Katie Schlieper's blog

Meet Your Candidates

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:44:09 -0500

This is an interesting story on the campaign strategies of three Republicans competing for a state House seat, two of whom are running with Clean Elections funds. Notice the story opens up with one candidate walking door to door to talk to voters -- there's Clean Elections for you!

Next Up, New York?

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:58:19 -0500

Depending on how the state legislative elections results shake out in New York come November we could be looking at much improved odds for passing a Clean Elections bill there in the coming year. New York Governor David Paterson (D) is certainly a supporter of Clean Elections, if not the most outspoken on the subject, and state activists are keeping up the drumbeat for movement on legislation -- see this letter to the editor in Binghamton.

Not This Time

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:43:11 -0500

I'm sorry to report that Alaska's Clean Elections ballot initiative did not pass yesterday -- in fact, on the primary ballot where both Sen. Ted Stevens (R) and Rep. Don Young (R) faced primary challenges none of the ballot initiatives got much love. But as they say, Rome wasn't built in a day. This is only the beginning of Alaska's fight for Clean Elections.

Currie Gets Ethics Heat

Katie Schlieper — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:00:05 -0500

Whether or not Maryland state Sen. Ulysses Currie (D) faces criminal penalties for failing to properly disclose his employment as a consultant with a company with business before the state legislature, his peers in the Senate will be looking in to his dealings. Senate President Mike Miller (D) has said an ethics investigation will be convened to assess Currie's potential violations of disclosure requirements.

Go Vote

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:56:16 -0500

Remember Alaskans that tomorrow is the day to vote on Ballot Measure 3 that would bring Clean Elections to your state. The last flurry of supportive letters and op-eds have hit the papers and tomorrow, Tuesday the 26th, is the moment of truth. Will candidates for state office in Alaska have the chance to nix big donors and run for office with full public financing? Only if you get out and vote!

Report Card

Katie Schlieper — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:13:42 -0500

The Center for Governmental Studies has released a study of New Jersey's Clean Elections pilot program and it is overwhelmingly positive. While offering a few recommendations for improvement (chief among them expanding the system to primaries and making a better effort on behalf of third parties) the Center thinks the system should be expanded and "could be a state-wide success."

Letter a Day

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:56:36 -0500

As voting day on the Clean Elections ballot initiative in Alaska draws closer, supporters are getting in their last letters of support to rally Alaskans to vote for full public financing of elections and put the sordid corruption scandals that have plagued the state in the past. Here's a letter from Jim Cobis in the Kodiak Daily Mirror.

CA Bill Up for Vote?

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:27:09 -0500

Word on the street is that Clean Elections legislation could be up for a vote today in the California Senate. The bill, which would create a pilot Clean Elections public financing program for candidates for Secretary of State, has already passed the state Assembly.

Party Horns, Cake Optional

Katie Schlieper — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:09:11 -0500

Public Campaign alum Nancy Watzman is now heading up a new project at the Sunlight Foundation. There are plenty of places that Congress member's official activities get documented but what about all that glad-handing of lobbyists off the clock? Watzman's watching. She's tracking all the thousands of parties that congressional candidates are attending and collecting checks at, including the many swanky fêtes politicos will be attending around the upcoming party conventions.

What's Going On

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:56:01 -0500

Clean Elections got its share of attention over the last few days. The primary elections in Connecticut that saw both a higher number of contested races and a high participation from Clean Elections candidates drew this story in the New York Times about the new system that includes perspectives from several state lawmakers. Stories popped up this weekend in New Jersey and Wisconsin as well.