Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
New York Times: A Window on Campaign Abuse
Two government agencies are taking an interest in political groups hiding behind the tax code, and could shed light on the secret world of undisclosed political contributions.

The Albany Times Union: Reform Before Boasts, Governor
The Times Union Editorial Board: "The legislative session wasn’t quite the success that Gov. Cuomo says it was. Change the campaign finance laws — and then talk about legislative triumph."

The Statesman: Former DeLay Aide Pleads Guilty in Campaign Finance Case
"Tom DeLay's chief political aide, Jim Ellis, pleaded guilty Thursday to a felony charge of making an illegal campaign contribution during the 2002 election."

Roll Call: Drugmakers Wary Despite Apparent Win
“Among the biggest winners in Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is the drug industry, which played an intimate, if controversial, role in shaping the new law.”

Mother Jones: This Week in Dark Money
A quick look at the week that was in the world of political dark money...

Huffpost: Super Tax the Super PACs
"What's astounding is that opposition to Super PACs is one of the few things that unite people from both political parties. Indeed, a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll found that 69 percent of Americans want Super PACs to be illegal."

Kansas City Start S.C. Gov. Haley Cleared of Ethics Allegations
"Gov. Nikki Haley did not use her office for personal gain while serving as a representative from Lexington County, the S.C. House Ethics Committee ruled today."

Congress/2012
Washington Post: Obama Call Affirms Money Anxiety
“In the conference call made late Friday from a special campaign phone on Air Force One, a recording of which was obtained by the Daily Beast, Obama bemoaned the anonymous super PAC donations flowing to his Republican opponent, Mitt Romney.”

The Hill: Obama Asks Donors to Help Keep Margin with Romney "Close Enough"
"In an e-mail, Obama acknowledges that his campaign "may not outraise" Romney, but said he was “determined to keep the margin close enough that we can win this election right away."

The Hill: Obama Campaign Says it Has Outraised Romney Since Court Decision
"President Obama has outraised Mitt Romney since the Supreme Court affirmed the healthcare law, Obama's campaign claimed Friday, but it did not give the fundraising numbers."

Politico: Jim DeMint Launches Super PAC
“Sen. Jim DeMint is cutting formal ties to his wildly successful small-donor fundraising machine, the Senate Conservatives Fund, so that it can form a super PAC, POLITICO has learned.”

Politico: Trump, Koch Brothers Among Mega-Donors Looking Down-Ticket
“Conservative megadonors Sheldon Adelson, the Koch brothers and Donald Trump aren’t stopping with their efforts to swing the presidential election. Now, they’re shoveling cash into down-ticket races.”

The Hill: Labor Union, Dem Super-PAC Reserve $20M in Ad Time
"The buy, funded by House Majority PAC and the SEIU, will target some 47 competitive House races as Democrats look to chip away at the Republican advantage in the lower chamber. The super-PAC is chipping in $16 million, while the labor organization is spending $3.7 million, according to the AP."
- More from Politico

Politico: 11 Democrats Defy the NRA on Holder
"The top Democrat to receive contributions from the NRA, Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.), broke party ranks and voted in favor of holding Holder in contempt. The NRA contributed $5,000 to Ross’ campaign this year."

HuffPost: Josh Mandel Laments Outside Spending in Ohio Senate Race
...Even though he's getting plenty of outside spending.

Boston Globe: Ex-Sands Exec Alleges Prostitution in Macau Sites
"The fired former chief executive of Las Vegas Sands Corp.'s Macau casinos alleges in court documents revealed Thursday that billionaire Sheldon Adelson personally approved of prostitution and knew of other improper activity at his company's properties in the Chinese enclave."

Other/States
iWatch News: ALEC Faces New Challenge to Tax-Exempt Status
"The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) “elevates commercial gain for a few over the well-being of society’s less fortunate,” says a complaint penned by Marcus Owens, the former chief of the Internal Revenue Service’s nonprofit corporations division, on behalf of Clergy VOICE, a group of ministers from progressive churches in Ohio."
- More from Roll Call

Washington Post: Cleaning Up Maryland Politics
“The central problem in Maryland persists: Laws governing donations to political campaigns remain riddled with loopholes.”

The Boston Herald: Big Biz Money Will Silence Mass Voice
"...the court’s ruling means this out-of-state money machine won’t be limited to national races. And other groups won’t be either. The court gave corporate cash First Amendment protection. But in the end, the voices of Bay State voters will be drowned out."

Sacramento Bee: California Legislature Could Opt for Sanity on Campaign Donor Disclosure
Dan Walters advocates disclosure...and repealing contribution limits.

Detroit Free Press: Michigan's Lam Ducks Can't Run, But Still Chase Campaign Cash
"There is even a question about whether campaign fund-raising by officeholders who can't seek re-election is legal under Michigan's campaign finance law, which predates term limits."