"Leader of Legislature's moderate Democrats will resign to seek government relations job"

Great to speak with Melanie Mason of the Los Angeles Times for this scoop. 

“In some ways the revolving door provisions are somewhat symbolic,” said Jessica Levinson, professor of election law at Loyola University in Los Angeles and an expert on political ethics.

Levinson, who serves as president of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission, said revolving door limits are meant to reduce perception that former legislators are using elected office as stepping stones for personal gain — or that sitting lawmakers are unduly influenced by former colleagues.

“We don’t totally trust lawmakers to cycle in and out of government,” Levinson said. “If everyone was altruistic and honest all the time, we wouldn’t have the Political Reform Act,” which sets ethical standards for politicians.

"Lobbyist meetings missing from San Jose council calendars"

Wonderful to speak with Ramona Giwargis for this article. 

"It presents the public with a very misleading view about how their officials spend their day," said Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School and president of the Los Angeles Ethics Commission. "We're not asking them to tell us when they were at their kid's soccer game. It's in the public's interest to be able to know who the legislators are meeting with and how often."

"Airbnb has spent more than $200,000 on lobbying efforts in LA"

A pleasure to be on KPCC to discuss.

"Airbnb is spending... a not insignificant amount of money lobbying the city of L.A.," said Jessica Levinson, the president of the L.A. City Ethics Commission. She said the money pays for access to local lawmakers, which lobbyists jockey for.

"A lot of it is paying for people’s time, it’s paying for people’s connections, it’s paying for people’s expertise in knowing who to talk to, how to talk to them and when to approach them," said Levinson.

"L.A. hits the brakes on plan to allow Uber at LAX"

Good to talk with Alice Walton (aka @TheCityMaven) of the Los Angeles Times for this piece.

“In general, I think most campaign contributions and expenditures on lobbying are business judgments and the idea is that you spend money because you want to influence those who are making decisions that affect you, and that’s not necessarily evil,” said Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School.

“Influence can also be a synonym for educate but I think that it kind of strains common sense to say campaign and lobbying money isn’t about trying to obtain favorable decisions,” she said.

Aide To California Senate Leader Accepted Pot Gifts From Marijuana Lobbyist

Good to talk with Amanda Chicago Lewis of BuzzFeed for this. 

Loyola Law School professor and Vice President of the Los Angeles Ethics Commission Jessica Levinson agreed, saying she felt that having an adviser who is not under contract directly with the legislature and therefore is not subject to gift limits seemed to show a violation of the intent and spirit of the law.

“If it’s permissible, it shouldn’t be,” said Levinson. “He seems to be holding himself out as working for the Senate pro tem and enjoying the benefits of working for Kevin de León but not the burdens. Along with the privilege and power of working for a state senator, particularly one in leadership, comes certain responsibilities, and chief among those is filing disclosure reports and being subject to a variety of restrictions.”

TOP LOBBYIST: 2016 TO BE “BUMPER YEAR” THANKS TO CLINTON CAMPAIGN

Good to talk to Lee Fang of the Intercept for this one.

“There is no doubt that outside organizations — PACs, Super PACs, etc. — wield enormous influence over both candidates and voters,” says Jessica Levinson, clinical professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. “Because money flows so freely throughout our political system, I think the important thing at this point is for there to be thorough transparency about who these lobbyists are, and the interests that they work for.”

"Lobbying lawmakers with a personal touch"

Great to speak with Laurel Rosenhall of the Sacramento Bee for this one. 

There’s nothing inappropriate about professional persuaders offering their skills to advance a personal agenda, said Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School with expertise in political ethics.

But the phenomenon is “part of a bigger story about lobbyists having a seat at that the table that the rest of us just don’t have,” she said. In many cases, campaign donations from lobbyists’ clients help get them that seat at the table, creating the potential for what Levinson called a “symbiotic relationship.”

“I wish for a world in which it’s not just the lobbyists who can bring their pet projects to the legislators,” Levinson said.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/investigations/lobbying-influence/article8210313.html#storylink=cpy

"City Council panel backs away from GMO ban it previously supported"

Great to talk to Soumya Karlamangla for this one. 

The GMO turnabout also reveals where city ethics regulations fall short in tracking the effect of lobbyists at City Hall. Lobbyists are required to report who they work for and how much they are paid — but sometimes not until months after they've completed their work.

Jessica Levinson, a Loyola Law School professor who's on the city's Ethics Commission, said that can mean when an issue is being discussed the public won't "have the information necessary to see a full picture."

"Sacramento lobbyist’s dual roles spark watchdog scrutiny"

Wonderful to talk to Laurel Rosenhall of the Sacramento Bee for this great piece.

Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School who sits on the Los Angeles Ethics Commission, said Ross’ transparency doesn’t eliminate potential concerns about the intersections in his professional relationships. “There are many people in Sacramento and in every city hall across the nation who have some dual role, and it’s under cover of darkness. But that doesn’t mean that just because his is out in the open it’s not a conflict,” she said.

