Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
Conflict of interest: Contractors and their political spending 
Marketplace talks to Robert Reich about government contractor transparency.

Lobbying group for lobbyists demands Obama drop executive order on contracting donations
The head of the American League of Lobbyists sent an angry letter to Obama on the draft executive order.
- We respond on the PCAF blog: http://campaignmoney.org/blog/2011/06/01/hey-kettle-pots-calling

U.S. defends corporate campaign ban
"The Obama Administration urged a federal judge on Wednesday to rethink a ruling striking down a federal ban on corporations giving money directly to federal political candidates."

The Lone Wolf
Hey, it's another profile on Jim Bopp!

Congress/2012
Dems tell NRCC vice chair to step down over FEC fines
Florida Democrats are urging Rep. Vern Buchanan, whose former company has been fined by the FEC for illegal campaign contribution reimbursements, to step down as vice chair of the House Republicans re-elections committee.

Follow lobbyists' money with new features on OpenSecrets.org
Center for Responsive Politics has added a new feature on member pages so you can see how much money each member gets from registered lobbyists.

The fine lines between a Palin vacation and Palin tour
Dan Eggen looks at Sarah Palin's PAC-sponsored "family vacation." Do you remember your first PAC-cation? Campaign Legal Center's Paul Ryan: "Not only can she use SarahPAC for a family vacation, she could use it for her home mortgage payments or anything else she wants.”

End corporate tax code gymnastics
An op-ed on the tax code and the influence of money on it.

Herman Cain fundraises off rising polls
"Herman Cain is hoping his rising poll numbers can help pump up his bank account."

Lobbying push targeting federal regulatory agencies continues in Wall Street reform fight
"In all, 488 companies, trade associations, unions and other groups reported lobbying on the Democrats' financial regulatory reform law during the first quarter of 2011..."

Lorillard among companies whose lobbying is paying off for investors
Bloomberg looks at Lorillard's lobbying ahead of moves by Congress and regulators. Common Cause’s Mary Boyle: "“There’s a reason that corporations invest in lobbying Congress: They see a return, and it’s good for their bottom line."

Manchin prove over, say officials
A prove into then-Governor Joe Manchin's campaign finances has ended and no charges will be filed.

Other
NY gov nominates billionaire campaign contributor to head cross-state toll highway agency
"Gov. Andrew Cuomo acknowledged Wednesday that he had nominated a billionaire campaign contributor to head the New York State Thruway Authority, which operates the cross-state toll highway from north of New York City to Buffalo."

Minnesota regulators fine GOP donor for using false identity to make campaign contributions
"Minnesota regulators are levying a $21,000 fine against a Republican political donor sought nationally for fraud."