The number of municipalities and regional governments our research associates track continues to grow. We now cover almost 300 municipalities and local governments. This is part of a continuous effort to better serve the needs of our clients.

In that effort, we have recently added abridged jurisdictions to our website. These entries, condensed due to the limited number of relevant local laws, provide the core information our clients need for their government relations work.

The new jurisdictions are:

                    Cedar Rapids, Iowa  

                    Merced County, California

Q. I want to contribute to an acquaintance in Maryland.  I know there are pay-to-play restrictions.  What are my personal limitations?

A. Is your company “doing public business” with the state of Maryland?  “Doing public business” means having a single contract (an agreement in any form entered into by a governmental entity for a procurement) with a single governmental entity involving cumulative consideration of at least $200,000.  Governmental entity means: (1) the State, a county, a municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the State; and (2) a unit of the State, a county, a municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the State.

Contributions in Maryland are still permissible even though your employing organization is doing public business.  The issue is not permissibility, but whether disclosure is required.  If you are an officer or director and the contribution is $500 or more, it must be disclosed.

• Director is a member of the board of directors of a business entity
  [M.C.E.L. §14-101(g)].
• Officer includes an individual who serves as a business entity’s chief executive officer, president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, chief financial officer, managing partner, managing member, or principal or in any other formal or informal role in which the individual exercises substantial independent responsibility for managing the affairs of a business entity [M.C.E.L. §14-101(k)].

If you fall into either category, disclosure is required to the Board of Elections on May 31 and November 30.

You can directly submit questions for this feature, and we will select those most appropriate and answer them here. Send your questions to: experts@stateandfed.com.

(We are always available to answer questions from clients that are specific to your needs, and we encourage you to continue to call or e-mail us with questions about your particular company or organization. As always, we will confidentially and directly provide answers or information you need.) Our replies to your questions are not legal advice. Instead, these replies represent our analysis of laws, rules, and regulations.

Lobbying

Florida: “Lobbying firms pull in cash as year ends” by Jim Saunders in the Tallahassee Democrat

Hawaii: “Lobbying Law Proposed For Kauai” by Chad Blair in the Honolulu Civil Beat

Idaho: “Bill would make university, state agency lobbyists report their spending” by Betsy Russell in the Spokesman Review

New Hampshire: “Political Wrangling Over ‘People’s Pledge’ in New Hampshire” by Simone Pathé in Roll Call

New Mexico: “Campaign finance fix bill triggered by KOB investigation 1 step away from clearing legislature” by Ryan Luby in KOB 4

Ethics

New Mexico: “Ethics commission proposal faces scrutiny in Senate panel” by Dan Boyd in the Albuquerque Journal

Virginia: “Senators vote to undo parts of ethics reform law” by Jim Nolan in the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Elections

“DCCC Names First 16 Candidates to ‘Red to Blue’ Program” by Simone Pathé in Roll Call

Florida: “With Safe Districts Gone, Two Florida Lawmakers Taking Their Time on 2016 Decision” by Eli Yokley in Roll Call

Ohio: “Bill would ban switching political parties in Ohio primary elections” by Robert Higgs in the Plain Dealer

Procurement

Texas: “Some contractors say new Texas disclosure law confusing” by The Associated Press in KXAN

Legislative Issues

Alaska: “Longtime Alaska Lawmaker Max Gruenberg Dies” by Nathaniel Herz in Governing

Arizona: “Arizona lawmakers seek ability to more easily overturn ballot measures” by Howard Fischer in the Daily Courier

National:

Amid Federal Gridlock, Lobbying Rises in the States
Center for Public Integrity – Liz Essley White and Ben Weider | Published: 2/11/2016

The number of business and interest groups lobbying in state Capitols has risen nearly 11 percent in recent years as organizations have shifted some efforts away from the stalemates in Washington, D.C. to statehouses, which are more apt to act on key policy initiatives, according to a new study. The Center for Public Integrity found 101 businesses, associations, or interest groups had lobbyists in at least two-thirds of the states between 2010 and 2014. That includes 21 entities registered to lobby in every state at some point during that period.

