Update from Connecticut: Just received this email from Andy Sauer, Executive Director of Common Cause Connecticut - Murshed

HARTFORD - The Connecticut General Assembly failed to answer Gov. M. Jodi Rell's call to pass campaign finance reform today.

Although it was clear early in the morning that no action would occur today, it did not dissuade the roughly 50 campaign finance reform activists from making themselves heard and seen.  Activists sporting T-shirts spelling "PUBLIC FINANCING NOW!" stood outside the capitol as legislator after legislator arrived. When the special session was gaveled in, the 16 activists stood in the gallery above the chamber.

As usual there was much rhetoric coming from the Capitol champions of talk -- about the differences, the disappointments and the promises. Sadly, there was more talk than action.

Hello all--This is Rob Mahaffey, VP for Development at Common Cause. Last week I campaigned in Albuquerque with Common Cause New Mexico in advance of the citywide elections being held today. For more information on today's elections, including where to vote, click here.

Knocking on doors and talking with Albuquerque voters proved to me, yet again, that corrupt money in politics really gets people disgusted and angry. Today, citizens from across this city will be heading to the polls to take back their government, establish sensible and fair campaign financing rules, and put an end to excessive special interest cash. When unprecedented amounts of money from big developers and business owners interested only in city contracts flood local races, Albuquerque voters know their priorities for building a better community give way to big-dollar campaign donors. I heard this message in precinct after precinct.

Joining volunteers from every walk of life, we went door-to-door urging people to support the Open and Ethical Election Code ballot measure spearheaded by Common Cause. Albuquerqueans want to level the playing field and put an end to quid pro quo campaign donations. People are paying attention and agree that public financing of local elections will open the way for problem-solvers with common sense ideas to run for office, and win. They will have a fighting chance against those who in the past have raised obscene amounts of money with strings attached.

Based on the most recent poll by the Albuquerque Journal (10/2/05) (subscrip. req'd), a solid 54% support the measure. Undecided voters are expected to tip in favor and only 28% said they were opposed. It has been a tough battle against encroached special interests, however, while it's not over until the votes are counted, this city is headed for change. Talking with one man on his front steps, he echoed others when he said, "Only way to be heard is by writing a fat check," adding "people I know don't run for office, they'd do a good job for us but don't have rich buddies, me included." After glancing at the campaign flyer, a woman mentioned she heard our radio ad urging people to vote "yes" and agreed, "It's long past time to get [campaign] spending under control so anyone who wants to run has a chance."

These voters and tens thousands of like-minded people will cast their votes in favor of public financing placing Albuquerque at the forefront of a growing national movement. Portland, Oregon, and states like Arizona and Maine have already passed similar measures. Our friends in Connecticut are on the verge of bringing clean elections to that state. Across the country, more and more citizens are getting organized and working hard to bring campaign spending under control. Common Cause is leading the way going door-to-door in every community where there is a reform initiative on the ballot.

Pounding the pavement, meeting voters, and being told "it's about time" and "thanks" made for a terrific few days in the Land of Enchantment. Common Cause New Mexico's Executive Director Matt Brix put it best when he thanked the volunteers and coalition partners, "We're sending a message that the voters own our elections, not the wealthy special interests." Come Wednesday morning, a victory will not only serve the citizens of Albuquerque, the results will get attention around the country.

-Rob Mahaffey
Vice President for Development, Common Cause

Readers, as yet another of the Fall intern, I will take a moment to introduce myself as the newest intern. I was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA before college took me to Gambier OH where I studied Political Science at Kenyon College. I just got into Washington for the year to study Journalism at American University and to intern here at Common Cause, so that I can learn about policy issues through which we are striving to hold our government accountable.

On Thursday, my first full day at here - my assignment was to cover the Government Reform Committee's Hearing entitled "Back to the Drawing Board: A First Look at the Lessons Learned from Katrina." The most immediately noticeable facet of the panel was that it was filled with Emergency Management officials from LA, DC, and MIA - there were no emergency response government officials or former FEMA employees. In the words of the Committee's chairman, Representative Tom Davis (R - VA) :The goal of the hearing was to look at what went wrong in Katrina and how these mistakes could be prevented in the future. According to the Committee's members, everything from Poverty to Partisanship to local leadership who did not ask for enough help caused Katrina and the ineffective response to it. Mike wrote earlier about the need to watchdog the reconstruction of the Gulf Coast and after attending this hearing I believe that it may be a longer task than anyone imagines. The Hurricane's relief effort should be more than a platform to discuss partisan issues and attack leaders on the other side of the aisle.

This is from Katie Yocum, one of our wonderful fall interns, who has been working lot on our issues related to media reform - Murshed

Hi everyone, I just wanted to take a few lines to introduce myself as the new media intern here at Common Cause. I come to you from the cornfields of University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign where I recently graduated with a BS in Media Studies. I am very excited to be here and look forward to working on Media Reform issues here in Washington. Now, on to the important stuff.

