Professor, author, and Public Campaign Action Fund board member Zephyr Teachout has a great new Huffington Post piece on the fight for Fair Elections in New York: "How April in New York Can Change the Country."

Another reminder for Common Cause's "Lessons of Watergate" conference next week at the National Press Club in DC. Lots of great speakers, including our own Nick Nyhart.

Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
Common Cause: Montana Senate follows its instructions: calls to reverse Citizens United
"The Montana Senate has become the first Republican-led chamber in the country to pass a resolution in support of a constitutional amendment that would reverse the Citizens United ruling."

AP: System of public financing for Supreme Court races passes House, heads to Senate
It faces "dim prospects" in the Senate, but the Kentucky House: "The House has passed a perennial proposal to create a system of public financing for Supreme Court races."

MPBN: Maine bill targets Clean Elections candidates' PACs
Updates on a hearing yesterday in Maine on Clean Elections changes.

Inquirer: Seeking to curb corporate influence on politics
Thomas Fitzgerald's latest column based off Move to Amend's David Cobb's visit to talk constitutional amendment:

Congress/2012
WaPo: Escort says Menendez prostitution claims were made up
Oh? "An escort who appeared on a video claiming that Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) paid her for sex has told Dominican authorities that she was instead paid to make up the claims and has never met or seen the senator, according to court documents and two people briefed on her claim." AP. Daily Caller defends itself. ABC.

PCAF: Mitch McConnell's ties to bribery-linked mega donor
After this weekend's news of Shel Adelson and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, PCAF looks at a previously unreported fundraiser Mitch McConnell had in Las Vegas with Adelson. Where does he stand on FCPA? "Given McConnell’s stance in support of policies that will lead to more corruption in American politics, we would not be surprised if he has Adelson’s back on this one."

Politico: WH: "No set price" for meeting with Obama
"There is no 'set price' to meet with President Obama, White House press secretary Jay Carney said Monday amid continued outcry over the role of Organizing for Action, the outside group supporting the president's agenda."

Roll Call: American Crossroads excoriates Obama group
Lacking self-awareness (or just a lot of chutzpah), American Crossroads hit OFA yesterday as "Organizing for Access."

AP: Legacy in mind, Obama aides form web of influence
"Close aides and loyal allies who made President Barack Obama's re-election possible are attempting to do what's never been done before. They're building an extensive, well-heeled network of outside groups and consulting firms with one goal: promoting Obama's agenda and shaping the legacy he'll leave behind."

Politico: Democrats launching plan for 2014 at-risk members
On DCCC efforts: "There will also be a heavy focus on providing help with fundraising. President Barack Obama has promised to raise money for the House Democratic campaign arm, and party officials say some of that cash will be directed to the vulnerable members."

MassLive: Rep. Ed Markey gets on Democratic Senate ballot, renews call for Republican candidates to sign 'People's Pledge'
"Democratic U.S. Rep. Edward Markey on Monday reiterated his call for the Republican Senate candidates to sign a pledge barring outside money from the U.S. Senate race, as he turned in to the Secretary of State’s office the 10,000 certified signatures required to get on the ballot for the Democratic Senate primary."

The Hill: Lobbyists predict rebound in 2013
2013 is going to be good for K Street.

Reuters: US Airways beefs up lobbying power for review of American merger
"US Airways Group Inc (LCC.N), which is seeking government approval to buy rival American Airlines, has hired two new lobbying firms, according to recent filings." CPI.

Roll Call: Inside the NRSC's comeback strategy
There's some talk in here about the impact of Citizens United and outside spending on the NRSC's strategy.

Politico: Koch-backed group: President Obama's hyping cuts
"A Koch-backed group is airing ads starting Tuesday criticizing President Barack Obama for over-hyping the impact of the $85 billion in automatic budget cuts that hit March 1, noting the cuts included amount to only three percent of federal spending."

Other/States
AP: Supermarket wine opponents contribute heavily
Tennessee: "Campaign contributions totaling more than $364,000 have poured into lawmakers over the past two years from liquor wholesalers, package stores and the beer industry - three groups that have traditionally opposed changing state law to allow wine to be sold in supermarkets."

Pioneer Press: Minnesota lobbyists spent $65.2M in 2011, report says
"Businesses, unions, trade groups and gambling and stadium interests spent $65.2 million to influence the Minnesota Legislature and state agencies in 2011, state regulators said in a report released Monday, March 4."

Maddow: Wisconsin GOP wants to end weekend voting
"[A] proposal by Wisconsin Republicans to cap the hours for early voting and end weekend voting altogether. Wisconsin Assembly Bill 54 got introduced and moved to committee on Friday.

Orlando Sentinel: Will lawmakers press campaign reform or just face-lift?
In Florida: "Tuesday, those lawmakers will go to work pushing ethics and campaign-finance reforms that could send ripples throughout the clout culture of Florida's capital city — or just give a face-lift to the same old influence game."