“On the one hand you are working to get people elected, and on the other you are asking them for favors,” Levinson said

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/article3958362.html#storylink=cpy

"Gov. Brown's Mexico trip provides business, lobbying opportunities"

Good to talk to Chris Megerian for this piece with Melanie Mason. 

Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School, said that changing how the trips were funded wouldn't stop special interest money from flowing to politicians in other ways.

"I don't see a perfect solution here," she said.

"Who pays the most for California government lobbying in Sacramento? Government"

Good to talk to Ben Beeder for this article.

"FDA moves to regulate e-cigarettes"

Here is a link to my appearance on "Take Two" on KPCC.

The Food and Drug Administration proposed a new rule today regarding the regulation of e-cigarettes. Under the new rule, the FDA would mandate the following.

• Register with the FDA and report product and ingredient listings;
• Only market new tobacco products after FDA review;
• Only make direct and implied claims of reduced risk if the FDA confirms that scientific evidence supports the claim and that marketing the product will benefit public health as a whole; and
• Not distribute free samples.

In addition, under the proposed rule, the following provisions would apply to newly “deemed” tobacco products:

• Minimum age and identification restrictions to prevent sales to underage youth;
• Requirements to include health warnings; and
• Prohibition of vending machine sales, unless in a facility that never admits youth.

Whether this will actually go into effect or not is up in the air. The rule is now open for public comment for 75 days, so things could possibly change.

Megan McArdle covers the industry for Bloomberg View and she joins the show with more.   

This is not the first time the FDA has taken up the issue of e-cigarettes and it certainly won't be the last, but what authority does the Food and Drug Administration have when it comes to regulating these products? For more on that, we turn to Jessica Levinson professor of law at Loyola University. 

News from Nevada: "Whittemore denies all wrongdoing, pleads not guilty on 4 felony counts"

Quoted in this one in the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Jessica Levinson, a Loyola professor who specializes in campaign finance law, said a sentence could also depend on the judge and how he wants to use the case.

"It will depend on how much and whether the judge wants to make this high-profile case an example," Levinson said. "If he does, it could increase the length of the sentence."

"California Legislature considers ethics reform bills"

Quoted in this article in the Los Angeles Times. 

Trying to counter ethics scandals in which lawmakers stand accused of voter fraud, bribery, money laundering and other misdeeds, Democratic leaders Thursday proposed sweeping changes to state political laws aimed at restoring public confidence in the Legislature.

The proposals, which Gov. Jerry Brown has yet to embrace, would ban lawmakers and other state officials from accepting such gifts as spa treatments, golf games and tickets to Lakers games.

Officials could take other gifts, but only if their worth totaled $200 or less annually from any source — down from the $440 now allowed. And politicians would have to report campaign contributions more frequently.

The scandals of recent months have spawned more than a dozen measures by various lawmakers, addressing fundraising rules, lobbyists and travel by state officials. Thursday's more visible effort followed the back-to-back departures of two Democratic state senators, both now on paid leave, that this week cost the party its supermajority in the upper house.

... 

The timing of the new package is no coincidence, said Jessica Levinson, a Loyola Law School professor who studies governmental ethics. "Oftentimes the only silver lining that comes as a result of scandals is reform."

The question, she said, is "whether this is real reform or politically expedient reform, or both."

 

"David Jolly’s Clients Won Earmarks From His Old Boss, Bill Young"

Quoted in this piece in the Republic Report. 

“Yes, there are concerns raised when a former staffer appears to use his or her ties to his employer for personal gain,” says Jessica Levinson, associate professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.  ”The cooling off period prohibition is designed to prevent people from using their connections in government to obtain unfair or preferential treatment or access for private clients.”

“The idea,” says Levinson, is that “everyone, regardless of whether or not they are represented by former staffers or officials, should get a fair shot to persuade their officials.”

 

Confirmed to the Los Angeles Ethics Commission

Happy to announce that I've been confirmed as the newest member of the Los Angeles Ethics Commission. I look forward to working to make elections in Los Angeles fair and transparent.

Here is the Los Angeles Ethics Commission's press release re my appointment: 

200 North Spring Street • City Hall 24th Floor • Los Angeles CA 90012 

LOS ANGELES CITY ETHICS COMMISSION

N E W S

…preserving the public trust

For Immediate Release: October 18, 2013  

JESSICA LEVINSON CONFIRMED AS NEW CITY ETHICS COMMISSIONER

The City Council unanimously confirmed Jessica Levinson today as the newest member of the Ethics Commission, noting her extensive professional experience with elections and campaign financing. Ms. Levinson has taught election law and campaign finance courses at Loyola Law School as an adjunct professor and an associate clinical professor since 2009. Additionally, she has lectured for various educational institutions and civic organizations on election law issues.