Michele Fiore, the Gun-Toting, Calendar-Posing Politician Who Negotiated the Ore. Occupiers’ Surrender
Washington Post – Michael Miller | Published: 2/11/2016

The remaining occupiers of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon tentatively agreed to turn themselves in, largely thanks to Nevada Assemblyperson Michele Fiore’s intervention. Fiore acted as act as the de facto negotiator for the occupiers, at times agreeing with their radical views and at others, calming them down. If the standoff ends peacefully, Fiore will emerge as the most unlikely of saviors. The brash lawmaker is one of the most colorful, controversial political people in the country.

Federal:

IRS Grants Long-Delayed Tax Exempt Status to Crossroads GPS
Politico – Kenneth Vogel | Published: 2/9/2016

Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS has been granted tax-exempt “social welfare” status. After deliberating for more than five years, the IRS sent a letter to Crossroads GPS in November telling the group that it qualifies under section 501(c)4 of the tax code that allows it to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money while keeping its donors’ identities secret. During the 2012 election cycle, Crossroads GPS technically abided by the social welfare requirement, reporting it spent only 39 percent of its total $189 million spending on “direct political activities.” But millions of the non-political expenditures involved issue advocacy without expressly advocating for or against a candidate. Campaign finance reformers are incensed by the decision, which they believe validates “dark money” spending on a huge scale.

Line Blurs Between PR, Lobbying
The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 2/9/2016

Many on K Street say that offering public relations services has become a necessity in an era when controlling the media message is just as important to clients as cultivating relationships, especially with the explosion of information online. “I think lobbying is changing,” said lobbyist Steve Elmendorf. “People realize that decision makers get their information in so many different ways than they used to, and there are more channels of information. You need to do more than just [direct] lobbying.”

The Politico 100: Billionaires dominate 2016
Politico – Kenneth Vogel and Isaac Arnsdorf | Published: 2/6/2016

The 100 biggest donors of 2016 election cycle have spent $195 million trying to influence the presidential election, more than the $155 million spent by the two million smallest donors combined. The analysis found the leading beneficiaries of checks from the top 100 donors were Jeb Bush’s floundering campaign for the Republican nomination, Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, and Ted Cruz’s insurgent GOP campaign. The intensifying courtship of ultra-rich political partisans, which is occurring in private on both sides of the aisles in luxury resorts and phone calls, stands in contrast to the public discussion on the campaign trail, which is dominated by the concerns of the lower- and middle-class just struggling to get by.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – Two Nonprofits Face More Than $47,000 in Fines over L.A. Lobbying Forms
Los Angeles Times – Emily Alpert Reyes | Published: 2/10/2016

Los Angeles Ethics Commission staffers have proposed a fine of $30,000 for the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE) and $17,500 for the Hospital Association of Southern California for not properly reporting their lobbying at City Hall. The Los Angeles Times reported a year ago that LAANE had failed to fill out key parts of city forms that are supposed to publicly reveal its lobbying activities. Several of its employees had registered as lobbyists, but the nonprofit did not report any payments to those employees or any related expenses for years at a time. Nor did LAANE report any issues that its employees were lobbying about. Commission investigators found similar gaps in the lobbying forms filed by the Hospital Association of Southern California.

Florida – Manatee Judge John Lakin Says Inexperience Led Him to Take Baseball Tickets
Bradenton Herald – Kate Irby | Published: 2/8/2016

Facing possible disciplinary action by the Florida Supreme Court, a Manatee County circuit judge has apologized for using Tampa Bay Rays tickets supplied by a firm with a case pending in his court. Judge John Lakin acknowledged violating canons of judicial conduct but denied baseball tickets influenced his decision in the case. A notice of formal charges says Lakin in June presided over a personal injury case in which a client of the firm Kallins Delgado & Little sued Wal-Mart. A jury found Wal-Mart was not liable, and a day later, Lakin’s judicial assistant contacted the firm about tickets for a Rays game. Lakin used two tickets and did not advise Wal-Mart’s attorneys, despite the case not being final. In August, Lakin issued an order setting aside the jury’s verdict and granting a new trial.

