Common Cause

Fair Elections Supporters Demonstrate Against Corruption

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 PST

Fair Elections Supporters Demonstrate Against Corruption

MoveOn and California Common Cause members protested against corruption in Washington on August 10, 2010. The champions of Fair Elections (pictured above) rallied at Representatives Henry Waxman's and Laura Richardson's district offices in Los Angeles, CA to call for passage of the Fair Elections Now Act (H.R. 1826) which would establish public financing of campaigns for congressional elections.

Diverse Applicant Pool for Citizens Redistricting Commission

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 PST

Diverse Applicant Pool for Citizens Redistricting Commission

Public interest organizations that have been advocating for the successful implementation of a Citizens Redistricting Commission applauded the efforts of the Bureau of State Audits to develop a qualified, diverse pool of candidates. The Bureau of State Audits has just finished narrowing the original pool of over 30,000 applicants for the new citizens redistricting commission to 120 individuals.

Now that the Applicant Review Panel has narrowed the applicants to 120 individuals to bring in for interviews, we are pleased that the diversity is very close to that of the state’s population: 12% are Black, 30% are of Latino heritage, 14% are Asian and/or Pacific Islander, and 5% are American Indian. This is a very important development in securing the public’s trust. For more information on the Commission selection, click here.

LA City Council Votes to Support SB 1140

Fri, 9 Jul 2010 00:00:00 PST

LA City Council Votes to Support SB 1140

California Common Cause, the ACLU, Greenlining Institute,California Participation Project, and the League of Women Voters gave publiccomment at the LA City Council meeting on Wednesday, July 7^th tosupport the resolution to endorse SB 1140, our One-Stop Voting Bill. It passedwith 13 Yes Votes! Thank you Councilmember Huizar for your leadership inproposing this resolution. Click here to read the press release

From left to right: Tunua Thrash, Greenlining Institute;Max Messervy, Susan Gao and Kathay Feng; California Common Cause, CouncilmemberJose Huizar, Anjuli Kronheim; California Common Cause; David Holtzman, Leagueof Women Voters; Sharon Byrne, California Common Cause; and Marcy Koukhab,California Participation Project. Missing: Clarissa Woo, ACLU

More Accountability for Elected Officials and Placement Agents

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

More Accountability for Elected Officials and Placement Agents

AB 1743 sponsored by Assemblyman Ed Hernandez passed out of the Senate Committee on Elections, Reapportionment, and Constitutional Amendments. This measure would require Placement Agents who seek investment deals with the California Public Employees' Retirement System to register as lobbyists subject to the same regulations under the Political Reform Act. California Common Cause considers this a victory for the fight against curbing undue special interest influence in government, as recent corruption scandals regarding Placement Agents and CalPERS employees have called for the kind of action reflected in AB 1743.

The Committee also passed AB 1676, which would require officials elected to county, city, or school districts to live within their district for the entirety of their terms. California Common Cause supports this bill for its reinforcement of the basic principles of representation and responsiveness to constituent concerns.

Get Familiar With the November 2010 Ballot Measures

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

Get Familiar with the November 2010 Ballot Measures

The Secretary of State is reporting that 10 measures will be on the 2010 Nov Ballot – including Charles Munger’s initiative to expand redistricting reform to Congress and an initiative to eliminate the citizen’s redistricting commission that Californians fought hard to implement with Proposition 11. Click here to read more from the Secretary of State on these measures or below to access the full text of each individual measure.

Initiative Constitutional Amendment 1380: Removes elected representatives from the process of establishing congressional districts and transfers that authority to the recently-authorized 14-member redistricting commission.

Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.1451. (09-0107): Eliminates State Commission on Redistricting. Consolidates Authority for Redistricting with Elected Representatives.

Help Common Cause Pass One-Stop Voting

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

Help Common Cause Pass One-Stop Voting

California Common Cause has teamed up with Senator Leland Yee to sponsor SB 1140, one-stop voting for California. One-stop voting would allow any California voter to register to vote and cast a ballot on Election Day, even if they have not been previously registered. Election day voter registration has helped 8 other states dramatically increase voter participation and ease voter confusion on and before election day.

We think one-stop voting will help revolutionize California's voting experience and hope you will join us.

SB 1140 was passed by the California Assembly Elections Committee. We need your help to tell Governor Schwarzenegger why SB 1140 is good for California.

Please email Governor Schwarzenegger by visiting his contact page here: http://gov.ca.gov/interact#email and tell him that SB 1140 will help increase voter participation and ease voter confusion.

