Common Cause launches presidential bird dogging campaign on public financing in Iowa - As the host state of the first contest in the Presidential race, Iowa is already drawing frequent visits from the candidates and will be a hotbed of political activity leading up to the January caucuses.  Common Cause--in coordination with former Rep. Berk Bedell (D-IA)--launched an effort in late July to raise the issue of public funding of campaigns in the presidential debate.  Started by one Josh Zaharoff and continued by our newly hired organizer, Kyle Lobner, the effort has already recruited over 50 activists who will "bird dog" the candidates by asking them about the issue at any event or other opportunity.  Meanwhile, we're working with allies in the state to pose the question about public financing to the Presidential candidates as well.  Today, Bedell, former Rep. Jim Leach (R-IA), and Common Cause President Bob Edgar will send a joint letter and query to every candidate, urging them to support public financing as embodied in the Fair Elections Now Act and asking if they'll make it a priority as President.  How will the candidates answer?  We'll keep you posted.

Common Cause Indiana's complaint to Allen County Prosecutor triggers felony charges - Common Cause Indiana filed a complaint about mayoral candidate Matt Kelty with County Prosecutor Karen Richards, who then appointed a special prosecutor to investigate whether Kelty broke the law in how he reported $158,000 in loans on his campaign finance reports. The upshot? Kelty was charged with seven felonies and two misdemeanors by the Allen County grand jury. He faces up to three years in prison on each felony and up to 180 days in jail on the misdemeanor charges if convicted.

Colorado Common Cause participates in interview process for new Director of Elections - Michael Scarpello was selected new Director of Elections in early August. Colorado Common Cause participated in the interview process as a key stakeholder in the Denver area. As Executive Director Jenny Flanagan remarked, "If anyone is going to be in the hot seat, it is going to be the director of Denver elections.... I think he is going to be really good." Hopefully, Scarpello will help restore confidence and lift employee morale in the redesigned elections division, created when voters scrapped the election commission system that had led to the notoriously long waits and myriad problems in Denver's 2006 elections.

Wisconsin the only state in the nation without 2007-08 budget - Common Cause Wisconsin Executive Director Jay Heck lampooned the state legislature for failing to craft a budget yet plowing forward with many campaign fundraising events. "Our message to Wisconsin elected officials is a simple one: Complete the business of the citizens of this state before embarking on your personal political business," said Heck.  The message got through to several editorial boards, and CC/WI is demanding action: a halt to all campaign fundraising until the budget work is complete, like Minnesota, Texas and other states do.