Lobbying

“Companies Used Clinton Fundraisers to Lobby State Department” by Kevin McCoy for USA Today

Florida: “Miami Beach Voters to Weigh Ballot Questions” by Joey Flechas for Miami Herald

New York: “Lobbyist Todd Howe: $85,000 from Cor Development was a bribe, not a loan” by Tim Knauss for Syracuse.com

Ethics

“Trump Proposes Five-Year Ban on Executive Branch Officials and Lawmakers Who Want to Become Lobbyists” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post

“Proposed STOCK Act Rule Puts Focus on High-Level Employees” by Louis LaBrecque for Bloomberg BNA

“Documents Show State Dept. Official Pressed FBI to Change Classification of One of Clinton’s Emails” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

California: “How the Federal Government’s Bribery Case Against 2 Brothers Unraveled” by Joel Rubin for Los Angeles Times

Massachusetts: “Federal Judge Asks: Is DiMasi benefiting from political connections?” by Milton Valencia and John Ellement for Boston Globe

Elections

“In Hindsight, Backers of Bernie Sanders Lament What Might Have Been” by Matt Flegenheimer and Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times

On Monday, October 31 State and Federal Communications is hosting its annual Halloween Donut and Apple Cider sale. All sales will go directly to the United Way of Summit County.

Drop in and say hello from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. and enjoy a delicious treat. We’ll be in the lobby of 80 South Summit St. in Downtown Akron, across from Quaker Square.

The Krispy Kreme donuts are $1.00 per donut or $7.00 per dozen. The apple cider will be $1.00 per cup or $8.00 per gallon.

To reserve your donuts, you can email Tony Didion at adidion@stateandfed.com, or call us at 330-761-9960.

Lobbying

New York: “Lobbying Cuomo: How to get the governor on your side” by David Howard King for Gotham Gazette

Campaign Finance

Michigan: “Secretive Funds Allow Michigan Lawmakers to Accept Corporate Cash” by Craig Mauger (Michigan Campaign Finance Network) and Emily Lawler for MLive.com

Ethics

“Chelsea Flagged ‘Serious Concerns’ about Clinton Foundation Conflicts” by Kenneth Vogel for Politico

New York: “Disclosure Law for Outside Income Often Ignored, Rarely Enforced” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Elections

“Trump Faces a Slew of New Allegations of Sexual Assault” by David Graham for The Atlantic

“Gerrymandering Helped Republicans Take Control of Congress, but Now It’s Tearing Them Apart Over Trump” by Lisa Mascaro for Los Angeles Times

“Hillary Clinton, Paul Ryan and the Relationship That Could Shape Washington” by Robert Costa and Philip Rucker for Washington Post

“Group’s Tactic on Hillary Clinton: Sue her again and again” by Jonathan Mahler for New York Times

Florida: “Federal Judge Swipes at Scott’s Political ‘Poppycock,’ Extends Fla. Voter Registration Deadline” by Daniel Ducassi and Marc Caputo for Politico

Texas: “San Antonio Cops Face Discipline for Wearing ‘Make America Great Again’ Hats in Trump Video” by Derek Hawkins for Washington Post

Lobbying

“Trump Transition Team and GOP Lobbyists Are Inching Toward Mutual Acceptance” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post

“Lobbyists Test Post-Crisis Rules for Boards” by Theo Francis and Brody Mullins (Wall Street Journal) for Investor Relations

Alabama: “Gifts to Teachers Worth More Than $25 Can Be OK, Ethics Commission Says” by Mike Cason for AL.com

Campaign Finance

“Tight Governors’ Races Loosen Political Purse Strings” by Ben Wieder for Center for Public Integrity

“With Senate Control at Stake, Koch Groups Start Endorsing by Name” by Carl Hulse for New York Times

Colorado: “Ruling Against Colorado Disclosure Law Left Intact” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA

Ethics

Texas: “Texas Senator Calls State Ethics Commission ‘Arrogant’ and ‘Haught’” by Jim Malewitz for Texas Tribune

Elections

“The Time I Found Donald Trump’s Tax Records in My Mailbox” by Susanne Craig for New York Times

“Trump Recorded Having Extremely Lewd Conversation About Women in 2005” by David Fahrenthold for Washington Post

“In Second Debate, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton Spar in Bitter, Personal Terms” by Patrick Healy and Jonathan Martin for New York Times

See what’s happening in government relations this week in our News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!

