Clean Elections news--2008

[eridani]

Community Briefings on Voter-Owned Elections

Dear Friend,

We have an unprecedented opportunity to change forever how campaigns are financed in Seattle, for mayor and city council. This can empower neighborhoods and community organizations like never before - providing public financing of campaigns to level the financial playing field.

Our Local Option bill has now been signed into law, and the City and County now have permission to enact an ordinance, and place it on November ballot for voter approval. Conceivably, a public financing program could be in effect for next year's municipal and county elections! - if we support it and gain voter approval.

Under Voter-Owned Elections, anyone with community support can qualify to receive public funds, sufficient to run a credible campaign. No more dialing for dollars; no more catering to wealthy interests. Local government can more truly represent the diversity of our city.

Please join us at one of the Community Briefings, listed below, to learn more about this opportunity, and what we must do - without delay - to achieve this in Seattle and perhaps King County.

Kindly RSVP, so we'll have enough information packets - but come, bring friends and co-workers regardless.

Questions? wpc {at} washclean.org 206-784-2522

March 26th, 7 p.m. - Seattle Central Community College
Broadway at E. Pike (Room to be announced - check our website:
http://www.washclean.org/voter-owned.htm

March 27, 11:45 a.m. (no-host lunch, order off the menu)
Portage Bay Cafe, 4140 Roosevelt Way NE (parking in rear)

March 30, 3:30 p.m. - Northgate Library

10548 5th Ave NE (east of Northgate Mall)

April 2, 5:30 p.m. - Seattle Central Community College
Broadway and E. Pike (Room to be announced)

____________ _______
Craig Salins
Executive Director
WA Public Campaigns
craig {at} washclean. org
206-949-3285 (cell)
206-784-2522 (office)
206-784-9695 (home/ofc #2)



UPCOMING Events on Voter-Owned Elections

The legislature has passed and the Governor has signed the Local Option bill - cities and counties now can create programs offering public financing to candidates for local office.

Under the law, any local program must be submitted to voters of the district, for approval or rejection in a local referendum.

The City of Seattle, King County, and the Seattle Port are all considering such models - and the Seattle City Council seems eager to enact an ordinance this year (by July), to place it before voters in November. But it needs community awareness and support!

Washington Public Campaigns wants community groups and voters to know of this opportunity - to fundamentally change how local campaigns are financed, opening up elections to the non-wealthy, more women, more minorities, more representatives of working people. We have developed model programs for consideration by cities and counties.



PUBLIC HEARING - KING COUNTY COUNCIL


Thursday, March 27th - 9:30 a.m.
King County Courthouse, 516 Third Ave, Seattle
Room 1001 (Council chambers), 10th floor


The General Government Committee of the King County Council will hear views of voters in public testimony regarding proposals to establish a Voter-Owned Elections program for King County.

A packed audience - including some willing to speak up - will demonstrate public support for a Voter-Owned Elections program in coming months.

[eridani]

1. Former State Representative Georgette Valle to discuss AZ clean elections; Burien 3/24

Former State Representative Georgette Valle invites you to a discussion of the clean elections process as it runs in Arizona.

Monday, March 24 at 4:30pm
1434 SW 137th, Burien
206-248-0334

A light supper will be served

[eridani]

2. King County Council town hall meetings to discuss clean elections

Every year the King County Council holds Committee of the Whole (COW) Town Hall meetings in the nine council districts. The COW town hall meeting in District One will be Monday, May 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and public campaign financing is the topic I have selected. The meeting will be at the Shoreline Conference Center, 18560 1st Avenue Northeast, Shoreline.

The General Government and Labor Relations Committee is reviewing my campaign finance reform legislation, co-sponsored by Councilmember Dow Constantine, Motion 2007-0430. The legislation will give us a roadmap for bringing public campaign financing, or voter-owned elections, to King County races.

Voter-owned elections allow candidates to receive public funding for their campaigns once they demonstrate broad community support. For example, a citywide candidate in Portland, Oregon must collect 1,000 small contributions of $5 to become eligible for $200,000 in public funding. A candidate who opts into the public finance system is also eligible for emergency matching funds if her opponent outspends her.

