New Mexico Common Cause Executive Director Matt Brix appeared on the Al Franken show last Friday, July 14th. Matt talked about public financing and their recent victory in Albuquerque. The show was taped live at Democracy Fest in San Diego.

The segment is available on podcast. Click here to download.

First San Diego, now San Jose. The San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales was arrested Thursday on suspicion of six felony counts -- including accepting a bribe -- in connection with a garbage-contract scandal, prompting calls from five members of the City Council that he resign immediately as mayor of the nation's 10th-largest city.

Click here to get the full story.

Ironically, in March, San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and the city council asked the San Jose Elections Commission to study the feasibility of adopting public financing for city elections. The Elections Commission has until August 2006 to provide the city council with specific recommendations on implementing the Voter-Owned Campaign Ordinance.

One thing is for sure, the time is ripe for public financing in San Jose.  Should San Jose have voter owned elections? Click here to let us know what you think.

In a historic vote, the California Clean Money bill passed through the Assembly by a vote of 46 to 24. This Clean Money victory marked the first time a public financing bill has been passed by a floor vote of either house of the California Legislature.  It now moves to the floor of the Senate for policy and floor hearings.  We are one step closer to a ballot vote.

Thank you to everyone who dedicated themselves to supporting Assembly Bill 583 by calling their legislators, sending post cards or otherwise joining the fight to clean up California politics.  Keep checking back with us for updates as we move for passage on the Senate side.

Today, the California State Assembly Appropriations Committee voted to send the Assembly Bill 583, The California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act to the floor of the State Assembly where it will be voted on soon. The bill, which would allow public financing of election campaigns in California, was carried by Assembly member Hancock. If passed by the Assembly, it will go to the State Senate for passage before going on to the ballot and a vote by the public.

Congratulations to all Common Cause members who made phone calls, sent in postcards, lobbied and attended hearings, and moved this vital issue forward. Our work is far from over. Keep checking our website for up-to-date information on the bill's progress.

As San Diegans cast their ballot today to determine their next mayor, the San Diego Ethics Commission is taking steps forward to clean up its lobbying laws.

This couldn't come at a better time for a city plagued with a series of corruption charges including former council members Ralph Inzunza & Michael Zucchet who will ironically be sentenced the same day as the meeting for an extortion plot involving a Las Vegas strip club owner. Click here to learn more about their charges.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 10th at 5 p.m. in the 12th floor City Council Committee Room at the City Administration Building, 202 C St. The commission is interested in getting your opinion on:Lobbying laws must be strengthened so the public can keep better tabs on who is trying to influence local politicians. Make your voice hear by attending the meeting.

On Tuesday, California Common Cause's Proposition Forum brought in a packed house at UCLA School of Law. In a lead up to the November 8th elections, interest in learning about the 8 propositions was keen amongst members, students and faculty. Attendees listened to pointed debate from both the "Yes" and the "No" sides. Outside the debate, students lined up to take information regarding the propositions.

Here is a picture from our packed forum at UCLA:



If you missed the forums it's not to late to get information on the propositions.

View a copy of our October 22nd forum on-line at LA36's website by clicking here. Here is the LA Times rundown on the all propositions on Tuesday's ballot. You can also read up on the California propositions on EasyVoter.org by clicking here.

So, read up and make sure to go out and cast your vote on November 8th. Your civic participation is what makes our democracy strong!

On Saturday, California voters came out to learn about the "cold facts" behind the eight propositions on this November's special election. Voters heard pointed debate between presenters for the "Yes" and "No" positions and were given an opportunity to ask hard questions. Here is a picture from Saturday's forum at LMU.



The election is only two weeks away. You will have one more opportunity to attend a proposition forum. Our next one will be held on November 2nd at the UCLA Law School, Room 1430 from 12:15 - 1:15pm. Click here for more details. Spaces are filling up fast, so e-mail us at ca-info@commoncause.org to RSVP!

Did you miss the event but still want to check out the forums? We are encouraging our members to host viewing parties of our forum DVDs to better educate your friends and neighbors. They will provide a great overview of all the propositions and meaningful debate between the "Yes" and the "No" sides. Contact me for more details at atemple@commoncause.org.

On Tuesday, community leaders and activists came from all over California, and even Arizona to testify in support of the Clean Money and Fair Elections Act, AB 583, before the State Assembly Elections Committee.

Kathay Feng, CCC's Executive Director testified along with Paul Turner, a California Board Member. Here is an excerpt for Kathay's testimony:Kathay wasn't alone in declaring support for Clean Money. According to the LA Times, Governor Schwarzenegger also declared his support for campaign finance reform: The LA Times went on to state "The biggest need for reform in California - and American politics - is campaign finance." We couldn't agree more. Ask the Governor to take his commitment a step further and support AB 583!