Fair Elections/Campaign Finance Reform Republicans on FEC Want Firms to Raise Money for Candidates Three FEC commissioners have said they think corporations should be allowed to raise money directly for candidates. Hello Senator Walmart.   Public Financing of Election Campaigns Makes Another Try Del. Jon Cardin (D) has again sponsored legislation to create a Fair Elections-style system in Maryland. Joanna Diamond, legislative associate for the ACLU: “Public financing would make public officials more accountable to voters in general and less beholden to the often-narrow economic interests of a few big contributors,” Diamond said. “It would also allow public officials to do their jobs instead of raising money.”   Clean Legislature The Bangor Daily News opines on a bill introduced in Maine to eliminate public financing for gubernatorial races. They praise the positive impact on legislative races, while urging careful consideration for the statewide seat. ·      More on this bill: http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/bill-aims-to-axe-clean-elections-funding_2011-02-16.html Fairness in the Courts The Albany Times Union: “New York’s top judge moves to restrict the influence campaign contributions have on justice. Why can’t the Legislature act similarly?” Congress Crisis Panel Spars Over Cause of 2008 Meltdown MarketWatch picks up Public Campaign Action Fund’s report on Wall Street donations to the House Financial Services Committee.   A Political Divide Over the Inquiry of the Financial Crisis Here’s a big surprise – there is partisan bickering at the House Financial Services Committee hearing over the causes of the Wall Street collapse.   GOP Treads Lightly With Freshman As GOP leadership tries to keep their freshmen in line, they use fundraising as a means of outreach to this unpredictable group.   Reichert Used Staff as Movers Yet another page in the book of questionable ethics as Rep. Reichert (R-Wash.) gets help from staff members to move.   Other Maine Bills Restrict ‘Clean’ Election Money Two bills have been introduced in Maine – one which would bar the distribution of funds to uncontested candidates and another would create new limits on funding for independents of those with no party affiliation.   Hilary Clinton Donors Indicted “A federal grand jury indicted two Virginia men on Wednesday for allegedly trying to illegally reimburse donors who gave to Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Senate and presidential campaigns.”   Lobbyists Supply Special-Interest Feast for Georgia Legislators “A partnership of oilmen, car dealers and liquor merchants spent nearly $2,000 so far this year stocking a private bar for state lawmakers in a downtown condominium.” Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke.