Let Californians Instruct Their Elected Representatives Posted on March 6, 2015 (November 29, 2018) Do Californians have the right to “instruct” their elected representatives through the ballot? Our amicus brief filed before the California Supreme Court, points to the California Constitution and argues “yes”. A new op-ed published in the L.A. Daily News, by Ron Fein and Congressman Ted Lieu contines, “it is not enough for the legislator to speak to and for the people once she is elected. The people must have access to diverse tools in order to express their political sentiments.” Read More
Will SCOTUS Make The “Right Ruling For The Wrong Reason”? Ron Fein Explains To The Sacramento Bee Posted on March 2, 2015 (March 2, 2015) In a new piece published today in the Sacramento Bee, Ron Fein provides analysis on the upcoming case Los Angeles v. Patel. A case before the Supreme Court about hotel guest registers and the Fourth Amendment has gained the attention of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other corporate heavy hitters, who believe the protection of the Fourth Amendment should extend to all business records. The case involves a Los Angeles ordinance that makes hotels keep detailed guests registers, and make those registers available to the Police department at any time. Read More
Jeff Clements Speaks In San Francisco On Inspiring A Grassroots Movement To Amend The Constitution Posted on February 27, 2015 (June 30, 2015) Democracy Amendments On Tuesday, February 24, the Bay Area Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society in San Francisco hosted Jeff Clements for a special conversation on how to amend the Constitution and reclaim democracy from special interest groups.Read More
How Citizens United Has Changed Washington Lawmaking Posted on February 26, 2015 (June 30, 2015) Paul Blumenthal and Ryan Grim tell Huffington Post “The Inside Story Of How Citizens United Has Changed Washington Lawmaking.” In this important piece, we learn the direct impact the Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling has had on the flow of money in Washington and its influence on decision making. Read More
Victory In Chicago! Posted on February 25, 2015 (June 30, 2015) Democracy Amendments Yesterday, on February 24, Chicagoans went to the polls and 80% of voters (and counting) took a stand against the corrupting influence of big money. Voters in Chicago voted “YES”, in favor of small-donor focused reform that would put the power of politics back in the hands of the people.Read More
Great News From Maine! Maine Secretary Of State OKs Clean Election Signatures Posted on February 18, 2015 (June 30, 2015) Maine Citizens for Clean Elections aims to provide candidates with access to more cash so they can better compete with their privately financed opponents.Read More
Stamp Stampede Talks Money In Politics On CNBC Posted on February 17, 2015 (June 30, 2015) Check out this clip of Ben & Jerry’s co-founder and StampStampede.org founder Ben Cohen, stamping money out of politics on CNBC.Read More
President Obama: “I’d Love A Constitutional Amendment To Reverse Citizens United” Posted on February 9, 2015 (February 13, 2015) President Obama spoke with Vox Editor-in-chief Ezra Klein on how to best reform campaign finance, amongst other topics. On “unlimited money” in politics as a key cause of polarization, Obama said, “I would love to see some constitutional process that would allow us to actually regulate campaign spending the way we used to, and maybe even improve it.” Read More
Free Speech For People and Represent.US Working Towards Publicly Funded Elections in Cambridge, MA Posted on February 8, 2015 (February 19, 2015) Democracy Amendments We’re pleased to work with Represent.Boston, an all-volunteer local chapter of the non-partisan, non-profit national organization Represent.US, on an innovative local effort to explore publicly funded municipal election models and other equal access campaign solutions for the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Read More
Justice Ginsburg Would Reverse Citizens United Posted on February 5, 2015 (February 13, 2015) On February 4, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg spoke to Georgetown University Law Center on her life and career, among many other issues of the law. In response to a question about the one decision she would reverse if she had a “magic wand”, Justice Ginsburg responded it would be Citizens United. She also commented on redistricting and voter participation, and said that we need “a democracy for all.”Read More