In anticipation of a continued emphasis on election reforms in the next General Assembly, we request that the Alexandria City Council recommit to getting big money out of politics. This involves passing a City Council resolution which supports campaign finance reform at the state and national level.

It would reference the need for Virginia to become the 21st state to pass a resolution supporting an amendment to the U.S. Constitution which allows Congress and the states to regulate election spending, ie overturning Citizens United.

We also need for the City to send the message to legislators in the next Virginia General Assembly that in order to not be considered a "Pay-to-Play" state, Virginia needs to pass common sense campaign finance legislation. Virginia is only one of four states in our country which has no limitations on campaign contributions; hence the doubling of spending for elections over the last 10 years.

Alexandria citizens feel that Virginia should have a commitment to good government, civic and civil discourse and broad participation in local and state decision-making. Policies should reflect the will of voters, not corporations or special interests. We feel that local government, the foundation of our democracy, is the clear entry point to push for change, especially given that no action is being taken on the state and national level. Over 900 cities and counties across the country feel the same and have passed similar resolutions.