Latest Developments:
- The Governor of California issued a memo to his staff and department heads expanding a “ban on political consultants lobbying him and his administration to include unpaid advisers.” According to the Sacramento Bee, the Governor’s staff “asked the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission for advice on how to strengthen its ethics policies.” The San Francisco Chronicle clarifies that it effectively bans “the lobbyist and longtime Newsom adviser whose 50th birthday dinner at the French Laundry in November sparked intense scrutiny of their relationship.”
- The City of Newark, New Jersey repealed its pay-to-play ordinance. Tap Into Newark reports that the city repealed a 2011 ordinance with the intent to revert to the general state rules for developers. The change will mean “a $300 contribution per candidate ceiling” for contractors. Contractors could contribute more than $300 if subject to a “fair and open” bid competition.
- The South Dakota Legislature approved a B. 103, which provides individuals who support a nonprofit corporation with a right of personal privacy regarding the release of personal affiliation information by a public agency. That protection includes preventing state agencies from requiring nonprofits to provide personal affiliation information, releasing or otherwise publicly disclosing that information, or requesting a government contractor to provide a list of nonprofit corporations to which it has provided support. The bill is pending on the Governor’s desk
In Case You Missed It:
- PAC Contributions “Dropped off the Table”: Roll Call reports that corporate contributions are “plummeting.” The article notes a “dramatic plunge in contributions by all corporate PACs following the deadly Jan. 6 riots on Capitol Hill.” Additionally, “‘COVID is a big factor,’” with corporate PACs reluctant to give, “If we’re not able to do events in person or do trips…”
- Lobbyists Seek Diversity: Politico describes a new group, “the Diversity in Government Relations Coalition,” which has been formed to broaden the make-up of participants who lobby in Washington. The group intends “to conduct a demographic survey of the downtown world, from lobbying firms to trade groups to think tanks.” The group hopes to have a report by the end of the year and intends to promote “diversity, equity and inclusion” in lobbying organizations.
- Probation for Quid Pro Quo: NewJersey.com reports that the wife of the Mayor of Morristown, New Jersey was sentenced to probation for accepting a $10,000 campaign contribution “from a tax attorney who allegedly had been looking to lock-down lucrative municipal contracts.” She was “charged with bribery, but pleaded guilty to reduced charges in February of falsifying a campaign finance report.”