LOBBYISTS FILL VOID. RC. “The shift on Capitol Hill to centralize much of the major policymaking in leadership offices, as opposed to committees, along with a reduction in legislative staff and their salaries has helped propel the revolving door in recent years, says Timothy LaPira, a James Madison University professor.”
CT: LEGAL ACTION CONSIDERED. WTNH. ” Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, who is currently exploring a run for Governor, issued a statement Wednesday afternoon in reaction to the State Election Enforcement Commission‘s ruling that he is disqualified from receiving a public campaign grant from the Citizens’ Election Fund.”
HI: CALL FOR TOUGHER RULES. HCB. “The city doesn’t require lobbyists to provide any details about how they spend money, and so most of them don’t bother. Many lobbyist reports are dated, even though there are mandatory reporting deadlines.”
IL: LOBBYIST OVER-REGULATION. CT. “A South Side alderman on Wednesday defended her husband against the Chicago Board of Ethics’ determination that he illegally lobbied Mayor Rahm Emanuel to make sure an annual house music picnic he and his business partners stage each year went on as planned.”
KY: PANEL APPEALS RULING. KY. “The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission unanimously voted Wednesday to appeal a recent federal court ruling that allows lobbyists to give gifts and campaign donations to state lawmakers.”
NY: ETHICS COMMITTEE HIT WITH COMPLAINT. TU. “A former financial auditor at New York’s lobbying and ethics watchdog agency alleges that she was fired after reporting sexual discrimination by one of her supervisors to the agency’s leadership.”
NY: ACTION DELAYED. DF. “The Laws and Rules Committee of the Ulster County Legislature has postponed a vote on scheduling a public hearing regarding proposed campaign finance regulations for the county’s elected officials.”
TN: STRAW DONOR ALLEGATION. TN. “Federal authorities are poised to probe a series of potentially illegal donations and contributions involving state Sen. Brian Kelsey, five other state lawmakers — including House Majority Leader Glen Casada — and four political action committees.”
HAVE A GOOD DAY.