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X-ORIGINAL-URL:http://cfr.meetup.com/42/calendar/6749815/ical/Clean+Electio
 ns+Texas+-+Houston+December+Meetup/
X-WR-CALNAME:Events - Clean Elections Texas - Houston December Meetup
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Clean Elections Texas - Houston December Meetup
DESCRIPTION:Clean Elections Texas - Houston\n\nImagine a government in whic
 h your opinions counted as much as those of professional lobbyists and the 
 mega-wealthy. Imagine a judicial system in which candidates for judge didn'
 t have to raise money from the very attorneys and interests who one day wil
 l show up in their courtrooms. These aren't just dreams of true democracy\;
  they're reality in a number of states that have passed Clean Elections leg
 islation establishing opt-in public financing of campaigns. \n\nClean Elect
 ions is a practical\, proven reform that puts voters in control of election
 s. Rather than being forced to rely on special interest donors to pay for t
 heir campaigns\, candidates have the opportunity to qualify for full public
  funding which ends their reliance on special interest campaign cash. Being
  freed from the money chase means they have more time to spend with constit
 uents\, talking about issues that matter to them. When they enter office\, 
 they can consider legislation on the merits\, without worrying about whethe
 r they are pleasing well heeled donors and lobbyists. \n\nIn the U.S. Congr
 ess\, Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Arlen Specter have introduced the Fair E
 lections Now Act which provide full public financing for Senate candidates.
  A companion bill in the House is also expected soon. Clean Elections is la
 w in seven states and two cities: Arizona\; Connecticut\; Maine\; New Jerse
 y\; New Mexico\; North Carolina\; Vermont\; Albuquerque\, New Mexico\; and 
 Portland\, Oregon. Activists in 28 states are working to advance full publi
 c financing.  \n\nSeven states and two cities have Clean Elections\, or ful
 l public financing\, for some political offices. Three states\, Arizona\, C
 onnecticut\, and Maine provide full public financing for all statewide and 
 legislative races. These laws have been approved through a combination of t
 he ballot process and by legislatures. \n\nClean Elections/Full Public Fina
 ncing States \n  \nState/Locality \nOffice Where Public Funding Available  
 \nHow approved \near Approved \n  \nArizona \nstatewide and legislative \ni
 nitiative \n1998  \n\nConnecticut \nstatewide and legislative  \nlegislatio
 n \n2005 \n  \nMaine \nstatewide and legislative  \ninitiative \n1996  \n\n
 New Jersey \nlegislative pilot project \nlegislation \n2004  \n\nNew Mexico
   \nPublic Regulation Commission\,judicial elections\, legislation \nlegisl
 ation  \n2003 & 2007 \n  \nNorth Carolina \njudicial elections & legislativ
 e pilot project \nlegislation \n2002  \n\nVermont \ngovernor & lieutenant g
 overnor  \nlegislation \n1997  \n\nAlbuquerque\, New Mexico \nCity-wide \ni
 nitiative \n2005  \n\nPortland\, Oregon \nCity-wide  \nlegislation \n2005  
 \n\nClean Elections gives candidates the option to qualify for public fundi
 ng to run their campaigns. While the specifics vary\, typically a candidate
  must collect a set number of small qualifying contributions\, usually $5\,
  from people in their district. The number of signatures and contributions 
 required varies according to the office sought.  \n\nIf a candidate runs un
 der the Clean Elections system and faces an opponent who is running with pr
 ivate contributions and outspends the publicly funded candidate\, the law t
 ypically provides a matching grant\, to a limit\, to the publicly funded ca
 ndidate. Extra funding is also often available if there is independent spen
 ding against a candidate by an outside group or individual.  \n\nCandidates
  who choose not to be participate in the Clean Elections system can raise m
 oney from private donors but must follow state campaign finance limits and 
 disclosure laws. Clean Elections laws must be voluntary to comply with the 
 Supreme Court's 1976 Buckley v. Valeo ruling\, which specifically approved 
 of voluntary public financing systems.\n\nAt our October Meet Up we will be
  sharing information about how Maine and other states have created and bene
 fited from Clean Elections programs for their elected officials and how we 
 can replicate their success here in Texas.  \n\nYou and your friends and fa
 mily are cordially invited to attend! \n\n\nSincerely\, \n\n\nCharles Mauch
  and Kris Graham\, your Houston Meetup hosts \n\n\n\nHouston\, TX  77006 - 
 USA\n\nThursday\, December 20 at 6:00 PM\n\nAttending: 13\n\nDetails: http:
 //cfr.meetup.com/42/calendar/6749815/
LAST-MODIFIED:20071223T000625Z
UID:event_6749815@meetup.com
CLASS:PUBLIC
CREATED:20071116T010133Z
DTSTAMP:20091217T160215Z
DTSTART:20071221T000000Z
DTEND:20071221T020000Z
GEO:29.74;-95.45
URL:http://cfr.meetup.com/42/calendar/6749815/
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