Advocates Renew Quest for Publicly Financed RI Elections

From Rhode Islanders for Fair Elections:

State House Rally to Support the Re-Introduction of the “Rhode Island Public Financing of Elections Act”

Sponsors and supporters hopeful for positive votes in committee this year on legislation as public financing of elections gains momentum nationwide.

WHO: Senator Rhoda Perry and Representative Edith Ajello, the bill’s lead legislative sponsors, will introduce the “Rhode Island Public Financing of Elections Act.” John Marion, Executive Director of Common Cause Rhode Island, will emcee the event as Nancy Smith, a publicly financed Representative from Maine, Sheila Dormody, Director of Clean Water Action RI, Rev. Dr. Don Anderson, Executive Minister of the RI Council of Churches, and Phoebe Neel of South Providence will speak on behalf of the legislation. Also in attendance will be Secretary of State Ralph Mollis.

WHAT: A press conference will be held to introduce the “Rhode Island Public Financing of Elections Act,” marking the fourth year the bill has been filed. If passed, this bill would create a voluntary system of full public funding of elections for all statewide and legislative offices in Rhode Island.

WHERE: The Rotunda of the Rhode Island State House

WHEN: Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 3:30 pm

VISUALS: Behind the speakers will hang a large canvas showing the diverse members of the Rhode Island community holding up their state in an effort to depict the power that the system of public funding gives to voters. Additionally, a giant ear stuffed with money will represent the myriad ways in which essential voices get ignored in the policy decision-making process because of the inordinate influence of private campaign funding.