Ms. Levinson previously served as the Director of Political Reform at the Center for Governmental Studies, where she researched and wrote reports on election laws, campaign finance laws, ballot initiatives, term limits, primary elections systems, and redistricting. In that position, she also authored an amicus curiae brief for the United States Supreme Court regarding the constitutionality of public campaign financing. Ms. Levinson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola Marymount University and a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School.

“Commissioner Levinson’s valuable experience in the field of elections and campaign financing is a natural fit for the Ethics Commission,” said Heather Holt, the Commission’s executive director. “We look forward to benefitting from her expertise.”

Ms. Levinson was appointed by City Controller Ron Galperin to a five-year term ending June 30, 2018. She succeeds former commissioner Ralph Fertig, whose term ended on June 30, 2013.

The Ethics Commission was created by voters in 1990 to administer and enforce the City laws that help ensure fair and transparent government decisions. It has five part-time commissioners, who serve staggered five-year terms and are appointed by the Mayor, the City Attorney, the Controller, the City Council President, and the City Council President Pro Tem. Ms. Levinson joins President Paul Turner, Vice President Valerie Vanaman, Commissioner Nathan Hochman, and Commissioner Erin Pak.

_______________________

The City Ethics Commission was created by Los Angeles voters in 1990 to impartially administer and

enforce the City’s governmental ethics, campaign financing, and lobbying laws.

Spokesman for California Assembly Speaker John Perez wears many hats

Quoted in this piece in the Sacramento Bee. 

Here is an excerpt: 

It's an unusual arrangement, even in a Capitol that thrives on close relationships between elected officials and the interest groups they govern.

"It seems like he's serving two masters," said Jessica Levinson, an expert in political ethics at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.

"He may be doing a great job serving both of them, and he may not be doing anything improper. But at the very least it feels uncomfortable and improper because he is serving a legislator and serving clients who seek to influence that legislator."

...

Even with the distinction between lobbying and communications, Levinson said, working for the Assembly leader likely helps Maviglio solicit business from interest groups.

"As a private sector client, it makes all the sense in the world to hire someone who has the ear of a powerful legislator," she said.

Six California lawmakers took trip to Cuba with Capitol lobbyist

Quoted in this one in the Los Angeles Times. 

Six California lawmakers used political funds to take part in a March trip to Cuba with a top Capitol lobbyist, raising eyebrows among state government watchers.

The legislators disclosed the “cultural exchange” trip in campaign finance reports filed this week, visiting the communist country with lobbyist Darius Anderson, who heads a nonprofit group called Californians Building Bridges.

Anderson’s lobbying firm, Platinum Advisors, represents clients including AT&T, Anthem Blue Cross,DirecTV Group and Pfizer, some of which have also made political contributions to the lawmakers on the trip.

Those who dipped into campaign funds to pay for their trip included Sens. Ron Calderon (D-Montebello) and Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton) and Assembly members Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), Katcho Achadjian (R-San Luis Obispo), Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins (D-San Diego). Calderon has been in the news because his Capitol office was raided by the FBI in June as part of a corruption probe. Calderon declined to comment.

Loyola Law School Professor Jessica Levinson, who studies government ethics, said it is a concern when lawmakers "spend a lot of time with a certain lobbyist. It means they may be more educated and attentive to the concerns of the lobbyist."

Cupid's work gets complicated as California lawmaker dates lobbyist

Quoted in this piece in the Sac Bee. 

"We are talking about a relationship where one person's job is to try to influence people in the other person's position: a lobbyist representing a certain constituency over which this lawmaker has some decision-making power," said Jessica Levinson, an expert in political ethics at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.

"The concern is always the same – is this elected official doing a good job? Is he serving the public? Or is there any chance the elected official is serving himself and making decisions based on who he is dating?"

A review of legislation the California Medical Association is lobbying this year shows Maienschein frequently – but not always – votes its way.

...

Levinson and other government watchdogs said Maienschein should step down from committees that routinely vote on bills the medical association lobbies, such as the health and business panels.

"I don't think we can say, 'Drop out of office, or stop dating this person,' but I think we can suggest, 'There may be a more appropriate committee for you to sit on,' " Levinson said.

Read more here: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2013/07/31/2608471/cupids-work-gets-complicated-as.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2013/07/31/2608471/cupids-work-gets-complicated-as.html#storylink=cpy

... 

Whittemore verdict: Citizens United allows big PAC donations, but individual donations still capped

Quoted in this one.  

But some experts said Friday that the McCutcheon focuses on total contributions to all federal candidates, not individual donations to single candidates, so the high court may not talk about the concerns in the Whittemore case.

“There is certainly chatter that the case could put individual contribution limits — the limits that say any person cannot give more than $2,500 to a candidate each election — on shaky ground,” said Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles who specializes in campaign finance law.