Special session?” by Lucas Wiseman in The Columbian.
January 9, 2013 •
North Carolina to Hold Special Session January 9
Session to decide officers and organize the upcoming regular session
The North Carolina General Assembly will have a one-day special session January 9, 2013, before convening the regular session on January 30, 2013. This one-day special session is for both houses to elect officers, adopt rules and organize the upcoming session.
This is the first time the general assembly has decided to hold this one-day special organization session, but both parties have expressed interest in continuing the idea in the future.
Photo of the North Carolina State Legislative Building by Jayron32 on Wikipedia.
December 20, 2012 •
Connecticut General Assembly Holds Special Session on Budget
Session included memorial to shooting victims
The General Assembly held a one-day special session December 19, 2012, to approve budget cuts to close the state’s budget deficit.
The session also included a one-hour memorial for the Newtown shooting victims.
Photo of the Connecticut State Capitol courtesy of Ragesoss on Wikipedia.
December 14, 2012 •
Oregon Special Session Begins Today
Legislature to consider tax policy for Nike
A special session of the legislature is set to convene today, December 14, 2012. Governor John Kitzhaber called the legislature into session to approve a tax incentive program for Nike.
The governor believes the potential economic development benefits are worth the costs associated with a special session.
Nike says it will expand in Oregon and hire at least 500 people if the state will immediately promise not to change the method of calculating its state income taxes.
August 20, 2012 •
California Special Session Planned for December
President’s healthcare to be the issue
Governor Jerry Brown has told legislative leaders he intends to call a special session to deal with issues related to the federal healthcare law signed by President Obama in 2010.
The special session, planned for December, will give the governor and lawmakers an opportunity to keep working on healthcare proposals that have failed in the current session, which ends August 31, 2012.
Bills passed in a special session can take effect within 90 days of passage rather than at the beginning of the following calendar year.
Photo of the California State Capitol by Henri Sivonen in Wikipedia.
August 7, 2012 •
Minnesota Special Session Tentatively Scheduled for August 24th
Legislature to distribute relief to flood ravaged areas
Governor Mark Dayton and the leaders of the state legislature have tentatively agreed on August 24 for a special session date. The legislature will convene in order to appropriate monies to disaster relief for counties that were ravaged by flooding earlier this year.
The date is still tentative as the final damage numbers are still being totaled. The federal government will supply 75% of the funding if the state picks up the last 25% of the cost.
Once the final numbers are set, Governor Dayton will have to officially call the legislature back to work.
July 27, 2012 •
Maryland Lawmakers Called to Special Session
Governor hopes for quick passage of gambling expansion
Governor Martin O’Malley has announced a special session of the general assembly. The session, scheduled to begin August 9, 2012, is for the purpose of considering a new casino in Prince George’s County and table games at the state’s five other slots locations.
If approved by the Legislature, the gambling expansion would also need voter approval. Proponents hope to pass legislation in time for the issue to appear on this November’s ballot.
Photo of Governor Martin O’Malley by Jay Baker in Wikipedia.
June 12, 2012 •
Connecticut Special Session Begins Today
House majority leader to preside over session
The Connecticut General Assembly will convene a special session at 11 a.m. today, June 12, 2012.
House speaker Chris Donovan will not be presiding over the session, instead allowing the house majority leader to handle the leadership responsibilities after Speaker Donovan’s former campaign finance manager was arrested for allegedly conspiring to conceal the source of $20,000 in campaign contributions. The contributions were purportedly linked to a bill imposing taxes on roll-your-own cigarette businesses, which is expected to be voted on during today’s session.
Speaker Donovan does plan to participate in the session.
Photo of the Connecticut State Capitol by jglazer75 on Wikipedia.
May 22, 2012 •
Georgia House Seat Vacated
Filling District 28 will not require a special election
House District 28 is vacant following the resignation of Michael Harden.
The Secretary of State’s office has notified local officials to inform them there will not be a special election because the House is not in session.
The seat will be an open one on the ballot for the July 31st primary and for the November 6th general election.
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