Public Campaign Action Fund - Connecticut

Extracurricular Lobbying

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:49:13 +0000

Even as Connecticut's legislative candidates have the chance to run with Clean Elections public financing for the first time this year, the state legislature is still chewing over ethics and corruption questions. Now they are debating whether to prohibit registered lobbyists from serving on state boards and commissions.

Put Congress Back to Work

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:40:03 +0000

This op-ed by Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT) on brutal chase for campaign money that eats up his time as a legislator ties together many of the themes his colleagues have touched on about the harm such excessive fundraising causes and makes a strong argument in favor of full public financing of congressional campaigns.

Change Happens

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:17:47 +0000

James Sample of the Brennan Center applauds Connecticut for turning the corner with its new Clean Elections program, which received an early trial this week in a special election to succeed State Rep. Richard Beldon, who passed away earlier this year. The two candidates for Beldon's seat in the 113th district, Republican Jason Perillo and Democrat James Orazietti, ran under the new full public financing program.

Connecticut's Implementation

Katie Schlieper — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 21:17:17 +0000

Connecticut's Journal-Inquirer looks at the work ahead for Connecticut's State Elections Enforcement Commission as they move towards to the first cycle of state elections under the new full public financing system. As the legislators who passed the law prepare to run using the system, the Commission must clarify any ambiguities in the qualifying procedure and note any inconsistencies that need to be addressed before the next cycle of elections.

As Goes The State, So Goes the City?

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:23:46 +0000

Tom Swan, the executive director of the Connecticut Citizen Action Group, a driving force behind Connecticut's public financing program for legislative and statewide office, writes in this op-ed about his organization's growing disenchantment with the mayor of Hartford, Connecticut and the hope for a municipal public financing program.

Phone Calls, Fundraisers, and the Freshman

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 18:07:45 +0000

Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) is serving his first term in the House after narrowly beating incumbent Rob Simmons in last year's midterms. This profile in the Washington Post shows him adjusting to life on the Hill, learning the ins and outs of fighting for his constituents, and, of course fundraising. And more fundraising. And did we mention the fundraising?

From Connecticut to Congress

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 19:21:54 +0000

Andy Sauer, executive director of Connecticut Common Cause and major player in the state's public financing victory last year asks in The Day whether this election season - with its $2.6 billion price tag and unprecendented barrage of negative attack ads - has convinced the people it's time for a change.

Request to Sen. Lieberman to disclose petty cash

David Donnelly — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 19:19:07 +0000

Sen. Joe Lieberman's campaign has not publicly disclosed $387,561 in petty cash expenses in the primary elections. Today, our board chair, Pete MacDowell, sent Senator Lieberman a letter to urge that he do so. Click 'Read More' to read the letter delivered by fax.

What Makes a Candidate Competitive?

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 18:47:12 +0000

There has been a lot of national attention given to the Connecticut Senate race between Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democratic challenger Ned Lamont, and Republican challenger Arthur Schlessinger. Ken Dixon at The Connecticut Post, who highlights the signing of the Voters First Pledge by all candidates, examines the extent to which money has determined who can successfully challenge an incumbent.

Connecticut Race Drowning in Money

Katie Schlieper — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 15:13:11 +0000

The Hartford Courant addresses the hotly contested Connecticut Senate race, in particular the enormous amount of money both Sen. Joe Lieberman and Ned Lamont are putting into the race, and asks whether public financing would be a fairer option.