The Fifty-Seventh Inauguration Official Website

“Inaugural Funds Raise Questions” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

“Why Sunday? Obama’s dual inauguration ceremonies honor tradition and law” by Dan Merica in CNN Politics.

“All the President’s Shoes: Inaugural Product Placement” by Ira Boudway in Bloomberg Businessweek.

“7 Huge Mistakes of Inaugurations Past” by Mark Micheli in Government Executive.

“Hotels Hit by Second Inaugural Slowdown” by Joshua Miller in Roll Call.

“Smaller Crowds May Ease Security Problems” by Rob Margetta in Roll Call.

“Braving the Elements on Inauguration Day” by Niels Lesniewski in Roll Call.

“Capturing the Presidential Inauguration from Space” by Chris Herwig on PBS Idea Lab.

“President Obama’s Inaugural 2.0: Breaking the Second-Term Jinx” by David Kusnet in the Huffington Post.

“Presidential Inauguration: What to do when you’re in town celebrating” by John Gonzalez in ABC News.

“Presidential inauguration guide for the disabled and elderly” by Alex Kane Rudansky in the Washington Post.

As someone who grew up in, let’s say, an earlier television era, Schoolhouse Rock has always held a place of honor in my memory. I learned many things about grammar and American government in these three-minute video gems.  This month marks the 40th anniversary of their debut on ABC TV.

Here are a pair of nice tributes to the anniversary: “’I’m just a bill:’ Schoolhouse Rock, 40 years later, still teaches generations” by Kevin Bohn in CNN Politics and “On Schoolhouse Rock’s 40th Anniversary, A Canadian Reflects” by Dana Grinshpan in Government Executive.

To me, the quintessential “America Rock” was I’m Just a Bill. Take a look!

There are so many others. Don’t miss the official Schoolhouse Rock! YouTube Channel where you can relive your favorite memories with Presidential Minute, Conjunction Junction, Figure Eight,  I’m Gonna Send Your Vote to College, and many more.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Lobbying

“Actor John Corbett gives lobbying new tune” by Patrick Gavin in Politico.

“K Street Files: Business Roundtable Weighs In on Entitlements” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.

“NRA’s lobbying bags big legislative wins in states over the past two decades” by Peter Wallsten and Tom Hamburger in The Washington Post.

Campaign Finance

Iowa:  “Senators target campaign spending reform in Iowa” by Jason Noble in Des Moines Register.

Maryland: “Groups to rally in Maryland to urge for campaign finance reforms” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.

Ethics

“Former FEMA exec pleads guilty to conflict of interest charges” by Kegar Pavgi in Government Executive.

“Under Contract” in The Hill.

“California ethics commission is at a crossroads” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.

Oregon:  “Oregon ethics board will consider Kitzhaber speaking fees” by Christian Gaston in The Oregonian.

Texas:  “For Ethics Commission, Big Hurdles to Reform” by Morgan Smith in the Texas Tribune.

Texas:  “Ethics bill would require disclosure of lawmakers’ contracts with state of Texas” by Mark Lisheron in Texas Watchdog.

Campaign Finance

“Ex-Bachmann aide alleges campaign finance violations” by Kevin Diaz in the Star Tribune.

Florida: “Support mounts to allow unlimited political contributions in Florida” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.

Florida: “Florida ethics rules come under Senate committee spotlight” by Matt Dixon in the Florida Times-Union.

Utah: “John Swallow accusations prompt call for ethics, campaign finance reform” by Dennis Romboy in the Deseret News.

Virginia: “Va. AG Cuccinelli will defy tradition, stay on job while campaigning” by David Hill in the Washington Times.

Lobbying

“Lobbying World” in The Hill.

“Chamber, union leaders mull alliance to press for immigration reform” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Florida: “Sweeping ethics bill would curtail lobbying by lawmakers” by Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.

Georgia:  “Lieutenant governor will abide by Senate’s $100 gift cap” by Kristina Torres in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Legislative Issues

Montana:  “New lawmaker launches video about 1st days in state Legislature” by John Grant Emeigh in the Billings Gazette.

