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Each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia have their own enforcement agencies overseeing compliance with state campaign finance, lobbying and ethics laws. We regularly advise clients on compliance with these state laws, consult with state agencies where appropriate, and defend clients against enforcement actions or audits by state enforcement authorities.
In recent years, the states have become major players in the enforcement of campaign finance and lobbying laws, as well as government ethics and conflicts of interest laws. A growing number of states are enacting “pay to play” laws intended to restrict companies that are state or local government contractors from making political contributions to attract or maintain government contracts. In some cases those laws may apply even to contributions by individual executives employed by a government contractor.
Because the states’ laws governing the political process vary widely, and the variations are sometimes subtle, it can be difficult for political organizations, corporations, PACs, and others who are politically active in many different states to avoid running afoul of the ever-growing panoply of state regulations. Over the years we have handled audits and enforcement actions by a number of states agencies, including for example state enforcement agencies in California, New York, and Pennsylvania. Our lawyers routinely work with state enforcement agencies across the country to clarify the application of existing laws to our clients and to resolve potential enforcement issues.
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