January 13, 2016 • Written by Jonathan Spontarelli

See You at the National Grassroots Conference in Orlando!

What grassroots activities are you involved in? Did you know that reporting your grassroots activities in one state or municipality doesn’t mean that you are required to do so in another? Failure to report if it is required could cause […]

January 13, 2016 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday Government Relations News

Lobbying California: “Police Union Consultant May Still Be Lobbying for POA” by Jonah Owen Lamb for San Francisco Examiner West Virginia: “Proposed Changes to State Ethics Act Divide Lawmakers” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette Campaign Finance “Undisclosed Dollars Dominate […]

January 8, 2016 • Written by Jonathan Spontarelli

News You Can Use Digest – January 8, 2016

National: National Liberal Groups to Push ‘Record’ Number of 2016 Ballot Measures Center for Public Integrity – Liz Essley Whyte | Published: 1/6/2016 Liberal groups working at the national level are using state ballot initiatives as their weapon of choice in […]

National:

National Liberal Groups to Push ‘Record’ Number of 2016 Ballot Measures
Center for Public Integrity – Liz Essley Whyte | Published: 1/6/2016

Liberal groups working at the national level are using state ballot initiatives as their weapon of choice in 2016, but given the costs, they are carefully planning exactly where to push these measures. That top-down approach seems ironic. The initiative process was put in place at the beginning of the 20th century as a way for local citizens to band together to pass laws. And voters may not be aware that national groups are helping fuel the ballot fights in their backyards. Still, national liberal leaders see state ballot measures as their best option for winning on some issues. National conservative groups, meanwhile, seem poised to play defense, setting up a battle of outsiders on state playing fields.

Federal:

For Hillary Clinton, Old News or New Troubles?
Washington Post – Karen Tumulty and Frances Stead Sellers | Published: 1/6/2016

Donald Trump’s focus on the scandal that almost derailed Bill Clinton’s presidency is something Hillary Clinton’s campaign long expected. What remains to be seen is whether a reminder of allegations of sexual impropriety against President Clinton, which were deemed to have varying levels of credibility when they were first aired, can gain new traction in a different context. The fresher case being made is that Hillary Clinton has been, at a minimum, hypocritical about her husband’s treatment of women, and possibly even complicit in discrediting his accusers. And it is being pressed at a time when there is a new sensitivity toward victims of unwanted sexual contact.

How Obama Failed to Shut Washington’s Revolving Door
Politico – Josh Gerstein | Published: 12/31/2015

Barack Obama’s vow to end the “revolving door” in Washington was central to the narrative animating his 2008 campaign: a promise of wholesale change to business as usual. But seven years into Obama’s presidency, the “revolving door” shuttling officials out of his administration is spinning at a rapid clip, and he has seen his campaign promise founder against the deeply ingrained culture of selling government expertise in the nation’s capital. “They were overpromising on something they could never deliver – it’s worse than doing nothing,” said Melanie Sloan, former executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

Marco Rubio’s Shiny Boots Stir Up the Presidential Race
New York Times – Vanessa Friedman | Published: 1/7/2016

Are they a surprisingly fashionable choice of footwear (One Direction’s Harry Styles is said to have a similar pair) or a less generously termed set of “men’s high-heeled booties?” The political and fashion world have been set atwitter since New York Times reporter Michael Barbaro spotted U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio “rocking some seriously fashionable black boots” in New Hampshire. The fashion choice had become a target of ribbing from his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination. “We’ve seen Rubio has those cute new boots and I don’t want to be outdone,” U.S. Sen. Rand Paul said, while surrounded by shelves of shoes in Whoopi Goldberg’s dressing room before an appearance on “The View.”

From the States and Municipalities:

Colorado – Colorado Ethics Commission Has No Investigators, Little Authority
Denver Post – Joey Bunch | Published: 1/4/2016

The Colorado Independent Ethics Commission is struggling to do its work for lack of authority, resources, and money, say critics who include former administrators. The commission has declined to hear about 87 percent of the complaints it has received since it was created in 2006. Unless a public official or government employee received a gift worth more than $53 or seeks a job as a lobbyist, there is little else the commission concerns itself with. Nonetheless, there is a proposed ballot question for next year to extend the commission’s narrow authority over public employees to the judicial system.

