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.

From the Daily Reporter in Spencer, Iowa:

"It's up to Governor Culver to use the power of his office to make things happen -- he's the state's Chief Executive," said CCI member and Board President Barb Kalbach from Dexter. "But he is failing Iowans who elected him and who he is supposed to represent. He has been 'on vacation' for the last two legislative sessions, and his ignoring of everyday Iowans and our issues has to stop -- it's time for him to get to work."

CCI member Misti Craig of Des Moines said, "We deserve as everyday Iowans to govern what happens at the statehouse. We will show the governor and our legislators that we are a powerful voting bloc on these issues and cannot be ignored."