The Fair Elections Fight Goes On

Wed, 9 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

The Fair Elections Fight Goes On

As you’ve likely heard, Prop 15 was defeated in Tuesday’s election after receiving 43% of the vote. California Common Cause made passing Prop 15 a major priority this year, and we want to thank you for all your efforts to support this campaign.

We walk forward from today as a smarter, stronger movement than we were prior to the Prop 15 campaign. With your help and the help of allied organizations like the California Clean Money Campaign, California Nurses Association, and League of Women Voters of California we built a grassroots campaign based upon more than 2,750 contributions and hundreds of volunteers. We won significant endorsements from major institutions and newspapers across the state. We did not win the election statewide, but we did win majorities in eight counties where our campaign was particularly strong. Further, we have made significant progress since the last time when publicly financed campaigns was on the ballot in 2006 when it received only 25% of the vote.

As we go back to the drawing board for crafting future reforms in California, we will keep you abreast of updates. Rest assured, we’ll be back with campaign finance reform for California.

Now, the good news -- our federal campaign working to pass the Fair Elections Now Act and create public financing options for the House and Senate is in full swing. We have 153 co-sponsors in the House and 20 co-sponsors in the Senate. From California, we have Senator Barbara Boxer and 23 California House Reps. We will use this momentum to get more House leadership from California on board and win Fair Elections!

We can’t do this work without your energy and hard work and are grateful for your support to create a healthy democracy.

Thanks for all you do.

California Common Cause Says Yes on Prop 15

Tue, 8 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

California Common Cause Says Yes on Prop 15!

California Common Cause is leading the campaign to bring fair elections to California with the California Fair Elections Act, Proposition 15. From the Citizen's United Supreme Court Case to California's political crisis fair elections are the solution we need to get back the fair and representative government California deserves. Our government is broken and prop 15 is the answer.. Authored by then-Assemblywoman Loni Hancock and signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the California Fair Elections Act will appear on the June 8th ballot.

Proposition 15 gets politicians out of the fundraising game and back to solving California's problems by establishing a pilot project for public financing of Secretary of State campaigns for 2014 and 2018. Qualified candidates receive limited public financing and are banned from raising or spending any beyond it.

You can keep up on all the Prop 15 voting news by joining the Yes on Prop 15 facebook group, and following us on twitter.

Tell your friends that Prop 15 is the solution California deserves.

Vote Yes TODAY on Prop 15

Tue, 8 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

Help bring fair elections to California by voting "yes" on Proposition 15 today. The Citizen's United decision in the Supreme Court gives corporations the same rights as regular citizens, and fair elections are the solution we need to get the government California deserves. Authored by former Assemblywoman Loni Hancock and signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the California Fair Elections Act will help fix our broken government.

Proposition 15 gets politicians out of the fundraising game by establishing a pilot project for public financing of Secretary of State campaigns for 2014 and 2018. Qualified candidates receive limited public financing and are banned from raising or spending any beyond it.

After you cast your vote, tell your family and friends that Prop 15 is the solution California deserves.

House Judiciary to Hold LA Hearing on Comcast-NBC Merger

Fri, 4 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

House Judiciary to Hold LA Hearing on Comcast / NBC Universal Merger

Stand up for local media

On Monday, June 7th The House Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on the proposed Comcast-NBC Universal merger at the California Science Center in LA. California Common Cause is encouraging members and friends to attend this meeting and speak out about the danger this merger presents to media platforms, diverse programming and views and creative communities.

Click here to learn more about Common Cause’s work on media reform.

Who: The U.S. House Judiciary Committee is making a rare trip out of Washington D.C. to hold a public workshop on Comcast’s takeover of NBC-Universal in Los Angeles.

What: Public Workshop on the Comcast-NBC Universal Merger 

When: Monday, June 7th at 9am

Where: California Science Center, The Donald P. Loker Conference Center, 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA

Committee Chairman Rep. John Conyers will preside over the workshop, and Committee members Rep. Maxine Waters, Rep. Judy Chu and others are expected to attend.

We hope you will attend this important hearing and stand up for local media ownership and the protection of the public interest in media transactions.

California Common Cause Neutral on Prop 14

Tue, 1 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

California Common Cause Neutral on Prop 14

California Common Cause is remaining neutral on Proposition 14 for this year’s ballot. In the interest of informing our members, however, we have produced a brief policy analysis outlining the proposed top-two primary system and what it might mean for California:

In June, California voters will face the first in a series of reform proposals aimed at reducing partisan gridlock in state government. The decision as to which, if any, of these proposals will improve California’s flailing government will require weighing democratic principles and goals against questions of our modern political realities. One of those measures is Proposition 14, placed on the ballot by the California Legislature as part of the February 2009 budget deal.

