New York

The newly-established New York Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government recently took over as the state’s regulator of lobbying and government ethics, replacing the old Joint Commission on Public Ethics.  This change in the enforcer and a new group of commissioners could spell more rigorous enforcement of the state’s…

Continue Reading New York Commission on Ethics in Lobbying and Government Takes Over as State’s Lobbying and Ethics Regulator

Corporations, trade associations, non-profits, other organizations, and individuals face significant penalties and reputational harm if they violate state laws governing corporate and personal political activities, the registration of lobbyists, lobbying reporting, or the giving of gifts or items of value to government officials or employees. To help organizations and individuals …

Continue Reading Covington Releases 50-State Survey of Campaign Finance, Lobbying, and Gift Rules (2022 Edition)

Companies doing business with state and local governments or operating in regulated industries are subject to a dizzying array of “pay-to-play” rules. These rules effectively prohibit company executives and employees (and in some cases, their family members) from making certain personal political contributions. Even inadvertent violations can be dangerous: a…
Continue Reading Covington Releases 400-Page, 50-State Survey of Pay-to-Play Rules (2022 Edition)

Companies doing business with state and local governments or operating in regulated industries are subject to a dizzying array of “pay-to-play” rules.  These rules effectively prohibit company executives and employees (and in some cases, their family members) from making certain personal political contributions.  Even inadvertent violations can be dangerous:  a …
Continue Reading Survey of the Pay-to-Play Laws of the United States

Corporate legal and compliance departments are usually well aware of the laws regulating lobbying the federal government. Recent news reports, however, indicate that companies have more trouble with state and local lobbying laws. A few features of state and local lobbying make it a tricky blind spot. This increases the…
Continue Reading Avoiding State and Local Lobbying Compliance Violations

The Wagner case, decided today by the D.C. Circuit, is important because of its analysis of the constitutionality of federal campaign contribution restrictions and, by extension, of pay-to-play laws generally. Covington has been monitoring this case since the district court decision in 2012, to the argument before the D.C. Circuit…
Continue Reading Highlights from Wagner; D.C. Circuit Upholds Contributions Restrictions But Limits Ruling

The New Year brings with it new laws governing campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics. Below we highlight some of the major state and federal laws that took effect on or around January 1. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list, but highlights some of the most significant changes…
Continue Reading New Campaign Finance, Lobbying, and Ethics Laws Take Effect

New York State’s lobbying and ethics regulator, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE), released a number of new rules, effective this week, including rules on the giving and receiving of gifts, honoraria, and payment for expenses.

JCOPE, which was established by the state’s Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011,…
Continue Reading New York State Regulator Adopts New Ethics Rules

Super PACs in the Empire State and in the Big Apple are about to become more “super.”  Today, a New York federal court finally (albeit begrudgingly) struck down a state law that effectively capped contributions to state Super PACs at no more than $150,000.  Prior to today’s ruling, New York…
Continue Reading Federal Judge Finally Tosses Aside Limits on Contributions to New York Super PACs

Earlier this year, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo empaneled a so-called “Moreland Commission,” under New York’s Moreland Act, to investigate public corruption.  The Moreland Commission, also known as the Commission to Investigate Public Corruption, is led by several state prosecutors.  It recently issued its preliminary report.  That report reflects…
Continue Reading New York’s “Moreland Commission” Issues Its Preliminary Report