Third Congressional District Rep. Dean Phillips will speak on “Drawing Back the Curtain on Campaign Finance: How You Can Gain Control” at a free event 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Normandale Lutheran Church, 6100 Normandale Road, Edina.

“MnCCE’s goal is to engage more Minnesotans on reforming campaigns,” said George Beck, chair of the non-partisan Minnesota Citizens for Clean Elections, which is sponsoring the event. “We wanted people to hear from Rep. Phillips since he’s made campaign reform a top priority since being elected in 2018.”

Phillips has refused to take contributions from special interest political action committees, federal lobbyists, and from other members of Congress and their committees. He is a co-sponsor of the bill HR1, which aims to reduce the influence of big money. Among other provisions, the bill would do the following:

• Require super PACs and other special interest groups to disclose large donors
• Encourage federal candidates to seek small-dollar donations instead of checks from large donors and PACs
• Expand voter access by making Election Day a national holiday, requiring paper ballots, establishing automatic registration and early voting options (as Minnesota already does), and allowing felons who complete their sentences to vote
• Create independent redistricting commissions to prevent gerrymandering

HR 1 was approved earlier this year by the U.S. House of Representatives and is awaiting action by the U.S. Senate.

Minnesota Citizens for Clean Elections was founded to help strengthen democracy by limiting big money in politics, eliminating “dark money” contributions, supporting public financing of campaigns and protecting the security and integrity of our elections. The organization does not endorse or support candidates.

Phillips’ presentation is co-sponsored by the Minnesota affiliates of Common Cause, FairVote, RepresentUS, and American Promise.