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Common Cause GeorgiaState Capitol

 Common Cause Georgia is a non-profit, non-partisan, good government advocacy group.  We work to strengthen public participation and to ensure that the political process serves the public interest, rather than the special interests.

 

Our purpose is clear: make public officials and public institutions accountable and responsive to Georgia's citizens.

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Leading Issues in Georgia

  • December 15, 2008

     

    Homeowners pay for high-end tax breaks, Buckhead Reporter, December 12th
    by Bill Bozarth, Executive Director Common Cause Georgia

    December 12, 2008
    Recent news stories about slowdowns in commercial development in Buckhead and elsewhere brought some interesting facts to light. High-end projects such as the Mansion on Peachtree and the InterContinental Hotel Buckhead are getting help from a Fulton County agency to ease them through the hard times.

    In an article in the Nov. 30 Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reporter Kevin Duffy describes how developers work through the Development Authority of Fulton County to arrange bond financing for their projects.

    The developer of the St. Regis Hotel was quoted as saying the project would have been difficult to pull off without Development Authority help. What few people realize is that "Development Authority help" essentially equals taxpayer subsidy. We have the equivalent of our own local bailout going on here in Atlanta for the real estate and construction industry.

    Read the full story here
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  • November 24, 2008

     

    Georgia’s run-off election is drawing $3.4 million from outside groups

     

    The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported that outside groups have spent $3.4 million on the Senatorial race between Saxby Chambliss and Jim Martin. In the AJC article, Bill Bozarth, executive director of Common Cause Georgia, that he’s not surprised by the amount of money involved, but was taken aback by the size of the third-party involvement.

     

    The ability of independent groups to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money, Bozarth said, “makes sort of a mockery to attempt to limit what an individual can give. It’s dwarfed by what these other groups are going to give.”

     

    Individuals are allowed to contribute up to $2,300 per election cycle per candidate, and candidates can accept up to $5,000 from a political action committee. But independent political groups, can raise and spend as much as they wish.

     

    The Statewide and local elections will be held on December 2nd.  Advanced voting is available a select polling locations on November 24th and 5th. To find an advance voting location in your county click here.

     

    To learn more about the candidates on the ballot the League of Women Voters has a complete Georgia Voter Guide available online at AJC.com.  The guide covers statewide races and customizes your local elections.

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  • November 24, 2008

     

    Change or business as usual in Washington?

     

    Common Cause always stressed that a more open and accountable government does not simply happen with a single election or a change in party control. To have real “change” reforms must be made to the system in which our government operates. 

     

    CNN produced a story highlighting a fundraising event for freshman House members sponsored by special interest lobbyists. So even after a dramatic election, it looks like it's business as usual in Washington.

     

    Watch Common Cause President, Bob Edgar's comment on the story below:

     

     

    In Georgia, we have also seen calls for reform fade away as a new majority did not live up to its promise to deliver a "New Day in Georgia."  Common Cause continues to insist that we focus less on expectations from a certain party and instead call for a different set of priorities.   Take action and join our call for reforms in Georgia. 

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