Fair Elections/Campaign Finance Don’t use First Amendment as cloak of secrecy This op-ed takes on Jim Bopp’s lawsuit on behalf of the anti-marriage group the National Organization for Marriage in Rhode Island saying, “But if you’re trying to sway elections or change laws, I say: stand up and be counted.” Congress Rhetoric aside, many incoming Republicans hiring lobbyists Dan Eggen picks up the story about new Republicans hiring lobbyists as their chiefs of staff. “These cases illustrate the endurance of Washington's traditional power structure, even in the wake of an election dominated by insurgent rhetoric.” CEOs find new friend in Obama Corporate CEOs are singing a slightly different tune about Obama now that he’s supporting tax breaks for millionaires, etc.

• Related: http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/132785-business-groups-back-obama-on-tax-cuts-up-lobbying-effort

GOP gets queasy over earmark ban “Wait, did we really ban earmarks,” asks some conservative Republicans, already looking for loopholes and exemptions. Prince of Pork to Approps Chair The new chair of the House Appropriations Committee has requested $175 million in earmarks over the past two years, including for a nonprofit his daughter works for. In the States Poll: Most think NY government broken 89 percent of New Yorkers believe the “state needs to be fixed,” also talks about a coalition of groups pushing Cuomo for reforms. Top lobbyist ensnared in pension fund scandal “Mr. Cuomo’s investigation determined that Ms. Lynch sought to win favor from the former comptroller Alan G. Hevesi by arranging contributions for Mr. Hevesi’s campaign, a consulting contract for a person connected to Mr. Hevesi’s chief of staff, and gifts worth thousands of dollars.” Emmer concedes Minnesota governor’s race Tom Emmer, who’s campaign became enmeshed in the Target/Best Buy corporate giving scandal, has conceded the Minnesota governor’s race to Mark Dayton.