Perdue and McCrory call for tougher laws and greater transparency

Appearing at a event hosted by the North Carolina Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform, Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, both vowed to push for more lobbying and ethics reforms next year if elected Governor.

Perdue, the Democratic nominee and McCrory, the Republican nominee, both agreed on a variety of specific proposals that have been endorsed by the Coalition.

Both candidates called for:

· Stopping lobbyists from raising money for political candidates

· Stopping legislators from asking lobbyists for money for their favorite charity or non profit

· Making the legislative budget process more open

· Providing a period of at least 48 hours for lawmakers to study the budget before having to vote on it

· Broadening the state’s revolving door provision to require more state employees in decision making positions to have at least a 6 months cooling off period between leaving public service and becoming a lobbyist

· Curbing fundraising for appointees to major state boards and commissions such as the Board of Transportation and the University Board of Governors.

Perdue and McCrory also endorsed redistricting reform. Both candidates expressed support for a tasking a group of citizens independent of the legislature with drawing legislative and congressional district lines.

Perdue called for legislative sessions and meetings to be televised similar to Congress with C-Span. McCroy supported posting on-line all invitations to lawmakers to attend events hosted by lobbyists and lobbyists principals.

And here's what Perdue said about the need for Public Financing

“The most important thing that can happen in America to sustain democracy both in Washington and in state by state is to figure out a way to take the money out of races. Pure and simple the money is killing politics and the people who want to serve elective office.”

“The more we can work on having full publicly financed Council of State and judges races, my dream is to see local figures publicly financed. I’m interested to see what happens in Chapel Hill.”

Perdue pledges to create a special endowment fund that foundations and businesses could contribute to for funding future gubernatorial elections. Former Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation President Tom Lambeth has agree to lead the planning team.

Stop these subsidies

in the 6/30 Charlotte Observer

From Bob Phillips, executive director of Common Cause North Carolina:

As N.C. lawmakers scramble to find more money to meet our state's growing needs, there's one place where the state could recoup millions without raising taxes or cutting government services. Stop subsidizing college tuition for out-of-state athletes at our public universities. It's a perk that's costing the taxpayers of this state more than $10 million dollars a year, and counting.

Before 2005, university athletic booster clubs picked up the entire tuition tab for out-of-state athletes. But then the General Assembly changed the law, forcing taxpayers to make up the difference and giving the booster clubs a big price break of in-state tuition for out-of state athletes on scholarship.

That difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition is significant, at UNC Chapel Hill about $15,500 a year per athlete. It increases each year as more and more out-of state athletes are recruited to our public universities. By the 2010 academic year, the cost to the public is projected to rise to more than $16 million.

Why did the legislature pass such a law? Because a powerful political action committee, created by wealthy alumni for the benefit of UNC-Chapel Hill, wanted it done.

This PAC, called Citizens for Higher Education, has invested more than a half-million dollars in the campaign coffers of legislative candidates in recent years. Big money contributions have gone to nearly two thirds of the sitting members of the General Assembly, with many of the donations to individual lawmakers exceeding $2000.

Click here to read the full commentary and to see which legislators accepted contributions

HBCU Summer Conference a Success

June 16th, 2008, Raleigh- Common Cause NC’s Campus Outreach Project recently held its first HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Summer Conference. Students from NC A&T State University, Fayetteville State University and North Carolina Central University attended. Rep. Ty Harrell from Wake County District 41 offered encouragement to the students to get involved in the political process on their various campuses. Following the workshop and luncheon with Ty Harrell, the students participated in a tour of the NC General Assembly and had a chance to speak with individuals who serve the state of North Carolina in various capacities. Public service perspectives were given by Michael Leach, NC Department of Health and Human Services, Debra Derr, Director of Legislative Affairs for AT&T, Donice Harbor, Administrative Staff with Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue and William Munn, Constituent Services liaison for Congressmen David Price. The Common Cause HBCU Summer Conference energized students to be ready and excited to maximize their involvement in the political process on their respective campuses. As well, it taught them the importance of advocating for open and accountable government on the local, state and national stage. (Photos: Top Left- Campus Outreach Coordinator Stevie Lawrence engages students, To Right- Students tour the House Floor, Left- Rep. Ty Harrell poses with the group in front of the legislative building)

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

“Step to the Polls”

More than 200 NCCU students rallied on campus to promote voter participation on the first day of early voting in North Carolina. The event, called “Step to the Polls,” was spearheaded by the Common Cause NCCU student chapter, and featured a variety of speakers, entertainment from student “step show” performers and informal visits from political candidates. The event culminated with a march led by the student drum corps to a nearby early voting site, where students were able to register and vote.

Click here to read more and to see photos from the event...

