46 posts found, showing 20 per page

Alerts and Updates WVCCE March 3, 2019
Tell Delegates to Say YES to Transparency, NO to More Money in WV Elections
The WV Senate has passed a major campaign finance overhaul bill that would allow even more big money into a system that already favors the wealthy and special interests. SB 622 increases campaign contribution limits from $1,000 to $2,800 for candidates, to $5,000 for PACs, and to $10,000 per year for party committees. Ordinary working West Virginians don’t have that kind of money to donate to campaigns, so the overall effect of the bill would be disastrous for voters who struggle to have their voices heard above the special interests that try buy our elections. Contact your delegate(s) and tell them to strengthen the transparency provisions of SB 622, and say NO to more money in West Virginia elections. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Dark Money, Disclosure, Secret Money, Transparency

Alerts and Updates WVCCE February 24, 2019
Tell Senators to Say NO to More Money in WV Elections
On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee just passed a major campaign finance overhaul bill that would allow even more big money into a system that already favors the wealthy and special interests. SB 622 increases campaign contribution limits from $1,000 to $2,800 for candidates, to $5,000 for PACs, and to $10,000 per year for party committees. This would be disastrous for ordinary working West Virginians who struggle to have their voices heard above the special interests that try to buy our elections. Contact your Senators and tell them we need more disclosure of political spending in our elections, not more money. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Dark Money, Democracy, Disclosure, Secret Money, Transparency

Alerts and Updates WVCCE February 8, 2019
Call to Action: Help Advance the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform
West Virginians understand the urgent need to strengthen our democracy and make our politicians work for us, not wealthy special interests. We need your help to make this a reality. Several bills have been introduced that advance the goals of the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform. Unfortunately, these bills are being held up in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Contact Senate Judiciary Chair Charles Trump at (304) 357-7880 and ask him to put these bills up for a vote! More
Issues: Dark Money, Democracy, Disclosure, Secret Money, Transparency

WVCCE Blog WVCCE January 22, 2019
The Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform: Get Up, Stamp Up for Your Rights
We had a great time last week promoting the Pro-Democracy Anti-Corruption Platform at Kids and Families Day hosted by the Our Children, Our Future (OCOF) campaign. We also encouraged folks to help spread the word about the need to fight the influence of money in politics, and demonstrate support for the solution by stamping their money with messages like “Stamp Money Out of Politics, “Not to Be Used to Buy Elections,” and “Stop the Attack on Voting Rights.” Several bills have been introduced that advance the goals of the platform have been introduced. Learn more here. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Dark Money, Democracy, Disclosure, Voting Rights

Press Release WVCCE October 22, 2018
Film Screening & Discussion to Highlight Need for Reform
Dark money groups spend millions to shape our elections at all levels of government without revealing where their money comes from. But it doesn't have to be this way. ‘Dark Money’ (darkmoneyfilm.com) takes viewers to Montana to follow an intrepid local journalist working to expose the real-life impacts of the US Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. The film also shows how attorneys, elected officials, and local activists in Montana fought back and won. Come see the film and be inspired to help us fight big money in West Virginia elections More
Issues: Citizens United, Clean Elections, Dark Money, Democracy, Disclosure

WVCCE Blog WVCCE October 1, 2018
Join Us in October for a Screening of ‘Dark Money’
Join us at the Underground Cinema by WVIFF for October's Movies That Matter Monday's Film, 'Dark Money,' a political thriller that examines one of the greatest present threats to American democracy: the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections and elected officials. But the citizens of one state won’t allow their democracy to be dismantled without a fight. You can join them. More
Issues: Citizens United, Clean Elections, Dark Money, Democracy, Secret Money

WVCCE Blog WVCCE August 24, 2018
Making sense of the chaotic West Virginia Supreme Court impeachment
We're continuing to follow the WV Supreme Court impeachment saga closely. Earlier this week, the State Senate approved it's procedural rules for the impeachment trials. Current and former justices are scheduled to appear before the Senate on September 11 to answer to the charges against them. Stay tuned! In the meantime, check out this piece from our friends at the Institute for Southern Studies about the impeachment, and how corporate interests have shaped the court in an effort to deny ordinary West Virginians their day in court. More
Issues: Dark Money, Fair Courts, Public Financing, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer December 18, 2017
New Report Details Who Pays for Judicial Races
A new report from the Brennan Center for Justice and the National Institute on Money in State Politics finds that judicial integrity is increasingly under threat. A torrent of special interest money, often from secretive sources, is flooding state supreme court elections. and West Virginia is no exception. The report is the only comprehensive look at all state supreme court elections in the latest cycle, 2015-16. More
Issues: Dark Money, Fair Courts, Secret Money, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer October 11, 2017
Without disclosure, we don’t know what conflicts of interest our judges may have
Millions of dollars are being spent to elect our judges in total secrecy from the people of West Virginia. The faith of West Virginians’ in their courts is rightfully tarnished by such secrecy, but the solution is simple. As dark money tries to find new and hidden ways into influencing our elections, it is critical that our state legislators protect the fairness, impartiality, and public trust in the judiciary through strong, up-to-date disclosure laws. West Virginia voters deserve to know who is trying to influence their votes and their judges. More
Issues: Dark Money, Disclosure, Fair Courts, Secret Money, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer July 18, 2017
Attacks on Democracy Halted
During the 2017 session, legislators introduced a number of bills that would have negatively affected our electoral process. With your help we were able to halt these attacks on democracy. In a nutshell: a bill to repeal public financing for Supreme Court candidates was defeated, strict voter ID was rejected, and automatic voter registration was saved, while a bill to a that raised contribution limits and created new loopholes to allow more secret money into our elections languished in the final days. More
Issues: Dark Money, Disclosure, Public Financing, Voting Rights, WV Supreme Court

