Michael Reitz

PDC tables proposal to regulate lobbying on blogs...for now

By Michael Reitz | 12/04/08

I just returned from the Public Disclosure Commission's meeting where they discussed adopting guidelines for "Internet lobbying." Bottom line: the PDC decided to table the issue for future consideration. Two commissioners (Ken Schellberg and Dave Seabrook) were in favor of adopting the guidelines, and two (Jim Clements and Jane Noland) wanted more time to consider the issue. The fifth commissioner wasn't present, so the issue... read more »

This makes me laugh...

By Michael Reitz | 11/25/08

White House reporters are complaining about the "change" Barack Obama's transition team has implemented for news conferences with the president-elect. Sounds like they kinda miss GWB. read more »

Attention bloggers, please file your lobbyist forms...

By Michael Reitz | 11/12/08

I just got out of the Public Disclosure Commission's stakeholder meeting regarding Internet lobbying. As I blogged yesterday, the PDC is asking whether Internet activities such as email or blogging qualify as lobbying. The purpose of today's meeting was to solicit public comment. Nancy Krier, the PDC's general counsel, ran the meeting and about a dozen folks showed up. I shared the concern that the Internet, which has become the new town... read more »

Are bloggers lobbyists?

By Michael Reitz | 11/11/08

If a citizen emails his legislator about an issue of concern, does that make him a lobbyist? If you blog about the legislative session, will you have to report this as a lobbying activity?  Tomorrow the Public Disclosure Commission is discussing potential guidelines for Internet lobbying. Questions on the agenda: Lobbying Emails Are expenditures related to lobbying emails to legislators concerning possible legislation, or lobbying... read more »

Is government obligated to collect union political funds?

By Michael Reitz | 11/07/08

Does the First Amendment require government bodies to collect political funds for unions? On Monday the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Ysursa v. Pocatello Education Association.  The case comes from Idaho, where a group of unions are challenging a law that prohibits local governments from collecting union political contributions with the public payroll system.  Today's episode of the Legally Speaking... read more »

Noon Webcast: Post-Election Analysis

By Michael Reitz | 11/05/08

Join the Evergreen Freedom Foundation for a complete post-election analysis. The live webcast will begin at noon and will feature several EFF analysts and attorneys. You can view the webcast here. A free login will allow you to post comments and chat with other viewers. read more »

Obama's America: Squashing dissent

By Michael Reitz | 10/31/08

Politico.com reports that the Obama campaign has booted reporters from right-leaning papers off its campaign plane. Reporters from the New York Post, the Washington Times, and the Dallas Morning News were asked to abandon their seats after covering the campaign for months. Each of these papers endorsed John McCain for president. The Washington Times shot back with this response. "I hope the candidate that promises to unite America isn't... read more »

Will thousands of ineligible felons vote next week?

By Michael Reitz | 10/27/08

What's being done to address the thousands of felons on our state voter rolls? The answer will disturb you. Listen to this Legally Speaking podcast as Jonathan Bechtle and I discuss the issue. For automatic updates, register to Legally Speaking on iTunes. read more »

Washington's voter roll woes hit national news

By Michael Reitz | 10/16/08

Last night KIRO 7 investigative reporter Chris Halsne broke the story about the 24,000 felons who will receive ballots this election -- regardless of whether their voting rights are restored. Red County's John Barnes wrote about the report here. The Secretary of State's election officers are in full spin mode, ignoring the fact that state law mandates a process for the office to follow when a felon is found on the voter database. The Associated... read more »

Is voter fraud a problem in this election?

By Michael Reitz | 10/09/08

Could be. Registration drive group ACORN submitted voter registrations in Nevada for the entire lineup of the Dallas Cowboys. While the Nevada Secretary of State flagged these registrations, Investors Business Daily has a chilling report on the voter registration problems all across the country. The Dallas Cowboy registrations were only part of the problem in Nevada, leading authorities to raid ACORN's Las Vegas offices. And of course, here in... read more »