Washblog

Sirota will headline a panel of speakers that will include John King, Chair of the Policy Committee for WPC and representatives from Arizona and Maine where Clean Elections are already the law of the land. King will address specific legislation that will be before the state legislature this session and will provide information on bill sponsors and committee chairs. It is hoped that certain of those legislators may also attend the forum to discuss their positions and suggest ways the public may help "move things along." The MC or moderator for the forum is yet to be named. The event will follow a similar forum on Thursday night in Everett and precede a Saturday morning event in Tacoma. (Sirota will only be at the Seattle event). The forums are being held to coincide with the opening of the legislative session, which begins on Monday, January 8th.  With talk coming from both the governor's office and the PDC about the need to reform the financing of judicial races in light of the recent Supreme Court races, hopes are high that there will be some form of public financing bill coming out of the legislature this session.

In conjunction with the Seattle event, there is a pre-event reception being planned as of this writing that will include an opportunity to meet and greet the featured speakers and perhaps provide an opportunity to purchase a signed copy of Sirota's book about the effects of Corporate Money on our political system. The cost for the reception has been tentatively set at $50 for the reception only and $75 for the reception and a copy of the book. There is a suggested $5 donation for the forum itself but no one will be turned away at the door.[ED] See UPDATE above the fold.

For more information on the Town Hall event, please contact Annie Phillips, Events and Speakers Chair, WPC at: Annie@Washclean.org This will be a major organizing event for those who are committed to Clean Elections in Washington State. Please feel free to pass this information on to all of your various listserves and mailing lists. I hope to see you there.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue