VOICE COALITION WELCOMES THREE NEW MEMBERS
By Pam Mackey-Taylor, Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club
The VOICE Coalition, a group of organizations working to pass the Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections (VOICE) Act, is proud this week to welcome three new organizations: the Iowa Renewable Energy Association (IRENEW), the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club and Sustainable Ecological Economic Development (S.E.E.D.).
"With the addition of these three organizations, we now have more than a dozen organizations on board," Kyle Lobner of Common Cause Iowa said. "As the VOICE Coalition expands, we continue to show that support for campaign finance reform is widespread and diverse."
The VOICE Act, proposed in the Iowa Legislature as House File 805 and Senate File 553, would provide full voluntary public financing for candidates for statewide and legislative offices who refuse all outside contributions. The legislation is similar to laws already in place in Maine, Connecticut and Arizona.
"The Sierra Club supports the VOICE legislation to help make candidates more accountable to the public. Iowans understand the connection between clean air, clean water and clean elections, and they don't want to see environmental safeguards sold to the highest bidder. We need to know that legislators are responding to people, not well funded special interests," Pam Mackey Taylor, chair of the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club, said.
Under the current system, elections are becoming increasingly expensive, forcing candidates to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to run a competitive campaign for a seat in the Iowa House or Senate. This allows wealthy special interests and campaign contributors to gain influence and give an often decisive advantage to candidates they feel will support their agenda.
"Public financing of political campaigns is the only way to guarantee that the people's interests come first," IRENEW Executive Director Michelle Kenyon Brown said.
"We need to level the political playing field with public financing. Once a power base is established, real citizens can then reclaim our birthright of political power that's been usurped by special interest groups and multi-national corporations at the state and federal level," S.E.E.D. founder Michael Richards said.
Along with IRENEW, the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club and S.E.E.D., the VOICE coalition also includes Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (ICCI), the Iowa Citizen Action Network (ICAN), Common Cause Iowa, the League of Women Voters, Progressive Action for the Common Good (PACG), the Iowa Farmers Union, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), Interfaith Alliance of Iowa (TIAI), Iowa Conference United Methodist Church, Concerned Democrats of Polk County and the Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa (PCCI).
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Open Thread Recent Articles
Search
BFIA Writer's Guidelines We welcome Submissions Login Sunlight Seeker
Daily Archive
By Month Recent Visitors
Sam Garchik - Mon 02 Jun 2008 10:10 AM CDT
atomburke - Fri 23 May 2008 03:49 PM CDT
salman - Fri 23 May 2008 06:28 AM CDT
megelso - Sun 11 May 2008 09:10 AM CDT
no4gman - Tue 29 Apr 2008 01:07 AM CDT
Powered by BlogHarbor
 |
Wednesday, March 5
VOICE COALITION WELCOMES THREE NEW MEMBERS
by
Sam Garchik
on Wed 05 Mar 2008 07:55 AM CST
Sunday, July 15
ICCI Puts VOICE at Center Stage
by
Sam Garchik
on Sun 15 Jul 2007 04:31 PM CDT
ICCI Puts VOICE at Center Stage
By Jerry Depew, Iowa Voters The state convention of Iowans Citizens for Community Improvement was held Saturday in Des Moines. Clean elections were a central issue for the members. The pro-VOICE workshop was held in the biggest room. It featured a publicly funded winner from the Arizona state senate, Meg Burton Cahill. She barely upset a powerful senior incumbent of the AZ legislature on her first try for elective office. She ran with public financing. She has become so popular that in the most recent election she carried every precinct in her district, despite being in the “wrong” party for that district. The Senator argued that current law demands two skill sets from legislators: ability to craft public policy, and ability to raise campaign money. She said these skills don’t often reside in a single person. As a result some legislators depend on party leaders to raise money for them and thus lose their independence. She also waved a brochure for an upcoming campaign workshop in DC which featured many fundraising workshops, such as “It’s All About the Benjamins” and “Give and Take, and Take and Take”. Later the CCI members heard from former Iowa Congressman Berk Bedell. He said it’s great to work on an issue like VOICE. No politicians are against it, he noted, but added that none of them do anything to advance it. Common Cause also sent a representative who briefly answered questions about the federal clean elections bill and referred the audience to their website for further information. Bedell said Common Cause may place full-time staff in Iowa to advance the issue. Thursday, June 7
The Progressive Iowa Network Organizing Summit
by
Caroline Vernon
on Thu 07 Jun 2007 01:20 PM CDT
The Progressive Iowa Network
Organizing Summit Saturday, June 9, 2007 Iowa City Public Library Agenda: 1. Welcome 2. Introductions 3. Why a Progressive Network is important for Iowa 4. Democracy for America – Support for Iowa’s Progressive Network 5. 2007 Iowa Legislative Review (Legislators) 6. Overview of Top Progressive Legislative Priorities (Progressive Activists) 7. Envisioning Progressive Power in Iowa (Ed Fallon & Denise O'Brien) 8. Break 9. Top Progressive Legislative Issues - Workshops VOICE (Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections) CAFO/Farm Bill Health Care Media Reform Fair Share 10. Lunch 11. Workshop Reports 12. Progressive Iowa Network – Next Steps 13. Democracy for Iowa – Administrative overview 14. Adjournment Please note: If you are interested in discussing potential state-wide initiatives that will pressure our Congress to end the war in Iraq, please come to this event. Peace groups can strategize during the workshop hour (#9) and also report back to the larger group after lunch. This will be an excellent opportunity for all of us to be united for peace. We will start gathering at 9am - coffee and bagels / breakfast treats. The summit will begin promptly at 9:30am. Please let us know if you intend to come: Please RSVP: http://www.dfalink.com/event Monday, June 4
Establishing our Progressive Iowa Network (PIN) - Update
by
Caroline Vernon
on Mon 04 Jun 2007 09:30 AM CDT
Establishing our Progressive Iowa Network (PIN) - Update
By Caroline Vernon This Saturday, June 9th, progressive leaders, legislators and activists from various organizations across Iowa will come together for the first DFA-Iowa Networking Summit. We will be gathering at the Iowa City Public Library from 9am to 3pm (the last hour will be devoted to DFA-IA administrative business). Some of our great leaders who will be in attendance include Charlie Chamberlain from Democracy for America, Ed Fallon, Denise O’Brien, and Senator Joe Bolkcom, just to name a few… Once again, the purpose of this gathering is to establish a Progressive Iowa Network which will serve to better unite progressives across the state in order to support each others efforts around important issues, particularly if we hope to be more effective moving into the next legislative session. Besides providing an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow progressives, one direct benefit of an Iowa Network would be the enhanced ability to articulate our progressive world view by creating a state-wide echo chamber that will carry our unified message to all Iowans. As previously indicated, we have identified 5 issues in Iowa that require urgent action: 1. VOICE (Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections) 2. CAFO regulations / Farm Bill 3. Fair Share 4. Healthcare 5. Media Also, due to the recent vote on the Iraq supplemental bill, it is our hope that peace activists from across Iowa will take advantage of this opportunity to come together to discuss potential state wide initiatives that will effectively pressure those in Congress who voted for the bill. In addition to addressing the above issues, we are tracking organizations by their particular area(s) of focus. This list has also evolved since my last blog: 1. Policy / Research 2. Lobbying 3. Media & Blogs 4. Grassroots Organizing These 4 areas have been added: 5. Direct Action 6. Education 7. Funding (to identify potential sources of funding) 8. Political Campaigns (organizations who can be involved with campaigns) We are working on compiling a comprehensive list of all participating organizations, including contact information, primary areas of focus and primary issues of concern. If you or your organization will be attending the summit, we ask that you submit your information using the example below (4 stars = primary focus) Example: Organization: Progressive Action for the Common Good Address: 3707 Eastern Ave, Davenport, IA 52807 Contact Information: (name/position/phone/email): Caroline Vernon, Organizer, 563-676-7580, carolina1961@gmail.com. James Lee, Executive Director, 563-650-3922, jlee6367@yahoo.com Areas of Focus Rating Issues Rating Policy/Research VOICE **** Lobbying ** CAFO/Farm Bill *** Media/Blogs Media ** Grassroots Organizing **** Fair Share ** Direct Action *** Healthcare *** Education ** Funding * Other: _Peace _ **** Poltical Campaigns Please send the above information to carolina1961@gmail.com by Thursday, June 7th so we can be sure to include your information in the hand-out. It is important to note that we encourage ALL progressive organizations to attend this meeting and become part of the network even if we may not be focusing on your specific issues at this time. The goal of the network is to create a framework designed to support all progressive initiatives. We need everyone’s participation in order to succeed. If you have any questions, please call Caroline Vernon at 563-676-7580. Hope to see you Saturday! Wednesday, May 16
Establishing Our Progressive Iowa Network (PIN) - Mark the Date!