If passed by the voters, Prop 14 would establish a “top-two” primary system for electing California’s statewide constitutional officers, Congressional representatives and U.S. Senators. It would not apply to not to local elections or presidential primaries.

SB 1140 One Stop Voting Headed for the Senate Floor

Tue, 1 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

SB 1140 One Stop Voting Headed for the Senate Floor

June 1, 2010

SB 1140, Senator Leland Yee's bill to establish One Stop Voting for California is headed to the Senate floor. SB 1140, if enacted, will allow voters to register to vote and cast a ballot during the 14 days leading up to an election including Election Day. This means that voters who miss the traditional voter registration deadline or whose registrations are lost or incorrectly processed will still have an opportunity to cast a ballot on Election Day and will not be disenfranchised. Election Day voter registration is available in a number of other states where it has increased voter turnout and access to the polls for young voters and others who are often left out of the process. California Common Cause sponsored SB 1140 because we believe it will solve many of the challenges and problems reported by voters to the Election Protection hotline during past elections.

For more information and to read the text of SB 1140, click here.

Media Reform is Coming to LA

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST

Media Reform is Coming to California

California Common Cause has long believed that media reform is vital to our democracy. If you are concerned that our democracy is being usurped by today's media, that communities are being harmed by the absence of local news coverage, and that diverse groups lack access to the media, now is the time to act!

We invite you to join the LA Media Reform Group, California Common Cause and the Urban & Environmental Policy Institute at Occidental College for an informative half-day summit.

The Third Annual Media Summit, 2010: Preserving Democracy

Speakers and panelists attending the summit include:

Brad Friedman of the Brad Blog

Steven Cuevas, KPPC

Sue Wilson, Producer, Broadcast Blues

Brad Parker, Huffington Post

Ian Masters, KPFK

Afternoon breakout sessions will cover a wide array of topics including:
Citizen Journalism and the Net
The Fair Use Doctrine and Creative Commons
Communicating Network Neutrality
Hate Speech and Bad Stories
Video Activism
Local Ethnic Media
Media Literacy in Education

What: LA Media Reform Summit 2010: Preserving Democracy
When: Saturday, March 27, 2010
Where: Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA 90041
Admission: $15 in advance, $20 at the door, $10 for seniors and students will ID, free with Occidental ID

To register for this event please visit the registration page at www.commoncause.org/ca/mediasummit2010

TAKE ACTION: USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism’s Norman Lear Center has released its report entitled "Local TV News in the Los Angeles Media Market: Are Stations Serving the Public Interest?" A full copy of the report can be found here. This study finds that all 8 local Los Angeles TV stations cover local government news for a mere 21.6 seconds of their half-hour time slot.

We hope you will join the fight for fair media by visiting our Take Action page and sending a letter to the FCC.

Citizens Redistricting Commission Applications Available

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

Citizens Redistricting Commission Applications Available!

Note: The application deadline for the California Citizens Redistricting Commission has been extended to February 16th, 2010!

Applications are now available for the Citizens Redistricting Commission created by the passage of California's Prop 11 in November 2008. To apply to be a commissioner or learn more about the application process visit the State Auditor's official website at http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/

California Common Cause has also joined together with various other grassroots organization to form the Redistricting CA alliance. The Redistricting CA website provides detailed information about the redistricting commission, how to apply, and how to get the word out to community groups and friends about the application process. Visit the Redistricting CA website for information including notes and video from our recent December conference in LA.

The Redistricting CA Alliance website is available at http://www.commoncause.org/redistrictingca.

Click here to see a calendar of upcoming Redistricting CA events across California.

These events are aimed at educating community members about the commission application process, and inviting you to reach out to your friends and neighbors and invite them to apply.

Copy of Citizens Redistricting Commission Applications Available

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

Citizens Redistricting Commission Applications Available!

The applications are in and 30,720 people have applied! Next, applicants will begin submitting their supplemental application essays.

For ongoing information about the application process, the http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/

The Redistricting CA Alliance website is available at http://www.commoncause.org/redistrictingca.

Click here to see a calendar of upcoming Redistricting CA events across California.

These events are aimed at educating community members about the commission application process and track the commission's progress.