Hawaii – ‘Good Government’ Measures Take another Go at Hawaii Lawmakers
Honolulu Civil Beat – Nathan Eagle | Published: 2/10/2016

Watchdogs in Hawaii have championed ethics reform legislation for years, along with the state ethics and campaign spending commissions. But the Legislature often balks, and in some cases even works contrary to them. It is early yet in the 2016 session, which runs until May. Many reform measures are still alive, and a handful are moving forward. In a few instances, bills that stalled last year have been resurrected.

Maine – Why it’s Hard to Figure out Who’s Influencing Maine Lawmakers
Bangor Daily News – Darren Fishell | Published: 2/10/2016

For the 50 lobbyists in Maine who spent the most in 2015, The Bangor Daily News attempted to link together what those entities spent with the legislation they sought to influence and what has, so far in this ongoing session, happened with those bills. It is an exercise the state ethics commission also is going through as it prepares for another update to its website that Jonathan Wayne, the agency’s executive director, said will bring “significant improvements in the next year.” Maine has a relative abundance of information about lobbying activity, albeit self-reported and unaudited. The problem is presenting that information in a way that is understandable.

Michigan – Judge Puts Michigan ‘Gag Order’ Election Law on Hold
Detroit Free Press – Kathleen Gray and Lori Higgins | Published: 2/5/2016

A federal judge has put a temporary stop on a controversial part of a recently passed campaign finance bill. Senate Bill 571, which included significant changes in Michigan’s election law, contained a provision prohibiting the use of public resources by public entities such as schools and libraries in the 60 days before an election. The provision was found to be unconstitutionally vague by the judge, as it did not clarify what was permissible. While several bills to fix the provision have subsequently been introduced, it is likely none of them will be passed by the upcoming March 8 election.

New Hampshire – Sanders Defeats Clinton in Decisive New Hampshire Primary Victory
Washington Post – John Wagner and Anne Gearan | Published: 2/9/2016

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders notched his first win of the 2016 presidential race, defeating Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire Democratic primary by a large margin. The win for Sanders amounted to a forceful rejection of Hillary Clinton, who has a deep history with New Hampshire voters and offered policy ideas that seemed to reflect the politics of the state. But Sanders, who has proposed an emphatically liberal agenda, drew support from a wide cross-section of voters, even edging her out among women, boosted by his appeal among the young. The outcome provides a fresh burst of momentum for Sanders in a race that will soon broaden to more challenging terrain and that is widely expected to grow more combative as Clinton tries to regain her footing.

New Hampshire – Trump Notches an Easy Victory in New Hampshire’s Republican Primary
Washington Post – Philip Rucker and Robert Costa | Published: 2/10/2016

Donald Trump won the New Hampshire Republican presidential primary by a decisive margin, claiming his first victory of the 2016 campaign and leaving the rest of the GOP field as murky as ever. Trump, whose blunt language and outsider image have electrified many Republicans, benefited from an unusually large field of candidates that split the vote among traditional politicians like Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who finished second, and Jeb Bush. Trump also galvanized voters with a visceral fixation on immigration and economic populism, affirming that even after the setback in the Iowa caucuses, his candidacy has genuine appeal with the GOP base as well as with the independent voters who were part of his winning coalition.

New York – Ethics Watchdog Clarifies Expanded Lobbying Definition
Albany Business Review – Marie French | Published: 2/5/2016

The New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics released answers to a list of frequently asked questions concerning a recent advisory opinion requiring the disclosure of more activities by political consultants that could be considered lobbying. Public relations firms are concerned about wording that could pull in activity ranging from talking with editorial boards to training sessions on how to advocate. Some have publicly declared they will not comply and questioned the rules’ clarity.

