The NY Commission on Public Integrity (CPI) recently announced that it had revised proposed two sets of regulations regarding gifts, including those made by lobbyists and those received by State officers and employees.  The CPI initially proposed the regulations last … Continue reading →

Pay-to-play laws are generally designed to curb the risk that a political contribution would be made as a quid pro quo for a government contract. Thus, limits and prohibitions are generally made applicable both to business entities that seek and … Continue reading →

In his State of the State address this week, Governor Andrew Cuomo advocated public financing of campaigns, an element of his campaign’s reform platform. As with most advocacy of campaign finance and government ethics reform in New York, one hears … Continue reading →

The dominoes are tumbling. Last week the Federal Election Commission issued two advisory opinions, AO 2010-9 and AO 2010-11, exempting the funding of PACs making independent expenditures (i.e., not making direct contributions) from federal contribution limits. In an editorial criticizing … Continue reading →

Gubernatorial candidate Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has issued The New NY Agenda: A Plan for Action.  Among the report’s recommendations to “clean up Albany” and restore trust and accountability are to: Set severely reduced contribution limits for public contractors and … Continue reading →

The “other holding” in Citizens United, the one in which eight justices concurred, upheld federal disclaimer and public disclosure requirements as applied to the film Hillary and televised advertisements for the film.  Looking perhaps to the future, the majority reflected … Continue reading →

The holidays are upon us and so are the various gifts that companies send out annually during this time.   Whether it’s a small calendar or an expensive bottle of wine, it is important to be aware of the various gift … Continue reading →

Pay-to-play reforms take many different forms. For example, in New Jersey, the current restrictions are embodied in state statutes, gubernatorial executive orders, municipal ordinances, and State Investment Council regulations. Now, almost five years to the day after the first gubernatorial … Continue reading →

Since April 2007, the New Jersey State Investment Council has subjected firms seeking investment of state pension funds, and associated persons, to a ban on political contributions. The New Jersey regulation makes compliance with the ban a condition of eligibility … Continue reading →

We’re continuing our look at restrictions applicable to lobbyists paying for receptions at the national party conventions. We’ve covered federally registered lobbyists and officials; this week we take a look at New York.