People Vote to Get Money Out When They Get the Chance

Huffington Post: In Arkansas, “Warwick Sabin, the first-term state representative, said the success of the ballot initiative, which passed by a 52-47 margin, was ‘a surprise to everybody.’ The reforms banned direct corporate and union campaign contributions to candidates; forbid lawmakers from accepting gifts of any kind from lobbyists; and increased the amount of time departing lawmakers must wait before lobbying from one to two years.”

“In Wisconsin, 12 counties, including those heavily populated by conservative voters, passed resolutions calling on their elected officials to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Voters passed similar resolutions in 18 communities in Massachusetts; in Alachua County, Florida; and in Edwardsville, Illinois. In Chagrin Falls and Mentor, Ohio, voters approved similar resolutions that also require elected lawmakers to report back to them on what they are doing to pass an amendment.”

Also discusses public financing in Connecticut, Arizona, Maine and Maryland, which, other than a court-impaired system in Arizona, all have success stories.

Edit changed Arizona to Arkansas in first sentence