Alerts and Updates, WVCCE Blog Julie Archer March 29, 2017
WV Senate Passes Bill to Weaken Disclosure, Increase Money in Politics
Although SB 539 increases disclosure in some small ways, the overall effect of the bill is a weakening of disclosure while allowing more money into a broken system that favors the wealthy and special interests. More
Issues: Dark Money, Disclosure, Secret Money

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer March 22, 2017
Campaign Finance Bill Would Decrease Disclosure, Increase Money in Politics
The bill not only fails to address the flood of secret money in our elections, it also significantly increases campaign contribution limits, allowing more money into an already broken system. If we want to discourage negative attack ads, give candidates the ability to respond, and inform voters about who's trying to influence their votes the best thing we can do is require those who are spending money on our elections to disclose to the source of the money. More
Issues: Dark Money, Disclosure, Secret Money

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer November 15, 2016
Outside spending in W.Va. elections nears $20 million
Outside groups reported spending $4.7 million dollars in the two weeks prior to the election, with total spending reaching $19.8 million so far this election cycle. This year’s outside spending by race breaks down as follows: Attorney General - $7,056,716, Governor - $5,534,089, Supreme Court - $3,644,315. Third party organizations also spent $3.3 million in various state Senate races. More
Issues: Dark Money, Democracy, Disclosure, Secret Money, WV Supreme Court

Press Release Julie Archer October 28, 2016
Outside groups spend more than $15 million on W.Va. elections
After spending $5.6 million during the last presidential election year, outside groups have reported spending more than $15 million on West Virginia elections so far in 2016 — closely rivaling the $16.3 million in reported spending by candidates for executive, legislative, and judicial offices. This year’s outside spending by race breaks down as follows: Attorney General - $5.3, Governor - $3.7, Supreme Court - $3.6 million. Third party organizations have also spent $2.4 million in various state Senate races. More
Issues: Citizens United, Dark Money, Democracy, Disclosure, Secret Money

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer September 26, 2016
The EPA’s Clean Power Plan: Did you know?
As the arguments over the legality of the EPA's Clean Power Plan get underway, here are some important things to remember. When polluters spend millions to influence our elected officials and judges to strike down clean air standards, we pay the price with chronic asthma. More
Issues: Citizens United, Dark Money, Disclosure, Health, Secret Money

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer September 20, 2016
Brennan Center Analysis: Secret Outside Spending, Attack Ads Dominate Judicial Elections
Thirty-nine states hold elections to choose all or some of their judges. This November, 27 states will hold elections for seats on their highest courts. Early indicators suggest that several of these races will be dominated by secret outside spending and attack ads funded by groups that do not disclose their donors, according to an analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice of seven supreme court elections and primaries that were completed earlier in 2016. More
Issues: Dark Money, Disclosure, Fair Courts, Secret Money, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer September 1, 2016
Vigilant companies can avert Watergate scandal replay
The Watergate Hotel reopened recently after a sparkling $125 million facelift, complete with guest key cards saying, “No need to break in.” For well-heeled business leaders visiting there, a pithier epigram might be, “Influence buying has a price.” Decades later, it is too easily forgotten that 12 corporations and 17 corporate executives ultimately were indicted […] More
Issues: Citizens United, Dark Money, Democracy, Secret Money

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer August 3, 2016
Speak Up! We Need Senator Manchin to Support Democracy Reforms
In Congress, some lawmakers have proposed solutions to put regular voters back in control of our elections: The We the People package and the Fair Elections Now Act. This is our chance to be heard. Tell Senator Manchin to put everyday Americans first and cosponsor the We the People package and the Fair Elections Now Act. More
Issues: Citizens United, Clean Elections, Dark Money, Democracy, Disclosure, Public Financing, Secret Money

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer February 7, 2016
WV Senate to Consider Raising Contribution Limits
Please contact members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and your legislators and tell them to vote "No" on SB 408. Allowing more money into our elections without increasing disclosure is self-serving and keeps West Virginians in the dark about who is trying to influence their votes. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Dark Money, Disclosure, Secret Money

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer January 22, 2016
Meaningful Disclosure of Campaign Cash Needed
If the Legislature wants to get serious about disclosure of campaign cash, they should make sure every secret money group – liberal and conservative – attempting to sway election results has to disclose where the money came from. Our right to know who is influencing our elections is not a partisan issue. No matter your political beliefs, we all benefit when we know what is going on in the government. More
Issues: Citizens United, Clean Elections, Dark Money, Public Financing