Independent Groups
Bloomberg: Cruz Joins Heitkamp as New Senator Forming Leadership PAC
By Brian Faler & Jonathan D. Salant“This is just a second fundraising machine for incumbents,” said Craig Holman, a lobbyist for Public Citizen, a Washington-based advocacy group that favors stronger campaign- finance regulations.
Disclosure
National Review: Kochs Postpone Post-Election Meeting
By Robert CostaNational Review Online has learned that the Koch brothers will postpone their semi-annual meeting, which was originally scheduled to be held next month. It will now be held in April. In an e-mail to friends, Charles Koch says he wants to reflect on the results, and on election data, before he huddles with fellow business leaders.
Candidates, Politicians and Parties
Politico: Inauguration 2013: Planners seek million-dollar donors
By Anna PalmerFundraising for President Barack Obama’s second inauguration has kicked into high gear with organizers soliciting contributions up to $1 million.
Lobbying and Ethics
NY Times: A Pocket Guide to Lobbying in the United States
By GARDINER HARRISA major part of the Washington power scene, lobbyists range from people hired to advocate for certain weapons systems to those who want the government to finance more cancer research. Thousands of people in Washington and in state capitols across the United States are employed as lobbyists, and they spend much of their time gently prodding congressional and administration officials to write legislation or administrative rules in ways that are favorable to their clients.
Roll Call: Forbes-Tate Lures Boehner Aide to K Street
By Kate AckleyThe lobby shop Forbes-Tate, which tilts strongly Democratic, has recruited a floor aide from Speaker John A. Boehner’s leadership operation, instantly doubling the firm’s Republican headcount and deepening its bench in the House.
State and Local
Minnesota –– Associated Press: New fees could fall on Minn. lobbyists, candidates
By Brian BakstA Minnesota campaign finance oversight board is weighing whether to impose new fees on lobbyists, candidates and political parties to address budget strains that have been exacerbated by added calls for investigations.
Ohio –– Akron Beacon: Akron City Council votes to boost campaign finance limits — again
By Stephanie Warsmith“It’s hypocritical to have these two ordinances,” said Councilman Mike Williams, who unsuccessfully challenged Mayor Don Plusquellic last year in a historic race that saw more than $500,000 spent by the candidates and a group that supported Plusquellic. “The limits as they are, are fine without modification. We need to keep as much money out of campaigns as possible.”
Texas –– PR Newswire: Federal Court Ruling Favors Future of Texas Super PACs
By Gober HilgersAUSTIN, TEXAS, DEC. 10, 2012 — /PRNewswire/ — A federal judge has ruled in favor of a Texas-based political action committee (PAC) by granting a preliminary injunction in a First Amendment lawsuit that may permanently clear the way for so-called “super PACs” to influence state and local political races in Texas. In September, the PAC Texans for Free Enterprise sued the Texas Ethics Commission challenging the constitutionality of the Texas Election Code provisions that prohibit PACs from accepting corporate contributions for the purpose of making direct campaign expenditures. The Texas Ethics Commission defines direct campaign expenditures as independent expenditures made without the prior consent, approval or cooperation of the candidate benefitted.
Wisconsin –– Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Einhorns’ contribution to Walker could trigger ‘pay-to-play’ rule
By Kathleen Gallagher and Jason SteinConservative Milwaukee financier Stephen Einhorn and his wife, Nancy, donated $25,000 to Gov. Scott Walker a month before Einhorn’s firm won a contract to manage $1 million of taxpayer money, potentially triggering federal “pay-to-play” conflict of interest rules.
