Lots of press yesterday on SEC rulemaking around political disclosure. The SEC has received 322,000 public comments on the issue. LA Times: "A decision by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to consider a new rule this year requiring companies to release information about their political spending has buoyed disclosure advocates, who say such a move could be a game-changer in their quest for more transparency." Mother Jones, Roll Call, Politico, The Nation, Bloomberg.

Also in the LAT story: "Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who reintroduced the DISCLOSE Act last week, said he is also exploring ways to limit candidate-specific super PACs that effectively serve as extensions of official campaigns."

Great/nauseating story from HuffPo yesterday on fundraising expectations of House members, especially new ones, including some slides from the DCCC. One lowlight: "Congressional hearings and fundraising duties often conflict, and members of Congress have little difficulty deciding between the two -- occasionally even raising money from the industry covered by the hearings they skip."

Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
Democracy: Everyone's fight: The new plan to defeat big money
Some great stuff in the latest issue of Democracy on money in politics. One nit to pick, as my colleague Susan Anderson pointed out: every contributor is a man. Come on!

CATO: Campaign finance after Citizens United: What happened? What now?
Want to see Bob Bauer on a panel with Brad Smith? Then this event on the 23rd is for you. Also Michael Malbin, Don McGahn, Larry Lessig, and more.

Roll Call: Disclose Act causes less disclosure
Political law attorney and former FEC counsel writes of DISCLOSE, "The overly broad proposal has sucked all of the oxygen out of the air for any realistic legislation to address concrete, statutory issues resulting directly from Citizens United."

Congress/2012
AP: $1 million donations wanted for Obama inauguration
The inaugural committee is soliciting $1M+ donations, "part of a continuing erosion of Obama's pledge to keep donors and special interests at arm's length of his presidency. " Ouch!

AP: Black ties, booze and access marks of inauguration
"With ticket costs reaching into five figures for some of these events — and free for the coveted VIPs, of course — the sideline events throughout inauguration weekend are the big draws for advocates and lobbyists looking to rub elbows with lawmakers and administration officials."

Politico: McConnell takes a hit from the right
McConnell still facing backlash for the fiscal cliff deal: "A conservative advocacy group is targeting Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell with a series of online ads in his home state for helping to negotiate the fiscal cliff deal."

USA Today: Federal contractors donate to Obama inaugural events
AT&T and Microsoft, inaugural donors, are federal contractors. "A long-standing U.S. law bars federal contractors from spending to influence presidential and congressional elections, but few limits are imposed on post-election fundraising to pay for swearing-in festivities."

WaPo: Lawmakers may be feasting on taboo politics at members dining room, says report
Oops! "Members of Congress frequently eat meals there that they list in federal filings as “campaign” or “political” expenses, apparently counter to House rules forbidding them from conducting their campaign business on House property, according to an upcoming report." Full CREW report.

CRP: Obama's shadow money allies file first report
CRP got its hands on the 990 filing for Priorities USA. A short list of big donors.

Politico: Holding Congress accountable
Op-ed from the Center for Primary Accountable: "The ripple of primary challenges we saw in 2012 could become a wave in 2014. And the Campaign for Primary Accountability will be there with the experience and know-how needed to hold incumbents accountable to their constituents."

Politico: LaTourette starts lobbying shop
Remember when LaTourette was super mad about how broken Washington is? "Recently retired Ohio Rep. Steve LaTourette is starting a government affairs arm to a large business consulting firm."

The Hill: Oil and gas lobby envisions improved relationship with the White House
"The oil-and-gas industry expects to have a more fruitful relationship with President Obama this year as the White House attempts to turn the nation into an energy-exporting force."

CREW: Crew files DOJ, FEC complaints against payday lender for illegal conduit contribution to super PAC
"Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed complaints with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against Sherry L. Huff, Carey Vaughn Brown, several companies in Mr. Brown’s Internet payday lending empire, and the Republican Union PAC regarding a $1 million “conduit” contribution."

Other/States
Capitol Times: Funding cut threatens popular Wisconsin campaign finance database
The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a long-time partner of ours, is facing a funding shortfall. They do great work in Wisconsin. Here's Mike McCabe explaining what's going on.

Capital Journal: Push to change Kansas' ethics enforcement coming
"Some conservative Republicans’ frustrations with the Kansas ethics commission are likely to prompt legislators to consider overhauling the watchdog agency this year."

Journal News: Senator: Casinos should pay for Fair Elections
In NY: "A state Senator and reform advocate Monday proposed generating revenue for campaign finance reform by charging licensing fees to casinos in New York, should they be allowed to operate in the state."

MPR: Campaign finance board looks to strengthen public disclosure law
"The Minnesota Campaign Finance Board voted today to come up with a plan that would tighten the state's disclosure laws for public officials."