Public Financing Needed Now More Than Ever

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

Public Financing Needed Now More Than Ever

Sunday’s San Francisco Chronicle featured an editorial about the upcoming Supreme Court decisions in the case of Citizens United vs. FEC. The editorial outlined how a narrow Supreme Court ruling could declare limits or bans on corporate independent expenditures are unconstitutional. With healthcare interests currently spending $1.4 million per day on lobbying the House and Senate, the Citizens United ruling could open the floodgates of corporate expenditures on political campaigns. Common Cause is backing both the Fair Elections Now Act for public financing of Congressional campaigns, and the California Fair Elections Act which would establish a pilot program for publicly financed Secretary of State races in California.

Click here to read the San Francisco Chronicle editorial discussing Citizens United and Common Cause’s work to overcome it.

Click here to read more about the California Fair Elections Act.

Click here to read more about the federal Fair Elections Now Act.

Click here to read more about Citizens United v. FEC

Californians Favor Reform - Think Elections Should be Won, Not Bought

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

Californians Favor Reform – Think Elections Should be Won, Not Bought

The California Fair Elections Campaign (of which Common Cause is a co-chair) released public survey data indicating 63% of likely voters in the June 2010 election support our ballot measure to establish a pilot program of full public financing for Secretary of State campaigns. The measure, which was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger as AB 583, would provide public campaign funds to qualified candidates who adhere to strictly enforced reporting requirements and spending limits and would ban participating candidates from raising funds from lobbyists, their clients, or any large donors.

See press coverage here in the Contra Costa Times and view poll results here.

To learn more about the California Fiar Elections Act and what you can do to help, visit our informational page, here.

Common Cause Calls for FPPC to Investigate Lobbyist Sex Scandal

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

California Common Cause Calls for FPPC to Investigate Lobbyist Sex Scandal

California Common Cause today called on the Fair Political Practices Commission to open an investigation into whether two lobbyists violated state law by engaging in affairs with former state legislator Mike Duvall.

"Voters need to know how widespread this practice is of lobbyists literally getting into bed with legislators, and since the legislature and Attorney General have both abandoned any investigation it is now incumbent upon the FPPC to take this on," said Derek Cressman, Western States Regional Director for Common Cause.

Click here to read Common Cause's complaint filed with the FPPC.

Click here to listen to Capitol Public Radio's interview with Derek Cressman.

Duvall resigned last month after being caught on videotape bragging to fellow Assemblymember Jeff Smith about the salacious details of sexual trysts he was having with lobbyists. Some newspapers have indentified one of the lobbyists as an employee of Sempra Energy.

Sempra Energy has donated more than $11,000 to Assembly Speaker Karen Bass in the past three years and gave over $10,000 to Jerry Brown’s campaign for Attorney General in 2006. Beyond that, Sempra gave more than $275,000 to the California Democratic Party in the past three years.

"Sempra gave big money to our elected officials and those officials then declined to investigate this matter regarding a Sempra lobbyist," noted Kathay Feng, Executive Director of California Common Cause. "That is precisely the sort of dynamic that makes Californian’s skeptical about our current campaign finance system and our current legislature."

Beyond a full investigation of this incident, Common Cause is calling for tighter lobbyist disclosure rules and a system of public financing of political campaigns so that legislators don’t need to raise funds from private interests like Sempra.

Click here to read the full press release.

Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Ab 30 Into Law!

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

Governor Schwarzenegger Signs AB 30 Into Law

Thanks to the hard work of numerous reform-minded organizations across California, and many many individuals who sent letter to Governor Schwarzenegger, AB 30 has been signed into law. Governor Schwarzenegger issued a press release on October 11th, 2009 stating that he had signed AB 30 into law, giving California's 17 year-olds the ability to pre-register to vote. California Common Cause fought hard for this bill because it will encourage lifelong voting habits in California's young people and further clarify a confusing and complicated voter registration system.

Click here to read California Common Cause's statement asking Governor Schwarzenegger to sign AB 30 into law.

California Common Cause thanks all of our members who helped urge Governor Schwarzenegger to sign this important legislation. While there is much more work to be done in improving California's broken voter registration system, we have taken an important step towards simple, efficient and universal voter registration.

Thanks for all that you do.

Ask Governor Schwarzenegger to Sign AB 30

Thu, 1 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

Ask Governor Schwarzenegger to Sign AB 30 Into Law

Thanks to the hard work of individuals like you who contacted their state lawmakers, legislation allowing 17-year-olds to preregister to vote has passed both the California State Assembly and Senate.

But we still need your help.

The bill is now sitting on Governor Schwarzenegger's desk, and we need to make sure he signs it into law.

Click here to send a letter urging the Governor to sign this bill.

Common Cause's work with the Election Protection Coalition during the 2008 election cycle demonstrated again that young voters face particular challenges when it comes to registering to vote.