Voter-owned elections free candidates to focus on concerns of the citizens rather than major donors and lobbyists, who tend to hold disproportionate influence in local races.

Currently seven states and two cities operate public campaign financing systems: Arizona; Connecticut; Maine; New Jersey; New Mexico; North Carolina; Vermont; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Portland, Oregon.

[eridani]

6. Bob Ferguson's is being held in Shoreline 5/19

King County Council Town Hall to Examine Public Campaign Financing


Councilmember Bob Ferguson recently sponsored legislation that was approved by the County Council to study the use of public campaign financing, or voter-owned elections, in King County . The council will hold a special Town Hall Meeting on Monday, May 19, at the Shoreline Conference Center, 18560 1st Avenue Northeast, in Shoreline, to hear public comments on the topic of public campaign financing. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. , with a reception beginning at 6:00 p.m.

You can read more about the issue of public campaign financing by visiting Ferguson 's website at http://www.kingcounty.gov/Ferguson.aspx.

Every year the council holds Committee of the Whole Town Hall Meetings in the nine council districts. Ferguson represents District One, which covers North Seattle, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park , Bothell, Kenmore and parts of Woodinville.

[eridani]

3. WashClean April events

Victory Party, April 18th, in Seattle, from 6 p.m.
Lolly Bates and Mark Early have generously offered to host a WashClean Victory Party in their Seattle home. Please join us if you can! For others out-of-town: we'll celebrate again, together, at our Awards Dinner on June 21st.

Lolly Bates and Mark Early, 7738 34th Ave NW (above Shilshole, Seattle's Ballard neighborhood). ENTER from 33rd Ave NW - unless you enjoy climbing cliffs! Look for balloons and signs.
Details on the WPC Website Calendar

For Democrats: Legislative District caucuses are Saturday, April 5th, beginning at 9 a.m.

WashClean supporters: Please host an information table and help to spread literature.

Best flyer to use is on our website, here.
http://www.washclean.org/Library/we-need-VOE-3-31.pdf
Download it, make copies, recruit some WashClean friends, and let's spread the word that now, we can have Voter-Owned Elections in cities and towns!
To find your caucus location click here. http://www.wa-democrats.org/
For advice and assistance, call our office or contact your local WashClean volunteer leader.

Similarly, Democratic county conventions are April 13 (King County) or April 19th (other counties).
Once again, this is an opportunity to host an information table, circulate information, and voice approval for resolutions in support of Voter-Owned Elections.

We're making progress! - on Voter-Owned Elections (VOE)
Did you know? ...

March 17th - WPC presented a briefing to the Seattle City Council, on how a VOE program might work in the city. Now Seattle's mayor and city council are appointing a task force working group to design a program and propose an ordinance for consideration by June or July. If it passes, the VOE proposal will go before voters this November. Conceivably, we could have a Voter-Owned Elections program available to candidates for next year's municipal elections! Hooray!

March 27th - WPC presented a similar briefing to the General Government Committee of the King County Council, followed by public testimony from WashClean supporters. As a result, a motion was approved, directing county staff to compile information on VOE programs and leading to a recommendation to the full council. This motion must be approved by the full council at their meeting, April 14th, meeting information.

This was followed up by good radio coverage and interviews with WPC: KUOW archive here. http://www.kuow.org/DefaultProgram.asp?ID=14614

HOWEVER - King County and Seattle council members need to hear from local voters, asking them to proceed toward a Voter-Owned Elections program at the city and county level. Tell them: We support public financing for campaigns - and we want to see a program established, this year!
Contact King County Council members
Contact Seattle City Council members

Tacoma/Pierce County: A Public Forum on Voter-Owned Elections will be held Saturday, May 3rd, in Tacoma, at 9:30 a.m. The forum will include a panel presentation with Q&A, discussing what is VOE and how can we make it happen in Tacoma. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Tacoma/Pierce County (co-sponsored by WPC), Event information. http://www.washclean.org/voter-owned.htm

Everett/Snohomish County: Our WashClean chapter is coming out of hibernation (thanks, Harry A!), with presentations to legislative districts and a newly-established team, talking with local officials about the opportunity of a county VOE program in the next year or two.

