[GPSCC-chat] Coalition for electoral reform, Sa., Sept. 6, 3-5 PM

[Spencer Graves]

       A new coalition has recently been formed to coordinate action for 
electoral reform.  A Santa Clara County chapter of this coalition met 
yesterday.  Four deadlines were identified in that meeting:


             1.  August 30, at which time the California Assembly is 
scheduled to vote on SB 52, requiring prominent disclosure of the 
primary funders of political ads.  (See my recent email to this list on 
this.)


             2.  September 8, when the US Senate is scheduled to vote on 
Senate Joint Resolution 19 to amend the US constitution to allow federal 
and state governments to "regulate and set reasonable limits on the 
raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence 
elections." 
(https://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/19)


             3.  November 4, the election.


             4.  January 21, 2015, the fifth anniversary of the Citizens 
United decision by the US Supreme Court.


       This coalition will next meet on Saturday, Sept. 6, 3-5 PM. 
Location and agenda to be announced later.


       As I've previously mentioned, I believe that the financing of 
political campaigns and investigative journalism are the critical 
problems that must be improved first before substantive progress can be 
made on virtually any other issue facing humanity today.  I hope you 
will find ways to combine support for this effort in conjunction with 
the other things you are doing.


       Best Wishes,
       Spencer


p.s.  The current name of this coalition is "yesonCA49.org", reflecting 
the fact that it was formed to push for approval of CA Prop 49, the 
"Overturn Citizens United Advisory Measure", before it was removed from 
the November 4 ballot by the California Supreme Court.


-- 
Spencer Graves, PE, PhD
President and Chief Technology Officer
Structure Inspection and Monitoring, Inc.
751 Emerson Ct.
San José, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567
web:  www.structuremonitoring.com