It is with great sadness that we bid goodbye to Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) who died late last night at his home in Hyannisport.

Public Campaign released a statement on his passing:

“Senator Ted Kennedy was a giant of a public figure who shaped legislation that impacted people’s lives in ways big and small. With today’s roiling debate on health insurance reform, much attention will rightly be placed on Sen. Kennedy’s legacy of leadership and passion on ensuring that all Americans have access to affordable, quality coverage."

Television star Sam Waterston, of Law and Order fame, penned an Op-ed that ran yesterday in the Boston Globe. The actor continues to be an outspoken advocate of the Fair Elections Now Act.

James Gustave Speth, dean of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, calls for the Fair Elections Now Act as a remedy to the special interest money from the energy industry pouring into campaign coffers.

Five years after the Massachusetts legislature killed the Clean Elections program voters had supported, Kathleen Grady and Paul Lachelier, two former state legislative candidates, write to the Patriot Ledger urging state lawmakers to take their lead from their neighbors in Connecticut and restore Clean Elections for state elections.

Murvale Moore, writing in the Lincoln Journal, expresses surprise at newly elected Massachusett's Governor Deval Patrick's alliance with big business to cover the costs of his inaugural celebration. Moore calls on Patrick to work to end the influence of big donors by embracing Clean Elections reform.

 

The Worcester Telegram chides Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Chris Gabrielli for opting out of the public financing system, claiming he's "fail[ed] his first test of public policymaking"