For immediate release January 29, 2007
For more information, contact:
Adam Mason, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement
515-282-0484 or adam@iowacci.org
Des Moines,
Iowa – Former U.S. Congressman Berkley Bedell and Iowans
from all across the state rallied at the statehouse Monday, Jan.
29, to voice their support for Clean Election reform. The event
featured a high-energy rally at noon in the capitol rotunda, including
addresses from Bedell, Rep. Pam Jochum, former gubernatorial candidate
Ed Fallon and others. The rally was co-sponsored by Iowa Citizens
for Community Improvement and Iowa League of Women Voters, among
others.
Speakers at the rally addressed the need
for Voter-Owned Clean Elections reform in Iowa. Voter Owned Iowa
Clean Elections (VOICE) is a system where candidates can choose
to run using public funding instead of constantly fund raising and
accepting monies from power groups hoping to wield their influence.
It’s working in other states, and State Rep. Pam Jochum currently
is working on House Study Bill 105 in the House, and companion legislation
is planned in the State Senate.
“Democrat, Republican or Independent,
the current election funding system and escalating campaign budgets
trap candidates in a need to constantly fund raise, and push the
cost of running for office out of reach for everyday Iowans.”
said Iowa CCI member Charlie Day, from Des Moines. “VOICE
would eliminate the need to fund raise and let elected officials
focus more on the job at hand, as well as giving more people the
chance to run for office.”
Berkley Bedell also headlined a reception
at the office of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Monday
evening from 6-8 pm. The public and press were invited for a short
program focusing on VOICE, and what groups such as Iowa CCI are
doing to educate Iowans on the issue.
The statehouse event is being sponsored
by a broad coalition of groups, including Iowa Citizens for Community
Improvement, the League of Women Voters of Iowa, The Progressive
Coalition of Central Iowa, Iowa Citizen Action Network, Progressive
Action for the Common Good, Women’s International League for
Peace and Freedom, The Iowa United Methodist Conference, and others.
Attendees took the opportunity to lobby their legislators in support
of VOICE following the rally, meeting with over two dozen legislators.
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement
is a 32-year-old organization with thousands of members across Iowa
from all walks of life who talk, act and get things done on critical
issues impacting everyday Iowans. For more information or a complete
copy of Iowa CCI’s 2007 legislative agenda, visit www.iowacci.org.
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