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We're Off to a Great Start!
Keep sending those comments. This issue again covers a wide range of topics with some interesting twists on compliance differences in various states. It is important to understand that each state can have different reporting requirements and regulations for the same situation, so you have to know exactly what each state demands. Starting in this issue, we’ll feature a member of our professional staff, so you get a chance to put a friendly face to the name you run across in your contact with us. We’re also making a few changes in the way we conduct our business. Read the News You Can UseTM update below for a highlight on this important service we offer.
Elizabeth Z. Bartz PhRMA
State Government Affairs Section The PhRMA meeting held October 3-6 in Tucson was a great opportunity to meet with colleagues and our clients to talk about developments in the industry. Pharmaceutical governmental relations covers a wide gamut of topics and is constantly evolving and changing. This national forum brings together decision makers on key policy issues which are relevant to pharmaceutical manufacturers. It was at the meeting this year that we learned of an Advisory Opinion that had been issued by the Louisiana Board of Ethics regarding new executive branch lobbying rules. For more on this important story, see the article below.
State
and Federal Communications Asks Louisiana for In
June, the Louisiana Board of Ethics published new executive
branch lobbying rules. Upon reaching the $500 annual expenditure
threshold, individuals must register as executive branch
lobbyists and report expenditures on employees in every agency
within every department of the executive branch. The staff at the Board of Ethics admitted that the rules were gray and clearly stated that an advisory opinion request would assist in clarification. State and Federal Communications' State Researcher, Amber Fish worked with various clients and sought an advisory opinion to clarify whether pharmaceutical industry employees should register as executive branch lobbyists. The Board of Ethics prepared an advisory opinion draft stating pharmaceutical industry employees would have to register if they cross the registration threshold. The draft was distributed to the pharmaceutical industry and the Board of Ethics has put the final approval of the advisory opinion on hold until its December meeting. State and Federal Communications, Inc. Joined King and Spalding and PhRMA, and met with Gray Sexton, executive director of the Louisiana Board of Ethics to review the advisory opinion draft on October 25, 2005. We will keep everyone up-to-date on the developments regarding the issue of registering sales and marketing employees. Ohio Women's Bar Association Features State and Federal Staffer
Nola’s background in the legal profession gives her an excellent insight into understanding the complex and changing regulations regarding lobbying and compliance. The article interviews her along this vein and presents the personalized consulting Nola provides to the company’s Fortune 500 clients. Congratulations Nola on being selected for this showpiece article.
Helping
Out Many individuals have helped out the victims of Hurricane Katrina and other disasters. In addition, a broad number of companies have also stepped up to offer assistance either with cash or in-kind services. These companies, including State and Federal, were recently recognized by the White House in a 78-page report entitled “CORPORATE CONTRIBUTIONS TO KATRINA RELIEF VICTIMS.” Every contribution is valued and we salute our fellow organizations in this effort. We are
also a believer in supporting your local United Way.
‘News You Can Use’ and Should
For 2006, this service will continue to be free to any subscriber of one or more of the State and Federal Executive Sources Guides. To order any or all of our valuable guides, go to www.stateandfed.com, and you will be assured of receiving News You Can UseTM once you sign up on our website. For a free trial subscription of News You Can UseTM until the end of 2005, go to www.stateandfed.com and sign up on-line today.
Plan to Attend ‘Innovate to Motivate’ in 2006
The President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, Elizabeth Z. Bartz will make a presentation titled, “A Guide to Federal and State Grassroots Regulation,” in which she will focus on the importance of understanding the increasing regulations at both state and federal levels regarding grassroots lobbying. If you would like a registration booklet, as shown here, please contact us and we will send this to you, or visit www.innovatetomotivate.com. See you there!
See Us in Person Plan to say hello at future professional development events where State and Federal Communications will be attending and/or speaking regarding compliance issues.
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COMPLIANCE NOW is published for our customers and friends. To SUBSCRIBE click here, or to UNSUBSCRIBE click here. To send us comments regarding the COMPLIANCE NOW e-newsletter, click here State and Federal Communications, Inc. | Courtyard Square | 80 South Summit St., Suite 100 | Akron, OH 44308 | 330-761-9960 | 330-761-9965-fax | www.stateandfed.com |
An
article featuring Nola Werren, Esq., a State and Federal Alerts
Consultant, and others, is appearing this month in the
newsletter published by the Ohio Women’s Bar Association. The
article covers an interesting topic, “Nontraditional Careers
for Attorneys and Law School Grads.” 
For
more than five years we have been providing a totally free
on-line service called News
You Can UseTM,
a weekly summary of articles that have been printed in
newspapers across the country. We even have a full-time staffer
devoted exclusively to carefully reviewing and selecting these
articles dealing with topics of interest to our clients. Many of
our clients remark that this service is invaluable in keeping
them informed on news in our field, and would subscribe to this
service whatever the cost.
State
and Federal Communications is one of the co-hosts for
the exciting 2006 ‘Innovate to Motivate’ program, the
national conference for political involvement professionals. The
event, to be held at the Casa Marina Resort, in Key West,
Florida, from January 31-February 2, 2006, promises a
comprehensive program to motivate PAC and grassroots
participation, including best practices in the industry. This
will be the 5th year for the event, a key industry event for
experienced practitioners.
When
keeping tabs of reportable expenditures, it is important to
note the difference in how states handle the inclusion of
sales tax and gratuities. For example, in Tennessee there is
a $50 per event or $500 aggregate expenditure limit for food
and beverages per official; however, these monetary thresholds
do not include sales tax and gratuities. On the contrary, in
Massachusetts, the reportable value of a meal includes the tax
and tip in addition to the retail price of the meal itself.
Ask State and Federal to help you in understanding any of
these state regulations.
As
an Administrative Assistant, Heather works closely
with President & CEO Elizabeth Bartz to maintain her
schedule and assist in a myriad of responsibilities in
operating the company. She also helps to coordinate
marketing activities for State and Federal Communications.
Many of our customers have spoken with her during her
two-year tenure with the company.