Florida – Painful Lessons for a Troubled Florida Legislature
Tampa Bay Times – Steve Bousquet | Published: 1/5/2016

In a year that was defined by dysfunction at the Florida Capitol, the House violated the state constitution by shutting its doors prematurely. Senators later admitted they defied the will of the people by drawing districts to save their own careers at the expense of fair districts that the constitution demands. Sharply divided over whether to expand health care, lawmakers nearly failed to execute their one prescribed duty, passing a budget. Three special sessions later, as unresolved legal skirmishes over redistricting still reverberated in the courts, lawmakers were vilified as arrogant and out of touch, and some said they deserved it. Lawmakers, lobbyists, and observers see systemic problems that are bad for democracy.

Kentucky – Prosecutor Urges Vigilance against Legislative Corruption
Fresno Bee – Bruce Schreiner (Associated Press) | Published: 1/6/2016

Preet Bharara, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan who recently secured the convictions of two top New York lawmakers, said the blame for corruption lies not only with bad actors but also with the “good people” who do not try to stop it. Bharara’s speech at the Kentucky General Assembly’s annual ethics training was his first before a full state Legislature. It came at the request of Kentucky officials. During an address that lasted about 45 minutes, Bharara drew occasional laughter, nodding approval, and gasps of disbelief, particularly when he quoted wiretapped phone conversations and other evidence from recent public corruption trials.

Maine – Clinton Donors Use Maine Democrats to Skirt Campaign Cash Limits
Ellsworth American – Naomi Schalit (Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting) | Published: 1/7/2016

Fourteen out-of-state donors gave $93,552 to the Maine Democratic Party since mid-September 2015. But all the contributions have not stayed in Maine, or any of the other state Democratic parties to which Hillary Victory Fund donations have been funneled. FEC reports show two transfers totaling $39,000 from the Hillary Victory Fund to the Maine Democratic Party each sat for less than 48 hours with the party before the exact same amounts were transferred to the Democratic National Committee (DNC). While individual contributions to the state and national parties are capped, transfers between state and national committees are unlimited. That means that, effectively, donors can skirt contribution limits to the DNC or state parties by giving through joint fundraising committees like the Hillary Victory Fund.

Michigan – Gov. Rick Snyder Signs Campaign Finance Bill Locals Say Amounts to a ‘Gag Order’
MLive.com – Emily Lawler | Published: 1/6/2016

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill that prohibits public money or resources from being used to disseminate information about local ballot measures through television and radio ads, mass mailings, or “robo-calls” in the 60 days before an election. Local officials said the law will keep voters in the dark about important issues because they no longer will receive unbiased educational materials in the two months prior to an election. Some Republicans who voted for the legislation said they did not realize its ramifications. Senate Bill 571 also bars companies from deducting union PAC contributions from employees’ paychecks while allowing deductions for corporate PACs, and requires political and independent committees to file annual reports, among other provisions.

Missouri – Bill Requires Reporting Sex between Lawmakers and Lobbyists on Ethics Forms
Columbia Tribune – Rudi Keller | Published: 1/6/2016

Lobbyists who have sex with a state lawmaker or their staff members would have to disclose it to the Missouri Ethics Commission under a new bill. House Bill 2059 defines sex between lobbyists and legislators as a gift. As such, sexual relations would have to be included on monthly lobbyist gift disclosure forms. The proposal excludes sex in marriage or a relationship that began before either party’s registration as a lobbyist, election to the Legislature, or employment on a legislative staff.

New Jersey – AG: Former Birdsall exec McFadden pleads guilty to misconduct
PolitickerNJ; Staff – | Published: 1/6/2016

Scott McFadden, former chief administrative officer of Birdsall Services Group, pleaded guilty to corporate misconduct in the criminal “pay-to-play” case. Under terms of a plea bargain, the state will recommend a sentence of up to 364 days in jail. McFadden also will be required to forfeit $30,000 to the state. The amount represents political contributions he made on behalf of Birdsall that were later reimbursed to him by the firm. The company pleaded guilty in 2013 to money laundering and making false representations for government contracts and was fined $1 million. The company was essentially crippled when the state froze its assets in the wake of the indictment, forcing Birdsall to file for bankruptcy. The company and its executives were accused of masking corporate political contributions to campaigns and political organizations that otherwise would disqualify it from receiving public contracts.