Ohio – Cleveland Council Approves Higher Caps on Campaign Donations
Cleveland Plain Dealer – Leila Atassi | Published: 2/8/2016

The Cleveland City Council voted to raise campaign contribution limits in mayoral races to $5,000 from an individual and $7,500 from PACs. Donations to council candidates will be capped at $1,500, with PACs donating up to $3,000. Council President Kevin Kelley, who sponsored the ordinance, has argued that increasing the limits could help newcomers run more robust campaigns against incumbents. But several council members said the legislation does nothing but widen the gap between incumbents and new candidates, setting up well-entrenched politicians to collect almost ten times more from their wealthiest donors.

Texas – FBI Arrests Nearly All The Top Officials of Crystal City, Tex.
Washington Post – Sarah Kaplan | Published: 2/8/2016

Federal agents arrested five current and former Crystal City officials – the mayor, city manager, mayor pro tempore, one of three current council members and a former councilperson – on bribery and kickback charges after a long-running public corruption probe in the low-income South Texas city. Long-suffering residents last year tried to recall three of those charged. How the city will function with only one city council member, Joel Barajas, not under federal indictment remains to be seen. The fifth council member, Marco Rodriguez, was charged recently with human smuggling in an unrelated case.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

Lobbying

Maine: “Why it’s Hard to Figure out Who’s Influencing Maine Lawmakers” by Darren Fishell for Bangor Daily News

Campaign Finance

“Bernie Sanders’s Fundraising Prowess Boosts His Post-New Hampshire Efforts” by Matea Gold and John Wagner for Washington Post

Ethics

Arizona: “Phoenix City Council Advances Ethics Policy after 3 Years of Talks” by Dustin Gardiner for Arizona Republic

Hawaii:”‘Good Government’ Measures Take another Go at Hawaii Lawmakers”  by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat

Kentucky: “Bevin’s Proposed Budget Cuts Threaten Watchdog Agencies, Elections” by Nick Storm for cn/2

New Mexico: “New Mexico House Approves Ethics Commission Plan” by Morgan Lee (Associated Press) for Albany Times Union

“Ethics: Former House Speaker Harrell must pay $113,500” by Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) for The Island Packet

Elections

“How a Debate Misstep Sent Marco Rubio Tumbling in New Hampshire” by Jeremy Peters and Michael Barbaro for New York Times

“Fiorina Suspends Republican Presidential Campaign” by Jenna Johnson, Abby Phillip, and Robert Costa for Washington Post

“Chris Christie Plans to Drop out After New Hampshire Flop” by Alexander Burns and Maggie Haberman for New York Times

Lobbying

“Line Blurs Between PR, Lobbying” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Campaign Finance

“IRS Grants Long-Delayed Tax Exempt Status to Crossroads GPS” by Julie Bykowicz (Associated Press) for Arizona Daily Star

“Kentucky House Passes Bill to Boost Campaign Donations” by John Cheves for Lexington Herald-Leader

“Money the Big Question in NLV Judge Challenger’s Campaign” by Bethany Barnes and Alexander Corey for Las Vegas Review-Journal

“Cleveland Council Approves Higher Caps on Campaign Donations” by Leila Atassi for Cleveland Plain Delaer

“WV Senate GOP Stalls Campaign Finance Bill after Dem Amendments” by David Gutman for Charleston Gazette

Ethics

“Manatee Judge John Lakin Says Inexperience Led Him to Take Baseball Tickets” by Kate Irby for Bradenton Herald

“Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney, Takes a Victory Lap in Albany after Winning Corruption Cases” by Vivian Yee and Jesse McKinley for New York Times

Elections

“The Movie That Foretold the Rise of Donald Trump” by Marc Fisher for Washington Post

“Sanders Defeats Clinton in Decisive New Hampshire Primary Victory” by John Wagner and Anne Gearan for The Washington Post

“Trump Notches an Easy Victory in New Hampshire’s Republican Primary” by Philip Rucker and Robert Costa for The Washington Post

On Friday, February 5, the staff of State and Federal Communication supported Go Red for Women! We wore red in honor of National Wear Red Day and to raise awareness for the cause of heart health for women.

