“Senate heads for vote on disclosure of hidden donors” by Tom Curry in NBC Politics.

“Democratic super PACs reel in $25 million” by Dave Levinthal and Kenneth P. Vogel in Politico.

“Citizens United didn’t just open money floodgates for corporations” by Anjeanette Damon in the Las Vegas Sun.

Connecticut:  “Donovan campaign returns $27,660 in contributions” by Susan Haigh (Associated Press) in the Boston Globe.

Minnesota:  “Minnesota Republican Party fined; accused of illegal contributions, circumventing laws” by Bill Salisbury in the Pioneer Press.

Rhode Island:  “R.I. Rep. Langevin near paying off $127,000 campaign-finance fine” by Philip Marcelo.

Tennessee:  “PACs flood Tennessee General Assembly campaigns with cash” by Andy Sher in the Times Free Press.

“50 politicos to watch: Lobbyists” by Abby Phillip in Politico.

California: “Calif. lobbyist believes his attempt to buy sports team sparked identity theft scheme” by Dale Kasler in the Boston Herald.

Connecticut: “Connecticut businesses, lawmakers, keep ties to controversial group” by Ana Radelat by the CT Mirror.

Kansas: “Lobbyist spending in Topeka grows 14 percent” by Brad Cooper in the Kansas City Star.

North Carolina: “Brubaker’s resignation last week allows him to begin lobbying sooner, Fitzsimon notes” by Rob Christensen in the News Observer.

Pennsylvania:  “New website tracks lobbying money in Philly politics” by Zack Seward in WHYY Newsworks.

Code for America is a favorite topic of mine. In what they are calling a new public service, the organization gathers great talent to write apps to solve problems in our cities and make government run better. Brilliant!

Well, at 3 p.m. this afternoon Code for America is holding a question and answer session. Don’t miss the chance to ask Code for America founder Jennifer Pahlka about how to get your city involved, or how existing apps are already helping people around the nation.

According to their announcement:

“Considering applying for 2013 fellowship? Wondering about an app built this year? Or maybe you want to know why she founded Code for America? Or which of her eight chickens is her favorite?”

Kudos to Code for America!

Following the work of New Jersey’s Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) has become easier through social media. According to a press release by Executive Director Jeff Brindle, the agency now has a presence on Facebook and Twitter. You’ll find updates about campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics news. This is probably the quickest way to keep up with meeting agendas and reporting dates.

ELEC has been maintaining a channel on YouTube since 2008 and now has  21 videos giving brief overviews of issues like lobbying, pay-to-play, and reporting.

A hat tip goes to John Schoonejongen, whose article, “You can now follow ELEC on Facebook, Twitter” in the Asbury Park Press, brought this news to our attention.

Lobbying

“Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who spent years in prison, gets radio show for Clear Channel” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.

Campaign Finance

“Senate Dems offer new version of DISCLOSE Act to fight Citizens United ruling” by Pete Kasperowicz in The Hill.

“Democrats push for campaign finance disclosure, again” by Tomer Ovadia in Politico.

“FEC Gridlock No Help to Obama Campaign” by Justin Worland in Roll Call.

Connecticut: “Feds indict Braddock, claim conspiracy began last year” by Mark Pazniokas in the CT Mirror.

District of Columbia: “Mayor Vincent C. Gray knew of campaign finance violations in January, sources say” by Mike DeBonis and Nikita Stewart in The Washington Post.

Montana:  “Mont. ballot initiative advocates ban on corporate money in elections” by Jessica M. Karmasek in LegalNewsline.

Lobbying

Ottawa, Ontario: “Council endorses lobby registry, integrity commissioner” by Errol McGihon in the Ottowa Sun.

The Hill’s “Lobbying World” staff report.

Campaign Finance

Alaska: “Assembly to weigh resolution on campaign finance” by The Associated Press in the Juneau Empire.

District of Columbia: “Vast ‘shadow campaign’ said to have aided Gray in 2010” by Mike DeBonis and Nikita Stewart in The Washington Post.

New York:  “Cuomo turns to campaign finance” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Albany Times Union.

Pennsylvania: “SEPTA found to violate federal lobbying rules” by Mark Fazlollah in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

West Virginia: “W.Va. group wants contribution limit blocked” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

Ethics

“Panel Seated in Ethics Inquiry Into Nevada Lawmaker” by Eric Lipton in The New York Times.

“CNN, Facebook Partner to Make ‘America’s Choice 2012’ Political Coverage an Interactive, Social Experience” on CNN News.

“Facebook Wants to Be the ‘Second Screen’ of Election 2012 Coverage” by Zoe Fox in Mashable.

“Facebook will be a key part of the 2012 election” in the Capitol Column.

“Social Fundraising Platform Rally To Launch One-Click Donations” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.

Also, be sure to take a look at:

“A Politician’s Guide to Social Media (VIDEO)” in Government Technology.

Video courtesy of Govgirlblog on YouTube.

“On the (Non-)Effects of Redistricting on Electoral Competition” by Karl Kurtz in NCSL’s The Thicket.

Alabama: “Democrats punt in state court, look to feds to fight redistricting of the Alabama Legislature” by Kim Chandler in the Birmingham News.

California: “State Legislative Campaigns Least Competitive in Nation” by Will Evans in KQED News.

Maryland: “Md. petitioners confident of sufficient signatures for redistricting vote” by Elizabeth Sallie in the the Washington Times.

North Carolina: “NC Supreme Court hears redistricting issue Tuesday” by Gary D. Robertson (Associated Press) in the Greensboro News-Record.

