Former US House Rep. Mike Arcuri, who is supporting the Fair Elections campaign in New York, gave a really candid interview about money in politics to the Syracuse Post-Standard editorial board this week: “There’s something inherently difficult about voting on a bill that you know the stakeholders or several of the stakeholders have contributed significant amounts of money to your campaign or the stakeholders have threatened to support your opponent if you don’t."

Here's video of that meeting, featuring Dave Palmer of the Center for Working Families and Joan Mandle, Democracy Matters Executive Director and Public Campaign's board chair.

Speaking of New York, if you're going to be in NYC on Wednesday, join us for a big rally for Fair Elections!

Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
HuffPost: West Virginia House of Delegates calls for Citizens United
"The Democratic-controlled West Virginia House of Delegates voted Thursday to call on Congress to enact a constitutional amendment overturning the Citizens United Supreme Court decision." Anti-Citizens United editorial in Wisconsin.

NYT: Obama order establishes bipartisan voting commission
"President Obama signed an executive order on Thursday establishing a bipartisan commission to examine problems of voter access after complaints of long lines at polling stations during last year’s election." Worth noting that a few weeks ago House Admin Chair Candice Miller wrote that she has no interest in addressing voting issues.

Roll Call: Larry Craig loses major battle in fight against FEC
"A federal judge has refused to dismiss a suit in which former Sen. Larry E. Craig is accused of improperly using campaign funds in a quest to vacate his guilty plea in a Minnesota airport bathroom sting."

Roll Call: STOCK Act endangers national security, report says
New National Academy of Public Administration report: "The much ballyhooed STOCK Act’s financial disclosure requirements for senior federal officials could endanger national security and individuals’ safety, a congressionally mandated report found."

The Nation: New voter suppression efforts prove Voting Rights Act still needed
Voter suppression efforts haven't slowed this year: "Despite the GOP’s avowal to reach out to new constituencies following the 2012 election, Republican state legislators have continued to support new voting restrictions in 2013. According to a report by Project Vote, fifty-five new voting restrictions have been introduced in thirty states so far this year."

Congress/Admin
WaPo: Top donors threaten Dems: Do the right thing on guns, or no more money
I'm never a big fan of donors making threats: "at least two top Democratic donors are stepping forward and vowing to withhold any and all future financial contributions from any Democrats who don’t support the centerpiece of Obama’s plan: Expanded background checks."

Roll Call: Former Hoyer aide to lead drug group lobbying
"The Generic Pharmaceutical Association has filled a prescription for its top lobbyist: Melissa Schulman, a longtime lobbyist with the Bockorny Group and a former congressional aide to Democratic members, will serve as the group’s senior vice president of government affairs."

Politico: Group files ethics complaint over Gohmert parking ticket
Members should be careful about abusing their position: "Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a complaint Thursday with the Office of Congressional Ethics against Rep. Louie Gohmert for his late-night verbal altercation with the U.S. Park Police."

Politico: Ad: Mitch McConnell "dunks" middle class
Ashley Judd may be out, but DSCC isn't keeping quiet. In a new ad, they hit McConnell on special interests: "It’s tournament time, but Sen. McConnell is playing for the Washington special interests against Kentucky."

Daily Beast: Palin's SarahPAC embarrassment: Consultants are cashing in
John Avlon's latest: "The ex-governor and VP pick railed against political consultants at CPAC. But her latest FEC filings show they took millions of dollars from her in the last election cycle."

Other/States
NYT: Pro-Cuomo group repeats as top spender on lobbying
Committee to Save NY still spending big: "For the second consecutive year, a coalition of business leaders supportive of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo spent more money on lobbying in New York State last year than any other group, according to a report the state ethics commission released on Thursday." NYDN.

AP: Ethics bill passes, guns fail as GA General Assembly ends session
Georgia legislature finally passed its ethics bill: "The legislation will prevent lobbyists from spending more than $75 at a time on lawmakers. Lobbyists could not expend money on entertainment expenses.