Voting Rights Coalition Releases Election Day Report
The Massachusetts Election Protection Program Steering Committee, a group of statewide civic and community-based organizations, released its analysis on voting conditions in Massachusetts in the 2024 presidential election.
WBUR: How OxyContin’s Maker Sought To Influence Mass. Legislators
In Massachusetts, money buys access to legislators, says Pam Wilmot, the executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts, a nonpartisan democracy group. “It’s an unfortunate part of the political system where I think the public is the ultimately the loser,” Wilmot said.
WBUR: Proposed Mass. Campaign Finance Regulations Could Lower Union Political Contributions
“It's about limits being the same for everyone,” said Pam Wilmot, executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts. “Public confidence is important, and everybody needs to play by the same rules.”
Amid ‘slush fund’ criticism, nearly all legislative caucuses will forgo outside donations
That the Black and Latino Caucus voluntarily identified a donor is encouraging, but the process still should have a formal mechanism for disclosure, said Pam Wilmot, executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts. “That should be part of the package — having strict disclosure of the source of the funds and the amount so it’s all above board and the public can weigh in if there are any other issues,” Wilmot said. “I think the good news is that the vast majority of caucuses are not going along with raising money from outside...
Boston Herald: Progressive Boston City Council expected as race takes shape
The City Council has emerged as a progressive stronghold in the city and experts predict the body will continue trending leftward in the upcoming municipal election, as more women and candidates of color seek office.
WGBH: Should Massachusetts Change How Residents Vote?
If ever there was a case to be made for election reform, some say you need to look no further than what just happened Tuesday night in Fall River. Mayor Jasiel Correia is facing federal fraud charges, and Tuesday night, he was recalled by voters. But on that very same ballot, he was elected mayor again, essentially succeeding himself. Pam Wilmot is with Common Cause Massachusetts and advocates for electoral reform.
Boston Business Journal: Labor, business groups face off over proposed union donation limits
Wilmot submitted a petition to Office of Campaign and Political Finance on Nov. 7, asking the agency to reexamine the “rulemaking concerning political activity by nonprofit entities, groups, organizations and unincorporated associates,” after the Supreme Judicial Court upheld a longstanding ban on campaign donations from businesses. In response, the OCPF drafted the proposed regulation. During the Tuesday hearing on the proposed rule, Wilmot said the draft regulation “was the appropriate thing to do.”
Boston Herald: City Council votes to lengthen own terms
A push to lengthen terms for City Councilors inched forward Wednesday, as the council voted 11-2 to double its term lengths — from two to four years — despite concerns that its effects would further hurt the city’s already dismal voter turnout.
Cape Cod Times: Common Cause leader speaks in Brewster about election reform
In Massachusetts, Common Cause has led campaigns to bring about a host of democratic reforms including online voter registration, automatic voter registration and election security measures to protect against cyber attacks and domestic hacking, the state chapter’s executive director, Pam Wilmot, told a group of 50 Sunday afternoon.
Worchester Business Journal: Draft rule would cut union contributions to candidates
"We're definitely pleased that the agency adopted our recommendations with just a few minor tweaks," said Pam Wilmot, executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts. "We look forward to looking more thoroughly at the details, and the process will continue, but we think it's the right decision based on the statute, the law and good public policy."
MassLive: Groups want to make Massachusetts Legislature more open and transparent
A coalition of open government advocacy groups is recommending major changes to the rules governing Massachusetts' legislative process, in order to make the Legislature more accessible and open to the public.
The groups also recommend broadening the state's public records law to apply to the governor's office, the Legislature and the judiciary.
Common Cause MA Applauds State Supreme Judicial Court Decision to Ban Corporate Contributions to Political Campaigns
Common Cause Massachusetts supports today’s state Supreme Judicial Court’s decision, which concluded that a ban on corporate contributions to political campaigns helps prevent corruption and does not violate business’ First Amendment rights.