by
Caroline Vernon
on Wed 16 May 2007 11:25 AM CDT
Establishing our Progressive Iowa Network (PIN) – Mark the Date! By Caroline Vernon On Saturday, June 9th, progressive leaders, activists and legislators from across the state will converge on Iowa City for our first 2007 Democracy for Iowa Organizing Summit. We are still working out the details on the venue (forthcoming) but we will be meeting from 9am to 3pm (the last hour will be reserved for DFA-IA members to discuss administrative business so it will not be necessary for everyone to stay for that segment). The purpose of this gathering is to establish the Progressive Iowa Network (PIN). This network will serve to better unite progressive organizations, legislators, and leaders across the state so we can support each other’s efforts around progressive issues in Iowa. Currently, we have an unprecedented opportunity to get progressive legislation passed in our state. However, in order to achieve legislative victories on the issues that we care about, we must establish an effective framework that allows us to better organize our efforts, clarify our message, mobilize our base, educate the public and influence our state officials. We have identified the following 5 issues as requiring urgent action: 1. VOICE (Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections) Please note: we want ALL progressive organizations to attend this meeting and become part of this network even if we may not be focusing on your specific issues at this time. The Summit Agenda will cover the following: I. Why is PIN important? The first part of this summit will discuss why PIN is important. Groups/Individuals will be asked to introduce themselves and identify their main areas and issues of focus: • Policy/Research II. Update & Evaluation of the recent Iowa Legislative Session • What went well? III. Break-Out Sessions by Issue • Strategize with other progressives around the state that are working on the same issue. Lunch IV. Report back to larger group identifying specific needs • What do you need from PIN? We will not have time to hear specific plans but rather will want to hear your list of needs on how other organizations/leaders can help you make progress around your issue. V. Where does PIN go from here? We will discuss logistics, network structure and set a date and time for our next meeting(s). VI. DFA-Iowa Administrative Planning Session (for DFA-IA members) This last segment will be for DFA-IA members to discuss by-laws, how we can better support Blog for Iowa, and other administrative details. Outreach around this summit has been underway for awhile -- many progressive organizations/individuals in Iowa have already been notified. However, if you have not yet heard from us directly, please email Caroline Vernon ASAP: carolina1961@gmail.com. We need every progressive organization, leader and legislator in Iowa to participate in order to achieve maximum effectiveness as a network. Thursday, April 26
Email or Call to Support Clean Elections
by
Sam Garchik
on Thu 26 Apr 2007 09:07 AM CDT
Email or Call to Support Clean Elections
By Public Campaign Action Fund (Reposted from Bleeding Heartland) Due to some technical issues, Blog for Iowa has been down this week. However, we have them fixed, and are ready to roll. Let's begin where we left off, with Clean Elections The legislative session in Iowa is winding down. The General Assembly is scheduled to recess this Friday and the House leadership is trying to stall passage of the Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections (VOICE) Act that would bring full public financing to the state's elections. The bill is currently sitting in the House Appropriations Committee. We have the votes to bring the legislation to the floor, but we need your help. Please call the following representatives and tell them to allow the VOICE Act, HF 805, to go to the floor.