Lobbying

“Lobbying’s Top 50: Boeing, Amazon on the rise” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Campaign Finance

Alaska: “Political Groups That Supported Walker Violated Law, Settlement Says” by Alex DeMarban for Alaska Dispatch

Arizona: “Court Ruling Intensifies Ariz. ‘Dark Money’ Battle” by Mary Jo Pitzl for Arizona Republic

Florida: “Miami-Dade Commissioners Resist Greater PAC Disclosures” by Michael Vasquez for Miami Herald

Ethics

New Mexico: “Despite Concerns, Ethics Commission Heads to House Floor” by Joey Peters for New Mexico Political Report

Pennsylvania: “FBI Probe Expands to Lehigh County” by Emily Opilo and Tom Shortell for Allentown Morning Call

Texas: “As Ethics Panel Bars Guns in Meetings, Others Not So Lucky” by Lauren McGaughy for Houston Chronicle

Elections

“Will Online Polls Revolutionize Elections?” by Louis Jacobson for Governing

“Rand Paul Drops Out of Presidential Race” by Ashley Parker for New York Times

Procurement

“Businesses Owned by Women Less Likely to Win U.S. Contracts, Study Shows” by Jackie Calmes for New York Times

February 10   CATO Institute Policy Forum: Intellectual Property and First Principles, Washington, DC

February 11   Montgomery County African Affairs Advisory Group, Silver Spring, Maryland

February 17   Lobbying Compliance at the State Level Webinar, Akron, Ohio

February 19-22   National Governors Association Winter Meeting, Washington, DC

March 2   Ohio Birthday Celebration, Washington, DC

March 7-10   Public Affairs Council National PAC Conference, Miami Beach, Florida

I rarely take this column to speak about my health. It could be better, but there was a year it was worse. In 2006, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and it was a tough year. And, that is probably the nicest word to use for it.

Women usually hear if you can feel a pain, then it isn’t cancer.  Well, I had a pain and after two mammograms, an ultrasound, a MRI, and a biopsy, I was diagnosed with cancer, and it had gone to my lymph nodes. My surgeon, Dr. Julian Kim from the Cleveland Clinic (now at University Hospital) said cancer was the least of my problems … chemotherapy and radiation would take a lot out of me.

I took to cancer like I do a lot of things. Attacked it. Surgery was done within a month of the diagnosis. Chemotherapy, managed by my Cleveland Clinic oncologist, was done from March to June of 2006, along with losing all of my hair and wearing a wig, steroids prescribed for pain associated with Taxol, and sleeping a lot. Radiation was most of July 2006, which included a huge burn at the end of it all.

And, then it was all over. Cancer free. I still hold my breath a lot when I have mammograms, and I do have mammograms done annually. There is no magic wand to avoid a reoccurrence, but the possibility goes down after 10 years.

Everyone has issues and we do not know what people are dealing with in their lives. I bring this up to give you hope if you are dealing with health issues. Attack it. Don’t let it affect your spirit, the thing that makes you YOU. Please know in the last 10 years I have also spoken to a number of women in government affairs who have had breast cancer. It’s a club…one that we didn’t want to be a member of, but we are, and we need to be there for each other.

So now, 10 years later, I can cheer a little louder about being cancer free and celebrating with a short holiday in Punta Cana—just reflecting on how wonderful life has been.

Until next month, celebrate your life, enjoy your family and friends, and be YOU.

