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Read
the study:
Click here to download Phase II as a Microsoft Word document
Click here to download
Phase II as a Pdf document
Phase II of
our "Money and Elections in Iowa" study has been completed
by Dr. Arthur Sanders. Dr. Sanders is the head of Drake University's
Political Science and International Relations department and a national
campaign finance reforem expert.
Phase II examines
the roll of money in Iowa's legislative process. Specificially,
Dr. Sanders looked at how health
care policy decisions at the State Capitol may have been influenced
by campaign contributions in the 2006 legislative sesson. He concludes
that:
- Money is, indeed, increasing in importance
in Iowa's democratic process.
- As campaigns continue to grow more expensive,
everyday Iowans without access to big money contributions will
be cut out of the democratic process.
- And, those who are able to provide large
contributions will secure more access to our elected officials.
"Is it as bad as the worst critic things?
No. But we are headed in that direction," said Sanders.
In his executive summary he writes, "the
rising costs of campaigns are likely to increase the influence of
money in both the electoral and policy arenas." To prevent
this from happening he recommended three courses of action including
that Iowa adopt Voter-Owned Elections; a system of voluntary public
financing currently being used in Maine, Arizona, and other states
around the country.
CCI members believe that Voter-Owned Elections
(a.k.a. Clean Elections) will restore balance to our elections and
allow for more everyday iowans to particpate in the democratic process.
Maine and Arizona have both seen an increase in voter turnout, contested
races, and overall citizen involvement since adopting the system.
To learn about what is currently being done
to work for Voter-Owned Elections in Iowa, contact Iowa CCI at (515)282-0484
or email tyler@iowacci.org.
To
learn more, visit our site dedicated to Voter-Owned Elections:
www.voterownediowa.org
Read
the study:
Click here to download Phase II as a Microsoft Word document
Click here to download
Phase II as a Pdf document
To
read Phase I of the study, click here.
Posted
10/13/06
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