New York – Albany’s Businessman-Legislators Scoff at a Call to Make Lawmaking Full-Time
New York Times – Vivian Yee | Published: 1/5/2016

The list of lawyers, insurers, and full-time politicians in the New York Legislature is long, and outside income, as the money earned from non-legislative work is known, is at the crux of the corruption scandal that toppled the former speaker of the Assembly in November. Reformers say to clean up Albany, outside income must be capped or done away with. Some have gone even further, suggesting the Legislature, a part-time institution that pays its members $79,500 a year, should become full time with a commensurate salary. But legislators see no conflict between their business activities and lawmaking, and their contempt for Albany makes a full-time Legislature seem nonsensical.

New York – Setting Precedent, Conflict of Interest Board Settle with Mark-Viverito
Capital New York – Gloria Pazmino | Published: 1/6/2016

New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito will pay a $7,000 fine for breaking laws on taking gifts from lobbyists under a settlement with the Conflicts of Interest Board. Mark-Viverito admitted she ran afoul of the rules by taking free help from Scott Levenson and his consulting firm the Advance Group when she was running for speaker two years ago. Levenson, a registered lobbyist, and two staffers spent months working on Mark-Viverito’s bid for the top job, attending “kitchen cabinet” meetings to prepare her for debates with other speaker candidates and networking events. They also redesigned a flyer for a reception hosted in her honor and spent $1,796.44 to have 3,000 copies of it printed. Mark-Viverito was never billed for the work. Rules bar public officials from taking gifts worth more than $50 from people who do business with the city. And lobbyists are barred from giving any gifts to politicians.

Oregon – Uber Fined $2,000 for Violating Portland Lobbying Rules
Portland Oregonian – Brad Schmidt | Published: 1/5/2016

Portland City Auditor Mary Hull Caballero fined the Uber ride-hailing service $2,000 for violating lobbying regulations by not disclosing its ties to political consultant Mark Wiener. The city auditor’s office had sent warning letters to Mayor Charlie Hales and city Commissioner Steve Novick for meeting with Wiener and Uber officials without disclosing the contact, as required by the law. The meeting took place at Wiener’s home as the city council was considering whether to allow such companies to operate in Portland. Hull Caballero issued the maximum fine because she found Uber showed a pattern of noncompliance, noncooperation, and incomplete disclosures.

Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania Legislature Aims at Lobbying Overhaul; Reaction Mixed
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Kate Giammarise and Chris Potter | Published: 1/4/2016

As proposed by five Senate Republicans in Pennsylvania, a “Lobbyist Reform Package” includes six measures, among them: stricter reporting of gifts to state officials, increasing fines on lobbyists who violate such requirements, and requiring state officials to disclose when a spouse or other family member is a lobbyist. Another proposal would prohibit lobbyists from being paid to work on political campaigns or having financial ties to a consultant who does. Even some lobbyists say an overhaul is needed. But several insiders say elements of the package appear to be targeted at one firm, Long Nyquist and Associates, and two of its clients: United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, which represents state store workers, and the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

Jim Sedor 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.

December 23, 2015 • Written by Jonathan Spontarelli

See You in January

Lobby Comply is taking a holiday break. We’ll be back on Monday, January 4. Enjoy your holidays!

December 23, 2015 • Written by Allyson Smith

Happy Holidays!

We have many things for which we are thankful at State and Federal Communications. Before the day gets away from us, we would like to thank you for following Lobby Comply Blog. We’ve had a great year and look forward […]

December 22, 2015 • Written by Allyson Smith

The Guidebooks are on their way!

We are sending out the 2016 State and Federal Communications, Inc. Executive Source Guidebooks today! For all of our clients who receive them, they will arrive in early January. If you would like to know more about the Executive Source […]

December 22, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update

Lobbying Arizona: “Embattled Arizona Utility Regulator Decides to Quit” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star Missouri: “Andrew Blunt’s Lobbying Work Faces Scrutiny as He Manages Father’s Re-Election Bid” by Deirdre Shesgreen (USA Today) for Springfield News-Leader […]

December 21, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday News Roundup

Lobbying “Ethics Commission Supports New, Stricter Policy for Officials Receiving Jaguars Tickets” by Sebastian Kitchen for Florida Times-Union Campaign Finance “Political Groups Spend a Lot, See Scant Results in U.S. Race” by Grant Smith and Emily Flitter for Reuters New […]

