Clean Missouri aims to increase integrity in Jefferson City

(From Clean Missouri)

You've seen the headlines coming out of Jefferson City lately — and they're not pretty.

But it doesn't have to be this way. 

This week, we are formally launching our campaign to put the people of Missouri ahead of the lobbyists, big donors, and partisan politics that are holding us back. 

This is our chance to take power away from special interests — and to increase integrity, transparency and accountability in government.

And we need your help to make it happen. 

Here's how we're going to clean up Jefferson City: Voter by voter, family by family, workplace by workplace, club by club, town by town, we'll collect the signatures we need to put the Clean Missouri amendment before voters next November.  

And when Missourians get the chance to cast their ballot to shut out the special interest lobbyists and level the playing field for ordinary citizens, voters like you will finally enact the reforms that a few Jefferson City politicians have successfully blocked — until now. 

Here's what the the Clean Missouri amendment will do: 

• Lower campaign contribution limits for General Assembly candidates — $2,500 for state senate campaigns, and $2,000 for state house campaigns
• Eliminate almost all lobbyist gifts in Jefferson City by banning any single gift worth more than $5
• Make legislators wait at least two years before becoming lobbyists
• Require that legislative records be open to the public, and 
• Ensure that neither political party is given an unfair advantage when new maps are drawn after the next census, by asking a nonpartisan expert to draw fair legislative district maps — which would then be reviewed by a citizen commission. 

Doesn't that sound like the kind of state we want to live in? 

Your first chance to join the fight is this Saturday, when we'll kick off signature gathering work with trainings and canvasses in Springfield, Kansas City and St. Louis. Here's when and where to meet up: 

St. Louis Signature Gathering Training and Canvass
When: Saturday, May 20, 10am - 2pm
Where: St. Paul AME, 1260 Hamilton Ave, St. Louis
RSVP on Facebook here

Kansas City Signature Gathering Training and Canvass
When: Saturday, May 20, 10am - 2pm
Where: SEIU Local 1, 4526 Paseo, Kansas City
RSVP on Facebook here 

Springfield Signature Gathering Training and Canvass
When: Saturday, May 20, 10am - 2pm
Where: National Avenue Christian Church, 1515 S National Ave, Springfield
RSVP on Facebook here

To learn more and read the full text of our initiative petition, visit our website at CleanMissouri.org.  

We are so excited to be in this fight with you. 

The Clean Missouri Team