In response to the passing of General Colin Powell, Issue One CEO and Founder Nick Penniman issued the following statement: “General Colin Powell was a venerable statesman who leaves behind a lasting and remarkable legacy of service to the country and civic leadership. As the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs and Secretary of State, his barrier-breaking career embodied the
Read MoreToday, the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations released its draft fiscal year (FY) 2022 Legislative Branch funding bill. Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee issued the following statement: “The COVID-19 pandemic, a national reckoning over racial injustice, and the January 6 siege of the Capitol have strained our democracy, underscoring the need for a strong, well-prepared Congress. Americans expect and
Read MoreThis op-ed originally appeared in RealClearPolitics. Last week, in the face of rising authoritarianism around the world and with their new majority in the House, Democrats passed the most robust package of democracy reform proposals in a generation, albeit along a strictly party-line vote. It was an important moment for the political party whose candidates ran on a reform agenda
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We’re excited to announce that we’ve just updated our groundbreaking Blueprints for Democracy report with the latest money-in-politics and lobbying reforms from across the U.S. During the 2016 elections voters around the country passed several different reforms to their state and local campaign finance systems. Many of the changes are unprecedented, they’re wholly new and innovative systems designed to meet
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Turns out that even if you’re no longer in office, you have to follow the rules and pay your bills. Which is a problem for former congressman and failed 2013 mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner. An audit by the New York City Campaign Finance Board found that Weiner owes more than $195,000 in public matching funds to the city. According to
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On November 8, 2016, President-elect Donald Trump’s call to “drain the swamp” clearly resonated with many voters. While most of the news coverage is focusing on Mr. Trump, voters also showed their hunger for change by approving several important state and local ballot initiatives that will reduce the power of special interests and open up state and local politics to
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This is part of a series examining ethics, transparency and campaign finance proposals in the states. Next week, voters around the country will finally have a chance to vote for the next president and, in a handful of cases, the health of their local democracy. Here are the ballot initiatives in cities and states that try to directly address our
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As Secretary Clinton and Donald Trump prepare for their town-hall style debate at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri on Sunday, it is important to remember they agree on one thing: special interests are stifling our democracy. The outsize influence of money in politics is something voters feel acutely. Daily stories of pay-to-play politics abound—from EpiPen price hikes, the revolving
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With the 2016 elections nearly a month away, it’s time for an update on the various state ballot initiative efforts at money-in-politics reform around the country. Oregon Oregon is one of six states with no limit on campaign contributions. As a result, the Center for Public Integrity ranked the state second to last for its campaign finance system. Thankfully, Multnomah
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Following Monday evening’s presidential debate, Issue One Executive Director Nick Penniman issued the following statement: “Both candidates failed tonight to lead on a critical issue that the American people want to hear more about — reducing the power money has over our politics and government. In a recent national poll, Americans across all demographics said this is a top five concern. They deserve to
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