Clean Elections

Overview

Nov 07 2008

As an alternative to raising large sums of campaign cash to fund increasingly expensive campaigns, states can create a publicly-funded clean elections system for candidates who choose to forgo private donations. Strong arguments are available to progressives pursuing this reform. Publicly-funded elections free elected officials from the constant need to fundraise, and allow them to focus on public service, while reducing the ability of private donors to buy influence with officeholders. Public financing also encourages new people without independent wealth to pursue elected office, increases competition by reducing the disparity in spending between candidates, and reduces the cost of campaigns as candidates accept voluntary spending limits.

From the Dispatch

On the Ballot: Defeating TABOR, Defending Relationship Equality Laws & A Roundup of Other Ballot Issues

Oct 19 2009

Along with giving a roundup of the range of initiatives on the ballot in this off-year election, this Dispatch will give special focus to the campaigns against TABOR and defending relationship equality laws.

Open Space for Campaign Reform Created by Former Illinois Governors' Woes

Mar 05 2009

With one former Governor in jail for racketeering and another removed and indicted for selling political appointments for large campaign donations, now might just be the time that Illinois finally reforms its government. The new governor, Pat Quinn, has formed the Illinois Reform Commission. The Commission is tasked with making recommendations within 100 days on how to reform the government and finally stemming the corruption for which the state has long been famous. The commission has already identified loose campaign finance regulations and the lack of transparency as the primary drivers of corruption in state government. Now they are traveling around the state to hear from experts and citizens on what they think needs to be done.

Judicial Elections Public Financing: Balancing Independent Courts and Voter Choice

Oct 27 2008

Once the sleepy backwater of electoral politics, judicial elections have recently become a battleground where right wing and corporate groups spend large sums to fill the courts with jurists who will support their interests. This is perhaps the most troubling example of money corrupting our politics, because instead of pay-to-play politics it gives us pay-to-win justice. The independence of the judiciary simply cannot be maintained in an environment where jurists are competing for votes in high-priced, bare-knuckle political brawls.

Corporate Influence on State Supreme Courts Show Need for Reform

May 22 2008

Over the past decade, elections for state high court seats have gone from sleepy, mildly partisan affairs to major political battles with huge campaign spending, millions in independent special interest advertising, and misleading and negative attacks in the forefront. TV advertising is now apart of virtually all (91%) contested state supreme court elections, up from about one in five elections in 2000. And in 2006 business groups were the source of more than 90% of those ads. Business groups are also the source of almost half of all campaign contributions in these races.

Washington House Passes Public Financing for Local Offices

Jan 31 2008

In the wake of a bitter 2004 Governor's election and state Supreme Court races that took in more money from third-party groups than any other high court campaign in the country, Washington State's House took the first step toward public financing by passing HB 1551. Introduced by Senator Joe McDermott, HB 1551 allows cities, counties, and other jurisdictions to provide local candidates with government financing. The bill only allows local taxes to be tapped for the public campaign accounts and the public funds cannot be used for campaigns for state offices or school boards.

Shutting the Courtroom Door: How the Corporate Right Mobilized in the States

Jan 04 2007

When an impeccably pro-business outfit like Business Week declares victory for the business lobby in shutting the courtroom door to victims of corporate negligence, you know injured consumers and workers have been losing badly. But this week's cover story, How Business Trounced The Trial Lawyers, illustrates how the corporate right leveraged campaign contributions in the last decade to hijack state policy on civil justice.

Cleaning Up Corruption in the Statehouses

Apr 10 2006

At the core of many voters' frustrations with government is the sense that, too often, politics is for sale. High-priced lobbyists offering "gifts" to lawmakers swarm state legislatures; companies looking for public contracts get too cozy with those handing out public money; and corporate campaign contributions grease the wheels as public policy is auctioned to the highest corporate bidder.

Core Analysis

Writing Reform: A Guide to Drafting State & Local Campaign Finance Laws

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Clean Elections

Overview

From the Dispatch

On the Ballot: Defeating TABOR, Defending Relationship Equality Laws & A Roundup of Other Ballot Issues

Open Space for Campaign Reform Created by Former Illinois Governors' Woes

Judicial Elections Public Financing: Balancing Independent Courts and Voter Choice

Corporate Influence on State Supreme Courts Show Need for Reform

Washington House Passes Public Financing for Local Offices

Shutting the Courtroom Door: How the Corporate Right Mobilized in the States

Cleaning Up Corruption in the Statehouses

Core Analysis

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