IBSYS.media.ImgLoader.delayView({el: 'img_N59.18B8',imgs: ['/2009/0918/20994571_200X150.jpg']}); Mar 13, 2010
The council asked the commission for an advisory opinion to support its move to ban the 55-year tradition. Members of Omaha's Professional Firefighters Union said they're disappointed. (7 KETV Omaha)
APOC: Get our advice before running ads Mar 11, 2010
Hill says corporations exercising their new political free speech rights granted by a January U.S. Supreme Court decision should seek an advisory opinion from her agency. Hill says her office has gotten calls questioning the decision's impact, but no corporations have requested an advisory opinion. (Juneau Empire)
Honolulu councilman Tam denies faking meal expense claims Mar 7, 2010
The commission issued an advisory opinion Wednesday stating Tam violated the city's standard of conduct by overcharging for some meals while conducting city business, falsified justifications for some meals, and got reimbursed for meals with personal business associates or family members ... The advisory opinion lists examples in which Tam was reimbursed for meals with family members and former business associates ... The advisory opinion suggests the council policy on the annual contingency... (Honolulu Advertiser)
Tam says he made record-keeping errors on his contingency fund spending Mar 6, 2010
Ethics Commission Executive Director Chuck Totto said it will be up to the city Prosecutor's Office to review the advisory opinion and determine whether criminal charges would be pursued against Tam ... Ethics Commission Executive Director Chuck Totto said it will be up to the city Prosecutor's Office to review the advisory opinion and determine whether criminal charges would be pursued against Tam. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Honolulu councilman Tam will pay $13,700 to settle ethics probe Mar 6, 2010
The commission yesterday issued an advisory opinion stating Tam was being asked to reimburse the city for meals, along with paying a $2,000 civil fine, in exchange for the commission dismissing its claims against him ... The 18-page advisory opinion said that from fiscal year 2006 to 2009, Tam was reimbursed for more than $22,000 in meals from his annual contingency fund ... In another case, Tam submitted a guest receipt of $240 from Empress Restaurant on March 31, 2009, under the description... (Honolulu Advertiser)
Rod Tam to continue his run for mayor despite ethics violations Mar 6, 2010
The city Ethics Commission yesterday released an advisory opinion in which Tam agreed to pay the city $13,700 in reimbursements and a fine in exchange for dismissing the claims again the two-term councilman. "I'm going to comply to the stipulations on the basis that it was an agreement ... between myself, my attorney Jack Schweigert and Chuck Totto, the legal entity for the Ethics Commission," Tam said, adding that he admits no wrongdoing or violations of any standards of conduct. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Ethics panel says Tam wrongly billed city for meals Mar 5, 2010
An advisory opinion issued by the city Ethics Commission this morning said Tam improperly got reimbursed by the city for meals he purchased for himself and others from 2006 to 2009. According to the opinion issued today by the Ethics Commission: Council member Tam violated the standards of conduct by charging the city for meals in circumstances where (1) he paid less for the meal than the amount he charged the city; (2) justification for the meals was false; (3) the meal was not directly related... (Honolulu Advertiser)
Postal Service's debt reducer: Drop Saturday Mar 3, 2010
The independent Postal Regulatory Commission will issue its advisory opinion on the closures this month. The Postal Service has 36,500 retail branches, more than , , and combined, Potter said. (USA Today)
Willing to give up Saturday mail delivery? Mar 3, 2010
Potter s request will be evaluated by the Postal Regulatory Commission, which will issue an advisory opinion to lawmakers. What do you think about these measures. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Business)
Postal Service seeks 5-day delivery Mar 2, 2010
Potter said Monday he'll submit a formal request by the end of this month to the Postal Regulatory Commission, which must issue an advisory opinion on any change in mail service that would have national impact ... The commission expects to issue its advisory opinion in the next two weeks. (USA Today -- News)
Kosovo slams Serbia on independence anniversary Feb 18, 2010
Once the judges have issued their advisory opinion, Serbia "will do everything for the renewal of status dialogue, in order to find a solution acceptable for all sides," Jeremic told the Danas daily. Kosovo is meanwhile trying to boost its international recognition. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Health Care Do-Over Jan 27, 2010
VAN SUSTEREN: We can't get an advisory opinion on the United States Supreme Court ... The Supreme Court does not give advisory opinions, and that's been established law for a long time. (Fox News)
Let the spigots of free speech flow Jan 26, 2010
In the midst of the 2008 election season, the National Right to Life Committee asked for an advisory opinion about whether its planned advertisements concerning Barack Obama would be banned. After a month in careful consideration, the commission could not decide whether the speech was banned, regulated, or simply free. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Hudgens says he won't reverse money transfer Jan 14, 2010
Paul Leachman of Macon filed a complaint with the commission Tuesday in which he contends the transfer may violate an advisory opinion the commission issued in 2008 that recommends candidates refund the contributions, even if the candidate really is asking the donors to allow him to use the money on his new campaign. Hudgens said he now knows the advice was wrong after reading the 2008 opinion and is seeking direction from the commission. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Tighten up charter process, but keep Gloucester school Jan 13, 2010
That means seeking an advisory opinion from the attorney general or other legal authority on questions such as whether the commissioner can indeed overrule his staff. Both the Senate and House versions of a promising education reform bill would also tighten up the charter school assessment process. (Boston Globe)
Man claims Hudgens shifted funds illegally Jan 12, 2010
Paul Leachman of Macon contends the transfer may violate an advisory opinion the commission issued in 2008 that recommends candidates refund the contributions, even if the candidate is really asking the donors to allow him to use the money on his new campaign. "I do not work for, or represent any campaign in any way," Leachman said in an e-mail accompanying his complaint. (Athens Banner-Herald)
