Before the latest package of Common Cause news from around the country, I'd like to welcome one of our talented summer interns, Lee Levkowitz. Lee helped with the past two updates and she will be with us the rest of the summer, summarizing the great work of many Common Causers from sea to shining sea. Such as...
National Town Hall - Why Diversity Matters - Common Cause and LCCR are joining forces on June 29 for a town hall meeting on media diversity, and why the FCC must return to promoting minority ownership and a broader array of voices in our media environment. The event will take place in Denver and Washington, D.C. but will be simulcast on the web—so reserve your computer chair now! With an all-star lineup of author and talk show host Tavis Smiley, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, and others, this promises to be educational and exciting. Don’t miss it. Mark your calendar for June 29, 12pm eastern / 10am mountain, and join us in person or online—more details coming soon.
New York City Leadership Introduces Tough Campaign Finance Limitations - Common Cause New York representatives stood beside Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn on June 5th as they announced an agreement to create some of the strictest campaign contribution limits in the nation. The new provisions also enhance the city’s current public financing system, with the dual goals of enhancing the power of small donors and preventing “pay to play” practices. The rules represent a step forward for New York City and draw a stark contrast to the weak, ineffective campaign finance laws in Albany that need reform.
Connecticut Bill Requiring Legislators to Disclose Employment Passes House and Should be Signed into Law - In last week’s update we told you that the Connecticut Senate had approved a measure that requires legislators to continue disclosing their sources of outside income. On June 6th, director Andy Sauer of CC-CT stood by in the waning hours of the session and watched the House pass the bill just hours before closing. The governor is expected to sign it into law, and Andy is expected to finally get some sleep.
Common Cause Connecticut Calls for State Senate Minority Leader's Resignation - Senate Minority Leader Louis Deluca just pled guilty to a misdemeanor threatening charge and CC-CT is calling for his resignation. Deluca admitted that in 2005 he asked an alleged mob associate to “take care of” his granddaughter’s husband. FBI surveillance also revealed that Deluca had agreed to “blunt” any state moves that could hurt the alleged mobster’s business—an egregious abuse of power by the Senate.
Fundraising at Massachusetts Brunch - Common Cause Massachusetts held its annual awards brunch on Sunday, June 10th, honoring Congressman Marty Meehan for his work on campaign finance reform and CC/MA board member Karla de Steuben for her efforts creating the Massachusetts Campaign For Open Government. As he has done for the past four years, former CC President Scott Harshbarger presided over a short live auction that doubles as a stand-up comedy routine. The 80 attendees enjoyed their stay at the lovely Gore Estate in Waltham and CC/MA raised close to $8,000.
Members of Congress to Propose Bill Allowing Outsiders to File Ethics Complaints - Rep. Michael E. Capuano (D-MA) recently sent a recommendation to Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to start permitting anyone to file ethics complaints – not just members of Congress. Pelosi has signed off on the recommendation and another proposal to create a panel of four congressional outsiders to decide which of the complaints merit investigation. Common Cause has been fighting for an Independent Ethics Commission to investigate congressional misconduct; while this bill doesn’t create such a commission, it would be an important step away from the current system of members policing themselves, which has not been working. We’ll remain vigilant in pushing to pass the strongest possible ethics bill—as it stands today, passage of Capuano’s recommendation would be a victory for Common Cause and for the scandal-weary American public.