New Mexico “Mary Kay Papen elected Senate leader” by Steve Terrell in the Santa Fe New Mexican.

The Public Affairs Council asked Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, why she and her staff attend the National Grassroots Conference.

The association is very excited about the approaching event. Their promotion states: “Trust us. You’ll want to be there. But don’t just take our word for it.”

Elizabeth was happy to step forward and here is her response:

State and Federal Communications is proud to be the sponsor for the Live Twitter Board during the event! Don’t miss out on what promises to be an exciting conference by the Public Affairs Council.

Lobbying

“Fiscal Battles Portend Good Year Ahead for K Street” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“K Street Files: Media Matters, MoveOn Adviser Takes Reins at NARAL” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.

“Roundtable’s chief lobbyist Bill Miller: Taking care of business” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

“Tech lobbyists: Immigration reform needed ‘desperately’” by Steve Friess in Politico.

“Outside Groups Spent Big on Congressional Travel” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.

California:  “Former state legislator, wine lobbyist Paul Lunardi dies at 91” by Torey Van Oot in the Sacramento Bee.

Europe:  “Political groups move closer to creating special committee on lobbying” by Cillan Donnelly in NewEurope.

Missouri:  “Ex-state representative relates keys of lobbying” by James R. Campbell in the Daily Mail & Herald Tribune.

New Mexico:  “Rotunda buzzes with activity ahead of legislative session” by Stacey Matlock in the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Campaign Finance

North Carolina: “Morning Memo: McCrory gets campaign cash from indicted donor, Hudson on the rise” in the News & Observer.

Legislative Issues

South Carolina: “No Sanford vs. Sanford in South Carolina” by Mike Zapler in Politico.

Lobbying

“Newly unemployed lawmakers buzzing about million-dollar lobbying jobs” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

California: “Interactive graphic: Hidden lobbying expenses” by Sharon Okada in the Sacramento Bee.

California: “California’s lobby laws keep many influence-peddling details secret” by Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee.

Nevada:  “Lobbyists sit through ethics training in Carson City” by David McGrath in the Las Vegas Sun.

“Two Buerkle staffers land jobs with Washington, D.C., lobbying firms” by Mark Weiner in the Post-Standard.

Campaign Finance

“Money in Politics This Week” by Syed Zaidi in the Brennan Center for Justice Blog.

“FEC Appointments Are Deciding the Future of Campaign Finance” by Alex Gauthier in the Independent Voter Network.

Mississippi:  “Judge sets trial date for campaign finance case” by The Associated Press in the Mississippi Business Journal.

Wisconsin:  “Mike McCabe featured speaker, topic is Campaign Finance Jan. 26 public meeting” in the Bay View Compass.

Ethics

“Harry Reid Disavows Report Linking Him to Bribery Case” by Neils Lesniewski in Roll Call.

Texas:  “Some State Legislators Blur Line Between Public and Private Interests” by Emily Ramshaw in The New York Times.

State Legislatures

“More than Half of State Legislatures Convened this Week” by Angela Andrews in NCSL’s The Thicket blog.

Washington: “Key players to watch in the Washington Legislature, which convenes Monday” in the Seattle Times.

The Presidential Inauguration

“Critics Decry Looser Rules For Inauguration Fundraising” by NPR in Oregon Public Broadcasting.

“Fund-Raising Is Lagging, So Far, for Inaugural Plans” by Nicholas Confessore in The New York Times.

“An inauguration first: Apps” by Steve Freiss in Politico.

Ethics

“Be It Dogged or Annoying, Office of Congressional Ethics Survives” by Billy House in National Journal.

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Ethics Commission executive director named” by Michael McNutt in Tulsa World.

Oklahoma:  “Oklahoma Ethics Commission proposes blackout period on complaints” by Michael McNutt in The Oklahoman.