Spokane and Eastern Washington: WPC's director met with numerous Spokane community leaders and supporters during a March 12-154th trip (thanks Rebecca!). And on March 14th during the same trip, Craig met with community leaders and activists in Pullman, organized by Eastern Washington Voters (thanks, Bryan!). Now, these WashClean folks are all laying the political groundwork to create Voter-Owned Elections programs in these towns when the time is right.

To become involved, contact your county leader, WPC Local Chapters or wpc {at} washclean.org, 206-784-2522.

Wrap-up, Director's comment:

As we watch the disconcerting federal response to Wall Street meltdowns, food-farm policy, and policies governing energy, health care, environmental protection, media regulation, banking and more ... we know that the essential first step to change politics in America is to create public financing of political campaigns - to curb the undue influence of money - so that policy-makers work for the people, not the special interests.

This is what we're doing at a very local and statewide level - and we are making progress and getting results! It is the most important thing we can do.

If you get up in the morning as I do, and read the day's head-shaking news, tell yourself: I'm going to do SOMETHING today, to bring about public financing of campaigns, so that we can change the world!

Please support WPC's work with a contribution! - whatever you can afford.

Thank you!
__________________________
Craig Salins, Executive Director
Washington Public Campaigns
wpc {at} washclean.org
www.washclean.org
206-784-2522

[eridani]

4. Seattle chapter meeting 4/23

As many of you are aware the Seattle City Council is working on a public financing ordinance that could be on the ballot as early as this fall. With the details of this program/ordinance still very much up in the air it is important that our Seattle volunteers become mobilized immediately and begin to both activate and shape what will become a city-wide conversation very shortly.
With that in mind we are having a planning meeting next week for anyone who is interested in volunteering for this effort at the Seattle Central Community College (Room #4166) on Wednesday (4/23) at 7pm.

We are currently looking to utilize your talents and zeal in the following areas:

- Media Campaign
- Community Outreach
- Fundraising
- Events Planning


If expanding the pool of qualified people who can run for office, allowing elected officials to focus on their jobs rather than their "war-chests" and curbing the undue influence of financial contributors really matters to you this is your issue and NOW is the time to get involved.

We look forward to seeing you next Wednesday!

Chuck Sloane
Seattle Chapter Volunteer
Washington Public Campaigns
king-seattle {at} washclean.org


Jennifer Bertelsen
Office Manager/Program Assistant
Washington Public Campaigns
jenn {at} washclean.org

[eridani]

5. Tacoma forum 5/3

PUBLIC FORUM in Tacoma
Voter-Owned Elections for Cities and Counties

Saturday, May 3rd, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Church
1115 South 56th Street, Tacoma (L Street and 56th Street)

With Panel Members:
Marilyn Strickland – Member, Tacoma City Council
Nick Licata – Member, Seattle City Council
Craig Salins – Director, Washington Public Campaigns
Julio Quan – former Director of Centro Latino

Moderator:
Lyz Kurnitz-Thurlow, President, League of Women Voters of Tacoma-Pierce County

Refreshments will be served before and after this forum.

Presented by:
League of Women Voters of Tacoma-Pierce County,
Washington Public Campaigns and WPC Pierce County Chapter,
America in Solidarity, and Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation

The Legislature approved a bill allowing local jurisdictions to create programs that offer public funds for local political campaigns. Come to learn about the opportunities and challenges this presents and ask questions of elected officials and others, how we might create Voter-Owned Elections in Tacoma and Pierce County.

More Info about this Forum:
League of Women Voters of Tacoma-Pierce County
702 Broadway, Suite 105, Tacoma, WA 98402
253-272-1495
tacomalwv3 {at} lwvt-pc.org
www.lwvt-pc.org

__________________________
Craig Salins, Executive Director
Washington Public Campaigns
wpc {at} washclean.org
206-784-2522

[eridani]

7. Seattle chapter to meet in Northgate 5/13

You are invited to the next meeting of the Seattle Chapter of WPC on:
Tuesday, May 13th at 6:30pm at the Northgate Library

We are in the midst of jumpstarting a city-wide conversation about public funding and we still need more help in the following areas:

- Media Campaign
- Community Outreach
- Fundraising
- Events Planning


If expanding the pool of qualified people who can run for office, allowing elected officials to focus on their jobs rather than their "war-chests" and curbing the undue influence of financial contributors really matters to you this is your issue and NOW is the time to get involved.