December 18, 2015 • Written by Jonathan Spontarelli

News You Can Use Digest – December 18, 2015

National: State Integrity Investigation Brings Calls for Reform as Legislative Sessions Approach Center for Public Integrity – Nicholas Kusnetz | Published: 12/16/2015 The State Integrity Investigation is yielding calls for change from lawmakers, good-government advocates, and editorial boards across the country. […]

National:

State Integrity Investigation Brings Calls for Reform as Legislative Sessions Approach
Center for Public Integrity – Nicholas Kusnetz | Published: 12/16/2015

The State Integrity Investigation is yielding calls for change from lawmakers, good-government advocates, and editorial boards across the country. The investigation, published in November, is a data-driven ranking and assessment of each state’s transparency and anti-corruption measures conducted by the Center for Public Integrity and Global Integrity. No state earned better than a “C” grade. In several states, publication of poor grades coincided with ethics scandals that have prompted a growing number of political leaders to call for a transformation in how business is done in state capitals.

Why State Legislatures Are Still Pretty White
Governing – Teresa Wiltz | Published: 12/9/2015

The nation’s growing diversity is not reflected in state Legislatures. Nationwide, African-Americans, who make up 13 percent of the U.S. population, account for nine percent of state lawmakers. Latinos, who are 17 percent of the population, only account for five percent of legislators. Asian-Americans account for five percent of the population but only one percent of lawmakers. Research shows in local elections, voters tend to vote for candidates who look like them. That is a problem when a large proportion of minority voters are lumped together in a handful of districts. Such clustering increases the chances of there being at least a few minority lawmakers, but makes it less likely there will be very many of them. Another factor is few first- and second-generation immigrants can afford to get by on a part-time legislator’s salary, or have the kind of careers that will afford them the flexibility to serve in office.

Federal:

E.P.A. Broke Law with Social Media Push for Water Rule, Auditor Finds
New York Times – Eric Lipton and Michael Shea | Published: 12/14/2015

Congressional auditors say the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) broke the law on multiple occasions with “covert propaganda” in support of a controversial regulation that gives the agency power over smaller streams of water. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) said a pair of social media campaigns by the EPA in support of its “waters of the United States” rule broke laws that prohibit federal agencies from promoting or lobbying for their own actions. GAO faulted the EPA for using Thunderclap, a social media amplification tool, to recruit hundreds of Twitter users to tweet in support of the rule. It also said the EPA broke the law with a blog post that linked to two environmental groups’ pages urging readers to contact members of Congress to oppose legislation.

Spending Bill Bars IRS and Others from Forcing Political Disclosure
USA Today – Fredreka Schouten | Published: 12/16/2015

The omnibus spending bill passed by Congress would bar the IRS from completing regulations to define and potentially crack down on the political activities of nonprofit groups. The bill also would prohibit the Securities and Exchange Commission from trying to force public companies to disclose their political activities to shareholders and the public. If the spending measure becomes law, any new disclosure rules from either the IRS or federal securities regulators probably could not be completed before the end of President Obama’s term in office. As a practical matter, that appears to bar any new agency rules from taking effect before either the 2016 presidential election or the 2018 midterm elections.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – San Jose Council Votes to Tighten Lobbying Rules
San Jose Mercury News – Ramona Giwargis | Published: 12/15/2015

The San Jose City Council voted to approve a host of changes to strengthen the lobbying ordinance. San Jose nearly a decade ago adopted transparency laws amid public scrutiny over costly backroom deals at City Hall. The rules required lobbyists to register with the city, pay fees, and file quarterly reports showing who they are meeting with and why. Another policy required elected officials to publish their calendars online to show how they spend their time. But a review found hundreds of contacts reported by lobbyists did not show up on the politicians’ calendars. Mayor Sam Liccardo recommended that lobbyists file online weekly reports and specify whether an interaction with an elected official is in-person, by phone, or email.

Florida – Broward Commission Rewrites its Ethics Code, Allows $5 Gifts
South Florida Sun Sentinel – Brittany Wallman | Published: 12/9/2015

Broward County commissioners loosening a zero-tolerance gift ban to allow a five-dollar limit. The no gift rule had been criticized by city and county officials as too strict, a rule that kept them from accepting a free bottle of water at an event. Under the changes, gifts from lobbyists or vendors of non-alcoholic beverages are allowed. And gifts of any type from those sources are legal, if they are not worth more than five dollars. In addition, loopholes were added to allow elected officials to accept gifts given to express sympathy, offers of free training, and tickets to charitable events, if the official pays for any meal served there.