Speaker of the House Patrick Murphy
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy
Rep. Jo Oldson, House Appropriations Committee Chair The VOICE Act would make elections in your state about voters instead of big campaign donors. House leadership would prefer to see this bill just die in committee, but we can't let that happen. The legislation deserves a fair debate on the floor of the House. We need your help today. Please take a few minutes to call the following legislators and tell them to support HF 805, the VOICE Act:
Speaker of the House Patrick Murphy
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy
Rep. Jo Oldson, House Appropriations Committee Chair With so much special interest money flowing into the elections in 2006, these legislators are feeling pressure to bow to their big donors instead of the interests of all voters. Put on a little pressure of your own with a few calls. Thanks for all you do. Jeannette GalanisNational Field Director Thursday, April 19
Gronstal to Iowa Voters – F*ck You!
by
Caroline Vernon
on Thu 19 Apr 2007 09:01 AM CDT
Gronstal to Iowa Voters – F*ck You!
Gronstal Earns a Mouth Scrubbing at Capitol Wednesday! By swords&ploughshares It's official, Iowa Democrats who turned out in record numbers this year to deliver the historic control of the Iowa House, Senate and Governorship to Democrats for the first time in over 30 years, can now rest safe that their leadership has abandoned them. At today's VOICE Rally at the Capitol in Des Moines, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal stunned Iowa citizens advocating Clean Elections with his arrogance and use of obscenities. A group of women and elderly men had gathered in the Rotunda after a peaceful rally calling for an end to the use of big money in Iowa's political campaigns, when Gronstal, who has been called "the most powerful man in Iowa politics," came strolling by. Seizing upon the chance to speak with "the powerful one," members of the group caught his attention and began asking him where he stood on the issue. When told of the citizen's concerns about how corporate money was impacting elections, Gronstal told them that's the way things work. When asked about the chance of Clean Election legislation reaching the floor he flatly said, "Not a chance." Gronstal then went on a rant about how "naïve" these Iowans were, thinking that big money could be removed from Iowa elections, warning that "Republicans could just outspend us (Democrats) with a 527." When someone in the crowd asked Gronstal about the half a million dollars that he raised during the last election cycle and doled out to Democratic candidates, he scoffed at the figure, saying, "I raised twice that much!" Eventually some 20 citizens gathered around Gronstal, eager to hear the bill's fate during the final days of the 2007 session. What many of them heard was not only disheartening, but ultimately insulting. Rather than listen to their reasonable concerns about the influence of money in politics, Gronstal arrogantly claimed that the votes for Clean Elections "weren't there." When a woman challenged this claim, Gronstal launched into her. "I make the decisions of what bills come to the floor…I'm the best vote counter in this building. I got 25 years of experience." At some point, an older gentleman interrupted the Senate Majority Leader, saying, "You're nothing but a Republican in Democrat clothing." Like a petty tyrant who has finally been called on his bad behavior the Senate Majority Leader lost it. Gronstal squared off with the older gentleman and said, "That's the lowest blow that anyone's ever dealt me. You can kiss my ass!" Visibly shaken, Gronstal stormed off. He walked a short distance away from the group and then lifted his head up to the top of the Capitol and SHOUTED "F*ck You!" A large group of elementary school children were touring the Rotunda while this was happening. Inappropriate behavior at the Capitol is not unusual, but somebody with the title of Senate Majority Leader should not be allowed to speak to Iowa voters in such a vulgar manner especially while young children are nearby. The office and the Senate of Iowa deserve better. If you're appalled at Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal's behavior, contact the Iowa Senate and demand that Gronstal issue a public apology. E-mail: michael.gronstal@legis.state.ia.us Home Telephone: 712-328-2808 SENATE SWITCHBOARD: (515) 281-3371 HOUSE SWITCHBOARD: (515) 281-3221 Find Your Legislator and their email address by visiting www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg Demand a public apology. Iowans expect more from their leaders. |
Iowa Sites Child & Family Policy Center - Iowa Genetic Engineering Action Network Iowa Citizen Action Network - ICAN Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility Iowa Public Interest Research Group Midwest Environmental Justice Advocates Progressive Action for the Common Good Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa QCAD (Quad-Citians Affirming Diversity - GLBT) Iowa Blogs The Deprogrammer (Quad Cities) Iowa True Blue (Gordon Fischer's Blog) Iowa Voters for Open and Transparent Elections Political FalloutFight Iowa Rapid Response Network - Iowa
Iowans for Better Local TV
Air America
The Counterpoint
National FAIR: Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting
Media Matters for America
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||