Vision & Mission Statement: Money in Politics

Who are we?

We are a group of members of Coffee Party Austin working on the issue of Fair, Clean, and Voter-owned Elections.

What is our Vision?

We envision Texas elections that are free from the political influence of big money.

What is our Mission?

We aim to make public funding available for all candidates seeking election to national, state, and local offices.

What is our Strategy?

1. Build statewide support:

• Develop a strategic plan that includes a timeline to accomplish the mission.† The timeline should include action items with completion dates and should designate who will accomplish them.
• Build a network of 6 organizations that share our vision and agree to join our efforts in educating Texans about Fair, Clean and Voter-owned elections.
• Educate our current elected officials about Fair, Clean and Voter-owned elections by organizing a forum for legislators and their staff in Spring 2011.

2. Propose legislation:

• Draft and file a bill for public funding of Appellate and Supreme Court Justice elections in time for the 2011 legislative session.

3. Secure its passage:

• Find enough sponsors for this bill to assure that it receives a floor vote and a public hearing during the 2011 legislative session.

Support:

• In 2002, both the American Bar Association and the Committee for Economic Development announced their support for full public financing of judicial elections in states whose judges are elected.

In 2004 North Carolina established a Public Campaign Fund that offers public campaign financing to N.C. Supreme Court and Appellate Court candidates.

Justice Sandra Day O’Connor: “When you enter a courtroom, the last thing you want to worry about is whether the judge is more accountable to a campaign contributor or an ideological group than to the law.”

Values:

• PARTICIPATION: We will encourage everyone who shares our vision to offer their talents and passion and to participate in this movement.
• RESPECT: An open atmosphere for deliberation ñ not debate ñ of ideas will be maintained. We will listen to each other.
• CONTRIBUTE: Our success will depend on effective and expedient planning, writing, creating, acting, researching, public speaking, relationship building and networking. Everyone will be expected to contribute to at least one of these activities but all contributors are asked to commit to only what they can do and to honor any commitment they make.

Clean Elections Texas Mission statement:

Clean Elections Texas is non-profit organization that seeks to promote open and accountable government in Texas by building statewide support for a public funding option for candidates seeking public office in the state.

Coffee Party Mission statement:

The Coffee Party Movement gives voice to Americans who want to see cooperation in government. We recognize that the federal government is not the enemy of the people, but the expression of our collective will, and that we must participate in the democratic process in order to address the challenges that we face as Americans. As voters and grassroots volunteers, we will support leaders who work toward positive solutions, and hold accountable those who obstruct them.

Some organizations to consider

Asian Pacific Americans for Progress
Black Leadership Forum
Capital Area Democratic Women
Clean Elections Texas
Coffee Party
Common Cause
League of Women Voters
Mexican American Legal Defense Fund (SW Region in San Antonio)
MoveOn
Public Citizen
Texas Democratic Women (retreat in San Antonio July 30-31)
Texas Federation of Republic Women
Texas Freedom Network
Texas League of United Latin American Citizens (Texas LULAC)
Texas Supreme Court Historical Society
Women For Good Government