Missouri – How This Missouri Mega-Donor Is Making His Pet Projects Part of the 2016 Elections
Huffington Post – Paul Blumenthal | Published: 12/16/2015

Taking advantage of a campaign finance system that greatly empowers wealth, Rex Sinquefield has been able to become the most dominant single political force in the state. Since 2008, he has contributed at least $35 million to candidates, political parties, PACs, and ballot initiative campaigns. The contributions have helped to create an unprecedented Republican Party supermajority in the Legislature. Sinquefield’s donations to ballot initiative campaigns have succeeded in putting significant restrictions on taxes at the local level. But with Democrat Jay Nixon in control of the governor’s mansion, Sinquefield’s main agenda items of eliminating the state’s income tax, expanding charter schools and private school vouchers, and crushing labor union power by passing so-called right-to-work legislation have remained just out of reach.

Nevada – Sheldon Adelson Said to Be Buyer of Las Vegas Review-Journal
New York Times – Ravi Somaiya and Sydney Ember | Published: 12/16/2015

Sheldon Adelson, a billionaire casino magnate and Republican power broker, is behind the secret purchase of The Las Vegas Review-Journal, according to the newspaper. Speculation has mounted for days that Adelson was the primary backer of News + Media Capital Group, a secret group that acquired The Review-Journal and several local papers for $140 million. In the last presidential campaign, Adelson and his wife spent about $100 million, and the couple are expected to generously help whomever they endorse for president in 2016. Speculation turned to the political influence that Adelson could exert in his home state, a major presidential battleground in November 2016, and host to early Democratic and Republican nominating contests as well as a highly competitive U.S. Senate race.

New Mexico – Former New Mexico Secretary of State Prepares for Jail
Minneapolis Star Tribune – Morgan Lee (Associated Press) | Published: 12/16/2015

Former New Mexico Secretary of State Dianna Duran greed to a 30-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to charges involving the siphoning of money from her election account to fuel a gambling addiction. Under a plea agreement, Duran had the choice to withdraw her pleas but did not. She must pay a $14,000 fine, make restitution of nearly $14,000 to campaign donors, serve five years of probation, and perform 2,000 hours of community service. The sentence also involves in-person apologies to campaign donors and appearances before school children across the state.

New York – Cash Flows Freely in Albany: Laws lax on political fundraising
Poughkeepsie Journal – Jon Campbell | Published: 12/15/2015

Critics contend New York’s wealthy political donors pour money into the campaign accounts of high-powered government officials and are rewarded with access and influence in Albany. As part of a yearlong series, Gannett’s Albany Bureau has explored the intersection of politics and money in New York, examining its impact on public policy, from the $285.5 million spent on education lobbying since 2006 to the rise of public-relations firms working on elections and advocacy campaigns. But it is the state’s laws and limits on political fundraising that critics have long characterized as lax and insufficient. And reformers are hoping the back-to-back convictions of former Dean Skelos and Sheldon Silver may finally force Albany to act.

New York – Dean Skelos, Ex-New York Senate Leader, and His Son Are Convicted of Corruption
New York Times – William Rashbaum and Susanne Craig | Published: 12/11/2015

Former New York Sen. Dean Skelos and his son were convicted of charges they used the father’s position as majority leader to pressure companies to provide Adam Skelos with roughly $300,000 via consulting work, a no-show job, and a direct payment of $20,000. Dean Skelos had been one of the most powerful men in state government until his arrest this year, and his conviction – along with that of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver – will have repercussions beyond the courtroom. As in Silver’s case, the verdict resulted in Dean Skelos’s expulsion from the Legislature, where both men had served for more than three decades.

South Carolina – S.C. Attorney General’s Office Weighs in on Ethics Law, Possible Window into Prosecutors’ Public Corruption Probe
Charleston Post & Courier – David Slade, Doug Pardue, and Tony Bartelme | Published: 12/16/2015

Amid an ongoing public corruption probe, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson’s office issued an opinion that may hinder prosecutors’ efforts to crack down on ethics violators. The document argued courts would likely rule it is legal under the state’s ethics laws for lawmakers to steer lucrative campaign work to their own companies or those run by family members. The nonbinding opinion delves into the often ethical gray areas of how lawmakers spend campaign money and wield influence, a system that dispensed nearly $100 million since 2009, according to a recent investigation.

