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• Author: Evans, Zenon
• Position: Instant funding info - Greenhouse software - Brief article

Ever read a political news item and wonder who's funding the politicians in the story? Now you can find out which donors back which political figures, and how much, with the help of a browser plug-in. It's called "Greenhouse"--a nod to transparency and maybe a jab at politicians' hot air.

For example, if you were using the plug-in while reading a recent news item about Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and her views on Obamacare, simply hovering a mouse over her name would bring up an information window that looks something like a political baseball card. Greenhouse fists the top 10 industries from which a politician receives money; Pelosi's number one source of funding comes from medical professionals. The health care industry gave her slightly over $200,000 in 2012.

The software, which launched in June, also highlights what percentage of a...