 |
|
Blog
|
|
Welcome to the Holtzman Vogel Law Blog. We aim to keep you
up to date on important legal developments and other items of interest. On this
blog, we'll track developments in the news and changes to the rules and regulations
affecting political committees, corporate PACs, trade associations, non-profit groups
and advocacy organizations. We'll also keep you updated on the lobbying and ethics
arena. The Law Blog is designed to supplement our regular newsletter.
On behalf of the Holtzman Vogel team, I hope you find this site helpful and interesting.
And we hope you'll become a regular visitor. (If you'd like to receive our newsletter,
please click here to sign up.)
Jill Holtzman Vogel
|
Monday, August 16, 2010
Connecticut Lawmakers Override Veto, Resuscitate Public Funding Law
The Hartford Courant reports "Overriding a veto by Gov. M. Jodi Rell, the state House of Representatives on Friday approved a bill that safeguards the state's landmark program of public financing for political candidates. The 106-30 vote clears the way for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dannel Malloy to access to $6 million in public campaign funds. The Senate passed an override vote last week....Malloy hailed Friday's vote, which will help him compete against his wealthy Republican opponent, Tom Foley."
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Hartford Courant: Battle Over State's Campaign Finance Reform Law Moves To Federal Court
The Hartford Courant reports on the court challenge to Connecticut's campaign finance law, including a public funding provision.
Click here to read the entire post.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
AP: Conn. governor wants lawmakers to fix campaign law
AP reports "Gov. M. Jodi Rell wants state legislators to return to the Capitol in December to fix a campaign finance reform law that's poised to help fund 2010 state campaigns.
The Republican said her proposed changes could help satisfy a federal judge, who recently struck down the law as unconstitutional, and provide certainty to the legislative and gubernatorial candidates who are already campaigning and raising matching funds to participate in the public funding system. . . . In August, U.S. District Court Judge Stefan Underhill ruled that Connecticut's public campaign finance law, seen by some as a possible national model, is unconstitutional because, among other reasons, it discriminates against minor party political candidates.
Underhill ruled that a part of the law that provides a voluntary public financing scheme for candidates for statewide offices and state lawmakers puts an unconstitutional burden on minor party candidates' First Amendment right to political opportunity."
Click here to read the entire post.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Boston Globe: Connecticut corruption draws on deep roots; Hartford mayor is latest accused
The Boston Globe notes the number of "prominent city and state officials collared in corruption probes in recent years. But their downfalls, and resulting efforts to reform ethics rules, apparently have not stemmed the tide of charges against public servants. The latest to be arrested - for the second time - is Mayor Eddie A.Perez, for alleged extortion." The Globe also examines several factors it believes contribute to the state's recurring corruption problems, including insufficient ethics laws.
Click here to read the entire post.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
More on the Connecticut Public Funding Decision
The Hartford Courant has this article ("Federal Judge Throws Out Connecticut's Landmark Campaign Finance Law") on the recent decision striking down Connecticut's public funding program. From the Courant: "Connecticut election officials reacted with sharp criticism and promised an all-out legal fight Friday after a federal judge threw out the state's landmark campaign finance law, saying it puts minor party office seekers at an unconstitutional disadvantage when they challenge traditionally better-financed major party candidates."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Federal Court Strikes Down Connecticut's Public Financing Program
The federal district court in Connecticut has stuck down the state's public financing program on the grounds that it discriminates against minor party candidates. The full opinion in Green Party of Connecticut v. Garfiled (D.Conn. Aug. 27, 2009) is available here. The state has indicated it will appeal the decision.
Click here to read the entire post.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Congratulations! You've Been Selected For An Audit
Connecticut's Office of State Ethics announced that it will select 40 registered lobbyists, at random, to be audited. Interested lobbyists may attend OSE's "audit selection ceremony" on July 23. Press release available here.
Click here to read the entire post.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Church "Lobbying" In Connecticut?
Via Eric Brown at Political Activity Law, this article reports that Connecticut's lobbying regulators are investigating a church's activities, and the church - the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport in Connecticut - has responded with a lawsuit.
Click here to read the entire post.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
AP: Conn. campaign financing system faces budget ax
The AP reports "Connecticut's public campaign financing system, considered the nation's most far-reaching, may fall prey to budget cuts."
Click here to read the entire post.
Friday, February 27, 2009
CT Post: Blumenthal seeks ban on robo calls
From the Connecticut Post: "Attorney General Richard Blumenthal wants a total ban on the calls, while lawmakers are studying a bill that would require callers to identify their company and disconnect within 10 seconds of your hanging up."
Click here to read the entire post.
|
 |