Registration processes can be complicated and confusing for first time voters, and many are unaware of crucial registration deadlines. We believe that this bill, AB 30, will engage young people in the voting process earlier, encouraging them to become responsible voting citizens and exposing them to a system of voter registration that is automatic and accessible.

Please contact Gov. Schwarzenegger and ask him to sign this bill into law.

California Common Cause is grateful to all the individuals and organizations who have made this reform a priority. With your help, we can ensure that this important legislation becomes law.

Click here to read California Common Cause's statement asking Governor Schwarzenegger to sign AB 30 into law.

Thanks for all that you do.

California Common Cause Seeks Sacramento Volunteers

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

California Common Cause Seeks Sacramento Volunteers

Got a special talent you'd like to share?

California Common Cause needs some talented people to help in our Sacramento office. Perhaps you are retired and have some special training you'd like to continue using? Or maybe you are underemployed? At the present, we need a professional to help with light bookkeeping. The application is below. Look forward to hearing from YOU!

EMPLOYER: California Common Cause

1005 12th Street Suite C

Sacramento, CA 95814

REPORTS TO: Associate Director JoAnn Fuller

POSITION AVAILABLE: Accountant

SALARY & BENEFITS: None. This is a volunteer, administrative position

TIME COMMITMENT: Approximately 10 hours per week

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The accountant will process incoming contributions from California Common Cause members and prepare transmittals of those contributions to the national office. S/he will also monitor and track spending identified with specific projects and assist in the preparation of reports to the California Common Cause Governing Board. The accountant will verify the accuracy of income and expense data with the national office and may also be asked to provide general office assistance with files, mail, telephone and correspondence and assist with other projects, as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Two years of accounting or bookkeeping experience; Associate’s degree in accounting or two years towards Bachelor’s degree in accounting desirable; excellent oral communication skills; good customer service skills, well-organized and detail-oriented; demonstrated ability to work well with others; ability to manage frequent deadlines and competing priorities; familiarity with computerized accounting systems Excel and MSWord; some data entry experience; non-profit accounting experience or interest desirable.

TO APPLY:

Please submit resume and cover letter to JoAnn Fuller, Associate Director at jfuller@commoncause.org and include Staff Accountant in the subject line or mail to the address above. No phone calls please.

About Common Cause:

Common Cause is a nonpartisan nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1970 by John Gardner as a vehicle for citizens to make their voices heard in the political process and to hold their elected leaders accountable to the public interest. Now with nearly 300,000 members and supporters and 36 state organizations, Common Cause remains committed to honest, open and accountable government, as well as encouraging citizen participation in democracy.

Common Cause is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, party or political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any illegal or prohibited factor.

Help us be high flyers! Support Common Cause with your extra frequent flyer miles! Our staff can use your extra miles, especially if they are on a California carrier with routes between Los Angeles and Sacramento or other Californian destinations. Sometimes we need to go further-if you'd like to donate, contact JoAnn Fuller by email at jfuller@commoncause.org or give a call to 916 443 1792 extension 11.

California Common Cause Calls for Further Ethics Safeguards

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

California Common Cause called today for both a private lobbyist association and state legislators to take swift action in light of recent allegations by Assemblymember Michael Duvall that he engaged in a sexual affair a Sempra Energy lobbyist with at the same time she was lobbying him to oppose renewable energy legislation.

“It is important that the Assembly Ethics Committee continue to investigate this sordid affair,” said Derek Cressman, Regional Director of State Operations for Common Cause’s Western States. “The public needs to know if this relationship took place, if Sempra Energy knew about it and encouraged it as part of a lobbying strategy, if Sempra provided any gifts or things of value to legislators, and if other lobbyists are engaging in sexual relations with legislators.”

Common Cause called for the following steps:

1) The Institute of Government Advocates, a trade association of lobbyists, should revoke the membership of any lobbyist who has engaged in sexual relations with an official they are lobbying.

2) The IGA should adopt new ethical guidelines that prohibit lobbyists from engaging in sexual relations, or arranging sexual encounters, with officials they are lobbying.

3) The legislature should adopt new lobby reform policies that require more detailed reporting of payments to individual lobbyists and disclosure of who lobbyists meet with and the matters they discuss.

Heidi DeJong Barsuglia, who Duvall apparently bragged about having an affair with, is a registered lobbyist for Sempra Energy. Lobby report forms indicate that Sempra spent $786,851.85 lobbying the California government from January to June of 2009. These payments included $88,766 in payments to Ms. Barsuglia and her supervisor Cynthia Howell from April to June. Howell was paid $40,393.85 from January to March, before Barsuglia was on staff. This would suggest that Sempra paid Barsuglia approximately $48,000 from April to June, although the lobby reporting does not provide this level of detail.