Elizabeth Z. Bartz

President and CEO
@elizabethbartz

Lobbying

“Kool & the Gang Won’t Celebrate Republican National Convention” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity

Pennsylvania: “Lehigh Valley Zoological Society Faces $3,400 Fine over Late Lobbying Report” by Tom Shortell for Allentown Morning Call

Campaign Finance

“Bernie Sanders Tops His Rivals in Use of Outside Money” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

Arizona: “Utility Regulator Robert Burns Launches Investigation of APS Political Spending” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic

Texas: “Ethics Commission Fails to Approve Out-of-State Donations to Help Ken Paxton Pay His Legal Costs” by Bobby Blanchard for Dallas Morning News

Washington: “Union Settles Over Campaign Finance Omissions” by Jordan Schrader (Tacoma News Tribune) for The Olympian

Ethics

“How Bob McDonnell’s Case Might Help Others Accused of Public Corruption” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

“U.S. Navy Commander Pleads Guilty in Corruption Scandal” by Marty Graham for Reuters

Tennessee: “Tennessean Investigation Finds Inappropriate Text Messages” by Dave Boucher and Jill Cowan for The Tennessean

Virginia: “Alexandria Council Agrees to Study Ethics Its Own Way” by Patricia Sullivan for Washington Post

Elections

“Cruz Edges Trump in Iowa Caucuses; Rubio Finishes Strong Third” by Philip Rucker and Jenna Johnson for Washington Post

“Little Separates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton in Tight Race in Iowa” by Patrick Healy for New York Times

State and Federal Communications is hiring for the position of Research Associate. Reporting to the Research Manager, Research Associates use independent judgment and discretion to maintain and expand online publications in the areas of lobbying, campaign finance, and procurement law. There are excellent opportunities for advancement to assist corporate clients with lobbying compliance in states and municipalities. A clear understanding of the importance of deadlines and absolute accuracy are required. This is a great opportunity to join a distinctive organization offering professional growth opportunities. Applicants must possess a JD academic degree and have exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

State and Federal Communications offers a competitive salary and benefit package including company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, FSA plan, a generous annual PTO benefit, company-paid parking, and professional development. To be considered, email cover letter, resume, references, and salary requirements to hr@stateandfed.com.

County commissioners, by a unanimous vote, approved an ordinance requiring lobbyists to register and pay a yearly $50 fee. Under the previous law, lobbyists simply had to sign a registry each time they appeared to lobby.

The new law requires the lobbyist to declare who they represent, what topics they will be discussing, and with whom they are meeting. The ordinance also increases the fines for violations and increases the time lobbying privileges are suspended for repeat offenders. The definition of lobbying is also expanded to include indirect communication through emails or text messages.

The county will hold training for lobbyists in August covering the changes.

National:

Groups Decrying ‘Dark Money’ Use Shadowy Money Themselves
Center for Public Integrity – Liz Essley Whyte | Published: 1/14/2016

A number of groups that advocate against anonymous donations in politics are themselves responsible for putting money into elections that cannot be traced, often hidden under layers of opaque networks. The organizations either gave to ballot measure campaigns, paid for messages about candidates, or gave to PACs. But many of the groups identified by the Center for Public Integrity said they already exceed what the law requires by disclosing at least some of their donors. Some relied on an argument that opponents of disclosure raise regularly: their donors could face hostility or mistreatment if the public knew the donors’ identities.

State Legislatures Tweak Lobbying Rules as Influence Industry Targets Their Capitols
Washington Post – Catherine Ho | Published: 1/7/2016

Legislatures around the country are enacting new rules to regulate lobbying. Many focus on disclosure as states seek to better define who lobbyists are and what they are allowed to do. The new rules are not expected to dramatically change the lobbying landscape in any of the states, but they do signify a movement by governments to tweak, improve, and clarify rules for lobbyists at a time that many hotly contested lobbying fights, such as those over gun laws, are progressing more quickly in state capitals than they are in Congress.

