Hello Neighbors,

I am writing to invite you to a fundraiser to support the federal and state lawsuit to save public financing of elections in Vermont. The fundraiser will take place at the large shelter in Oaklege Park on Sunday, July 30th, at 4pm. The event will include music from DJ Brian Cina, food, ice cream, and lots of fun at the lake. The event is sponsored by the Vermont Progressive Party, Rights and Democracy, the Peace & Justice Center, and 350 Vermont. We will be joined by Lt. Governor David Zuckerman, Auditor Doug Hoffer, Ben Cohen (founder of Ben and Jerry's), Rep. Selene Colburn, and others who support strong public financing laws. The fundraiser is free and open to the public with a suggested individual donation of $10 - $30.

You may remember that our neighbor, Dean Corren, ran for Lt. Governor in 2014 using public financing. Unfortunately, former Attorney General Sorrell attempted to personally fine Dean over $70,000 because the Democratic Party sent an email in support of his campaign. Sorrell took the position that a publicly financed candidate may not coordinate with a political Party. No candidate has or will accept the risk of being publicly financed since those restrictions were put in place, meaning that public financing of elections in Vermont is dead unless we are able to overturn that position. The fundraiser will help pay for Dean Corren's legal fees at the state level, and the federal constitutional challenge from the Vermont Progressive Party.

Public financing is one of the most important tools we have left to get big money out of politics, so it is important for us to do everything we can to restore public financing in Vermont.

I look forward to seeing you next Sunday!
Barb Prine