We look forward to seeing you next Tuesday!

Chuck Sloane
Seattle Chapter Volunteer
Washington Public Campaigns
[e-mail]


Jennifer Bertelsen
Office Manager/Program Assistant
Washington Public Campaigns
jenn {at} washclean.org

[eridani]

8. Awards banquet; Seattle 6/21

You are cordially invited to Washington Public Campaign's Second Annual Awards Banquet!

Join us for this exciting celebration and fundraiser. It's your chance to participate in our biggest event of the year and support our progress toward Voter-Owned Elections in Washington State!

Saturday, June 21st, 2008
Jerry M. Brockey Center
South Seattle Community College
6000 16th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA

Social hour: no-host bar 6-7pm
Dinner & program 7-9pm

Keynote speaker: David Domke, award-winning author and educator on political communication.

PLUS Silent Auction of tantalizing items AND an auction of divine, delectable desserts!

Get there early during the social hour to enjoy the musical artistry of a jazz quartet from the Roosevelt High School Jazz Band, 1st-place winner of this year's national Essentially Ellington Competition.

Awards for this year's outstanding advocates for Voter-Owned Elections:

Volunteer of the Year: Rebecca Lamb, Spokane, WA
Organization of the Year: League of Women Voters of Washington
Public Leader of the Year: Frank Chopp, Speaker of the House

$35 per person if purchased before midnight June 2nd
$40 per person after June 2nd
Student Rates are also available

Purchase Tickets:
Vegetarian or Chicken dish
Single ticket or table for 10

Online through Brown Paper Tickets http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/34911
OR send a check made out to WPC to:

Washington Public Campaigns
PO Box 70452
Seattle, WA 98127


For more info and to RSVP: Contact Elsie at
dinner {at} washclean.org or call 206-283-6297

[eridani]

9. Seattle meeting 6/10

Attached is a record of last week's meeting of the Seattle Chapter of WPC.
The Seattle City Council Advisory Committee on public campaign finance continues to refine it's recommendation for the council. If you are interested in following some of the financing options and issues they are considering, I encourage you to read this letter:

http://www.washclean.org/voter-owned3.htm

Our next meeting is June 10th at the Northgate Library from 6:30-7:45. We look forward to seeing you all there & then.

Sincerely,

Chuck Sloane
Seattle Chapter Volunteer
Washington Public Campaigns

[eridani]

10. Seattle hearing 6/16

June 16th - Seattle City Council will hear Voter-Owned Elections recommendation

The mayor/council-appointed Advisory Committee in Seattle has finished it's work, recommending (by a 6 to 3 vote) that a Portland-style Voter-Owned Elections model of public financing be created by ordinance in Seattle, and submitted to voters as a referendum in 2009.


There are many considerations regarding both the public financing model that is proposed, and when it should begin (and be submitted to voters). Read Craig's Memo/Report on our website - with background and comments about this, and summarizing why only a Portland-style full-funding model of Voter-Owned Elections really accomplishes the promise of public financing
http://www.washclean.org/voter-owned2b.htm

[eridani]

11. Seattle meeting 7/8

In the spirit of Independence Day, the Seattle Chapter of Washington Public Campaigns (WPC) will be meeting tomorrow evening to continue our push to make public financing, i.e., independence from money-driven elections, a reality here in Seattle.
The meeting will be held at our new site just minutes from downtown:

The Douglass-Truth Library on Tuesday, July 8th from 6:30 to 7:45pm

We will be discussing recent local events and developing strategies to continue kick-starting the discussion of voter owned elections in Seattle & King County.

See you tomorrow,

Chuck Sloane
Seattle Volunteer

Rory O'Sullivan
Seattle Volunteer

[eridani]

12. Meet with your representatives during the August recess

Saudi Arabia is to build five modern prisons in the kingdom to replace US Guantanamo detention facility, a new report has revealed.

Jordanian daily quoted unnamed sources as saying that US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Saudi officials are cooperating to construct the prisons which are to replace Guantanamo and US secret prisons in Europe.

Riyadh is to spent about two billion Saudi Rials for the project which can accommodate up to 18000 inmates, they added.

