spending mushrooms in new 'political ecosystem'

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_POLITICAL_FUNDRAISING_BOOM?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-04-06-10-26-21

BOSTON (AP) -- Operating with few rules and limited oversight, outside groups spent a record $1 billion to influence last year's election.

Politicians of all persuasions griped about the meddling. But few are working to change laws that ushered in an unprecedented flood of money made possible by a 2010 Supreme Court ruling that erased years of campaign finance law.

Instead, political leaders and donors from both parties are preparing for the flow of outside money to intensify. New groups have formed and others are shaping plans to come back bigger and smarter ahead of the 2014 congressional elections and the 2016 presidential race.

What laws do remain could become even looser as the Supreme Court considers another high-profile decision.