Reflective Democracy

Need an example of how systemic racism works? Consider the fact that it is 2021 and Robert Santos is the first person of color ever nominated to lead the Census Bureau, the agency responsible for making sure every person counts. It's not overt racism, but given historic undercounts, why hasn't anyone thought to nominate someone who might be able to help reach hard to reach communities?

A letter signed by almost 100 small business and community leaders urging Senator Susan Collins to support the “For the People Act” was released at an event at Portland City Hall. More than four dozen people gathered at a rally sponsored by Common Cause to hear local business leaders explain why the bill needs to become law.

Today, Common Cause filed comments with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in support of a petition for rulemaking filed by former congressional candidate Nabilah Islam to allow candidates to utilize their campaign accounts to pay for health insurance and include a living-wage floor as part of the salary formula to make the funds available from the beginning of a candidate’s campaign.

“The rules really have been stacked against working people running for office or people who might have been caregivers or those in between employment,” said Stephen Spaulding, senior counsel for public policy and government affairs at Common Cause. “If you were unemployed, a care-taker and your income was zero, you’re not entitled to a salary.”