Last week a case study was released by the Center for Creative Voices in Media, Fordham University and Free Press that presents evidence linking the concentration of media with the rise in fines that have been levied by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for "indecent" material.

According to the study, which narrows its focus to the radio broadcasting industry from 2000 to 2003, this increased concentration was accompanied by twice as many indecency fines as the previous decade had seen, 96% (97 of 101) of those fines being levied against four of the nation's largest station owners (Clear Channel, Viacom, Entercom, and Emmis).

Hi folks. This is Pete Maysmith, the Executive Director of Colorado Common Cause. I know lot of folks around the country are leaving work, heading out of town for a labor day weekend. But my thoughts, just like many others in our Common Cause community, and everyone else are somewhere else. We all have been captivated and horrified by the enormity of the destruction and dislocation we are seeing in the Gulf Coast this week. The pictures of moms and dads holding babies as they escape from the waters; the sub-human conditions in the convention center and Superdome; the interview with the woman who was told the bank she worked in would not reopen for 8 or more months and all she had in the world was her kids and $80; and of course there are literally thousands more pictures and stories just like these.

What do we do about this? I'm struggling with that. It seems as if an obvious answer is to give to the American Red Cross or other organizations such as AmericanCares.org, and giftsinkind.org, who are working to help those in need. If you haven't yet I would urge you to make a donation today. We all have to dig deeper today than we normally do when making a charitable contribution. I'm sure lots of folks have already given.

But can we do more than money? I heard a powerful story on Wednesday of a woman in Idaho is using Craig's List to offer a displaced family a place to stay in her home. That is a big step but it is something my wife and I are talking about doing. It is sobering to think of people as not just homeless,but cityless.

We all should do what we can to help and keep them in our prayers and thoughts.

Have a great labor day weekend everyone.

Hi folks. I'm Pete Maysmith, the director of Colorado Common Cause. On Wednesday, we held a press conference calling out the Independence Institute, a conservative think tank for skirting campaign finance laws by spending nearly $400,000 of secret money to oppose Referenda C & D.  We teamed with the League of Women Voters to expose their secret money campaign.  We unveiled a map of where they are spending the money and a list of specific radio stations. 

Here is the AP blurb on our press conference:

The Rocky Mountain News has more on this.  Vincent Caroll, a columnist from the same news paper agrees we are on point.  It is ok for them to oppose C&D, but it is not ok to do it with secret money.  What if their money is coming from out of state? Shouldn't we know that information?  Why should their donors be allowed to tax deduction for a contribution that is being used to oppose C&D? 

We are deeply concerned about these reckless and arrogant violations of the law. You can respond by showing your support of C & D by clicking here.

For more information, our news release and a map of the radio buys, make sure to visit our website.

July 12th was a great day for New Jersey residents! The Public Advocate is back in New Jersey, and there is now a state office dedicated to fighting for citizens and consumers that have been treated unfairly by special interests. Here is the report from the New York Times:

As the times report mentioned Governor Whitman abolished the Public Advocate in the late 90's.  Since then Common Cause activists in New Jersey have been playing an instrumental role in the fight for the office's reinstating.   Within the past few months, boosted by the email activism of hundreds and of our activists, the bill (A1424) passed both houses of the New Jersey legislature, and was signed into law last week!


Lauren on far right

Though Common Cause New Jersey was among good company of advocacy groups that supported the legislation, we were the only asked to speak at the bill signing with Acting Governor Codey, Senate Sponsor Vitale (D-19), and Assembly sponsor Caraballo (D-29) (pictured above).  With much media present, the attention focused on CCNJ was overwhelming in the press, radio and television markets!

With the reinstating of the Office of Public Advocate, Common Cause New Jersey is not the only winner here.  Now the indigent population of our state not only has a voice, but legal power to back it up.  Great news all around. 

Lauren Skowronski
Director, Common Cause New Jersey

Just got this from Andy Sauer, Executive Director for Common Cause Connecticut (Mike S):

The story in the New York Times this morning paints a very good picture of what is happening in Connecticut. Here is an excerpt:

Even now it appears that all parties are on board with the concepts and most of the details, and that talks are more "harmonious."  The other undisclosed details I believe will be resolved soon. I refuse to believe that anyone will bail on negotiations over specific details. They simply have come too far to walk away now.

The Times story attributed some suspicious feelings to the Senate Democrats. In fairness, suspicions abound in Connecticut Capitol on this issue. Campaign finance reform is akin to disarmament. Each side believes the other side is trying to tip the scales in their favor and just waiting for a moment to strike. The key difference between Clean Elections and disarmament is that public financing of political races levels the playing field for all. No one will be left with nothing. Anyone wishing to participate in Clean Elections will be empowered to take their message to the voters.

Lots of good things happening. Will provide more information as they come.

-Andy Sauer
Common Cause Connecticut