Here is what has happened so far…And what will happen.

1. The states in these United States held primaries and caucuses. We had months and months of elections around the country. And, we had a lot of debates…Maybe more than we needed. In the end we also had a lot of candidates “suspend” their respective campaigns.
2. Both the Republican National Convention and Democratic National Conventions were held and we have two candidates running on these platforms. There are others who will be on the ballot, but of other parties.
3. We had one debate already…WOWOWOWOW!!! I happened to be there…but I was sitting on my hands because it was 63 degrees in the room.
4. Plan on watching the Vice Presidential Debate on October 4, the second Presidential Debate on October 9, and the final Presidential Debate on October 19.
5. Check out the ballot for your county. Trust me, there is more on the ballot than our Presidential candidates…These folks also need your vote.
6. Early voting is very helpful for people who want to avoid the lines on Election Day, which is November 8. Do it and proudly wear your I VOTED sticker.
7. November 8…Stock up on your snacks and beverages and make sure your gadgets are charged. You can follow me on Twitter @elizabethbartz and @stateandfederal to see what is going on with the candidates and ballot issues.
8. One other thing to do on November 8, take a break every hour to tune into the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks game.
9. Go to work the next day prepared to share with your organization how your contributions and candidates fared the night before.
10. Plan to attend State and Federal Inauguration activities in 2017. We will keep you up-to-date on how you can participate…And, as it relates to the President’s Inauguration Day…It is Friday, January 20, 2017, at noon. Again, snacks and beverages should be ready and gadgets charged. There will be a lot to watch.

In the meantime, think about how lovely November and December will be with only holiday movies to watch…And 2017/2018 elections to ponder.

Elizabeth Z. Bartz

President and CEO
@elizabethbartz

Lobbying

Rhode Island: “Councilman’s Proposal to Reform Providence Lobbying Ordinance Hits Roadblock” by Dan McGowan for WPRI

Campaign Finance

Delaware: “Judge: Christine O’Donnell violated campaign finance laws” by Randall Chase (Associated Press) for Philadelphia Inquirer

Illinois: “Donation Lifts Fundraising Caps in Illinois Comptroller Race” by Sophia Tareen (Associated Press) for State Journal-Register

Washington: “Ferguson: ‘Shoddy’ accounting, ‘improper disclosure’ by Eyman” by Joel Connelly for Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Ethics

“Trump Directed $2.3 Million Owed to Him to His Tax-Exempt Foundation Instead” by David Fahrenthold for Washington Post

“2008 Crisis Deepened the Ties Between Clintons and Goldman Sachs” by Nicholas Confessore and Susanne Craig for New York Times

California: “Ex-LAPD Sergeant Defends Himself Against Ethics Charge Over Controversial Stop of ‘Django Unchained’ Actress” by Kate Mather for Los Angeles Times

California: “State Auditor Calls for CPUC Reforms” by Jeff McDonald for San Diego Union-Tribune

New York: “Physicist in Albany Corruption Case Was a Geek with Big Goals” by Vivian Yee for New York Times

Voting is one of the most basic civil actions Americans can take. Our ability to vote in an election is a right we should not take for granted, but too often many do. It is a privilege that comes with responsibility. With our votes, we shape the future of our country.

September 27, 2016, is National Voter Registration Day. On this day, volunteers and organizations will be out in force in order to reach out to thousands of voters and citizens about the importance of voting and helping people register to vote. So check out the National Voter Registration Day website and see how you can help other citizens register.

But the effort to Get Out the Vote doesn’t end with National Voter Registration Day. Here are some more ways you can help:

• Make sure your registration record is up-to-date. If you moved recently, have you updated your record?
• Know where your polling location is. Has it been moved due to building closings or expected crowds?
• Help someone get to the polls on Election Day. Many people want to vote, but have trouble getting to the polling locations. Do you know someone who could use a lift?
• If your jurisdiction has early in-person voting, help someone get there to vote early.
• Help someone request an absentee ballot when it is not possible for them to make it to polls. And help them make sure it is mailed in time to count.
• Work the polls. Help other voters exercise their rights.
• Spread the word about voting importance on social media. The more people talk about it, the more people will know about it.

