Essential Ethics

Latest Developments: The Governor of Montana has filed suit against the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service seeking to block the revenue procedure that eliminates the reporting of the identity of contributors to politically active…

Latest Developments: The United States Treasury Department announced that it will no longer require the names and addresses of donors to be included on Schedule B, which is filed with IRS Form 990, for any nonprofit other…

Latest Developments: Sexual Harassment Developments: In Maine, SB 695 was enacted. It requires Legislators, legislative staff and lobbyists to attend and complete a course of in- person education and training regarding harassment, including sexual harassment, at…

Latest Developments: The California Fair Political Practices Enforcement Review Task Force meets next Wednesday, June 11.  The Commission created the task force to obtain input from the regulated community and other interested parties regarding creating/revising the…

Latest Developments: California Governor Jerry Brown appointed a new Chair of the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission last Friday.  According to the Sacramento Bee, Alice T. Germond joins the Commission after a lengthy political career that includes serving as…

Latest Developments: The Oklahoma Ethics Commission raised lobby registration fees by $100 to $250, beginning July 1.  According to The Oklahoman, the increase follows a dispute with the state’s legislature which gave the commission no general fund monies for support for…

Latest Developments: The United States Supreme Court says it’s “OK” to wear your “political” T Shirt to the Polls.  In Minnesota Voters Alliance v. Mansky, the court (in a 7 to 2 decision) struck down Minnesota’s ban on…

Latest Developments: Montana Governor Steve Bullock signed an executive order today (6/8/18) that requires anyone who seeks to do business with the state’s executive branch (contracts for goods of more than $50,000 or services of more than $25,000) disclose any expenditures…

Latest Developments: The Oklahoma Ethics Commission meets Friday, June 8.  A discussion of the fee schedule, effective July 1, 2018 is on the agenda.  Among the fees that are the subject of review, are registration fees for…

Latest Developments: The New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics met Tuesday, May 22, 2018.  Among the agenda items discussed: The Executive Director reported on three legislative proposals, including one to require lobbyist disclosure of campaign fundraising activity, one…