PAY TO PLAY AND 16. NBC. “The SEC rules can be fuzzy and even experts say it’s not always entirely clear which donations trigger a violation. Determining which officials are covered by the rules requires a deep reading of state law. And while donations to outside groups — like the leadership PAC Christie is reportedly launching – could be kosher, lawyers warn that the nuances of the rules remain the subject of much debate.”
CU EVENT AND BOOKS. CCP. “This Wednesday, January 21st, CCP will be holding a conference on Citizens United v. FEC’s fifth anniversary.”
SUPREME PREVIEW. Daily Signal. “On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in its first campaign finance case since it threw out the aggregate limit on campaign contributions to federal candidates last year in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission.”
SUPER SANTORUM. The Hill. “Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and his main financial backer, billionaire Foster Friess, are gathering supporters together to plot out another presidential bid.”
GA: BOND SETTLEMENT. 11Alive.com. ” Councilman Michael Julian Bond has signed a settlement with the city of Atlanta’s Ethics Office admitting guilt to a long laundry list of ethics violations.”
IL: RAUNER LIST. Sun Times. “Gov. Bruce Rauner on Thursday said he plans to make public the names of all of his administration’s political hires to help ‘restore faith in state government.'”
IL: EMANUEL GRIP. Sun Times. “Mayor Rahm Emanuel maintained a stronghold over campaign finances in Chicago’s mayoral contest, having spent $4.7 million in the race in the final weeks of 2014 and closing out the year with $6.4 million in the bank.”
IN: ETHICS OVERHAUL. Indy Channel. “Indiana legislators would face more financial disclosure requirements and elected officials would be expressly prohibited from using state resources for political purposes under a proposed overhaul of ethics laws introduced Thursday.”
NV: WHAT REPORTS SHOW. LV Sun. “With the 2014 election in the books, politicians at the state and county levels will get to take some time away from the campaign trail. But for candidates running in the upcoming municipal elections in June, the race is just beginning.”
WI: DA TO INVESTIGATE. Fox11. “A special prosecutor is now investigating the campaign finance reports for Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt.”
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND. I’ll send around the next set of links on Tuesday.