Campaign Finance

Mississippi:  “Federal trial scheduled for challenge to Mississippi’s campaign finance law” by The Associated Press in the Mississippi Press.

Montana: “Bill would tighten some Montana campaign finance laws” in the Missoulian.

New York: “Cuomo pushes NY campaign finance reform _ again” by The Associated Press in the Wall Street Journal.

New York City:  “Campaign Finance Board fires back at City Council” in by Beth Morrissey in The New York World.

Lobbying

Delaware: “Kowalko introduces ‘revolving-door’ lobbying bill” by Doug Denison in the News Journal.

Florida: “Orange Mayor Jacobs proposes major texting, lobbying reforms” in the Orlando Sentinel.

Georgia: “Ga. Senate moves toward lobbying gift cap” by Ray Henry (Associated Press) in WSAV.com.

North Dakota:  “Lobbyists gear up for 2013 ND legislative session” by The Associated Press in InForum.

Oregon:  “Oregon Democratic legislators receive make-up donations” by Jeff Mapes in The Oregonian.

“K Street Files: TCH Group, Polaris Add Lobbyists” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

Campaign Finance

“Campaign Finance Reform In Congress Moves Forward With Little Hope For Passage” in the Huffington Post.

“Watchdog group criticizes Rep. Tim Ryan’s ‘campaign meals’ in congressional dining room” by Sabrina Eaton in the Plain Dealer.

Ethics

Idaho: “Idaho lawmakers get ethics training, a first” by The Associated Press in the Idaho Press-Tribune.

South Carolina: “SC lawmakers push more money for Ethics Commission” by Adam Beam in The State.

Legislative Issues

Kentuckey: “Kentucky House elects first woman to leadership post” by Jack Brammer and Beth Musgrave in the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Michigan: “Governor calls May special election to fill Flint-area state Senate seat vacated by John Gleason” by Kristin Longley in MLive.

Michigan:  “5 things to watch today as the Michigan Legislature starts its 2013-14 session” by Tim Martin in MLive.

Redistricting

“Alaska redistricting board wants high court to reconsider” by The Associated Press in the Daily News-Miner.

Open Government

“House Republicans Release More Data Catnip for Developers” by Nick Judd in TechPresident.

Government Tech

“Technology’s Real Value for Government” by Jerry Mechling in Public CIO.

Lobbying

“Matt Walker Heads to the National Restaurant Association” by Alex Roarty in National Journal.

Campaign Finance

“Coalition Presses for Rules on Corporate Political Spending” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

“Campaign finance fight lands at the SEC’s door” by Anna Palmer and Zachary Warmbrodt in Politico.

District of Columbia: “Campaign finance reform bills introduced at D.C. Council” by Alan Blinder in The Examiner.

Ethics

Georgia: “Senate committee meets on ethics rules” by Melissa Roberts on CBS Atlanta.

Kansas: “GOP conservatives’ ire at ethics commission likely to result in proposals to revamp watchdog” by John Hanna in The Republic.

South Carolina: “Sanford set for political comeback trail” by Cameron Joseph in The Hill.

Legislative Issues

“The Hill’s 2012 New Members Guide” in The Hill.

“Americans prefer Nickelback, root canals to Congress” by Breanna Edwards in Politico.

“Rhode Island Likely to Lose a House Seat” by Katherine Q. Seelye in The New York Times.

Michigan: “Michigan Legislature starts new session Wednesday” by David Eggert (Associated Press) in the Lansing Journal.

Vermont:  “As new legislative session starts, a look at the old Statehouse” by Terri Hallenbeck in the Burlington Free Press.

Wisconsin: “Wis. lawmakers reach no deal on changing rules” by Scott Bauer in the La Crosse Tribune.

Government Tech

“Who has the worst web presences in politics?” by Steve Friess in Politico.

Ethics

“Citing Flawed Process, Lawyers Call for Changes in Ethics Office Inquiries” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.

“CREW Files DOJ, FEC Complaints Against Payday Lender for Illegal Conduit Contribution to Super PAC” in ENews Park Forest.

