May 9, 2012 •
Today’s Redistricting News Roundup
We have news on redistricting issues from four states:
Alaska: “High court to hear redistricting petition” by The Associated Press in The Anchorage Daily News.
Kansas: “GOP redistricting fight could mean courts make final decision” by John Hanna (Associated Press) in the Lawrence Journal World.
North Carolina: “Redistricting sets stage for fall elections” by Emery Dalesio (Associated Press) in the Winston-Salem Journal.
Washington: “Supreme Court upholds state redistricting plan” by Warren Kagarise in the Issaquah Press.
March 9, 2012 •
Legislative Session News
Five state legislatures report end to sessions
ARKANSAS: The fiscal session of the Arkansas General Assembly adjourned at noon on Friday, March 9, 2012.
OREGON: The Oregon Legislative Assembly has adjourned sine die for the 2012 regular session on March 5.
UTAH: The 2012 general session of the Utah State Legislature adjourned sine die on March 8, ending on its 45th day, the last permitted by the Constitution for annual general sessions. Governor Gary Herbert has until March 28 to sign or veto bills presented to him by the legislature.
WASHINGTON: The 2012 regular session of the Washington State Legislature adjourned sine die on March 8, 2012. Governor Gregoire has called for a special session to begin on March 12, 2012 to address a supplemental budget plan.
WYOMING: The State of Wyoming Legislature adjourned sine die on March 8. Governor Matt Mead has until March 26 to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk.
Many thanks to our terrific Research Department for this update!
February 17, 2012 •
Redistricting News Roundup
Here is today’s redistricting news from the states:
Arizona: “Arizona House Speaker wants June special election on redistricting” by Mary Jo Pitzl in The Arizona Republic.
Florida: “Gov. Rick Scott signs off on new congressional districts” by Brandon Larrabee in the Miami Herald.
“With redistricting lawsuit looming, legislators want immunity” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Tampa Bay Times.
“House redistricting tweaks quietly put U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams in her preferred district” by Mark K. Matthews and Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.
Maryland: “Alternative redistricting plans stalled” by Danielle E. Gaines in the Gaithersburg Gazette.
Missouri: “Missouri Supreme Court examines new US House districts” by Chris Blank in the Kansas City Star.
New York: “Senate redistricting proposal comes under fire” by Aaron Besecker in The Buffalo News.
“Judge calls for ‘special master’ to redraw state legislative and congressional district boundaries” by Kenneth Lovette in the New York Daily News.
Washington: “Secretary of state asking justices to approve redistricting plan” byThe Associated Press in The Seattle Times.
Wisconsin: “Court issues stern order in state redistricting” by Scott Bauer in the Green Bay Press Gazette.
“Federal judges slam GOP lawmakers over redistricting secrecy” by Patrick Marley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
January 17, 2012 •
Proposed Ballot Initiative Seeks to Reduce Role of Corporate Money in D.C. Politics
Initiative Could Appear on November Ballot
A former D.C. council candidate and a ward commissioner are submitting a ballot measure which would ban corporate contributions to electoral campaigns if approved by voters this November.
The summary of the initiative states that it will restore the public trust by eliminating the outsized influence corporate money has in D.C. government and elections by prohibiting direct contributions from corporations to elected officials and candidates for public office. The measure would align D.C. with federal law, which bans direct corporate contributions to public officials and candidates.
Proponents of the measure need to collect over 22,000 signatures from registered voters within six months for it to appear on the November ballot.
January 11, 2012 •
Follow Washington State Public Policy Issues on SCOUT
Washington’s public affairs network is offering a new service.
Take a look at this news item on NCSL’s blog, The Thicket: “TVW Introduces SCOUT” by Jan Goehring.
According to the post: “TVW, the Washington state public affairs network, is offering an innovative service to citizens who want to follow public policy issues and the legislative process. This new tool, called SCOUT, allows the public to easily keep track of issues. SCOUT will track video and bill information and automatically send it to those who open a free account.”
You can find the link to TVW here, and find out more about SCOUT at this link.
Photo of the Washington State Capitol dome by Tradnor on Wikipedia.
January 10, 2012 •
Washington House Committee on State Government and Tribal Affairs to Discuss House Bill 1474
Makes Electronic Lobbyist Filing Mandatory
The Washington House of Representatives, Committee on State Government and Tribal Affairs, has scheduled a public hearing for January 11, 2012 and a possible executive session for January 12, 2012 to discuss House Bill 1474 which would make electronic filing of lobbying reports mandatory.
