Common Blog

Today, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen announced her plans to make the raw data behind California’s lobbyists and campaign finance database available, online, on one spreadsheet available to the public and updated daily. Secretary Bowen’s announcement is a reversal from a position she has long held since Common Cause began asking for this disclosure in 2011.

House Majority Leader angrily replies to watchdog’s request for meaningful reform  In a surprising response to a letter sent to ethics committee conferees requesting consideration of amendments and informing members of advocacy calls to voters in their legislative districts, House Majority Leader Larry O’Neal … Continue reading →

We hear a lot in the national news about the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), but the action happens in the state houses. In Colorado, we know ALEC is actively lobbying for fewer environmental protections, changes to our collective bargaining rights, and many other special interests. We’re going to hear about it tomorrow night from Elena Nunez, [...]

The news that Organizing for Action, President Obama’s new lobbying organization, plans to arrange meetings with the President for its top donors, is generating calls for some serious reforms in the organization.

I get accused of not praising the steps the House Leadership has taken toward ethics reform. While I have praised them for offering to restore the rulemaking authority for what use to be known as the State Ethics Commission, requiring disclosure … Continue reading →