“Improved lobby reporting would allow us to assess if this lobbyist was paid more then her supervisor, and what work she did to earn that salary,” said Kathay Feng, Executive Director of California Common Cause. “The public’s trust is severely eroded and can only be restored with detailed disclosures of every contact that a lobbyist makes with a lawmaker, including who, what, where, and why the meeting took place.”

Sempra was lobbying on at least 170 different bills in the legislature, including AB 64 which called for greater use of renewable energy in California. Duvall sided with Sempra in voting against AB 64 in two different committees and on the floor of the Assembly during the same time period that Barsuglia was lobbying the bill.

This issue concerns Common Cause because there is a track record of energy sector lobbyists using sex, drugs, and alcohol to unduly influence decision-makers. A 2008 report by Interior Department Inspector General Earl Devaney found that Chevron, Shell, Gary Williams Energy Corporation, and Hess Corporation lobbyists had provided gifts that included meals, alcohol, golf as well as engaged in sex and cocaine use with twelve employees of the Minerals Management Service. Sempra was not mentioned in that report, but is has participated in the Royalty In Kind program, which was at the center of that scandal. “This past history the possibility that trading sex for political influence is not an unknown tactic for energy corporations and warrants further investigation,” explained Cressman.

California Common Cause Calls for Constitutional Convention

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

California Common Cause Calls for Constitutional Convention

August 18, 2009

The Board of California Common Cause has voted unanimously to support the call for a California Constitutional Convention. "We support calling a Constitutional Convention as one of several possible methods for effectively and more holistically revising the California Constitution," read a statement adopted by the Board.

A consensus has developed in California that our state government is dysfunctional. Gimick-loaded budgets that are never on time, IOUs and emergency financing, and billions in cuts to education and social service systems that were already underfunded -- there really is no room left for debate that California is a state in crisis.

Here's the good news: With the passage of the redistricting reform initiative in 2008, we showed that good-government groups like California Common Cause can overcome the gridlock in Sacramento. We now know how to work through the initiative process to achieve reforms that the Legislature is unable or unwilling to enact.

Building on this win, we have a three-step, three-year plan that will help California turn the corner.

Step 1 - Pass The California Fair Elections Act. It begins in June 2010 with the passage of the California Fair Elections Act. Big-monied special interests can no longer call the shots in California (notably, just last fall, the California Legislature passed corporate tax cuts that will cost the state $2 billion in revenue per year). Lobbyists oppose the Fair Elections Act because it will give candidates for Secretary of State an alternative to the money chase. That's why a diverse coalition supports the Act. California Common Cause is committed to winning this long-needed reform.

Step 2 - Call A Constitutional Convention. In November 2010, California voters should have the opportunity to pass two initiatives that are critical to restructuring California government. The first will give voters the right to call a Constitutional Convention. The second will actually call for the convention. California Common Cause will work to ensure passage of these two initiatives and will push for a delegate selection process that is democratic and reflects the diversity of the California electorate.

Step 3 - Passing The Convention's Package Of Reforms. The final step will be ensuring that the Constitutional Convention enacts the reforms this state needs to move forward. Expanding the Fair Elections Act to all statewide and state legislative offices, fixing term limits, ending the profoundly anti-democratic requirement that budgets be passed by a 2/3rds vote in the Legislature, and reforming the initiative process---these are the reforms that a Constitutional Convention can achieve. California Common Cause will lead the fight to pass these reforms at the Constitutional Convention and at the ballot box in 2012.

This three-year plan will require a different level of engagement from all of us. As a board, we've agreed to step up our commitment to California Common Cause. And I am confident others will too. Why? Because we're living through a budgetary crisis, a government crisis, a democratic crisis that will touch all of us. Our young children won't receive new textbooks until at least 2016. College students, at least those fortunate enough not to be victims of enrollment cuts, will face steep tuition hikes at our once world-renowned universities. And the 11.5 percent of Californians already unemployed will find a drastically underfunded social safety net riddled with holes.

So stayed tuned to the CCC website for news information about this important initiative, and join with us in reforming, remaking, and rebuilding California.