Pennsylvania: “Districts map redraws challenges in state Senate” by Marc Levy in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Campaign Finance

“Political Spending by Unions Far Exceeds Direct Donations” by Tom McGinty AND Brody Mullins in The Wall Street Journal.

“Campaigns to Compete for Ads During Olympic Games” by Nathan L. Gonzales in Roll Call.

Alaska:  “Committee weighs in on ethics of pre-election pledges” by Becky Bohrer (Associated Press) in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

District of Columbia: “Jeanne Clarke Harris is charged in ongoing investigation of Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s campaign” by Mike DeBonis and Nikita Stewart in the Washington Post

District of Columbia: “D.C. activists deliver 30,000 signatures for ballot initiative to ban corporate contributions” by Nikita Stewart and Tim Craig in the Washington Post.

Idaho:  “Idaho Democrats use state seal for campaign email” by John Miller (Associated Press) in the Idaho Statesman.

Ethics

“Ethics panel clears Buchanan on charge of misleading Congress” by Jordy Yager in The Hill.

Procurement

Arkansas: “New Arkansas Site Reveals State Salaries” in Government Technology. “The contracts page offers details on contracts or individual purchase orders for more than $25,000. Construction contracts with a value of greater than $20,000 are also listed.”

“Rules of the Game: Debate Over Corporate Spending Spans Parallel Universes” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

“Exclusive: Campaign donations by text? Not so fast, wireless carriers say” by Alina Selyukh (Reuters) in the Chicago Tribune.

“ESPN scores with political ads” by Tim Mak in Politico.

“Ethics Panel Weighs Whether to Continue Shelley Berkley Case” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.

Arizona: “72 run under Arizona’s Clean Elections system” by The Associated Press in the Arizona Daily Sun.

Illinois: “Quinn OKs change in campaign finance law” by Chris Wetterich in the State Journal-Register.

New York: “More questions than answers in lawmakers’ financial disclosure forms” by James Odato in the Albany Times Union.

Oregon: “Donors finance Oregon’s initiatives” by Peter Wong in the Statesman Journal.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Bartz, who is celebrating the 19th anniversary of State and Federal Communications, Inc. We had our monthly staff meeting today, so we took the opportunity to express our thanks.

Cleveland has a new casino downtown, the Horseshoe Casino in the Higbee building, which looks exciting. Many of us are eager to find out what it is like. So, we decided to have a little fun.

The staff presented Elizabeth with a night on the town in Cleveland – complete with a dinner at La Strada on trendy East 4th Street and the chance for a little gambling at the Horseshoe. We threw in good luck dice and a four leaf clover for good measure.

Good luck, Elizabeth!

We have a column in the office with Don Drumm stars on it – one for each anniversary the company celebrates. We are all proud to add a beautiful new star to the collection.

From all of the staff, we offer our best wishes, Elizabeth! Many years of health and prosperity to you.

Photos courtesy of Alexa Livadas and Nicolette Koozer.

“White House Orders Political Ad Info To Be Posted Online” by Seth Cline in U.S. News and World Report.

Here is the order published by the Federal Register: “Standardized and Enhanced Disclosure Requirements for Television Broadcast Licensee Public Interest Obligations; Extension of the Filing Requirement for Children’s Television Programming Report (FCC Form 398)”

“How hackers can code a better America” by Luke Fretwell in Govfresh.

“Civic kickstart: Citizinvestor wants to help your local project get funded” by Luke Fretwell in Govfresh.

“Agencies should publish lists of all their data, group says” by Joseph Marks in Nextgov.

Indiana: “Twitter town hall meeting taxes lawmaker’s ability to be concise” by Eric Bradner in the Evansville Courier & Press.

New Jersey: “Chris Christie, YouTube star?” by Caitlin McDevitt in Politico.

“Jack Abramoff: Healthy ruling for lobbyists” by MJ Lee in Politico.

“Maryland lobbying totals led by gambling interests” by Annie Linskey in the Baltimore Sun.

“Groups Admit to Lobbying Illegally to Aid Mayor’s Plans” by Ray Rivera in The New York Times.

Take a look at The Hill’s “Lobbying World” news summary.

“Common Cause files complaint against Minnesota Majority” by Jennifer Brooks in the Star Tribune.

Video courtesy of Politico.

“Can the Democrats Catch Up in the Super-PAC Game?” by Robert Draper in The New York Times.

“Lawmakers scrambling to nullify Citizens United” by Chris Camire in the Sentinel & Enterprise.

“Countrywide Offered Discounted Loans to Members, Report Says” by Jonathan Strong in Roll Call.

Arizona: “Indicted lawmaker uses campaign cash for legal expenses” by Gary Grado in the Arizona Capitol Times.

California: “Cudahy mayor resigns amid corruption probe” by Ruben Vives in the Los Angeles Times.

Connecticut:  “Twardy finds no evidence Donovan knew of illegal campaign contributions” by Keith M. Phaneuf and Jacqueline Rabe Thomas in the CT Mirror.

Colorado: “Gessler hit with another campaign finance lawsuit – but this one he may actually like” by Sarah Burnett in the Denver Post.

Delaware: “Del. business to pay $500k in campaign probe” by Randall Chase (Associated Press) in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Kansas: “FEC fines Kan. GOP for finance violation” by The Associated Press in KFDA News.

Michigan: “Michigan campaign donation limit survives challenge” by The Associated Press in the Lansing State Journal.

Missouri: “Former Governor wants probation on campaign finance violation” by Mike Lear in Missourinet.

Missouri: “Missouri election season arrives without ethics law” by Elizabeth Crisp in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

New Jersey: “Two N.J. politicians are fined for filing campaign finance reports late” by Matt Friedman in the Star-Ledger.