July 25, 2012 •
Virginia Special Elections Set for September 4
Timing will allow new senator and delegate time to prepare for 2013 session
Governor Bob McDonnell has set September 4, 2012 as the date of a special election to fill the seats for Senate District 5 and House District 45. The District 5 seat was previously held by the late Senator Yvonne Miller, who passed away July 3, 2012. The District 45 seat is currently held by Delegate David Englin, who announced his resignation effective August 31, 2012.
Governor McDonnell stated in his press release that the timing of the special election will allow the new senator and delegate adequate time to prepare for the 2013 legislative session, as well as allow time to hold a subsequent special election if needed.
June 29, 2012 •
Last Minute Campaign Finance Headlines before the Weekend
Let’s wrap up the work week with this campaign finance news roundup:
“Va. appeals court affirms campaign finance law” by Larry O’Dell in CBS News.
“Former DeLay aide pleads guilty in campaign finance case” by Laylan Copelin the Austin Statesman.
“Conservative Super Pacs turn to social media and internet to expand reach” by Ed Pilkington and Amanda Michel in the Guardian.
“Funny-named political committees are proliferating” by Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.
June 11, 2012 •
Virginia Launches New Lobbyist Disclosure System
Replaces previous online system
The secretary of the commonwealth’s office launched a new online lobbyist disclosure system Monday, June 11, 2012. The new system, available here, replaces the previous online filing system.
Lobbyists will use the account they created for the new registration system last month to access the online disclosure system. The new system allows lobbyists to sign their disclosure form electronically, and does not require a hard-copy signature follow-up.
The secretary of the commonwealth’s office strongly encourages lobbyists to file their disclosure statements electronically rather than mailing a hard copy.
on Virginia.gov
A new electronic lobbyist registration is now available for the Commonwealth of Virginia. All lobbyists, including those already registered for 2012-2013, will need to create a new account on the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Lobbyist Registration Portal and complete a new lobbyist registration.
New accounts must be activated through the confirmation e-mail sent from the state.
Lobbyists will also receive a confirmation e-mail when their electronic registration has been approved by the state.
April 23, 2012 •
Campaign Finance in the News
Here is an opinion piece about Citizens United. Blogs as paid political platforms – California’s FPPC may require disclosure of the payments to political blogs. Also, Virginia successfully meets its first electronic filing deadline:
Federal: “How to Beat Citizens United” by E.J. Dionne, Jr. in The Washington Post.
Arkansas: “Arkansas attorney general certifies ballot wording for item on lobbying, campaign finance” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
California: “State political watchdog chair wants bloggers to reveal payments” by Brian Joseph in the Orange County Register.
California: “California ethics czar urges disclosure of payments to Web pundits” by Patrick McGreevey in the Los Angeles Times.
California: “California looks to crack down on political bloggers paid by campaigns” by Jim Sanders in The Sacramento Bee.
Virginia: “New Electronic Campaign Filing Lauded in Virginia” by The Associated Press in Governing.
March 26, 2012 •
Virginia Legislature Convenes Again
Special session to continue budget debate
Lawmakers began the 2012 Special Session I last week to consider budget bills including a two-year, $85 billion proposal.
The special session was convened immediately upon adjournment sine die of the 2012 regular session, but was in recess until Wednesday, March 21st.
The House and Senate adjourned in the afternoon on March 21st and will again convene this afternoon on Monday, March 26th to continue the special session.
No person or PAC may make or promise to make a contribution to a member of the general assembly, the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, or their campaign committees, during the annual regular session of the general assembly. This ban does not apply to contributions during special sessions.
Photo of the Virginia State Capitol by Amadeust on Wikipedia.
March 12, 2012 •
State Legislative Sessions Update
Four state legislatures report end to sessions
FLORIDA: The 2012 session of the Florida legislature adjourned on Friday, March 9th. Governor Rick Scott now has 15 days to sign or veto legislation, or the legislation will become law without his signature. Additionally, Governor Scott has called the legislature back to Tallahassee for a special session, set to begin Wednesday, March 14th. The session is slated to deal with the Florida Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the legislature’s redistricting plan for the state Senate.
INDIANA: Lawmakers concluded the 2012 legislative session at nearly 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 10th.
VIRGINIA: The General Assembly concluded the 2012 legislative session on Saturday, March 10, 2012. The assembly introduced 2,875 bills during the 60-day legislative session. Nearly 1,600 passed, and the Governor has already signed over 200 into law.
WEST VIRGINIA: The legislature of West Virginia adjourned sine die shortly before midnight on Saturday, March 10, 2012. The legislature then reconvened shortly thereafter on Sunday, March 11, 2012, to begin work on the 2012 extended budget session.
