Great op-ed from Jonathan Soros in the Albany Times-Union today on the need for a comprehensive campaign reform package in NY that includes public financing: "No single change can eliminate corruption in Albany. There will always be those brazen or craven enough to break whatever laws exist. But the honest politicians in Albany deserve to be part of a system that inspires the trust and confidence of their constituents, and New Yorkers deserve honest politicians." Great Serpico reference too.

Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
Public Campaign: Video: Fair Elections rally in NYC
Public Campaign President Nick Nyhart went to the big NYC rally for Fair Elections last week. Here's a video of some conversations he had with NAACP's Jotaka Eaddy, Working Families Party's Dan Cantor, Citizen Action's Karen Scharff, and Greenpeace's Phil Radford. House parties this week, podcast with Karen Scharff.

Crains New York: New biz join push for campaign finance reform
NY LEAD adds some big names this week to its list of biz and civic leaders supporting reform efforts. Great quote here: "A system of small-donor matching funds is a good answer. It will encourage business growth, help constituents hold candidates and officeholders accountable, and ensure fair legislation in Albany."

Sunlight Foundation: Obama pushes Senate e-filing in proposed budget
President Obama once again includes Senate fundraising reports e-filing in his budget.

Honolulu Weekly: A public option
This week's cover story in the Honolulu Weekly is all about the efforts to modernize the state's public financing program, featuring Voter-Owned Hawaii's Kory Payne. New polling released yesterday shows a 2 to 1 margin in support.

Congress/Admin
HuffPost: Haley Barbour leaves American Crossroads amid concerns over Conservative Victory Project
Barbour wasn't happy with the group's Conservative Victory Project rollout: "Barbour was blindsided and appalled at Law's announcement in The New York Times about taking on the grassroots." Barbour responded that the report has "no basis in fact." I don't know, it's a Peter Stone story.

Houston Chronicle: Anti-incumbent super PAC targets Lamar Smith for defeat in 2014
"Campaign for Primary Accountability, an anti-incumbent Super PAC, has revealed some of the lawmakers on its 2014 hit list — and longtime San Antonio Republican Lamar Smith is on it."

The Hill: Deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms joins lobby firm
"Martina Bradford, a former deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms and aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), has gone to the influence industry. Bradford has joined the Bockorny Group as a principal."

Bloomberg: Crossroads GPS to FEC: no means no
"Once again the Federal Election Commission has asked the Republican non-profit group Crossroads GPS to disclose its donors. And once again the big-spending organization linked to Karl Rove has rebuffed the request." Washington Times.

Boston Globe: Super PAC to air pro-Gomez ad in US Senate race
"An outside group supporting Republican Gabriel E. Gomez’s campaign for US Senate goes on the air today with a 60-second radio ad knocking Democratic US Representative Edward J. Markey as one of “the same old politicians,” according to an adviser to the group."

WaPo: Sen. Kay Hagan raised $1.6 million in first quarter
"Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), who is considered one of the most vulnerable incumbents up for reelection in 2014, will announce Wednesday that she raised $1.6 million in the first quarter." Landrieu brought in $1.2.

Roll Call: Congressman invests campaign funds from contributors
"Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), former chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, reported his campaign fund earned $75,637 from interest and investments during the first quarter of 2013. The committee has $946,793 cash on hand."

NYT: In political campaigns, do you get what you pay for?
Edsall's latest on parties, super PACs, and accountability.

WaPo: The keys to a knowledge economy
Mark Zuckerberg is launching a new PAC and lobbying effort. Here's his op-ed.

WaPo: Defense contractors plan to plead guilty to overbilling, paying kickbacks
Blast from the past: "Two brothers whose defense business flourished with the help of Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.) plan to plead guilty next week to overbilling the Defense Department for their work and paying kickbacks to win business, according to their attorneys and court records." The company had given big donations to the late Rep. Murtha as he steered them millions in contracts.

Other/States
Miami Herald: Lawmakers raise hella-cash while calling for increase in campaign-finance donation limits
Some in the Florida legislature want to raise contribution limits, but as Marc Caputo notes: "Already preparing for the 2014 --- and, in some cases, the 2016 --- elections, incumbents raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions during the first three months of the year."

9News: Pro-gun lobbyist vows to fight ethics investigation
"An ethics panel of three lawmakers is looking into a complaint against a pro-gun lobbyist stemming from a verbal argument at the capitol first reported by 9NEWS during the height of the floor debate over gun legislation."

Omaha World Herald: Welcome sunshine on campaign funds
Nebraska: "Timely public disclosure of campaign contributions and political spending is poised to get a big boost in Nebraska. Under a bill making its way through the Legislature, the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission would receive the funds needed to create and maintain an electronic filing system for handling campaign finance reports."

Guardian: More than 100 lobbying professionals still hold parliamentary passes
Ok sure, this is not the US but: "More than 100 lobbying professionals or senior managers at interest groups and businesses still hold parliamentary passes given to them by members of the House of Lords, despite repeated pledges by coalition ministers to clean up the public perception of lobbying." Oh and transparency legislation in the Czech parliament.

Hindu Business Line: Walmart lobbying probe panel to meet on April 10
And in New Delhi: "A government appointed probe panel, looking into Walmart’s lobbying among US lawmakers for facilitating its India entry, will meet next week to discuss the details provided by the global retailer in this matter."