More associations will need to get up to speed fast on new lobbying regulations and requirements as a result of the new ethics bill, said Jim Clarke, CAE, senior vice president of public policy for the American Society of Association Executives. Even before President Bush formally signed the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 on Sept. 14, many trade groups and contract lobbyists said they had already enacted many of the new ethics rules. The bill became a major initiative for Democrats after their victory in the 2006 mid-term elections, particularly after lobbying scandals involving Jack Abramoff and Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) left a taint of scandal in… Read More