"The president’s family should not be out raising money for whatever cause."
Wertheimer's Political Money Report
DECEMBER 21, 2016
A NOTE FROM FRED
 
President-elect Trump is apparently not the only Trump who appears blind to the norms of ethical conduct. Last week, Ivanka Trump announced she was auctioning off a meeting with herself to benefit her brother’s charity. I told the New York Times, “The president’s family should not be out raising money for whatever cause, in exchange for a potential influence buyer who wants to get his views to the president.” The auction was later canceled. Then, Trump’s two eldest sons offered a private reception with their father for those willing to contribute $1 million to a newly formed Texas nonprofit. The sons were listed as members of the nonprofit's board of directors. As soon as it became public, the sons backpedaled away from the event. All of this does not bode well for the future and the Trump family’s understanding of the essential need to protect the integrity of the presidency at all times.

Trump aides considering "half-blind" trust for Trump's conflicts of interest, says POLITICO. The arrangement would allow Trump or his family to "reap some of the legal benefits of a blind trust," but also give them insight into how the Trump businesses are doing. "Critics say the plan could allow Trump or members of his administration to continue to draw income from their businesses." Read more

"The future of campaign finance reform is at the state and local level," says the Huffington Post. Portland, OR recently passed campaign finance reform and joined South Dakota, Missouri, Berkley, CA and Howard County, MD in boosting the "power of small donors to counter the dominance of big money." "There will also be more efforts at the state and local levels to enact public financing systems or lobbying reforms." Read more

Lobbyists suggest a road map for working with Trump. Lobbyists told POLITICO that to influence Trump one must realize that Trump is - most comfortable among fellow business leaders, swayed by stature and influenced by his family. "Trump’s family is perhaps the best way in, for those who can swing it. His son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has been a conduit for Washington power brokers since early in the campaign." Read more


Priorities USA super PAC re-brands post-election. The super PAC that spent almost $200 million supporting Clinton is now going to become the "permanent center of opposition" to Trump. "Some of Priorities USA’s major donors already are lining up behind the group. The organization has $10 million in commitments, and big contributors such as Chicago investor J.B. Pritzker have expressed interest," says the Washington Post. Read more

Gambling industry is betting on Trump's presidency, says AP. The industry has already sent a wish list to Trump asking for fewer regulations. The VP of the Gaming Association said, “President Trump, his administration and Congress will unquestionably implement policies that will directly impact our industry for years to come." Read more
2016 FACT OF THE DAY

Betsy DeVos, Trump's nominee for education secretary, and her husband, Dick, have donated to 17 senators who will consider her nomination — four of whom sit on the Senate education committee that oversees the process, says POLITICO. Read more

IN THE STATES
FL: NPR looked at the conflicts of interest that could arise for Trump involving his golf course and resort in Miami and labor disputes there that involve temporary workers. Read more 

NY: Mayor de Blasio was fined nearly $48,000 last week by the New York City Campaign Finance Board for improper spending and campaign finance violations during his 2014 mayoral race. Read more

CA: LA County had the most cases in the state of politicians and donors being successfully prosecuted for violating campaign finance and ethics rules in 2016, the state Fair Political Practices Commission reported. Read more


By: Fred Wertheimer (@FredWertheimer) & Kathryn Beard (@KathrynBeard)
 
Subscribe
Twitter
Facebook
Archives
Copyright © 2016 Wertheimer's Political Report, All rights reserved.


A Democracy 21 Project