Good morning. Here is some of what I’m reading this morning.
Representing foreign governments
Will be one of Lanny Davis’s new firm’s practice areas. Roll Call.
In April, Davis also opened a new law firm, Lanny J. Davis & Associates. Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, announced on Nov. 19 that she was joining his new legal operation.
Thune 12?
Roll Call reports.
New Chairman of House Admin
Is Rep. Dan Lungren. Elk Grove Citizen.
“With the largest incoming class of new members in 60 years, I am looking forward to continuing their transition into the 112th Congress,” he said. “The committee will also do its part in finding ways to reduce spending in Washington, D.C., and bring a more efficient, responsible government back to the people. I am also dedicated to preserving the integrity of elections and ensuring all service members overseas have an opportunity to have their vote counted.”
Member item reform in New York
Is the topic of this Times editorial.
CREW notes release of FEC matter
Here.
What should campaign finance reform look like
From the Center for Competitive Politics’ Sean Parnell:
It’s time to abandon the old paradigm of campaign finance regulation, which was built on the notion that the desire of citizens to contribute to candidates and causes could be tightly limited and controlled, independent voices could be stifled, and that a reduction in corruption and an increase in the public’s faith in government would result.
Instead, Congress should take this opportunity to modernize campaign finance regulation by increasing or removing limits that put candidates and parties at a significant disadvantage to business corporations, unions and advocacy groups.
Pay to play “tidal wave” rolls on
Yesterday I attended an excellent panel on pay to play laws at COGEL. The panel featured Ki Hong (Skadden), Robert Cohen (KPMG), Melissa Roverts (SEC), and Ed Biddle (JP Morgan). One of the panelists noted that there has been a tidal wave of these anti-pay to play laws across the country. The audience got the panelists’ perspectives on these issues, including the SEC’s new rules which take effect in 2011. It wasn’t surprising to me to hear that many firms are implementing best practices to pre-clear political contributions and gifts and that organizations subject to the rules are investing heavily in compliance efforts given the severe penalties associated with potential violations.
In related news and fitting in with the tidal wave theme is the MSRB’s recent press release noting that theie board “agreed to issue a request for comment on a rule that would restrict municipal advisors from engaging in or soliciting business from municipal entities when an advisor has made certain political contributions to municipal officials responsible for awarding that business.”
Have a good day
And hopefully there will be some more good political law news tomorrow.