[eridani]

13. Adam Smith to cosponsor public financing legislation

Watching PBS tonight (Moyers Journal) on the "imperial presidency", one realizes how serious and important is our work to achieve public financing of campaigns at every level.

Today (Friday, August 15th), we had a satisfying success. Congressman Adam Smith, in the 9th Congressional District, agreed to co-sponsor and support bills in Congress for public financing of Congressional campaigns. Details, WPC News Blog.

Rep. Smith met with a delegation of eleven members from WPC - but he has received calls and emails from perhaps hundreds of WPC supporters in his district in the past few days.

In today's meeting, he asked good questions and said he recognized details need to be worked out (through the lawmaking process). But he has heard the support from voters in his district, and said he supports the goal and principle of public financing and would co-sponsor bills and work in Congress to enact them into law. That was our goal for this WPC appointment with him!

Rep. Smith said he and Congressional colleagues recognize that bold changes are needed to restore voter confidence that lawmakers will work for constituent voters rather than monied special interests.

Why our success? .. hundreds of WPC members speaking out in calls and emails to their member of Congress, that's why.

Let's keep in up! Our goal: members of Congress who will agree to co-sponsor and support public financing! WashCleaners in the 9th CD, send thanks to Rep. Adam Smith. In other Congressional districts, keep up the calls and Emails to your representative, asking them to meet with us and to support public financing.

For details, visit WPC's website:
Information on Bills in Congress
Contact information for members of Congress
WPC's News Blog, about this development and other short items


One more thing ...
Friends, we cannot continue this level of organizing without resources and your financial support.

Please, support the organization that is working for the change you want to see.

Please contribute to WPC, to help pay the rent, staff and communications costs!

Any amount helps. We prefer you to become a sustaining member. Online, you can set up a modest monthly contribution - any amount you can afford. Or, one-time contributions are also needed and welcome.

Contribute on-line: It's quick and easy.
Or send checks to: Washington Public Campaigns, PO Box 70452, Seattle WA 98127-0452.

And .. Thank you! It is your support that keeps us going, and is bringing about the change you seek!

~ Craig
__________________________
Craig Salins, Executive Director
Washington Public Campaigns
www.washclean.org
wpc {at} washclean.org
206-784-2522

[eridani]

14. Get Sens. Murray and Cantwell on board

Friends, electing good candidates is not enough.

If we really want to fix Wall Street, we need Clean Elections - publicly-financed campaigns for the U.S. Congress. It's the only way to be sure that corporate lobbyists are no longer writing our nation's laws and regulatory policy!

YOUR phone call to Senators Murray and Cantwell can make the difference.

Please don't be a bystander! Urge senators Murray and Cantwell to co-sponsor the Fair Elections Now Act (the Durbin-Specter bill, S.1285) - to help us reach a "tipping point" where this becomes viable in the Congress.

YOU can help us get there. Just think: If 2,000 or more WPC supporters call (or write) these lawmakers, they won't ignore it! Please raise your voice - today! A personal call to their office or an email directly from you is most effective. Send us any replies you receive. Say something short and to-the-point, like this ...

Senator: We need public financing for Congressional campaigns, so that private special interests are no longer so powerful, calling the shots. The recent Wall Street melt-down makes the point: we can't afford an America where special-interest lobbyists shout louder than ordinary Americans.

Please demonstrate your support by signing on as a co-sponsor - today - to the Fair Elections Now Act, S.1285, sponsored by Sens. Durbin and Specter.

Details on bills in Congress
http://www.washclean.org/bill-in-congress.htm

Phone numbers and Emails, to contact Congress
http://www.washclean.org/contactcongress.htm

Read more about it, WPC News Blog
http://www.washclean.org/blog.htm

Thanks!

Craig Salins, Executive Director
wpc {at} washclean.org
Washington Public Campaigns
www.washclean.org
206-784-2522

[eridani]

15. Info session 10/9 in Seattle

The Seattle Chapter of Washington Public Campaigns would like to invite you to an informal info session about why Voter-owned/Clean Elections are a great solution to the escalating problem of money in politics and how you can get involved.

