Clean Elections Bill Gets First Hearing at Statehouse

Voter-owned Iowa Clean Elections (VOICE) back in the spotlight!

After years of work exposing corporate and special interest influence in our elections and at the statehouse, Iowa CCI Action Fund members this year are gaining traction on Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections (VOICE) legislation again.Last week, CCI members testified at a subcommittee on the Senate bill, laying out why we support VOICE and rebutting red herrings raised by other lobbyists. The hearing was covered statewide and again on Sunday in the Des Moines Register.Senate Study Bill 1072  & House File 43 - VOICE legislation – is our solution to getting big money out of politics. It would provide limited public funding for candidates for in state elections as long as they agree to not accept donations from Political Action Committees (PAC’s), Super PAC’s, and any donations over $100. The bill would also give Iowa campaign contribution limits, as we are currently one of only 13 states without any limits on how much money any one person or PAC can give.CCI members last mounted a strong push for VOICE in 2007 and 2008, when Iowa’s legislature was held entirely by Democrats. But in the wake of another record shattering election cycle where billions was spent nationwide, legislative leaders are back and more willing to look at this needed reform.Leading the charge along with Iowa CCI Action fund members this year is State Senate president Pam Jochum (D-Dubuque) and State Senator Jeff Danielson (D-Cedar Falls). In the house Bruce Hunter (D-Des Moines) and Chuck Isenhart (D-Dubuque) are leading up our efforts.There will be another sub-committee hearing at the capitol soon, so stay tuned.   In the mean time, TAKE ACTION – tell your legislator that you support VOICE!