Campaign Finance/Ethics

Free speech for really rich guys 
A great piece from Dahlia Lithwick on McComish: “The Supreme Court finds a cause worth fighting for.”

Uphold AZ Clean Elections
The Arizona Daily Star picks up the Washington Post editorial endorsing Arizona Clean Elections

Ornstein’s awards are nothing to brag about, by Norm Ornstein
Norm Ornstein gives his award for “Public Official Who Has Most Blatantly Violated His or Her Oath of Office” to FEC Commissioner Donald McGahn for saying, “I’m not enforcing the law as Congress passed it.”

Dems appoint 10 members to investigate ethics cases
Speaker Pelosi appointed her share of members to ethics subcommittees – Rep. Lofgren, Rep. Chandler, Rep. Sarbanes, Rep. Sewell, Rep. Tonko, Rep. Lujan, Rep. Cicilline, Rep. Keating, Rep. Schiff, and Rep. Clarke.

Congress
Doc Hastings’ secret legislation
Rep. Doc Hastings won’t talk to his colleagues about offshore drilling, but he will have secret invite-only meetings with energy lobbyists. You can guess where this is going.

Obama visits NYC for $1.5 million haul
President Obama went to New York Tuesday for a big-ticket re-election fundraiser, with about 50 people expected to pay the maximum $30,800, just 6,000 less than the median household income of Mississippi.  

Chris Christie headlines $10M fundraiser
Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) will headline a fundraiser of the NRCC tonight, that will bring in about $10 million.

Collective bargain for GOP frosh?
House Republican leaders are urging the 2010 class to put together joint fundraising committees to make it easier to raise money for re-election. “To House Republican leaders, the joint fundraising committees accomplish a central goal of connecting the multitude of freshmen — many of whom are just getting their bearings in Washington — to a roster of well-heeled K Street PACs as early as possible in the election cycle.”

Coburn spars with Norquist over tax breaks for ethanol
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Grover Norquist are battling over tax breaks for ethanol.

Companies have clout, resources to lobby in DC
SHOT: “The nuclear power industry has dramatically stepped up its outreach to Capitol Hill following Japan's nuclear power plant crisis as it works to combat calls for a moratorium on new plants.”

Dan Turton leaves WH for energy company
CHASER: President Obama’s point-man for House negotiations will leave the White House to take over the Washington office of Entergy, a nuclear power company.

Middle East unrest stirs up K Street
“K Street firms with clients in the Middle East have canceled contracts, signed new deals and altered their lobbying strategies as they adapt to the changing landscape.”

Proponents aim to shift marijuana industry’s image
The National Cannabis Industry Association will hold its first lobby day today.

Other
Fiesta Bowl spending and donations questioned
Hey look – a campaign finance scandal in Arizona. Nothing to see here folks! Keep moving along!

Judge again blocks GOP collective-bargaining plan
A judge originally blocked the union-busting Wisconsin bill, but Gov. Walker “published” it anyway. Well, last night, a judge basically said, “Dudes, stop ignoring me. This bill is not law yet. Don’t make me sanction you.” It’s important to note here that they could simply re-vote on the legislation, in proper order, and this would go away.

Don’t let the chamber buy the election
Some local discontent over the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce’s spending in a local election.  

Legislative committee approves major changes to new Alabama ethics law
And changes to Alabama’s ethics law seem to be moving forward.