Colorado: “Ethics commission moves forward with Gessler investigation” by John Tomasic in the Colorado Independent.

Maryland: “Common Cause hires new state director” by Michael Dresser in the Baltimore Sun.

South Carolina:  “Ethics commission discusses reform recommendations” by The Associated Press in GoUpstate.com.

Wisconsin: “Funding cut threatens popular Wisconsin campaign finance database” by Steven Elbow in The Capital Times.

Lobbying

Ohio: “Former Rep. Steve LaTourette and wife to start law firm’s lobbying practice” by Sabrina Eaton in the Plain Dealer.

Campaign Finance

“Outside, secret money likely to flow in 2013” by Tarini Parti in Politico.

Minnesota:  “Campaign Finance Board looks to strengthen public disclosure law” by Tom Scheck in MPR News.

New York:  “Campaign finance reform crusader Cuomo fund raises at Waldorf Astoria” by Carl Campanile in the New York Post.

New York:  “Mayoral candidate files lawsuit challenging limits on campaign contributions” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

New York:  “NY proposal: Use casino money to fund NY campaigns” by Michael Gormley in the Huffington Post.

New York: “NY campaign funding drops, but Senate GOP gets most money” by Joseph Spector in the Press & Sun-Bulletin.

Legislative Issues

“SC House minority leader steps down” by Adam Beam in The State.

Social Media and Government Tech

“The Library of Congress is Archiving 170 Billion Tweets — on Tape” by Julia Wetherell in TechPresident.

Campaign Finance

“Obama Campaign Fined $375,000” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

“Supreme Court won’t hear campaign finance arguments from anti-abortion group” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.

Connecticut: “Former State Sen. Ernest Newton Arrested” by Mark Pazniokas in the Hartford Guardian.

Lobbying

“2013 Lobbying Certificate Program Calendar Released” on the American League of Lobbyists website.

“K Street Files: MPAA Casts Strahan” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“Confessions of a Young Lobbyist on Capitol Hill” by Mickey Leibner in Roll Call.

“K Street Files: Airline Group Lands New Staffer, Lawsuit; Former Senators Lobbying” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

Ethics

“Cynthia Bauerly, FEC Commissioner, To Resign On February 1” by Paul Blumenthal in the Huffington Post.

Idaho: “Idaho lawmakers could create ethics committee” by Justin Corr in KTVB News.

South Carolina: “S.C. lawmakers have packed 2013 agenda” by Stephen Largen in the Post and Courier.

Legislative Issues

“Utah lawmaker wants to dump must-vote rule” by Robert Gehrke in The Salt Lake Tribune.

Don’t miss the latest updates in the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Ethics Update. You’ll also find links to newsletters from the state ethics commissions.

Lobbying

“Technology and lobbying in 2012” on Federal News Radio.

“K Street Files: Clark Lytle, Thorn Run Add New Partners” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“Americans Believe the System Is Rigged Against Them: An Interview with Former Lobbyist Jack Abramoff”  by Elliot Resnick in The Jewish Press.

California: “Greuel faults DWP for bypassing bids on lobbying contracts” by David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times.

Campaign Finance

Arkansas: “Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson reports self to Ethics Commission giving campaign cash to girlfriend” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

New Jersey: “N.J. Democratic Party fined $42K for alleged campaign finance violations” by Matt Friedman in the Star-Ledger.

Texas: “Ethics Commission Fines Simmons’ PAC Over Donations” by Becca Aaronson in the Texas Tribune.

Ethics

“Report links McConnell campaign donations to legislative work” by Alexandra Jaffe in The Hill.

“House Ethics Reviewed 96 Cases During 112th” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.

New York: “NY comptroller sues Qualcomm on political spending” by The Associated Press in The Wall Street Journal.

Pennsylvania:  “Gov. Corbett’s trip paid for by a businessman is subject of a complaint filed by activist Gene Stilp” by Jan Murphy in the Patriot-News.