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Ethics & Accountability

Public officials should act in all of our interest, not to line their own pockets. Common Cause is fighting to ensure that all of our leaders are held to high ethical standards.

From city councils to the U.S. Congress and the Supreme Court, the people making decisions that affect our lives and our families need to be held to the highest ethical standards. Common Cause works to ensure that those empowered to act on everyone’s behalf disclose their personal finances, uphold the rule of law, and cannot turn their public service into a personal profit scheme.

What We’re Doing

Cooling Off Period for Lobbyists

Legislation

Cooling Off Period for Lobbyists

It's common for legislators to become lobbyists immediately following their time in office. This creates significant ethical challenges and can result in a severely uneven playing field for grassroots organizations and individual activists attempting to influence policies. Requiring former legislators to "cool off" before they return to lobby their former colleagues stops the revolving door and levels the playing field.
Our 2025 Legislative Priorities

Legislation

Our 2025 Legislative Priorities

Our 2025 legislative priorities are here! We can't wait to have you join us at the Capitol as we fight to expand our democracy and create a Minnesota that works for ALL of us!

Your financial support helps us make an impact by holding power accountable and strengthening democracy.

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Updates

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Related Resources

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Video

The state of our democracy: SCOTUS Virtual Town Hall

On Thursday, August 29th, 2024 Common Cause Minnesota was joined by amazing panelists lending their expertise on the SCOTUS decisions of Chevron & Trump v. United States.

Press

Community and BIPOC groups to hold press conference

Press Release

Community and BIPOC groups to hold press conference

Local community and BIPOC-led organizations will hold a press conference to outline their priorities for the 2025 Minnesota Legislative Session on Thursday, January 16.

Statement on State Senator Mitchell’s Participation in Legislature

Press Release

Statement on State Senator Mitchell’s Participation in Legislature

"The principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty is an important one. Whether Sen. Miller’s actions fall within the scope of improper conduct falls squarely within the authority of the Senate Ethics Commission."

Improvements to Democracy Must Be Free of Backroom Politics

Press Release

Improvements to Democracy Must Be Free of Backroom Politics

PAUL, MN — With less than two weeks left before the end of Minnesota’s legislative session and multiple election-related policy debates still unresolved, Common Cause Minnesota today called on legislative leaders to prioritize transparency and pro-voter policies as the session wraps up. 

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