It would also create new fees associated with electronic filings by lobbyists, lobbyist employers, and PACs.
If passed by both chambers and signed by the governor, changes will be effective July 1, 2012.
Photo of the Washington House of Representatives Chamber by Cacophony on Wikipedia.
December 30, 2011 •
9th Circuit Strikes Down PAC Contribution Blackout Period
Upholds Donor Disclosure Requirements
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit has invalidated a Washington state law that prevented individuals from making contributions of more than $5,000 to PACs supporting ballot measures during the three weeks prior to an election.
The blackout period on contributions was challenged in a lawsuit filed by Family PAC, a political action committee that was formed to oppose Washington’s domestic partnership law.
While Family PAC was successful on the merits in challenging the blackout period, it was unsuccessful in its challenge to laws requiring PACs to report the name and address of anyone who contributes more than $25, and the occupation and employer of those who make contributions in excess of $100.
December 29, 2011 •
Washington State Redistricting Commission Releases Plan
Big changes coming to U.S. House district map
The Washington State Redistricting Commission has released a plan for a new map of congressional districts for the state. It must be approved by the Commission by January 1, 2012.
For full news coverage read:
“New Washington map creates competitive district” by Aaron Blake in the Washington Post.
“Radical changes in U.S. House district boundaries” by Joel Connelly in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
“Deal reached on new Washington congressional districts” by Mike Baker in the Seattle Times.
August 26, 2011 •
Washington P.D.C. Selects New Director
Andrea McNamara Doyle to Replace Interim Director Doug Ellis
Andrea McNamara Doyle has been selected to be the new director of the Washington Public Disclosure Commission.
Doyle, who has previous experience as a government manager and legislative staff attorney, was chosen from 71 applicants after a several month search.
She will replace interim director Doug Ellis who is retiring from the agency later this year.
February 24, 2011 •
U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Appeal Challenging Washington’s Campaign Finance Disclosure Law
Ninth Circuit Court Decision Upheld
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Human Life of Washington challenging Washington’s campaign finance disclosure law. The Supreme Court let stand without comment a Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that upheld the state’s disclosure requirements for political committees, independent expenditures and political advertising.
Human Life of Washington challenged the requirements as a violation of its free-speech rights, as it sought to keep donors in a 2008 campaign opposing an assisted-suicide ballot measure confidential. The group argued that it was not required to register as a political-action committee and disclose donors because its advertisements did not specifically reference the ballot measure.
Photo of the U.S. Supreme Court by UpstateNYer on Wikipedia.
February 2, 2011 •
Washington Bill Requires Electronic Filing of Lobbyist Reports and Increased Fees
House Bill 1474, introduced before the Washington Legislature, seeks to make electronic filing of lobbyist and lobbyist employer reports mandatory by July 1, 2012.
The bill creates a new electronic filing system funded by both an initial fee charged to registered lobbyists and lobbyist employers in 2011 and an annual fee collected thereafter.
The bill states that the increased fees are required for data development costs and the purchase and maintenance of computer hardware and software associated with the new system.
Photo of the Washington State Capitol by Bluedisk on Wikipedia.
October 7, 2010 •
Court Keeps Washington Campaign Spending Limit in Place
Court of Appeals Issues Stay of Decision Declaring Washington Law Limiting Late Campaign Spending Unconstitutional
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the decision in Family PAC v. McKenna, et al. which declared a Washington law limiting campaign contributions in the final weeks of ballot measure campaigns unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton ruled last month that the Washington limit is an unconstitutional infringement on political speech. Late Tuesday, a panel of Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judges blocked that ruling from taking effect while the state appeals.
The three-judge panel wrote “Washington and its voters have a significant interest in preventing the State’s long-standing campaign finance laws from being upended by the courts so soon before the upcoming election.” The Court also considered that Family PAC had failed to identify any contributions greater than $5000 that it expected to receive in the event the law would be overturned and appeared not to be participating in the upcoming general election, mitigating any harm that may come from the stay of the ruling. Family PAC was created shortly after last year’s legal deadline for large campaign contributions had passed. The committee said it had an offer for a large donation to finance political ads but could not accept the money because of the state law.
September 27, 2010 •
News You Can Use from Washington
The BIAW Receives a Fine.
The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) was fined $548,000 by the state Attorney General’s office for violating the state’s campaign finance disclosure law. The fine is for $584,527 in undisclosed funds that went to the campaign against Gov. Christine Gregoire.
Here is the source article: “For Conservative BIAW, a $548,000 Fine,” by Joel Connelly in the Seattle Post Intelligencer on September 24.
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