At the Rise of the Senate (likely around 4:45 pm today), in room 313 of the RI State House, join an awe-inspiring coalition of activists and advocates for good government reform. The Fair Elections Act (S2454/H7446)- sponsored by Sen. Perry in the Senate, and Rep. Fierro in the House, would put in place a voluntary system of full public financing of elections for legislative offices. Modeled after the systems implemented in Maine, Arizona and Connecticut, such a system is likely to increase the number of viable candidacies by minority and women candidates, increase voter turnout, and improve public trust in the political process (ie, that which has been eroded by Citizens United, Pay to Play... you name it).

The hearing last year went something like this.

TESTIFYING, IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY SPOKE:

1. Teresa Tanzi for National Organization for Women: Teresa spoke to the low representation of women in Rhode Island government. She made it personal, as someone considering challenging an incumbent she spoke to the obstacles to her candidacy. (Disclosure: Tanzi has since decided to run for State Rep in District 34 and I am managing her campaign)
2. Paul Caranci from the Office of the Secretary of State: "Mollis is a product of public financing," he said, noting that they've supported this measure for a while
3. Grant Gilles for Democracy Matters: As a long time Arizona resident, Grant spoke in detail of the bill mechanics, and anticipated the argument that $5 qualifying contributions is not fair to low-income districts (we have testimony from Reps and Senators of low-income Maine/Arizona/Connecticut districts supporting this). Senator Metts brought up the point again, believes it's an obstacle for his constituency.
4. Carmen spoke in place of Shane Easter of Rhode Island Student Climate Coalition: Representing 14 RI universities and high schools, they care about getting climate and energy issues on the agenda, and think that special interests are an obstacle to good environmental policy.
5. Libby spoke in place of Karen McAninch of USAW-RI: a democratic labor union representing 660 employees from Brown U. Library, Providence Public Library, and UNICO employees at Bank of America building, think this system would offer broader access to the political process
6. Greta Abbott for League of Women Voters. Detailed numerous Rhode Island case studies of corrupt government, dubious spending and suspicious campaign contributions (a lot of Cianci). Leads to a back and forth with Sen. Metts about "there are some upstanding public officials," but the appearance of corruption is there and powerful.
7. Rev. Anderson for RI State Council of Churches spoke to broader ethics, we're all equal in the eyes of God, etc. Sen. Metts commented on being glad to have Rev. Anderson there!
8. John Marion for Common Cause, pointed out the Fair Elections Now Act is introduced today in Congress. Can you put a price on good government? Named it as Common Cause's top priority.
9. Kurt Walters for Democracy Matters, outlined success of Fair/Clean Elections in other states, and targeted it towards reducing perception of government corruption.
10. Bev Clay for Operation Clean Government. Very concise.
11. Andrew Bergmanson in place of Bruce Crabtree for RI Progressive Democrats of America: There are no free speech issues here, laid out the argument, and ended mentioning ACLU's national support.

Also, Eric Siegel was there and ready to speak for the RI Greens, but got there too late to sign up. Submitted written testimony.

Need more reasons to get up out of your chair and over to the State House? Larry Lessig of the Harvard Center for Ethics and advocacy group Change Congress spoke at Brown on Friday (again, thanks to Democracy Matters). Get caught up and fired up here.

Let Kurt know if you're having any trouble getting there! He's at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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