League of Women Voters of Northfield

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Keesha Gaskins, Executive Director of LWVMN, made the following commentary on MPR:

Disclosure of campaign gifts only way to combat their effects

February 8, 2010
By Keesha Gaskins
We have come to a place in American politics where money and politics are inextricable. The Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United case now permits unlimited spending on independent electioneering by both non-profit and for-profit corporations.
Like water seeking its level, money will always find a way into politics, regardless of the barriers or obstructions put in its way. No attempted reform has been able to stop people from finding ways to use money to access power. Hard money becomes soft money. Soft money becomes bundled donations. Unless we are ready to adopt a system of public financing for elections, we will always face a challenge where those with more money have more access to the political process, can generate more visibility and obtain more votes.
Until we have such reform, timely, meaningful disclosures of political spending are essential to a functional American democracy. Shenanigans happen in the dark. Our disclosure laws must shine a light on all money entering the political process. The source of money for all independent expenditures and electioneering communications should be disclosed within days of financial disbursement. Shareholders must have the opportunity to reject or approve corporate expenditures for political purposes.
Currently, 39 states have laws requiring some kind of disclosure of independent expenditures. The five states with the best public disclosure laws are Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine and Washington. In those states in 2005 and 2006, the independent expenditures totaled $115 million. Full, prompt and complete disclosure of the source of money in elections is the only hope we have of preventing those with money from putting their thumb on the scales of justice.
For judicial elections, however, this decision is a potential harbinger of doom. Our courts should not be subject to the type of political firestorms that are seen in the legislative and executive branches. Judicial fights in Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas and other states are evidence of what can happen when the judicial branch is subject to unlimited spending by outside parties. Currently in Minnesota, there are no spending limits on direct contributions for judicial campaigns. The Legislature must act to correct this situation. The judiciary is the branch where every person must know he or she is getting a fair and equal opportunity to be heard, regardless of the political allegiance of the judge.
Transparency, access and accountability are the keys to an effective democracy. The challenge to us is to communicate honestly, effectively and without bias in the face of massive unchecked electioneering that has no moral imperative. While we cannot be certain that it can be done, in the face of a decision like Citizens United, allowing access and influence for sale to the highest bidder, only transparency and accountability will help level the field.
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Keesha Gaskins is executive director of the League of Women Voters in Minnesota.

! Supreme Court Erred

From the national LWV, Thursday, Jan. 21st,  press release:
“The Supreme Court has made a tragic mistake. Their decision announced today [Thursday, January 21, 2010] in Citizens United v. FEC is constitutionally irresponsible … basic pillars of American democracy have been undermined – that elections should not be corrupted by vast corporate wealth and that the voters should be at the center of our democratic system.

…Congress and the President enacted campaign finance laws over a series of decades for a reason – to protect our democracy from the perverse influence of big money in our elections. In making this decision, the Court has ignored the best interests of the American public and our representative form of government.”

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Since this new council and mayor took office, there has been an expressed commitment to openness and transparency in city government. The League of Women Voters shares these goals, and considers the encouragement of open government one of our most important responsibilities to our community.

After speaking with our League City Council observer, Jane McWilliams, with the City Administrator, Joel Walinski, and with others on the communication and decision-making surrounding your agreement with Waterford Township, I don’t believe anyone intended that business be done behind closed doors. It’s not for the League, at this point, to determine whether the Open Meetings law was violated. We have no disagreement with those who are suggesting that the city “move on” and ensure that things are done differently in the future.

But the League is here to remind you of the absolute, non-negotiable importance of your decisions being made openly. Even the appearance of a lack of transparency fosters distrust and suspicion, as we’ve seen this week, between our city and other units of government, and between you and your constituents. While in your individual conversations with the administrator, it may not have been quite clear whether you were acknowledging, approving, or supporting a document or a course of action, this is the sort of grey area that you, as our leaders, must be alert to. Your constituents want and need to hear discussion from each of you, here in the council chambers, on decisions like the one regarding Waterford township.

No one but you can take responsibility for ensuring that all your decisions are made in the public eye. League believes that strong leadership is always as open as possible, and shares information readily, except in the very few cases where you have an obligation to protect individuals through secrecy. We depend on each of you to show this kind of leadership, and to be watchdogs, along with us, of the public’s interests and understanding of the business of city hall. Your openness and that of your staff will be rewarded with the public’s trust.”

Jessica Peterson White
President
League of Women Voters Northfield – Cannon Falls