http://www.corporatepoliticalactivitylaw.com A weblog about Corporate Political Activity Law by the lawyers of Genova, Burns & Vernoia Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:59:54 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en 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 these FEC opinions, the New York Times noted, “the sluice ... http://www.corporatepoliticalactivitylaw.com/index.php/2010/07/here-come-the-independent-expenditure-pacs/ On July 9, 2010 the Charter Revision Commission released a preliminary staff report, which reflects the Commission’s work to-date and staff recommendations on a number of topics such as term limits, voter participation, public integrity and non-partisan elections.  The staff also recommends significant changes to the NYC Campaign Finance Board. In ... http://www.corporatepoliticalactivitylaw.com/index.php/2010/07/nyc-charter-revision-commission-preliminary-report-campaign-finance-amendments-loom/ If one thinks of campaign finance and pay-to-play reforms as a tool chest, Connecticut seemed to have a wide-variety of intricately designed instruments adopted in response to corruption scandals that led to the resignation of Governor Rowland. On July 13, 2010, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second ... http://www.corporatepoliticalactivitylaw.com/index.php/2010/07/green-party-of-connecticut-v-garfield-the-first-amendment-blunts-reforms/ Citing to increasingly significant pay-to-play problems in the management of public funds by investment advisors, the Securities and Exchange Commission passed new rules today that prohibit pay-to-play practices.  As we previously reported here, the SEC first considered these rules, modeled after MSRB G-37 and G-38 rules, in 1999.   The rules ... http://www.corporatepoliticalactivitylaw.com/index.php/2010/06/sec-passes-long-awaited-rules-on-investment-advisors-and-political-contributions/ Expanded public disclosure is the goal of A-2595: this bill would require "issue advocacy organizations" to disclose contribution and expenditure information and to include disclaimers on public communications comparable to the current obligations of political committees. The bill aims to reach "stealth PACs" which seek to influence the outcome of elections ... http://www.corporatepoliticalactivitylaw.com/index.php/2010/06/new-jersey-bill-takes-on-stealth-pacs/ At its June 30 meeting the Securities and Exchange Commission will consider for final adoption proposed pay-to-play restrictions for investment advisers.   The proposal was initially published for public comment last summer.  As we discussed here, a prior version was considered, but not adopted, by the SEC in 1999. http://www.corporatepoliticalactivitylaw.com/index.php/2010/06/sec-puts-pay-to-play-rule-on-june-30-meeting-agenda/ 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 lobbyists.  These limits would apply to ... http://www.corporatepoliticalactivitylaw.com/index.php/2010/05/the-cuomo-reform-agenda/ In a decision released today Appellate Division Judges Stern, Sabatino, and Harris struck down Executive Order No. 7 ("EO 7") on the grounds that it violated New Jersey's separation of powers doctrine.  The Court's reasoning was premised upon the principle that an executive order must be based upon the advancement ... http://www.corporatepoliticalactivitylaw.com/index.php/2010/05/court-strikes-down-executive-order-on-labor-union-pay-to-play/ The reform proposals swirling in reaction to the Citizens United decision have now coalesced into Senate and House bills, introduced by Senator Schumer (D-NY) and Representative Van Hollen (D-Md). Emphasizing that "Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections," The DISCLOSE proposals include: Prohibiting campaign-related expenditures (independent expenditures ... http://www.corporatepoliticalactivitylaw.com/index.php/2010/04/the-disclose-act/ In this month's edition of Waste Age, "Touting Trash" highlights how waste industry firms need to be sensitive to compliance obligations under state and local campaign finance, lobbying and gift laws. Laurence D. Laufer will be speaking on this topic next week at the 2010 WasteExpo in Atlanta, Georgia. ... http://www.corporatepoliticalactivitylaw.com/index.php/2010/04/class-on-cash-and-trash/