• Ethics conflicts for departing members: Lawmakers leaving Congress might have to excuse themselves from certain votes due to conflicts of interest as they contemplate their next job. (The Hill)  

• Congress cut out of fiscal cliff talks: Most members of Congress are in the dark when it comes to knowing what’s being discussed in meetings regarding the so-called “fiscal cliff.” (NPR)

• Democrats prepare counter move on net neutrality: House Democrats might introduce new legislation related to net neutrality if a court throws out the regulations. (POLITICO)

• Corruption costing Pakistan billions: Billions of rupees in revenue could be generated if corruption was combated in Pakistan, an official there said. (The Nation)

• Fighting corruption with handymen: A new website that allows users to file complaints about poor public maintenance is sparking a flurry of work by repairmen who were previously unresponsive. It’s thought the public nature of the complaints is helping stem corruption among public works handymen. (New York Times)

• US won’t accept changes to Internet regulations: The United States has declared it will not sign on to a United Nations telecommunications treaty if it impacts governance of the Internet. Some argue the changes could allow for more government censorship of the Web. (The Hill)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED: