Our sister organization, Public Campaign, released an editorial memorandum on how states are forging the way on campaign finance reform while Washington remains mired in scandal. Read all about how Portland, Oregon successfully held its first primary elections under Voter Owned Elections; Connecticut plugged loopholes in its landmark Clean Elections law passed last December; a New Jersey Commission recommended expansion of that state's pilot public financing program, and more.

CA: Committee Suspends Clean Elections Hearings in Senator’s Absence

Yesterday the California Senate Elections Committee abruptly suspended a hearing on AB 583, The California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act, reportedly because Senator Gloria Romero (D) left the capitol.

The editorial in the Asbury Park Press follows up the New Jersey Citizens' Clean Election Commission report that the state's Clean Elections pilot project should be expanded.

It argues that the system is "vital" and to truly combat special interest money it should, with some improvements, be expanded even further than the Commission recommends.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports on the lawsuit by the Democratic National Committee to obtain records of Ralph Reed's White House visits as part of a larger inquiry into those with close ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Read this piece in North Carolina's News & Observer by North Carolina leaders who are calling for the establishment of Voter Owned Elections in that state. They say it best, so here are some excerpts:

The Maryland House of Delegates yesterday approved bill, by a 79 to 56 vote, to provide full public financing for candidates for legislative office in that state, reports the Baltimore Sun. The law would take effect for the 2010 elections.

The Mayor of San Jose, California, Ron Gonzales, has had enough with donor driven politics and has offered a proposal that would bring Clean Elections—or publicly funded campaigns—to his city. If implemented, elections in San Jose would be about voters, not donors.

In his press release, Mayor Gonzales said:

“This proposal will make sure that all candidates can have a level playing field, and that they focus on what voters need and want.”

Our own Susan Anderson is talking on National Public Radio's the Kojo Nnamdi Show even as we type. Susan is discussing the Clean Elections movement, also known as "Clean Elections," that is growing around the country.

You can listen to the Kojo Nnamdi Show on WAMU at 88.5 on your FM dial if you are in Washington, DC. You can also listen to the show via the internet by clicking here (the links to listen via the internet are in the upper left corner, just below the header on the web page).

Bill Moyers has been barnstorming California on an eight-day speaking tour focusing his considerable intellect and voice on the scandals in Washington and what we can do to clean up politics.

Public Campaign's (and Daily DeLay's!) very own Nancy Watzman and Micah Sifry helped in the drafting of the speech, and we are proud to post it on our affiliated site over at Public Campaign.

Read it here.

The chamber, bought and sold.