February 7, 2012 •
State Legislatures in the News
Legislative sessions and other news items today from state Legislatures:
Alabama: “Alabama lawmakers return for 2012 regular session” by Bob Johnson (Associated Press) in the Montgomery Advertiser.
Arizona: “Monday is deadline to introduce bills in AZ House” by The Associated Press in the Arizon Capitol Times.
California: “Initiative would make Legislature part time, slash its pay” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.
“California Legislators Turn in Keys to their Cars” by Karl Kurtz on NCSL’s blog The Thicket.
Oklahoma: “Okla. State Legislature Begins 2012 Session” by Homa Quazilbash on KTUL.com
Oregon: “Oregon Politics: Legislative session starts with big concepts and some lawmakers under scrutiny” by Jeff Mapes in The Oregonian
Virginia: “Va. legislators accepted $246,000 in gifts last year” by Anita Kumar in the Washington Post.
January 20, 2012 •
Redistricting News across the Nation
The U.S. Supreme Court threw out the Texas redistricting plans created by a federal court and calls for new plans, plus more redistricting news from the states:
Idaho
“Attorney General: Redistricting Commissioners can’t be fired” in the Spokesman-Review.
Kentucky
“Beshear Signs Redistricting Bill, Decries Process” by Phillip M. Bailey from the WFPL News.
Here is opinion piece by Kentucky Rep. Kelly Flood: “Senate redistricting ‘a display of arrogance, bullying‘” from the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Texas
“Justices’ Texas Redistricting Ruling Likely to Help G.O.P.” by Adam Liptak in the New York Times.
“Supreme Court throws out Texas election maps” by James Vicini on Reuters.
“Supreme Court sides with Texas on redistricting plan” by Robert Barnes in the Washington Post.
Virginia
“Virginia Senate narrowly passes GOP-backed congressional redistricting bill” by The Associated Press in the Washington Post.
“Senate approves GOP congressional redistricting plan” by Jim Nolan in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
August 19, 2011 •
We Cover New Jurisdictions
In a continuing effort to better serve the needs of its clients, State and Federal Communications, Inc. is expanding coverage of laws and regulations in more municipalities.
We now provide information on lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying for:
Chandler, Arizona
Fort Collins, Colorado
New Haven, Connecticut
Stamford, Connecticut
Chesapeake, Virginia
August 15, 2011 •
Two New Jurisdictions Added
In a continuing effort to better serve the needs of its clients, State and Federal Communications, Inc. is expanding coverage of laws and regulations in more municipalities.
We now provide information on lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying for:
Hampton, Virginia
Hollywood, Florida
August 1, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 1, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Crossroads GPS, Priorities USA Violate Tax Laws, Reform Groups Allege in IRS Petition
Oregon Congressman, Named in Sex Case, to Resign
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Bob Riley’s PAC Admits Taking PAC-to-PAC Donation in Violation of Law Riley Pushed
California
Judge Ready to Strike down San Jose Law Barring Last-Minute Campaign Contributions
District of Columbia
D.C. Council Member Thomas to Repay D.C. $300,000
Florida
Judge Hears Challenge to Florida Campaign Law
Florida
Press Group in Talks to Take Over State Lobbyist Registration
Georgia
Ethics Commission Could See Major Reorganization
Illinois
Emanuel Ethics Reforms Back on Track at City Council
Massachusetts
GOP’s Winslow Uses On-line Coupon to Promote Fundraiser
New York
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz Fined $20,000 for Taking Free Foreign Trips for His Wife
Rhode Island
Twenty Politicians Owe $800,000 in Election Fines
Tennessee
Some Advocacy Avoids Tennessee Lobbying Label
Virginia
For Virginia Companies, Campaign Donations to Lawmakers Just another Cost of Doing Business
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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
February 28, 2011 •
Virginia General Assembly Adjourns; Immediately Calls Special Session
Sine Die Adjournment in Virginia Followed by Special Session for Redistricting
The Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die on Sunday, February 27, 2011, one day after the originally scheduled sine die adjournment date. The Legislature voted to extend the session in order to finish work on the state budget. This is the sixth time in the last twelve years the Legislature has needed to extend the adjournment date, which includes having adjourned one day later than scheduled in 2010 as well.
Following adjournment, the General Assembly entered into a special session in order to consider drawing new legislative maps in response to the release of the 2010 Census numbers. The special session was immediately recessed until April 4, 2011.
Photo of the Virginia Capitol by Amadeust on Wikipedia.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
