Campaign Finance

• The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufactures of America, the drug lobby’s trade association, gave more than $9 million to politically active 501(c)(4) groups during the 2010 election season. (iWatch News)
• The major political committees focused on Governors follow state, not federal, campaign finance rules. They are registered as 527 groups and can actively solicit donations from corporate interests. (National Journal)
• Democratic lobbyists, who are barred from raising money for President Obama’s campaign, are not jumping to donate to Priorities USA, the super PAC supporting the president. (The Hill)

Government

• The Senate may take up a version of the STOCK act passed by the house. Both chambers recently passed similar legislation, but no moves have been made to reconcile differences between the two versions. (Politico)
• A battle may be brewing over the issue of “open access” to government funded scientific research. But, neither opponents or proponents of the issue in Congress are itching for a fight and it appears more likely that a compromise will be negotiated. (New York Times)
• Opinion: Prosecuting whistleblowers is antithetical to open government. (Gov Fresh/Alex Howard)