For more information on registering and voting, check out the National Voter Registration Day website.

And always remember to find out the answers to these questions:

• By when do you have to register?
• By when do you have to request an absentee ballot?
• Is there early in-person voting, and if so, where?
• When do the polls open and close?
• What candidates and issues are on the ballot?

The answers can be found on the website of your secretary of state’s office and local elections office.

#KeepUSstrong! #VoterRegistrationDay

Say hello to our team at the 2016 State and Local Government Relations Conference!

Lobby Comply is taking a holiday break. We will be back on Monday, September 12.

Enjoy your Labor Day holiday!

Each month at our staff meeting, Elizabeth acknowledges the employment anniversaries of the staff.

In August we celebrated the following:

These employees are essential members of the staff.  Congratulations to each of you!

Here is our September/October calendar. If you are attending any of these events, please say hello!

September 8-9   Practising Law Institute, Corporate Political Activities Seminar, Washington, DC

September 15   Akron Roundtable, Akron, OH

September 26-28   PAC State and Local Government Relations Conference, Alexandria, VA

October 3   Akron Roundtable 40th Anniversary Celebration Dinner, Akron, Ohio

October 19-21   Public Affairs Council Fall Board Meeting, Laguna Beach, California

October 20   Akron Roundtable, Akron, Ohio

Today marks 69 days until Election Day 2016. The end to this year’s election is almost here and we can talk about 2017 after November 8th.

In the meantime, State and Federal Communications is starting its own grassroots movement to Keep US Strong and we have thousands of pins to deliver to you. Just send an e-mail to ebartz@stateandfed.com and we will deliver a box of our VOTE pins to you…And, be on the lookout for our bi-annual VOTE card.

I cannot express how important it is for everyone to VOTE this year. I may be preaching to the choir, but we all know people who are thinking about not voting. Let’s get this movement started to make sure everyone knows how important it is to VOTE.

Does anyone have any question about how I feel about voting? How else can you help?

Glad you asked.

Take senior citizens or anyone with difficulties to your local Board of Elections to VOTE before November 8th. I have taken my parents directly to the Summit County Board of Elections and the staff has noticed and even thanked me for helping.

Work at your Board of Elections on November 8th. I keep wanting to do this and need to stop making excuses about not doing so. Those octogenarians who are currently staffing the voting places aren’t getting younger and we are decades away from on-line voting.

Get out the VOTE pin. We started these in 2012 and it definitely takes time for them to go viral…We have plenty to spare.

Until next month, clear your calendar so you can VOTE on November 8th or make plans to vote early—either at your local Board of Elections or by absentee ballot.

#KeepUSstrong.

Elizabeth Z. Bartz

President and CEO
@elizabethbartz

Campaign Finance

“How One Donor Is Profiting Off the Trump and Sanders Campaigns” by Russell Berman for The Atlantic

Connecticut: “Inside the Political Fundraising Game” by Ken Dixon, Angela Carella, and Neil Vigdor for CT Post

South Dakota: “Koch Brothers-Backed Group Says Ballot Measure Could Invite Lawsuits” by Dana Ferguson for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Virginia: “The Money Floods in When the General Assembly Gathers” by Dave Ress for The Daily Press

Ethics

“Anthony Weiner and Huma Abedin to Separate After His Latest Sexting Scandal” by Amy Chozick and Patrick Healy for New York Times

California: “State Worker Accepted 24 Pairs of Free Designer Sunglasses, Sold Boss a Pair for $20” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

Florida: “Get This Vice Mayor Angry and He Might Sue” by Monique Madan for Miami Herald

Maine: “Pressure Is Building on LePage over His Behavior” by Dennis Hoey for Portland Press Herald

Elections

“FBI is Investigating Foreign Hacks of State Election Systems” by Ellen Nakashima for Washington Post

“Democrats’ Weak Bench Undermines Hope of Taking Back Senate” by Jennifer Steinhauer for New York Times

“Breitbart Rises from Outlier to Potent Voice in Campaign” by Michael Grynbaum and John Herrman for New York Times