Jim Hightower brings message of hope to NC

CCNC events in Asheville and Chapel Hill draw big crowds

Author, commentator and agitator Jim Hightower delighted audiences in Asheville and Chapel Hill mixing his unique brand of humor with a message of hope for the future. Appearing on behalf of Common Cause North Carolina, Hightower touted his latest book, “Swim Against the Current- even a dead fish can go with the flow.” The book is a collection of stories from across the country of as Hightower describes it, “ordinary people doing extraordinary things” to make changes for the better to their communities.

Click here for more photos and wrap up

Women in Politics Forum draws crowd at NCA&T

Student, faculty and community leaders turned out to hear some of Guilford County's top female elected leaders discuss the rewards and challenges running for public office. Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson, Greensboro city councilor Trudy Wade, and Guilford County State Representative Alma Adams all agreed that rising campaign costs are a barrier. Former U.S. Congresswoman Eva Clayton who served four terms in the state's 1st Congressional District challenged young people to get involved and participate in democracy. The Women in Politics Forum was sponsored by NCA&T's Common Cause campus chapter. The year-long project is designed to promote civic engagement among young people. CCNC is sponsoring similar programs at NC Central and Fayetteville State University. (Left: Congresswoman Eva Clayton and NC A&T Common Cause fellow Jason Collins)

Click here for a complete photo gallery of the event

Mayor Johnson & the panel (L), Former State Supreme Court Chief Justice Henry Frye (R)

COMMON CAUSE ON CAMPUS

Reform was the topic of discussion among students at a recent Common Cause meeting on the campus of North Carolina Central University. The school's Common Cause chapter is led by Tarryn Simmons, a junior from Charlotte. Faculty Advisor is Dr. Jarvis Hall, professor of political science, who also attended the gathering.

Students heard from Erin Byrd, a veteran reform activist working for the N.C. Justice Center, about the need to participate in democracy. CC campus coordinator Stevie Lawrence briefed students on issues they may want to be involved in, including the National Fair Elections Act which will provide the option of public financing for congressional candidates. Students hope to educate their peers on campus this semester about ways young people can help improve democracy. The NCCU Common Cause chapter will also be sponsoring a voter registration drive on campus this spring.

Congressman Walter B. Jones will co-sponsor public financing bill

Announcement made at Common Cause North Carolina luncheon

Congressman Walter Jones announced to a Common Cause North Carolina gathering that he will co-sponsor the Fair Elections Now Act- a proposal to provide the option of public financing for candidates running for Congress.

Jones’ remarks came at CCNC’s annual luncheon and workshop event held on Saturday, November 17^th. He expressed great concern about the ever-escalating costs of political campaigns while acknowledging North Carolina’s public financing program in place for statewide judicial candidates.

“I believe the debate has to start, I believe that the American people have to have hope,” said Congressman Jones expressing his intentions to co sponsor the Fair Elections Now Act. “Whatever and however, we need to have that option [public financing] in this country.”

Jones becomes the first Republican in Congress to firmly commit to sponsoring the public financing bill which is expected to be introduced later this year by Rep. John Larson (D-CT).

"Common Cause North Carolina commends Congressman Jones for his support of public financing and encourages all members of the North Carolina Congressional delegation to join him in endorsing this important legislation," said Bob Phillips, executive director of CCNC. "Rep. Jones understands that big money politics is harming our democracy and that public financing alternatives are needed."

The Fair Election Now Act has already being introduced in the U.S. Senate with bi-partisan sponsorship. The proposal offers full public funding to candidates for Congress who accept spending limits and swear off special interest cash in the 2008 election.

Congressional candidates wishing to qualify for public funds would have to raise small dollar donations at a certain level to demonstrate their viability- just as North Carolina’s statewide judicial candidate must now do to qualify for public funds.

Help Change The Face of Political Campaigns!

Are you concerned about the rising costs of political campaigns? Worried about the amount of time that our lawmakers have to spend fundraising instead of legislating and listening to constituents?

So is Common Cause North Carolina. Help us change the system by signing our petition in support of local resolutions in favor of publicly-financed campaigns.

Petitioning at the polls on election day...

CAMPAIGN FINANCE ALTERNATIVES FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS

Common Cause NC is leading a widespread, in-depth look into the rising costs of local elections in seven major NC cities. We'll identify where the most expensive battles are being waged, who's paying for them, and how it affects our democracy. We’ll look at noncompetitive races and determine what prevents citizens from running for local office. And we'll propose local public financed elections as an alternative to the current system. Click here for more information...

At a Raleigh City Council forum Johnny Crawford, a CCNC intern, collects signatures in support of City Council passing a resolution in favor of public financing as an alternative to the current system.