Proposed OGE rules would hit lobbyists and more political law links

WILEY REIN’S ELECTION LAW NEWS. This month’s Election Law News has interesting items on proposed rules from the Office of Government Ethics and Hawaii guidance on gifts, among other topics.

MORE ON OGE PROPOSAL. The Hill. “A new regulation proposed this week by the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) would prohibit all government employees from accepting any gifts from lobbyists.” The proposals are here. Comments are due before November 14, 2011.

ARE YOU AN AMERICAN FOR CAMPAIGN REFORM? Americans for Campaign Reform is looking for a new President and CEO, according to this job listing.

FCC NO SHOW. The Hill. “The head of the Federal Communications Commission came under fire Thursday from a GOP lawmaker for not testifying at a committee hearing.”

SENSE AND SOLYNDRA. Politico. “Is Solyndra simply a bad $535 million investment from a previously obscure government program that went south? Or a full-blown scandal where senior administration officials are going to end up spending more time with their families (and lawyers)?”

SOLYN-DRIP. The Post. “A White House official fretted privately that the Obama administration could suffer serious political damage if it gave additional taxpayer support to the beleaguered solar-panel company Solyndra, according to newly released e-mails.”

FOREIGN LOBBYING DOWN. Roll Call. “The latest figures show governmental organizations from more than 130 countries spent less than $460 million in 2010 lobbying Congress and the executive branch as well as promoting their interests though public relations campaigns.”

INTERNET ON THE AGENDA. According to this Federal Election Commission meeting agenda, a proposed rulemaking regarding disclaimers on certain internet communications will be a topic of discussion.

SMITH ON DISCLOSURE. Here. “What we have here, then, dressed up in the mantel of ‘good government’ and ‘mere disclosure’ is a false hysteria about ‘shadowy groups,’ whipped up by people whose agenda is, quite simply, to silence their political opposition.”

STATE ELECTION LAW CHANGES. The Post. “Looking to capitalize on their historic gains last year, Republican lawmakers in several states are rewriting their election laws in ways that could make it more difficult for Democrats to win.”

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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