Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
Disenfranchise no more
Rick Hasen on voter ID laws, etc.

Congress/2012
Private Prisons industry: Increasing incarcerations, maximizing profits, and corrupting our democracy
David Donnelly's latest Huffington Post piece focuses on our recent report with PICO on private prisons: "This is but one example of many in a new report <http://publicampaign.org/reports/unholyalliance>  from Public Campaign and PICO National Network, Unholy Alliance: How the Private Prison Industry is Corrupting Our Democracy and Promoting Mass Incarceration, highlighting the increasingly powerful and influential private prison industry."

Bachmann blasts Obama administration for "crony capitalism"
"Minnesota U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann used a campaign stop here Thursday to blast President Barack Obama’s administration for actively engaging in 'crony capitalism' on the same day that Obama’s energy secretary denied any wrongdoing."

House GOP proposes expanded oil drilling to fund transportation spending
House Republicans once again pushing agenda of big oil.

Newt Gingrich faces more scrutiny on corporate clients
"For a second day, Mr. Gingrich’s campaign was at the uncomfortable intersection of his high-earning consultancies and his public policy positions."
- More from Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gingrich-think-tank-collected-millions-from-health-care-industry/2011/11/16/gIQAcd72VN_story.html?hpid=z1.

Leave estate and gift taxes alone, group tells SupComm
"The lobbying blitz around the Super Committee continues with a letter from the American Family Business Institute and almost 30 other organizations to members of the panel urging them "to leave any estate or gift tax increases ... completely off the table."

Donna Edwards' poll shows strong lead over Glenn Ivey
"Rep. Donna Edwards appears to be in solid shape to win re-election four and a half months before the Maryland Democratic primary, according to an internal poll from her campaign."

Spencer Bachus to hold investments hearing
Bachus still playing damage control: "House Financial Services Committee Chairman Spencer Bachus, who’s been fighting allegations of insider trading, said on Thursday he’ll hold a hearing on legislation that would toughen investment restrictions for lawmakers."

Industry fights with health advocates over worker exposure to carcinogen
"Business and labor interests are locked in a more than decade-long battle over how to limit worker exposure to a known carcinogen."

How Congress occupied Wall Street, by Sarah Palin.
Sarah Palin, the reformer!

House dismisses Meeks loan probe. Ethics committee sees no violation but will look into another $40,000 borrowing
"The U.S. House of Representatives Ethics Committee said it will not look into a nearly $60,000 home equity loan received in 2010 by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) after the Office of Congressional Ethics determined there was no reason to believe the congressman violated House rules."

Watchdog responds to Delta: What about perks to state lawmakers?
"Washington, D.C.—Campaign finance watchdog Public Campaign Action Fund is requesting Delta Airlines disclose the perks they provide state officials in places where they do business, concerned about the undue influence the company could be building with elected officials."

Other
Denver judge: Secretary of State Gessler exceeded authority by changing political-issue committees' finance filing requirements
"A state judge ruled Thursday that Secretary of State Scott Gessler exceeded his authority when he raised contribution limits for political-issue committees that don't want to register their activities."