Washington Public Campaigns put on quite an event on
November 17. With 150 attendees, the event was a success in raising awareness
and gaining support for the Fair Elections Now Act and local efforts to enact
public financing of elections in Washington.

Here is a quick recap of the event as told to me by Craig
Salins, Executive Director of WPC:

The forum started off with a 9-minute DVD
clip with Francis Moore Lappe, talking about Clean Elections, and also
featured Maine's Rep. Deborah
Simpson. Then with Marcee Stone (WPC Board
President) as emcee/moderator, the crowd heard from former Seattle City
Councilman Jim Street, Portland's Janice Thompson, Nick Licata,
current Seattle City Council president, and finally state Rep. Mark Miloscia.

The panelist’s comments were cogent and candid, educating
the crowd about Clean Elections and exciting existing supporters. Jim
Street and Janice Thompson were excellent in describing
how local programs can work and are working, and the benefits in more choices
for voters because more candidates can run without being personally
wealthy. Nick Licata and Mark Miloscia described the choice facing
candidates needing to raise funds privately to be re-elected - when
there is not a public financing program as an option - and how having to make
this choice undermines our democracy, and is counter to our values.

The forum wrapped up with comments by author Paul Loeb and a
final pitch for audience members to get involved. Many did - that night,
and since, by signing up online.

The event was videotaped by the Seattle Channel (community
channel TV). Some pictures of the event are below.

Sounds like a great event and we thank Washington Public
Campaigns for all their work in making Fair Elections Action Week a success.