OpenSecrets.org Newsletter: An expedition into expenditures and more ...

Your weekly newsletter on money in politics.

OpenSecrets.org Unveils New Section on Expenditures We have no idea how many jobs are generated by federal elections, but we do know that some individuals and firms make a very good living from modern political campaigns. In fact, we can tell you just how well certain media companies, consultants, pollsters and others in the “election-industrial complex” are doing. In the 2014 elections, for instance, the Democratic media firm Waterfront Strategies took in over $136 million from campaigns and committees — easily the biggest haul for any vendor. At least 82 other vendors raked in $5 million or more. This week, the Center for Responsive Politics is making this information more accessible. Read more. Share Tweet Forward to Friend

Beer and Taxes Make for Bitter Brew Craft beer is everywhere, and while that may seem like a good thing for beer lovers, the giants of the industry aren’t thrilled. This isn’t just a bar fight, either — it’s a tension that often plays out on Capitol Hill. With a new Congress, the debate over Sierra Nevada v. Bud is fermenting anew — and the talk isn’t of hops, wild yeast, or malt. The subject is a different secret ingredient that the less perceptive beer enthusiast might not notice: taxes.Craft beer is a ... read more. Energy Industry Cash Fuels Senate Environment Committee Years of cultivating relationships with Republican lawmakers and supporting their campaign committees financially may begin to pay off tomorrow, as the GOP now controls the Senate — and thus, the Environment and Public Works Committee — and some of the industry’s closest friends will lead the questioning of EPA officials at tomorrow’s hearing. The committee will hold an oversight hearing Wednesday morning to ... read more. Rubio Reports More Top Tier Donors in Latest Filings n the ongoing scrum that is the GOP presidential money primary, every wealthy donor locked up adds both to a potential candidate’s perceived viability and his credibility with more donors. FEC filings from late last month have already yielded positive signals for several of the senators who may be angling for the nomination, but the latest batch are even more promising for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). Rubio, who may have ...read more.