Good news in New Mexico! Thanks to the hard work of Common Cause New Mexico, the state legislature has passed legislation to update the public financing system for Public Regulation Commission and judicial elections. The legislation is a response to the Supreme Court's Arizona Free Enterprise System and adds a matching fund system similar to the Fair Elections Now Act proposed in Congress. We now await Gov. Martinez's signature.

Menendez's troubles aren't over: "A federal grand jury in Miami is investigating Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), examining his role in advocating for the business interests of a wealthy donor and friend, according to three people aware of the probe."

Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
Poughkeepsie Journal: Reforms free lawmakers from grip of rich CEOs
CANY's Karen Scharff: "Fair elections reform will restore New York’s democratic integrity by leveling the playing field for all New Yorkers. If passed by New York state lawmakers, fair elections will open new opportunities for voters to participate in campaigns regardless of their level of income." And Fair Elections campaign asks, "Is Albany another House of Cards"

CPI: CPAC panel: Shrink the Federal Election Commission
While across town at the press club, civil rights activists and reformers were talking about the 40th anniversary of Watergate and the need for new policies to raise the voices of everyday people, folks at CPAC said we should have fewer regulations and more anonymous money. #contrast

Daily Record: Cochran supports bill to update campaign finance disclosures
Republican Sen. Thad Cochran agrees with Democrat Jon Tester (and us!) that Senate fundraising reports should be filed electronically: "It is my hope that the Senate will at last agree to this common-sense proposal. Our legislation would put the Senate on par with the transparent campaign filing standards now used by the president and members of the House of Representatives."

Brennan Center: Testimony before NC Assembly Committee on Voter ID
Do read this testimony from Brennan Center's Keesha Gaskins on voter ID in North Carolina.

Richmond Times Dispatch: Follow the money--and faster
Sunlight's Bill Allison on the need for more (and better) transparency in political spending. Michigan editorial.

ELB: Vermont case before 2nd Circuit could challenge super PAC proliferation
"A case set to be argued March 15 before a federal appeals court in New York could challenge the trend toward deregulated campaign spending that has accelerated since the 2010 Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission."

Congress/2012
CRP: 2012 Election: Our price tag (finally) for the whole ball of wax
"With the final 2012 campaign finance reports, and their amendments, all in (well, mostly), the Center for Responsive Politics calculates that the elections cost at least $6.3 billion -- more than we previously estimated. The final figure cements 2012's status as the most expensive election cycle ever."

Palm Beach Daily News: PBers to host McConnell campaign fundraisers
Mitch McConnell continuing his string of fundraisers outside Kentucky. "The reception will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the home of Marianne and John Castle, which served as the Winter White House during the Kennedy Administration. A private dinner will follow at 8:30 p.m. at Windsong, the home of Hilary and Wilbur Ross Jr. Honorary event chairmen are the Castles, the Rosses, and Ann and Charles Johnson." $30,000 to be an honorary chairman, more than the per capita income in his home state.

Hollywood Reporter: Hollywood moguls set to raise mega-dollars for Cory Booker's Senate run
"And, as local fundraising begins in earnest for the coming midterms, it looks like Hollywood has found its new 'it guy' in Cory Booker, the ultra-telegenic, social media-savvy young mayor of Newark, who hopes to capture the New Jersey senate seat veteran Frank Lautenberg is vacating." Sunlight.

HuffPost: Conservative Political Action Conference 2013 Group Offers Hybrid PAC For Discounted Price Of $695
Don't get me this as a St. Patrick's Day present: "From its booth in the basement hall at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center (the site of this year’s conservative gathering) the D.C.-based firm is offering its 'CPAC discount': For $695, you can get outfitted with a ready-to-roll hybrid PAC."

The Hill: Obama support group off to sluggish start
"Two months after Organizing for Action was founded to bolster President Obama’s agenda, his poll numbers are slipping and the group remains on the defensive."

Roll Call: Deep pockets back organizer of CPAC
"The three-day Conservative Political Action Conference that began Thursday at National Harbor in Maryland showcases a wealth of conservative spending power from more than 200 right-leaning donors, foundations, universities, think tanks and activists who have collectively doled out more than $1 million to help underwrite the event."

HuffPost: Karl Rove called "inept" by Tea Party activists in email to American Crossroads mega donors
"Tea party activists are set to make their next move against GOP strategist Karl Rove, telling big American Crossroads super PAC donors they wasted their money last election."

Other/States
News-Record: Gambling suspect made donations to NC politicians
North Carolina: "Gov. Pat McCrory said Thursday that his campaign has given to charity money it received from an Oklahoma man who has been charged in a Florida gambling investigation." On the Florida recipients of the cash.