Virtually all political scandals involve either seeking greater power, or money. This week’s discussion focuses on the latter. We are joined in the podcast by two national leaders in the drive to disrupt the political money machine: Gabe Lezra from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (better known as CREW), and Lisa Gilbert from Public Citizen.

Topping the political news this week: legislative Democrats move quickly on economic development, two major tax cuts and the presidential primary; Haley Stevens rules out a Senate race; Republicans double down on whining about 2020 and the Big Lie; and Florida provides a preview of the Big Brother mentality that could be the mantra of our next President.

Lisa Gilbert is the Executive Vice President at Public Citizen. She advocates for government transparency and integrity, financial reform, civil justice, and consumer protections. Lisa has testified before Congress, and been quoted in publications such as the New York Times, the Associated Press, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Washington Post and NPR. She was also a featured contributor to the National Journal’s “Expert Blog” on lobbying and ethics, and writes frequently for USA Today, Yahoo Finance, and The Hill.

Gabe Lezra is the Federal Policy Manager and a Senior Counsel at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), where he specializes in anti-corruption, democracy reform, and government ethics law. He also serves as the Policy Working Group Leader at the Declaration for American Democracy (DFAD) coalition, where he has helped develop the coalition’s democracy reform agenda. Prior to joining CREW, Gabe served as a counsel at the American Association for Justice and as a financial institutions and consumer law associate at Debevoise and Plimpton LLP in New York. Gabe received his J.D. with honors from Georgetown Law and his B.A. with high honors from Wesleyan University.

This week in politics

Michigan moves for early slot for 2024 presidential primary | AP News

Michigan slated for early slot in 2024 presidential primary

Haley Stevens on Twitter: Not running for US Senate

Democrats win, GOP upset as Michigan votes to move up presidential primary | Bridge Michigan

Whitmer: Pension tax rollback and EITC should be 2023’s first laws

Whitmer signs spending bill, allocates $240M in federal COVID-19 funds

Business group to Michigan Legislature: Extend tax cuts to more seniors | Bridge Michigan

Some seniors may be left out of Lansing’s rush to cut taxes

Gretchen Whitmer on guns: ‘The time for only thoughts and prayers is over.’ | Bridge Michigan

Minimum wage increase set for February blocked by Michigan court | Bridge Michigan

Livengood: Whitmer’s messaging has a ring of national aspiration

GOP Chair Ronna McDaniel defeats rival in fierce campaign | AP News

The crimes Trump or his allies could be charged with in Fulton County – The Washington Post

The GOP gameplan…

GOP report shows plan to ramp up focus on disproven election fraud claims – The Washington Post

RNC urges GOP candidates to ‘go on offense’ on abortion in 2024 – The Washington Post

Inside the audacious new scheme to erase LGBTQ people from Michigan schools

Fighting misinformation in U.S. history

GOP-led committees plan to issue subpoenas in Biden probes without consulting Democrats | CNN Politics

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