Good morning, here are today’s political law links (2/19/13)

BENEFITS TRUST AND WALGREENS REACH AGREEMENT ON POLITICAL DISCLOSURE. HLS Forum on Corp. Governance and Financial Reg. “The UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust (Trust) and leading drugstore chain Walgreen Co. (Walgreens) recently announced an agreement to a multi-year collaboration in which the company would develop a best practice policy approach to corporate political spending and lobbying activities.” (H/T Steven Sholk.)

TRIP FUNDING IN THE NEWS. The Post. “The overseas travel is covered by an exemption Congress granted itself for trips deemed to be cultural exchanges.”

OFA SCANDAL WARNING.  The Hill.  “Government watchdog groups once allied with President Obama warn he could become embroiled in a second-term scandal because of ties to a group set up to collect unlimited donations.”

FELONY CHARGES IN JACKSON CASE. CNN. “Federal prosecutors Friday filed felony charges against former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., alleging the illegal misuse of about $750,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses and gifts.”

MENENDEZ PROBE UPDATE. Politico. “FBI agents are investigating allegations that Sen. Bob Menendez had sex with prostitutes while staying in the Dominican Republic home of a close friend and big donor, Florida eye surgeon Dr. Salomon Melgen, according to a new report.”

CA: FINE IN LA. Story here. “A donor to the mayoral campaigns of City Controller Wendy Greuel and council members Eric Garcetti and Jan Perry was fined $170,000 on Thursday by the Los Angeles Ethics Commission for laundering dozens of campaign contributions.”

MT: REFORM ROLL OUT. Story here. “The bill, not yet introduced, is a sweeping reform of state campaign-finance laws, aimed at forcing more disclosure on campaign spending, reducing the influence of outside groups and directing more campaign contributions to candidates.”

NE:  LOBBYIST CONTRIBUTION SESSION BAN PROPOSED.  Story here.  “Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery thinks it’s time for Nebraska to join the 28 other states that prohibit lobbyists from making campaign donations to lawmakers while the Legislature is in session.”

HAVE A GREAT DAY.

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