Professor Elizabeth Garrett Appointed to FPPC

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

Secretary of State Debra Bowen announced her appointment of Professor Elizabeth Garrett to California's Fair Political Practices Commission. We wholeheartedly commend this decision. The FPPC had three positions open on the 5-person commission. The first two positions were filled by two individuals whose backgrounds suggest hostility to the mission of the FPPC, to ensure that electeds, appointees and campaigns comply with the state’s reporting, ethics and election campaign laws. It is with great celebration (and relief) that Elizabeth Garrett will be the joining the FPPC. She is not only a renowned Constitutional and Election Law professor at USC who has literally “written the book” on campaign finance laws, courts and political parties, lobbying regulations, congressional procedures, and the initiative process, she has served on Common Cause's National Governing Board.

CCC Applauds Redistricting Commission Applicant Review Panel

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

CCC Applauds Redistricting Commission Applicant Review Panel

Public interest organizations that have been advocating for the successful implementation of a Citizens Redistricting Commission applauded the efforts of the Bureau of State Audits to develop a qualified, diverse pool of candidates. The Bureau of State Audits has just finished narrowing the original pool of over 30,000 applicants for the new citizens redistricting commission to 120 individuals.

Now that the Applicant Review Panel has narrowed the applicants to 120 individuals to bring in for interviews, we are pleased that the diversity is very close to that of the state’s population: 12% are Black, 30% are of Latino heritage, 14% are Asian and/or Pacific Islander, and 5% are American Indian. This is a very important development in securing the public’s trust. For more information on the Commission selection, check out www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov

VideoActive Training in Los Angeles

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

The LA Media Reform Group, a project of California Common Cause, and the Urban & Environmental Policy Institute at Occidental College are pleased to present a hands-on workshop to teach community organizations and non-profits how to make and distribute video shorts for social justice and progressive social change. This training will focus on teaching participants how to use Flip camera to get their messages out. The 2-day training will take place Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 11am – 3pm and Saturday, August 29, 2009 from 11am – 3pm at Occidental College, Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, California. Click here to watch a promotional video for this exciting event. To register for the VideoActive training, visit the Common Cause events section here.

Constitutional Convention Discussions Continue

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

California’s crisis seems to have no end in sight. With IOUs being distributed, budget discussions at a stand still and California’s most important public programs threatened the time for reform is clearly upon us. California Common Cause, along with a number of other reform organizations, is calling for continued discussion as to whether a state Constitutional Convention is the right answer to California’s broken government. Throughout the summer California Common Cause will be hosting and participating in discussions across California about the feasibility of this option. To learn more about these events and Common Cause’s positions visit our issues section here.

Broadcast Blues Coming to San Francisco!

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

When a toxic spill choked a city, why didn’t local radio stations tell residents how to survive? When TV reporters blew the whistle on the dangers of bovine growth hormone in milk, why was the corporate culprit able to kill the story? When half the U.S. population was opposed to war in Iraq, why was there so little anti-war media coverage?

Broadcast Blues shows how the increasing concentration of media ownership and the decline of locally owned TV and radio are jeopardizing our news, information, and even public safety. The film reminds us that the media has a public interest obligation, and that we have the power to demand accountability.

California Common Cause is teaming up with Public Interest Pictures, Media Alliance, and filmakker Sue Wilson to bring Broadcast Blues to San Francisco. We are hosting a screening of the film at the Victoria Theatre in San Francisco's Mission district on Sunday, June 28th, 2009 at 4:00 PM. To purchase discounted advance tickets for the event or learn more, visit www.commoncause.org/broadcastblues.

Legislation to Improve California's Elections

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

California Common Cause enthusiastically supports a number of bills introduced in the California Legislature aimed at making our government more efficient, open and accountable. AB 30, a bill sponsored by Assemblymember Curren Price would allow California’s 16 year olds to pre-register to vote – encouraging voting habits to start earlier in our states young people. AB 84, sponsored by Asseblymember Hill would give vote by mail voters the same rights afforded to provisional voters to find out whether their ballot was counted and, if it was not, the reason why, thus giving voters the ability to take corrective action to ensure that VBM ballots will be counted in future elections. Assemblymember Davis’s AB 1121 would allow up to 10 general law cities to adopt instant runoff voting for local elections. To find out more about these and other bills that California Common Cause is supporting, visit our legislation page.

Sacramento's Fair Elections are in Danger

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

California Common Cause and our members have worked for years to bring fair elections to Sacramento so that candidates can run for local office even when they aren't wealthy or don't want to take special interest money.

But now, some Sacramento City Council members are poised to alter this ordinance dramatically without time for public debate. They want to raise campaign contribution limits that would allow wealthy donors and special interests undue influence over city officials.

