Latest Developments:
- The Indiana Supreme Court, in Indiana Right to Life Victory Fund v. Morales, upheld the state’s ban on corporate contributions to Super PACs earmarked for independent campaign-related expenditures. Procedurally, the court answered a certified question from the federal Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The court acknowledged that the federal courts may enjoin enforcement of the ban.
- The Arizona Clean Elections Commission adopted Rule 2-20-805 (Pages 60 – 62 of the 9/21/23 Meeting Packet) which establishes disclaimer requirements for covered persons. The provisions of the rule include disclosing the covered person who “paid for” the communication, listing the top three donors, and imposing disclosure requirements on broadcast, mail, electronic, and billboard advertising. Arizona Capitol Times explains the details.
Reminders:
- Retired Supreme Court Justices to Discuss Judicial Ethics: The Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) announced that retired Canadian Supreme Court Justice Ian Binney and retired California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye will discuss current issues in judicial ethics. The one-hour Zoom seminar will be on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 3 PM Eastern/12 Noon Pacific. The seminar is free to all staff of member agencies and organizations. Members’ staff may sign up for the event here; organizations interested in COGEL’s mission and activities may join COGEL here.
In Case You Missed It:
- Miami Troubles: The Miami Herald describes multiple corruption investigations that have half of the Magic City’s elected officials facing scrutiny.
- Hollywood Strikes Hurt Campaigns: Politico points out that Hollywood, which has “…long-acted as a kind of high-limit ATM machine…”, has left political campaigns sputtering given the lengthy actors’ and writers’ strikes.
- New Commissioner at the L.A. City Ethics Commission: After a controversial vote that unanimously rejected a nominee to the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission, the Los Angeles Times reports that the City Council approved a new nominee, who is an executive at a campaign consulting firm.
- No New Commissioners at the San Diego Ethics Commission: The San Diego Tribune (Via MSN) explains that the city’s ethics commission has three of its seven seats open and enforcement actions require five votes, thus leaving the commission unable to function.