February 16, 2012

We hosted a great coaching webinar with The Citizens Campaign County Chair Joyce Walker, on how to gain access and influence in your local political parties, including tips on running for a seat on the political party committee of your choice.  Listen and learn how you can get your foot in the door to successfully gain a committee seat, whether or not your committee elections are this year, there are still ways to get started today!

You can view the webinar to gain expert information on how to get results in your town within your local political party. (Click here for viewing instructions)

OPED By Harry Pozycki and Bob Shinn published in The Philadelphia Inquirer

February 14, 2012

The City of Camden is poised to adopt more stringent, competitive procedures for purchasing insurance under a model municipal policy that has saved communities millions of dollars. Such savings are urgently needed in the city, which is struggling to deliver necessary services and maintain public safety.

Camden is not alone. Municipalities and school districts across New Jersey have been hard-pressed to find the money to fund essential services in recent years. That's why local officials are beginning to embrace this money-saving proposal, which has been championed by local citizens. The policy was recently adopted by the city's school board, and it's expected to be considered by City Council today.

February 10, 2012

We hosted our very first Webinar Thursday night featuring public policy maven Mark Magyar from The Independent Center and Citizens Campaign State Campaign Director Lauren Skowronski to teach people how to identify ways to trim municipal budgets and the tools to get it done.  This is a new feature The Citizens Campaign will be offering, to bring our tools and training straight to your living room! (WATCH NOW)

February 9, 2012

The Camden School Board adopted The Citizens Campaign’s model “Best Price Insurance Purchasing” resolution Wednesday night, a similar policy will be considered by the city on Tuesday, February 14th.

The new policy will guarantee that Camden gets the price on insurance premiums, including health, workers compensation, liability, etc, by requiring the school district use a transparent and competitive process. It also requires the school district to hire brokers exclusively on a flat fee basis, thereby eliminating any conflicts of interest that may arise between the broker and insurance carriers.

February 7, 2012

The Citizens Campaign today unveiled a model ordinance/resolution for local government entities to guarantee citizens right to videotape public meetings without unreasonable restrictions.

For more than 30 years both journalists and citizens and have had a common law right to videotape meetings established through the courts, with a caveat that governing bodies may adopt "reasonable rules" to prevent disruptions.

In the absence of a state statute to give local governing entities clear direction, a handful of municipalities and school districts have adopted unreasonable rules that appear to be designed to discourage videotaping meetings.

February 3, 2012

Hamilton School District Chosen as First Entity to Work With

The Citizens Campaign launched an effort in Mercer County today to educate local officials about real and complete insurance contracting reform.

The Mercer Citizens Campaign submitted an OPRA request today to the Hamilton School District to identify how Hamilton School Board currently obtains insurance. The information requested will be analyzed and a meeting will be requested, with the school board members and administration, to discuss ways to add more integrity and transparency to their current system.