Members of Iowans Citizens for Community Improvement gathered yesterday for a rally to put pressure on Governor Chet Culver to take action on a number of issues, including the Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections Act (VOICE) that would give state candidates the opportunity to run for office with public financing.

Hugh Espey of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement writes to the Des Moines Register urging Iowa House Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Jo Oldson to take action on two bills -- one on factory farms, and one, House File 805, to bring full public financing to Iowa's legislative elections.

Looks like Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement has a successful lobby day around the Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections Act (VOICE) to pass full public financing for state legislative elections. This blog entry recounts their meeting with Gov. Culver and his positive reaction to the legislation.

Clean Elections supporters in Iowa are getting together at the statehouse in Des Moines next Thursday to rally in support of the Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections Act (VOICE). If you're an Iowan, and suitably recovered from the caucuses, head on over. More from the organizers  here.

New Mexico Governor and Democratic candidate for President Bill Richardson weighs in with support for the Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections (VOICE) Act to offer a full public financing option for state races. Richardson called a special session of New Mexico's legislature this year to pass a law creating a full public financing system for judicial races. A system is already in place in the state for candidates for the Public Regulation Commission.

Iowa got very close to passing the Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections Act this year and Pam Jochum, the state representative leading up the fight will be on hand for a forum to talk about the VOICE Act and next steps next Thursday, July 12th is Des Moines -- last item on this page.  The event will also include a discussion on agricultural policy developments.