Most contribution limits are set in relation to an election, an election cycle, or a precise time period (such as a calendar year). In contrast, New York City’s doing business limits revolve around when a person or entity is considered to be “doing business” with the City of New York, a variable time period that varies further according to the category of business dealings. But even that is an over-simplification.
The third phase of NYC’s “doing business” contribution limits is scheduled to go into effect before the end of the year. Indeed, these final components of the “doing business database” must be certified by December 1, 2008; otherwise, the DB limits will not triggered by these business transactions during the 2009 citywide elections. Read more »
When the second phase of NYC’s “doing business” contribution limits goes into effect, likely next month, the limits will apply to an additional category of persons: those employed in a “senior managerial capacity” regarding an entity doing business with the City of New York. This is defined as a “high level supervisory capacity, in which substantial discretion and oversight is exercised over the solicitation, letting or administration of business transactions with the City.”
The categories of business transactions that trigger the DB limits will also expand in phase 2. Read more »
On July 1, the NYC Campaign Finance Board is scheduled to meet and may certify the second phase of NYC’s “doing business” database (DBDB). If the expanded DBDB is certified at that meeting, additional categories of contributors will become subject to the “DB” contribution limits, effective 30 days later, on July 31. This post is the first of several reviewing the step-by-step implementation of the new DB limits. Read more »
Pay-to-play has become a term familiar to those with state business in New Jersey. But New Jersey isn’t the only state with this type of law – another is Connecticut.
The Connecticut pay-to-play legislation was passed in December 2005. The law imposes an absolute ban on campaign contributions made and solicited by state contractors, prospective state contractors, and their principals. Once a contractor makes or solicits a proscribed contribution, the state is prohibited from awarding a contract for one year after the election for which the contribution was made. The law also requires the CEO of a company to notify the “principals” of the company that they may not make or solicit contributions to covered officials or committees. The prohibition applies to the branch of government with which the contractor or prospective state contractor does business, and exempts the holders of valid prequalification certificates. Thus, with respect to contracts with a state agency in the executive branch or quasi-public agencies, the recipients covered are candidates for the office of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state comptroller, secretary of the state and state treasurer. With respect to contracts issued by the General Assembly, the recipients covered are candidates for the office of state senator or representative.
In February 2007, Connecticut made several changes to its pay-to-play law, including an amendment which narrowed the definition of “principal” so as to include:
• Individuals owning 5% or more of the company’s stock;
• Members of the company’s Board of Directors
• Those with the title of president, treasurer, or executive vice president;
• Spouses and dependent children (age 18 or older and living at home) of the above; and
• A political action committee established or controlled by an individual described above or by the state contractor or prospective state contractor.
Another amendment to the law includes a 30-day cure provision for refunding impermissible contributions.
Our final installment looking at restrictions applicable to lobbyists paying for events at the national party conventions discusses New Jersey. Previously, we’ve covered federally registered lobbyists and officials and New York lobbyists and officials. Read more »
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.
The Republican and Democratic parties hold their national presidential nominating conventions this year. The Democrats meet in Denver in August. The Republicans gather in Minneapolis in September.
Many of the convention delegates also serve as elected officials at the federal, state and local level. Thus, many are subject to limitations and prohibitions on the gifts they may accept from lobbyists. How do these restrictions apply to events at the conventions that are paid for, in whole or part, by registered lobbyists and their clients? Read more »
Mayor Bloomberg announced today that Father Joseph P. Parkes, S.J., has been appointed as the third chairman of the New York City Campaign Finance Board. Additionally, Preeta Bansal, was appointed to the Board to take Father Parkes’ seat on the Board.
That’s a new chairman, significant changes to the law, and a new executive director, all in the past two years for the CFB.
The New York City Campaign Finance Board recently published proposed changes to its rules related to amendments to the Campaign Finance Act contained in Local Laws 34 and 67 of 2007.
The public is invited to submit written public comments by April 22, 2008. A public hearing will also be held on the proposed changes in the near future.
