AN ACCOUNTABILITY MOMENT IN BELL, CA

—Christian Science Monitor: “It started as a local story about small-city graft but quickly grew to become a national symbol of greed and failed government. … Nine months ago, the 40,000 residents of the city of Bell, Calif., – where 1 in 6 lives below the poverty line – became incensed with the discovery that several city officials were making six- and seven-figure salaries after creating secret boards and giving themselves outrageous raises. … Now, the light shined on the city of Bell by journalists, public officials, and the courts will reap large lessons from coast to coast, several political analysts say. As eight current and former officials await trial for fraud, Bell voters – one-fourth of the city’s population – will select five new city council members Tuesday from among 17 candidates in a recall election.”

OPENGOV PROTESTS IN UTAH AS GOVERNOR SIGNS ANTI-TRANSPARENCY BILL

—Examiner: “Around 200 bi-partisan protesters chanted “Veto! Veto! Veto!” in the Capitol Rotunda in Salt Lake City Tuesday to let the Utah Legislature know how they feel about HB477, a bill that would keep electronic communication by legislators and other government officials secret, and increase the cost of getting an open records report. It conflicts directly with GRAMA – the Government Records Access and Management Act. … In spite of a huge public outcry, Governor Gary Herbert signed HB477, making it law. A special session will take place to make changes in the bill that will take effect July 1. A veto of the bill would have ended it.”

FORMER SPECTER STAFF REVOLVES

—Washington Examiner: “Glover Park Group is one of the leading Democrat-leaning lobbying firms in town, and representing the top drug lobby, the top HMO lobby, Pfizer, Blue Cross, and UnitedHealth, the firm played a central role in crafting health-care reform. … This week Glover Park Group hired up John Myers, who was senior advisor to Sen. Arlen Specter. Glover Park made sure to mention that Myers “played a pivotal role in crafting” ObamaCare.”

FUNDRAISING PARTIES TODAY

–Rep. Gary Peters hosts a fundraiser with a number of lobbyists and Sen. Tom Carper raises money with some real estate PACs. Those and more fundraisers today here.