Federal:

Carson Campaign in Turmoil as Finance Chair Quits
Politico – Kyle Cheney | Published: 1/14/2016

Ben Carson’s presidential campaign was shaken by another high-profile resignation, with finance Chairperson Dean Parker leaving amid scrutiny over his grip on the campaign’s fundraising operation and the perception he has benefited improperly from campaign spending. From chartered flights to investments in ineffective paper mailers in early voting states, decisions made by staff have raised questions in recent months about whether the campaign is spending its money wisely. The resignation comes after it was reported that Parker was paying himself a salary of $20,000 per month, which is unusually high for such a position.

From the States and Municipalities:

Florida – Miami Beach Commissioners Unanimously Pass Stricter Campaign Finance Laws
Miami Herald – Joey Flechas | Published: 1/13/2016

Miami Beach commissioners approved more stringent campaign finance laws after last year’s controversy about the role of special-interest money in local politics. Commissioners and candidates will no longer be able to solicit PAC contributions from lobbyists and vendors who have city contracts. The law also prohibits indirect solicitations, such as a third party asking lobbyists and vendors on behalf of candidates and elected officials.

Florida – Perry Violated Ethics Laws in Lobbying Scott on Medicaid Dental Provider
PoliticoFlorida – Marc Caputo | Published: 1/14/2016

Though Florida law says “a person may not lobby an agency [of state government] until such person has registered as a lobbyist,” Rick Perry did not do that when he met with Gov. Rick Scott, a top staffer, and the head of the Agency for Health Care Administration. The meeting was left off of Scott’s official daily schedule, which was updated hours later after a reporter inquired about it. It took Perry a few more hours to register as a lobbyist for MCNA Dental as questions were raised about whether he was following the law. The meeting was set up by Southern Strategy Group, a lobbying firm that represents MCNA Dental, to discuss legislation that would eliminate dental services from the list of health care services that managed care plans are required to offer beneficiaries.

Maine – Maine Governor Blames Media for Racially Charged Language Dust-Up
CNN – Gregory Krieg | Published: 1/8/2016

Maine Gov. Paul LePage apologized for his remark about out-of-state drug dealers impregnating “young white” girls, calling it a slip of the tongue and saying he did not mean to inject race into discussion of Maine’s heroin epidemic. LePage blamed reporters for unfairly focusing on the slip-up in which he described the drug dealers as “guys with the name D-Money, Smoothie, Shifty” and added, “Half the time they impregnate a young white girl before they leave.”

Massachusetts – Dispute Over State Senator’s Dirty Laundry Raises Questions
Boston Globe – Andrea Estes | Published: 1/12/2016

The former owner of Woodlawn Cleaners said Massachusetts Sen. Brian Joyce received tens of thousands of dollars in free dry cleaning services over the course of a decade. Jerry Richman said he offered to clean Joyce’s clothes for free when Joyce was running for state Senate in 1997, but there was no formal or written agreement. Joyce’s attorneys say the free dry cleaning was in exchange for legal services provided by the Joyce over the years. Ethics experts said public officials in Massachusetts should not accept any services worth more than $50. Even if he traded legal services for the dry cleaning, he would have to keep records to show he did not receive a net benefit of $50 or more. Joyce has acknowledged there is no written record of the dry-cleaning-for-legal services arrangement and he cannot remember when it began.

Massachusetts – Walsh Reverses Course, to Back Lobbying Rules
Boston Globe – Andrew Ryan and Mark Arsenault | Published: 1/9/2016

Boston Mayor Martin Walsh said he will propose regulations for municipal lobbyists that could for the first time require public disclosure of their efforts to influence development, contracts, and permits. Walsh’s announcement comes after The Boston Globe reported how a childhood friend and former law partner of the city’s top lawyer leveraged his personal relationships for introductions and access to key administration officials. Walsh said the reform will be modeled on state lobbying laws, which require lobbyists to disclose their clients, the matters on which they are lobbying, and their compensation.