Join us:


Info Session on Voter-Owned Elections
Thursday, October 9th
7pm at Prost!
7311 Greenwood Ave N
Seattle, WA, 98103
We welcome anyone who wants to know more about this keystone issue and look forward to seeing you!

Jennifer Bertelsen
Washington Public Campaigns
[e-mail]


Chuck Sloane
Seattle Clean Elections
king-seattle {at} washclean.org

[eridani]

16. Clean Electons getting involved in public financing for judges campaigns: confernence in Seattle 11

Now it's time for a government truly "of, by and for the people."

Lawmakers should work for the people - not the special interests. And as we've just seen, the game is all about money. We can buy back our democracy through public financing for Congressional campaigns!

It won't come on a silver platter. We need to stay energized, with a focused grassroots movement. That's what Washington Public Campaigns is all about.

Next step for the Washington legislature, our campaign to achieve public funding of campaigns for the State Supreme Court. North Carolina does it; we can do it here. Courts that will never be influenced by special interests. Sign up to help, as a citizen lobbyist in your district: Contact WPC: wpc {at} washclean.org.

http://www.washclean.org/Library/selecting-judges-in-washington-conference-flier.pdf
In Seattle, come to the Judicial Selection Conference, Friday, November 21st, at the University of Washington Law School. Open to anyone. Conference details.

The people have spoken, and change is in the air. Join us, and support the movement!

~ Craig

Craig Salins
Executive Director
Washington Public Campaigns
www.washclean.org
wpc {at} washclean.org
206-784-2522

[eridani]

17. Comedy benefit for clean elections in Seattle11/18

What are you doing next Tuesday night?

The Comedy Underground is generously hosting a comedy show fundraiser with half of the proceeds going to Washington Public Campaigns! So, please come out and join us to kick back, relax, and have a laugh on behalf of democracy!


Date: Tuesday, November 18th, 2008
Time: 7:30p Suggested arrival time


8:00p-9:30p Showtime
Tickets: To get discounted, prepaid tickets, contact me or Yoram ([e-mail])

$10 for prepaid
$12 at the door
$6 w/student ID

Location:
Comedy Underground
109 S Washington St
Seattle, WA
(in Pioneer Square, two blocks from its old location)

Jennifer Bertelsen
Office Manager/Program Assistant
Washington Public Campaigns
jenn {at} washclean.org
206-784-2522

[eridani]

18. Let's get started on clean money for judicial elections, now!

Organizing for a judicial public financing bill in WA is underway,

Please visit WPC's HomePage or WPC NewsBlog Updates for more info:

WPC is proposing a bill to publicly finance campaigns for state supreme court seats (next election, 2010). It's modest and affordable - even in tight budget times. Less than 17 cents per person, per year! And it's necessary. Justice should NEVER be for sale!

You can help! Ask your legislator: "Senator (or Representative): What will you do, to preserve the integrity of the state supreme court? Will you support a modest program, so that campaigns for seats on the supreme court are funded publicly, and not bought by special interests?" Raise your voice. Let them know there is public support for this.

Congress, too. Tell the Obama transition team: "We support the Fair Elections Now Act - so that laws in Congress are no longer auctioned off to the highest bidder (special interests)." In order to achieve a rational energy policy, affordable health care, and a jobs program for Main Street instead of Wall Street, we MUST have public financing for these Senate and Congressional campaigns - to end the outright purchase of lawmakers by special interest donors.

Connecticut joins the ranks of Clean Elections states! Over 81 percent of the Connecticut legislature is members who ran and were elected using Connecticut's new public financing program. The program is funded through a diversion of the "Unclaimed Property" revenue stream - the same way WPC proposes to financing a judicial bill in Washington state.

WPC's Speaker Bureau is moving into high gear: Can you help? Help to generate speaking opportunities to neighborhood groups. Become trained as an outreach speaker. Host a gathering for friends, family and neighbors, about Voter-Owned Election Campaigns (public financing) and WPC's grassroots movement. RSVP to: [e-mail]

Please support the movement - that works for the change you'd like to see!
Can you donate $25 to WPC? Become involved - as a community organizer and citizen lobbyist! It's cool - it's fun! And it will change the world!

~ Craig
________________________
Washington Public Campaigns
www.washclean.org
wpc {at} washclean.org
206-784-2522