Essential Ethics

Latest Developments:  Montana Begins Constitutional Initiative Process to Challenge Corporate Contributions: Montana began a constitutional initiative process aimed at limiting the amount of money corporations can spend, not through traditional campaign laws or limitations, but…

Latest Developments:  Texas Seeks to Ban Localities from Hiring Lobbyists: Texas Senators gave final approval to Senate Bill 12, which would forbid cities, counties, and school districts from using public dollars to hire lobbyists. Local elected leaders…

Latest Developments: Irvine City Council Re-Adopts Lobbying Rules: Voice of OC reports that the City of Irvine took a new vote to pass City Lobbying Laws after rescinding a prior vote that was alleged to violate open meeting laws….

Latest Developments: Oakland Increases Contribution Limits Through Mid-2029: Oakland has voted to increase limits to candidate committees and officeholder accounts. Candidates who accept voluntary spending limits may now receive up to $900 from individuals and…

Latest Developments: Oklahoma Announces New Ethics Rules: The Oklahoma Ethics Commission has announced new rules for 2025. Changes include raising the anonymous donation limit from $50 to $200, raising the monetary meal cost from $500…

Latest Developments: Maine Contribution Limit Challenged: From Reform Compass, two super PACS have sued to challenge a law passed by 75 percent of Maine voters that caps contributions to super PACs at $5,000. Cases cited…

 Latest Developments: FEC Commissioner Departs, Leaving Gap: Federal Election Commission Commissioner Allen J. Dickerson announced his departure from the FEC, leaving only three remaining commissioners; as Politico and other outlets have observed, high-level enforcement and…

Latest Developments: GAO Releases Report: The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released its 18th annual review of federal lobbying; findings include that 21% of quarterly reports listed lobbyists who didn’t fully disclose their relevant…

Latest Developments: California Attorney General Issues Warning to Businesses: In a recently-released alert about violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), California’s Attorney General reminds businesses that it is illegal to make payments to…

Latest Developments: Executive Order on Elections Includes a Lobbying Provision: President Trump’s wide-ranging Executive Order includes a provision referencing the longstanding “Byrd Amendment.” In addition to prioritizing foreign interference in elections, the “Attorney General shall likewise…