We think Sacramento is better served with candidates who get out and talk with people rather than candidates who take huge contributions from donors who want favors down the road. We deserve city officials who spend more time working on the problems of everyday people rather than raising money from special interests. And that's why we need your help today.

Click here to take action and help California Common Cause save Sacramento's fair elections.

Click here to learn more about California Common Cause's work on fair elections for California.

Americans for Redistricting Reform Updates

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

Americans for Redistricting Reform recently released summary documents of redistring reform efforts in 2009. California Common Cause is proud of all that we have accomplished with Prop 11 in California, and hopes to see the wave of redistricting reform carried to states across the country. ARR's released a document qoting President Obama's views on redistricting reform issues. In his book Audacity of Hope, President Obama addresses the issue of poltical reform as follows:

But none of these changes can happen of their own accord. Each would
require a change in attitude among those in power. Each would demand that individual
politicians challenge the existing order; loosen their hold on incumbency; fight with their friends
as well as their enemies on behalf of abstract ideas in which the public appears to have little
interest. Each would require from men and women a willingness to risk what they already have.”

-excerpt from Audacity of Hope

Click here to read about California Common Cause's redistricting reform efforts.

Click here to read ARR's report: Notable Redistricting Efforts in the States 2009.

Click here to read ARR's document outlining President Obama's views on redistricting reform.

Click here to read ARR's summary of the reforms that Proposition 11, the California Voters First initiative, will enact.

Local Media for Social Change : Los Angeles Summit

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

March 16, 2009

Learn what you can do about it at Local Media for Social Change on March 21, 2009 at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Sign up today at http://www.commoncause.org/mediasummit

- Featuring a special keynote address by local KJLH 102.3FM radio host and community activist Dominique DiPrima!*** • Opening panel featuring Brad Friedman, Linda Milazzo, Anthony Samad, Mario Solis-Marich. Moderated by political analyst (CNN/MSNBC/FOX) Tanya Acker.

- 12 informative breakout sessions such as Citizen Journalism, Youth Radio, Saving LA Public Access, Internet Freedom, Using Social Media and more!

Don’t wait! Register now at http://www.commoncause.org/mediasummit and learn more about ways to tell your story when no one else will.

Constitutional Convention Summit Success

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

February 25, 2009

On Tuesday, February 24^th hundreds of local leaders, activists, reformers and concerned Californians met in Sacramento to discuss calling a Constitutional Convention.

The Summit, convened by the Bay Area Council and co-sponsored by Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, The William C Velasquez Institute, Courage Campaigns, the Center for Governmental Studies, and the New America Foundation, opened a conversation about how best to deal with California’s serious reform needs.

To read more about the Constitutional Convention Summit, read Derek Cressman’s blog post about it here, or visit the Bay Area Council’s website here.

Constitutional Convention Summit

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

February 19, 2009

Day by day, evidence piles up demonstrating that California's government is not only broken, it has become destructive to our future.

Please join us for a special summit that California Common Cause is co-hosting with the Bay Area Council and other reform-minded groups on February 24th from 9:00am to 2:30pm at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento.

The purpose of the summit is to explore and define the process for convening a Constitutional Convention in California. We will delve into the reforms that our state needs to function again, and we will be asking the state's top leaders and concerned citizens like you for support and ideas about what should be included in the proposed convention.

A ballot initiative every two years doesn't rise the challenges we currently face, and the past eight years have shown that changing our Governor and legislators won't fix our problems. We need a wholesale revamp. A Constitutional Convention isn't without risks, but the time has come to explore this option.

For more information visit our events section here or register for the summit online at http://www.repaircalifornia.org

Preserve Public Access TV!

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

On January 1st, Time Warner Cable closed 12 public access studios and shut down 11 public access channels in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. If we don't act now, we will lose one of the last sources of truly independent local media information forever.

For decades, cities required cable companies to provide Public Access Cable Stations. These stations provided a unique forum for important local and state issues that were often overlooked by the mainstream media. Now that cities can no longer require companies like Time Warner Cable to provide public access stations and studios, they are being shut down.

California Common Cause joined with a coalition of groups to urge LA City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and CA Attorney General Jerry Brown to file an injunction to block the dismantling of public access studios and stations.

44 Minutes of Service

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

44 Minutes of Service was inspired by President-Elect Obama's desire for every American to realize their ability to affect change.

This is not about political affiliation. This is not even about Barack Obama. This is about people coming together to bring about change in their local communities by pledging to perform at least 44 minutes of service on January 19th or 20th, the day Barack Obama takes the oath of office and becomes the 44th president of the United States.

Check www.44minutesofservice.com for service projects you can help with throughout California.