Blago, draft EO, AFL-CIO, and Obama fundraising in today’s political law links

RAHM-TIME IN BLAGO TRIAL? Story here. “Earlier this month, former Blagojevich aide-turned-government-informant John Wyma testified that Emanuel called him after being chosen to serve as White House chief-of-staff to relay Obama’s support for presidential adviser Valerie Jarrett as Obama’s Senate replacement.” D’S MOVE TO SUPPORT DRAFT EO. Roll Call. “Congressional Democrats are gathering signatures thisRead… Read more »

On track to nowhere

There has been a lot of work in recent years on ways of improving the process of public consultation. It’s not something about which I have any great expertise or direct involvement, but I am conscious of great efforts to produce consultation material in forms which are not just useful and accessible themselves, but whichRead… Read more »

New York state sends out subpoenas for Monroe County’s privatized communications system

INPUT Analyst Evan Halperin reports. The New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has issued subpoenas to a number of individuals who are part of local development corporation (LDC) Monroe Security and Safety Systems (M3SLDC). M3SLDC was established in 2009 by Monroe County to provide public safety technology and services to county citizens. With millionsRead… Read more »

“Psst…Wanna buy a TriMet pass?”

Portland-area thieves have found a new way to make a quick buck. According to columnist Joseph Rose, scofflaws are using stolen credit cards to purchase TriMet (OR) passes (typically the $88 all-zone pass) and then selling the tickets at a discount. “TriMet passes and tickets have become like cash on the streets,” said Portland policeRead… Read more »

AFFIRM Luncheon: GSA, a Government Rockstar

I had the pleasure of attending yesterday’s AFFIRM luncheon which featured a panel of incredible government rockstars from GSA. The discussion took a look at GSA’s integrated technology services and what the future looks like. Government Rockstar, Marie Davie, GSA’s Assistant Commissioner for Integrated Technology Services and Federal Acquisition Services led a panel which consistedRead… Read more »

Political law morning report for Friday, May 20, 2011

FEC MEETING. The agenda for next Thursday’s meeting of the Federal Election Commission is available here. SUPER PAC TEST. Roll Call reports that a new advisory opinion request has been filed. “Less than a week after Republicans said they would use federal lawmakers, candidates and party officials to raise unlimited money for an election advertisementRead… Read more »

Washington state E911 office to reimburse computer aided dispatch purchases

INPUT Sr. Analyst Jeff Webster reports. If you are a computer aided dispatch (CAD) vendor, now is the time to begin working with counties in Washington state. Effective June 1, 2011, the Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division’s E911 Office will be reimbursing eligible counties for the purchase or lease of new CAD systems, whichRead… Read more »

Sale of fake passes cost MBTA millions

An employee of Cubic Transportation Systems was arrested for creating and selling fake Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority passes. According to Massachusetts attorney general Martha Coakley, the man allegedly made 20,000 “ghost passes” since 2007 and sold them for a discount in person or on Craigslist. Because the passes were made on the same equipment asRead… Read more »

ABA’s Sixth Annual State and Local Procurement Symposium recap

INPUT Principal Analyst Jason Sajko reports. The American Bar Association (ABA), Section of Public Contract Law held its 6th Annual State and Local Procurement Symposium on May 13, 2011. The event was hosted in Sacramento, Calif. in partnership with the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), the National Institute of Government Purchasing (NIGP) andRead… Read more »

Social media and free speech

While it is not unheard of for public agencies to ban use of social media at the workplace, officials in Kent County (DE) took their policy one step further. The county already prohibits employees from using social media at work. But a recent proposal tried to stop workers from using social media to criticize colleaguesRead… Read more »

Acquisition

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