Here's a recap of Common Cause's work over the past two weeks. We're celebrating hard-won victories regarding the FEC and FCC and highlighting other important work throughout the country.

Federal Election Commission (FEC): We Stopped The White House Again!
On May 16 controversial White House nominee Hans von Spakovsky withdrew his name from consideration for a position on the FEC. Common Cause, working with a coalition of voting rights and reform groups, had opposed von Spakovsky because of his work at the Justice Department rolling back voting rights laws.

Common Cause is leading the charge on redistricting in California, campaign finance reform in Wisconsin and Nebraska, watchdogging in Georgia, and more.  Check out the fruits of our ongoing labor around the country....

• California Common Cause introduces statewide redistricting initiative for 2008 ballot
• Common Cause Georgia establishes first satellite unit outside Atlanta
• Governor of Wisconsin breaks promise on campaign finance reform
• Common Cause Nebraska still gunning for Public Service Commission campaign reform
• Hearing, rally, and continued pressure on FCC to block media consolidation and support localism

The conventional wisdom is that August is a slow month in Washington, DC. Of course, the conventional wisdom is also that the Department of Justice serves to administer justice for all. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales turned both of those norms on their respective heads (see below). So it's been a bit livelier than usual lately, and after an absence, we bring you the latest in Common Cause news from around the country....

• North Carolina Senate passes public financing bill
• Pennsylvania Common Cause leads fight for budget deadlines and fines
• Common Cause Georgia reports on serial tardiness in filing campaign disclosure reports
• Senate Passes Sweeping Ethics Reform
• Gonzales gone!

Last year the Georgia State Ethics Commission was newly tasked with all sorts of responsibilities - for example, processing and posting candidates' campaign contribution reports and policing lobbyists.  With these new responsibilities came more money in the budget to make sure the agency had the capacity necessary to carry them out.

Now, however, Governor Sonny Perdue has proposed a 40% budget cut for the next fiscal year.

Lawmakers are saying they'll work hard to restore the funds:

Gather 'round for your weekly one-stop-shop for state news and happenings.  

• Voters in Arizona this November will be entered in a lottery to win $1 million dollars.
  
• Matt Brix, the Executive Director of Common Cause New Mexico, appeared on the Al Franken Show to talk about public financing.
  
• The debate over voter IDs in Georgia continues.
  
• Also, a voter ID law in Missouri is being challenged.
  
• There are about a gajillion redistricting proposals being offered in Texas right now, each with their own agenda.  How many of them are aimed at protecting the voting rights of minorities?  Just a handful.
  
• Ralph Reed lost his primary for Georgia Lt. Governor after his ties with Jack Abramoff became front-page fodder.
  
• The ACLU is challenging Connecticut's public financing law in court.
  
• Common Cause Pennsylvania has asked for an official inquiry into suspicious campaign spending by State Speaker of the House John Perzel.
  
• The latest campaign finance data from New York has been released.
  
• Ethics reform in North Carolina is looking good.  The State Senate passed overhauling legislation this week; there are differences with the State House, but this is one state that is making great progress towards real reform.

An ancient Chinese proverb states: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step."  Fortunately, Ralph Reed's first step towards the presidency went backwards.

Once a power broker in the evangelical movement, Reed's projected political ascendancy was easy to chart.  The first stop was Lt. Governor of Georgia--a demotion in responsibility but a necessary step-ladder for his political ambitions.  After dutifully serving his four-year term, Reed would've been perfectly positioned to succeed term-limited Gov. Sonny Perdue.  (Assuming, for the moment, that Perdue is re-elected in 2006.  If not, Reed would've been the likely challenger to a Democratic incumbent.)  Once Chief Executive in Georgia, Reed would've had a prominent platform to promote his legislative agenda, consolidate evangelical support and plan a run for the presidency.  Unlike the failed campaigns of Pat Robertson, Gov. Reed would've had a legislative track record to accompany his roots in the Christian Coalition.

But Reed's blueprint has been officially scuttled by Georgia voters.  Republicans, no less.

Let me introduce you to Abramoff and His Friends, the Hard Luck Gang.  First there's Grover Norquist, whose lobbying activities are taking a serious hit along with his reputation.  Then there's Representative Bob Ney (R-OH), who may be facing indictment.  And now rounding out the club:  Ralph Reed.  

Yes, the very same Ralph Reed who used to run the Christian Coalition.  The same Reed who served as Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party.  More pertinently, the same Reed who is running for Georgia Lieutenant and seemed a shoo-in just months ago.

And now he's that Ralph Reed.

Reed is paying for his dealings with Abramoff, which the article expands upon.  Lesson learned: corruption doesn't pay, but it certainly costs -- in this case, a shoo-in candidacy.