PSN Works with State Legislators and advocates in supporting effective legislative campaigns to promote policy change state by state Read more about how PSN can support you
Overview
Oct 24 2008
Examples of the corrupting power of money in politics abound, from the Jack Abramoff scandal that put a congressman and several others in jail, to Illinois Governor George Ryan's conviction on racketeering charges. Beyond the overt corruption, the power of big money corporate interests thwarts efforts toward the basic reforms that are desperately needed by the people of this country, such as healthcare for all. And the money needed to compete in elections, and therefore the opportunity for money to corrupt the system, is growing rapidly. In the 2006 election cycle, state-level candidates raised 2.3 billion dollars. Of that, 869 million was raised by state legislative candidates, a 32% increase from 2002.
State lawmakers can lead the way on ending the corrupting influence of money over politics and build a government that puts the needs of ordinary citizens first. The key is to change the way elections are financed, enforce restrictions on corporate lobbyists, and reform the process by which public contracts are awarded.
From The Dispatch
Core Analysis
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Clean and Fair Elections: Policy Options for 2009 - Clean and Fair Elections: Policy Options Download a PDF copy of "Clean and Fair Elections: Policy…
Fact Sheets
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2008 Supreme Court Election Campaigns - Synopsis of the spending and tenor of state Supreme Court election campaigns in 2008.
Resource Organizations
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Public Campaign - Public Campaign is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to sweeping campaign reform that aims to dramatically reduce the role of big special interest money in American politics. Public Campaign is laying the foundation for reform by working with a broad range of organizations, including local community groups, around the country that are fighting for change and national organizations whose members are not fairly represented under the current campaign finance system. Together we are building a network of national and state-based efforts to create a powerful national force for federal and state campaign reform.
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Ballot Initiative Strategy Center - BISC serves as the nerve center of proactive and defensive ballot<br /> initiative efforts. Since 1998, their efforts have been credited with<br /> helping progressives catch up to the right-wing's use of ballot<br /> initiatives as a political tool. BISC adds strategic value to the progressive movement in four steps: shaping the issue landscape; pooling research, resources and tactics; winning campaigns; building progressive infrastructure.
