As I mentioned yesterday, Public Campaign along with Common Cause and Progressive Maryland released a report yesterday on the correlation between energy deregulation and campaign contributions.

Do you live in Maryland? Are you paying a ridiculously large increase in your energy costs this year? It probably has something to do with the electricity deregulation legislation that passed in 1999.

This past weekend I was fortunate to be able to go to the 8th annual Democracy Matters summit in Albany, NY. I always have a great time when I go to this summit. This year there were over 150 students from campuses across the country.

From victories in New Jersey, New Mexico, and North Carolina, to successful implementation of Clean Elections systems in New Jersey and Connecticut, it's been a great year for Clean Elections. The Fair Elections Now Act was introduced in the Senate by Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) and momentum is building in dozens of states to pass Clean Elections. Click here to view the Public Campaign holiday card. Thanks for all your support this year and just wait to see what happens in 2008!

Our National Field Director, Jeannette Galanis, received a 2007 Ballie Award from the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center. Prior to Public Campaign, she ran the ballot initiative that brought an increase in the minimum wage to Colorado.

As the cost of running for president and Congress continues to rise, candidates must ask for more and more money from big donors. A new analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics shows that the top giving industries and interests -- all with major stakes in decisions the new president and Congress will make--are happy to oblige.