Campaign Finance/Fair Elections The state PAC loophole Presidential candidates are finding some loopholes to raise big money at the state level to boost their candidacy. For instance, one guy maxed out to Romney’s federal PAC ($5,000), but has given $68,000 to his state PACs. Politics and the Court This NYT editorial isn’t very nice to Justices Thomas and Scalia and their possible conflicts of interest. Mentions Common Cause’s DOJ petition. Congress/2012 Health related money continues to flow to members of Congress Quote of the day: “The steady spending late last year makes the donors well-positioned now to call on the members they helped reelect to assault or defend elements of the reform that matter to their bottom line.” Obama visit to Chamber of Commerce could mark thaw with business leaders An optimistic headline as Obama heads to speak at the Chamber of Commerce today. Important nugget for our work: “Chamber officials, meanwhile, say that they still expect their campaign spending next year to exceed the group's $50 million budget of 2010.” Obama fundraisers hard at work for 2012 election 2012 fundraising is gaining steam for the Obama team, with meetings already happening with major donors and bundlers. EPA chief faces hostile house GOP The new majority’s battle with the EPA and environmental regulations begins in earnest this week with a hearing on Wednesday with EPA chief Lisa Jackson. Freshmen gearing up to work off debt from their ‘10 campaigns Nearly a dozen freshmen lawmakers are more than $200,000 in campaign debt as they gear up for 2012. That means lots of early fundraising with lobbyists, I imagine. Inhofe chief of staff heads to lobby shop Sen. Jim Inhofe’s chief of staff is leaving for Ogilvy Government Relations. GOP eyes rules that firms say hurt jobs Business groups responding to Rep. Darrell Issa’s request for suggestions, have submitted about 150 rules or regulations they think should be repealed or preempted. Gingrich 527 pulls in big money Gingrich raised about $3.8 million for his 527, “American Solutions for Winning the Future” in the last quarter of 2010. Other Lavine seeks support for public financing of elections Short piece on efforts to bring Fair Elections-style system to New York. Maine ethics commission proposes $41,000 penalty on Republican PAC The Maine Ethics Panel recommended an out-of-state PAC that attacked 5 Maine Senate Democrats be fined $41,000. Funds from odd places This story looks at some of the money flowing to Alabama Supreme Court races.