The 2018 elections are approaching quickly. Have you reviewed the restrictions on political contributions from your company’s lobbyists?

It is important to know what restrictions are placed on lobbyists, such as when, how, or how much a lobbyist may contribute.

Knowing state and federal restrictions will help your company remain compliant and could save you a lot of headaches.

State and Federal Communications is here to help you. Our newest Tip Sheet “Restrictions on Political Contributions from Lobbyists” will inform you on sessional restrictions, lobbyist contribution limits, and restrictions on activities beyond making direct contributions.

This new Tip Sheet will provide you with the key information to keep in mind as you continue your government affairs program.

Click here to get this FREE Tip Sheet today – and ensure you and your team can say “I Comply!”

Lobbying

Illinois: “In Illinois Capitol, Lobbying Is a Growing Business” by Kurt Erickson for Quad City Times

Nevada: “Bill Imposes Cooling-Off Period for Ex-Lawmakers” by Sandra Chereb for Las Vegas Review-Journal

Vermont: “House Oks Bill Limiting Lobbyist Contributions during Session” by Erin Mansfield for VTDigger.org

Campaign Finance

“Hillary Clinton Embraces a ‘Super PAC,’ Trying to Erode a Republican Edge” by Maggie Haberman and Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

“The FEC’s ‘Non-Partisan’ Whistleblower” by Tarini Parti for Politico

Ethics

Florida: “Politicians Send Millions to Charity of Lobbyist’s Daughter” by Francisco Alvarado (BrowardBulldog.org) for Miami Herald

Indiana: “Expanded Disclosure, Ethics Rules Now Law” by Olivia Covington for WFYI

Massachusetts: “Brian Joyce Thrives at the Edge of a Fuzzy Boundary” by Andrea Estes for Boston Globe

New York: “Scarborough Pleads Guilty Twice” by Brendan Lyons for Albany Times Union

Texas: “Government Contract Disclosure Bill Advances” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune

West Virginia: “‘Trinkets’ Defined as Ethics Commission Prepares for New WV Law” by Joel Ebert for Charleston Daily Mail

Legislative Issues

Hawaii: “Hawaii Lawmakers Quietly Dole Out Millions of Dollars in Grants” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat

Campaign Finance

“How to Decide When to Announce You’re Running for President” by Rebecca Kaplan and Jake Miller for CBS News

“Hillary Turns Down Invite to Secretive Donor Meeting” by Kenneth Vogel and Tarini Parti for Politico

“‘Dark Money’ Bill Fails in Voice Vote” by Lisa Hammersly and Claudia Lauer for Arkansas Online

Connecticut: “Five-Month Prison Sentence for Lisa Wilson-Foley” by Dave Collins (Associated Press) for CBS Connecticut

Virginia: “Deep Feud Splitting Virginia’s GOP Evident in Party’s Fundraising Woes” by Jenna Portnoy and Paul Schwartzman for Washington Post

Wisconsin”Wisconsin Lawmakers Hear Advice for Changing Complex Campaign Spending, Fundraising Law” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) for Greenfield Daily Reporter

Wisconsin: “Secret $1.5 Million Donation from Wisconsin Billionaire Uncovered in Scott Walker Dark-Money Probe” by Michael Isikoff for Yahoo! Politics

Ethics

Indiana: “Another Loophole for Ex-INDOT Official?” by Ryan Sabalow and Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star

New Jersey: “Chris Christie Gets Corvette for NJ Radio News Director Who Interviews Him” by Christopher Zara and David Sirota for International Business Times

New York: “Cuomo Focuses on Ethics Reform, Not on Funding” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times

Washington: “Washington Auditor Says He’s Cooperating with Investigation” by Rachel La Corte (Associated Press) for Raleigh News & Observer

Elections

Wisconsin: “U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Take Up Challenge to Wisconsin Voter ID Law” by Jason Stein and Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Federal:

FEC Leaves Unclear Path for Super PACs

Gingrich’s Work Shows Limits of U.S. Lobbying Law

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona

Clean Elections Foes Say Public Funds Are Used to Influence Election Outcomes

Colorado

Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler Proposes Rewriting of State Campaign Finance Rules

Georgia

Ethics Commission Deals with Challenges of Change

Indiana

Marion County Judge Scolded for Fundraising Language

Kansas

Kansas Governor Says Staff Overreacted to Teen’s Tweet

Massachusetts

Columbus Center Developer Fined $1.6 Million

Nevada

Ethics Commission Party May Not Have Been So Ethical

New York

Second Bribe Case for Lawmaker Just Acquitted

North Carolina

Three Perdue Associates Indicted

South Carolina

S.C. Governor’s Chef Told to Reimburse State after Using Its Resources for Catering

Washington

Washington Rep. Hinkle Seeks Change to Fundraising Law

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown spoke at the Akron Roundtable January Luncheon. State and Federal Communications had the honor of sponsoring the event and we were excited to be in attendance as well!

Senator Brown’s presentation topic was: “Made in Ohio: Why the U.S. Needs a National Manufacturing Strategy”. A great proponent of American manufacturing, Brown spoke about the need for students to be encouraged to study hard in math and engineering. He believes young students would be inspired by having tours of manufacturing plants to find out how things are made.

Brown recognized the economic challenges facing Ohio and the nation. But he pointed out that out of all the states, Ohio is ranked third in the nation in manufacturing and has a long tradition of hard work and innovation. He believes we have every reason to be optimistic about regaining a strong manufacturing future.

We are thankful for the Akron Roundtable for their 35 years of bringing a world of ideas to our town. A big thanks as well goes to Elizabeth Bartz for giving us the opportunity to meet Senator Brown and to hear his presentation.

Photo by Nicolette Koozer.

As we looked into the new year, we noticed we have a busy schedule in the next few months! Here is a list of the future events where State and Federal Communications will be attending and/or speaking regarding compliance issues. If you are attending any of these conferences, please come and say hello. We would love to see you!

January 9-13, 2011                  PAC Public Affairs Institute, Laguna Beach, California

January 13, 2011                      WASRG Welcome Reception, Washington, D.C.

January 25-28, 2011               PAC Grassroots Conference, Key West, Florida

February 1-2, 2011                   Governing Outlook in the States, Washington, D.C.

February 8-10, 2011                 Innovate to Motivate, San Antonio, Texas

February 22-25, 2011              PAC PAC Conference, Miami, Florida

March 30-April 1, 2011            SGAC Annual Meeting, Austin, Texas

April 3-5, 2011                            NASPO, Boston, Massachusetts