Utah – SLC Council Slashes Campaign Contribution Limits
Salt Lake Tribune – Christopher Smart | Published: 12/9/2015

The Salt Lake City Council cut the maximum contribution to a mayoral candidate from $7,500 to $3,500. It also reduced maximum donations to council candidates from $1,500 to $750. Those limits apply to individuals, corporations, nonprofits, and unions. The caps apply only to Salt Lake City. Utah state law contains no limits on campaign contributions.

Washington – Ethics Board Looks at Lawmakers’ Meal Limit
Seattle Times – Joseph O’Sullivan | Published: 12/3/2015

The Legislative Ethics Board (LEB) discussed how to proceed on the trickier elements of a rule that imposed a hard limit on how many free meals that state lawmakers may take from lobbyists. LEB members approved a motion stating there is no special exemption for industry groups such as the Washington Bankers Association, which may feed lawmakers attending functions such as a luncheon or forum. But that motion also stressed such forums likely fall within an existing exemption for lawmakers, and so probably would not count as one of the 12 meals. The rules and discussion follow a review by The Associated Press that found the state’s most active lobbyists had lavished hundreds of meals upon lawmakers, estimated at more than $65,000 in value, in the first four months of 2013.

Wisconsin – Scott Walker Signs Bills on Splitting GAB, Campaign Finance
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Patrick Marley and Jason Stein | Published: 12/16/2015

Gov. Scott Walker signed into law a bill that rewrites Wisconsin’s campaign finance statutes. He also approved legislation that eliminates the state Government Accountability Board and hands its duties over to two new agencies, the Elections Commission and the Ethics Commission. Those new bodies will take over July 1. The campaign finance changes include doubling the limit for individual contributions and eliminating a requirement that donors giving more than $100 identify their employer. It also allows, for the first time, corporate donations to political parties and legislative campaign committees.

Jim Sedor 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.

December 17, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday News Roundup

Lobbying California: “San Jose Council Votes to Tighten Lobbying Rules” by Ramona Giwargis for San Jose Mercury News Maine: “Maine Ethics Commission Fines Lobbyist Joel Allumbaugh” by Michael Shepherd (Bangor Daily News) for Maine Sun Journal Campaign Finance “Inside the […]

December 16, 2015 • Written by Allyson Smith

Our December Photo Scrapbook

Enjoy these fun photos from recent events! Recently we celebrated the company anniversaries of Emone Smith, Administrative Assistant; Michael Beckett, Esq., Research Manager; Beth Commings, Esq., Research Associate; and Joe May, Manager – Client Analytics. They are all assets to […]

December 16, 2015 • Written by Allyson Smith

Weather not Frightful – Compliance…That is Another Issue

Well the weather outside is frightful… That is how this column started but the weather has been unusually fabulous. So I re-wrote my column and am not going to discuss the weather…but something we all know more about. Registrations and […]

December 16, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday Government Relations News

Lobbying “E.P.A. Broke Law with Social Media Push for Water Rule, Auditor Finds” by Eric Lipton and Michael Shear for New York Times “A Revolving Door Helps Big Banks’ Quiet Campaign to Muscle out Fannie and Freddie” by Gretchen Morgenson […]

December 14, 2015 • Written by Allyson Smith

Monday News Roundup

Lobbying California: “Stricter Rules Proposed For Reporting ‘Payments To Influence’” by Ben Bradford on Capital Public Radio Campaign Finance “Campaign Finance Reform Explained With Cartoons” by Rio Tazewell in The Huffington Post “Romney super PAC fined” by Theodoric Meyer in […]

See You at the National Grassroots Conference in Orlando!

Wednesday Government Relations News

News You Can Use Digest – January 8, 2016

See You in January

Happy Holidays!

The Guidebooks are on their way!

Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update

Monday News Roundup

News You Can Use Digest – December 18, 2015

Thursday News Roundup

Our December Photo Scrapbook

Weather not Frightful – Compliance…That is Another Issue

Wednesday Government Relations News

Monday News Roundup

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