WVEC Action AlertJanuary 25, 2006Below:
Critical Vote for “Clean Elections” . . . Ask Senators to Support S.B. 124 Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Jeff Kessler plans to put S.B. 124, the “WV Public Campaign Financing Act,” on the committee’s agenda later this week (Thursday, January 26) or early next week. At this time it appears that the committee vote will be very close. The following Senators are considered to be “swing” votes and could be critical to the bill’s passage. They need to hear from their constituents and constituent groups urging their support for S.B. 124, the “WV Public Campaign Financing Act.”
If you live in these Senate districts PLEASE take a minute to call your Senator and ask them to vote in favor of S.B. 124. Let them know you are a constituent by leaving your name and address with your message. Background: The WV Public Campaign Financing Act (S.B. 124) would create an alternative public financing option for candidates seeking election to the state Senate and House of Delegates. The system is voluntary and candidates who participate agree to abide by contribution and spending limits. Public funds would be made available to candidates for the state Senate and House of Delegate candidates in single-member districts beginning with the elections to be held in 2010, and to candidates in the remaining House districts beginning in 2012. Publicly financed election campaigns are working in states like Maine and Arizona. If West Virginia’s legislature passes S.B. 124, candidates for the statehouse could spend more time talking about issues instead of fundraising. They could run on the merit of their ideas. People without personal wealth but who have a wealth of ideas and the energy to serve the public interest, would have access to funds to run a viable campaign. Incumbent legislators who opt to run under this “voter-owned” system would be free to vote their conscience-instead of feeling beholden to special interest contributors. This system can help us to change the FACE of politics in West Virginia. Under our current system, 99.5 percent of all campaign contributions in West Virginia come from special interests donors. Getting elected by using public funds under the provisions of S.B. 124 means that the winner owes his/her allegiance to the public -- not to special industry or corporate interests. So please take the time to call the Senators listed above today. You can also reach them toll-free at 1-877-565-3447. For more information see www.wvoter-owned.org/. NOTE ABOUT WVEC ACTION ALERTS: We know you receive a lot of email, so it is the policy of the West Virginia Environmental Council to send you our Action Alerts only when the issues are truly important and only when there is specific important action you can take to help. Thanks for your help and support. Urgent: The Blackwater Canyon Rail Trail Needs Your Help Right Now! The Forest Service's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) adopts a "Preferred Alternative" that would turn the historic and scenic Canyon Rail Trail into a Logging Road for Allegheny Wood Products (AWP)! Nearly $500,000 of public money was spent to acquire the Blackwater Rail Trail through the scenic heart of the Blackwater Canyon. We are not about to let the United States Forest Service give away our Trail to a logging company. Our legal and scientific consultants say that the DEIS is deeply flawed - and this crazy plan can and must be stopped! CLICK HERE TO SEND YOUR COMMENT TO THE FOREST RIGHT NOW! The Forest Service has failed to analyze the impacts of all of AWP's plans. This is illegal. Tell the Forest Service to DO THE STUDY OVER!!! They should create a new alternative plan that would:
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