Political Activity Law/Political Law/Election Law

Westar update

Eric Brown — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:25:03 +0000

Here’s an article with an update on matters involving Westar executives.

Westar Energy Inc. said it will continue to pursue civil claims in arbitration against two Westar Energy Inc. executives who were accused of looting the Kansas utility, despite criminal charges being dropped.

The Wichita Business Journal has more.

Complaint against Fox in Ohio

Eric Brown — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:58:26 +0000

Huffington Post reports that the Democratic Governors Association filed a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission.

Shoppers Food bribery alleged in Maryland

Eric Brown — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:45:40 +0000

The Post reports on allegations and an indictment involving Maryland State Sen. Ulysses Currie.

Longtime Maryland Sen. Ulysses Currie, one of the most powerful and popular figures in the General Assembly, was indicted Wednesday on charges that he took more than $245,000 in bribes to use his position and influence to do favors for a grocery chain.

Here’s my link to a May 2009 story for background.

Ad on News Corp. donation to run… on Fox

Eric Brown — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:35:15 +0000

Mediaite reports (from Politico).

Post discusses new Federal Election Commission coordination rules

Eric Brown — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:56:01 +0000

In this Eggen article.

Brett Kappel, a campaign finance lawyer at Arent Fox, notes that coordination cases are notoriously difficult to decide and that the FEC has prosecuted few of them over the years. He also said many candidates of both parties allege unlawful coordination as a way to harass their opponents and grab a few headlines before an election.

Barbour lobbying for 2012?

Eric Brown — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:49:38 +0000

Politico reports on an interview with Gov. Barbour where he discusses his work as a lobbyist.

As for his years on K Street, the governor said the skills that made him one of Washington’s most powerful lobbyists would actually be an asset for him were he elected president.

This morning around the country there are a few stories involving candidates’ ties to lobbying, one from Washington and another in Texas.

The unions and November

Eric Brown — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:46:39 +0000

The Hill reports on AFL-CIO’s efforts this November.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said Wednesday the labor federation has put together a “massive mobilization” program to get the vote out for the 2010 midterm elections.

The mother of all fundraiser timing cases?

Eric Brown — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:44:47 +0000

The Hill’s got more details about the Office of Congressional Ethics’ matter involving Rep. Crowley.

Crowley left during the Dec. 10 debate over amendments to the legislation in order to attend his holiday fundraiser at financial industry lobbyist Julie Domenick’s home, which is also her office. He then came back and voted against amendments that would have strengthened the bill, the New York Times reported.

Egg money in politics

Eric Brown — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:13:19 +0000

FOXNews reports on a political contribution by someone in the egg industry that’s making news.

The rise of the New York City microdonors

Eric Brown — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:10:27 +0000

The Times reports on trends in campaign finance in New York City based on a new report.

The examination, to be released on Wednesday by the city’s Campaign Finance Board, shows that changes enacted before the race encouraged 34,000 New Yorkers to make campaign donations for the first time; drastically curtailed the role of businesses, political committees and lobbyists in campaigns; and caused a major drop in donations from those doing business with the city.