Missouri – House Approves Ethics Package Including Rowden Proposal Limiting Lobbying
Columbia Tribune – Rudi Keller | Published: 1/14/2016

The Missouri House passed four ethics bills despite objections that the bills were too weak and too narrowly drafted. The package limits officials’ ability to lobby after leaving office, ban work as a political consultant while in office, and require more frequent reporting of personal finance and out-of-state trips. Under one bill, lawmakers and statewide officials elected this year and appointed officials confirmed by the Senate would have to wait one year after leaving office before working as a lobbyist. Officials who leave office before the end of their term would have to wait until the end of the term before the one-year waiting period begins. Another bill would require a report within one month when an official accepts a trip paid by a third party.

Montana – New Campaign Finance Rules Take Effect in Montana
Billings Gazette; Associated Press –   | Published: 1/8/2016

New campaign finance rules took effect in Montana recently. The regulations for a law passed last year aim to make campaigns more transparent after the Citizens United decision that allowed corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money in elections. That ruling has given rise to independent expenditures made by social welfare groups that do not report their donors or spending. Now, groups registered as social welfare or issue advocacy organizations will have to make those disclosures if they produce advertisements or other electioneering communications that mention an election or a candidate, or use a candidate’s image.

New York – New York’s Ethics Rule Could Infringe on Free Speech, Experts Say
Crain’s New York Business – Rosa Goldensohn | Published: 1/13/2016

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics updated an advisory opinion to say that communication between public relations consultants and the press on public policy should count as lobbying. If a consultant has input into the content of such a message and helps to deliver it, that consultant would apparently be a lobbyist under the new rules. The advisory opinion also includes provisions that would require consultants who connect clients with lawmakers to register as lobbyists.

Pennsylvania – City Campaign Finance Limits Increased
Philadelphia Inquirer – Claudia Vargas | Published: 1/11/2016

The Philadelphia Board of Ethics announced that campaign contribution limits have increased for the next four years. Candidates for city office may now accept up to $3,000 from an individual contributor per calendar year, up from the previous $2,900 limit. They may also accept up to $11,900 from groups or businesses, up from the prior $11,500 cap.

Pennsylvania – Struggling Philadelphia Inquirer Is Donated to Nonprofit in Groundbreaking Deal
Washington Post – Fred Barbash | Published: 1/12/2016

H.F. Lenfest, the owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Daily News, and Philly.com, announced he had donated the publications to a newly formed nonprofit journalism institute. The publications will continue to run independently. The new ownership structure comes as daily newspapers contend with falling circulation and dwindling advertising dollars, and many have sought new business models and new revenue sources to combat the decline. “My goal is to ensure that the journalism traditionally provided by the printed newspapers is given a new life and prolonged, while new media formats for its distribution are being developed,” said Lenfest.

West Virginia – Proposed Changes to State Ethics Act Divide Lawmakers
Charleston Gazette – Phil Kabler | Published: 1/11/2016

West Virginia lawmakers on the joint House and Senate Judiciary Committee were divided on two ethics reform bills. That included proposed legislation that would ban registered lobbyists from contributing to campaigns for statewide elected officials or for legislators, with some lawmakers concerned about loopholes in the proposal. Several noted the bill would ban lobbyists and their spouses from making campaign contributions, but does not prohibit the lobbyists’ employers from contributing, or bar lobbyists from hosting fundraisers.

Wisconsin – Elections Board Says Parties Must Report Corporate Donations
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel – Patrick Marley | Published: 1/12/2016

The Government Accountability Board (GAB) shifted from its stance that Wisconsin’s new campaign finance laws do not require political parties and legislative campaign committees to disclose contributions from corporations. The board unanimously adopted a motion requiring the parties and committees to report such contributions as well as how they spend the money. GAB Director Kevin Kennedy said board staff incorrectly told people the law did not mandate such disclosures. A section of the new law allows corporations to donate up to $12,000 to political parties and campaign committees controlled by legislative leaders. The parties and the committees are limited to spending that money on administrative expenses. They cannot spend the money on expressly advocating for a candidate or pass it on to a candidate.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.