The first public forum of the Susquehanna Valley Progressives was held last night at the Unitarian Church in Northumberland. Barry Kauffman, Executive Director of Common Cause PA addressed a group of approximately 50 individuals for about an hour before opening the forum up for discussion.
Kauffman provided the group with a background on Common Cause and then covered a wide variety of topics related to government and elections, including transparency, campaign finance reform, electronic campaign filing and use of ballot referenda. He also spent a great deal of time talking about the Citizens United decision, which opened the floodgates for campaign contributions. Lastly he shared his thoughts on what citizens can do to improve the election process and transparency of government in Pennsylvania.
Kauffman was encouraged by the number of attendees for the group’s first public forum. “Sometimes you come out and there are only 8-10 people”, he said.
Nicole Faraguna, co-founder of the group and organizer of last night’s event was pleased with the attendance and thoughtful discussion that ensued. “Barry is extremely knowledgeable on issues related to open government and fair elections; he provided not only a comprehensive summary of the problems that exist in Pennsylvania but ways Common Cause PA is working to solve them and what we as citizens can do”.
Attendees came from throughout the Susquehanna Valley including Northumberland, Union, Dauphin, Lycoming and Snyder counties.
The Susquehanna Valley Progressives will host a free public forum on medical marijuana on October 27 at the Front Street Station. The group will welcome a panel of individuals with various backgrounds to share their perspectives on the value and drawbacks of medical marijuana. Guests will include medical experts who can discuss the health aspects as well as patients and parents of children who would benefit from the legalization of medical marijuana.
Susquehanna Valley Progressives recently formed. In October, the group appointed its first set of steering committee members who will lead and guide the organization forward.
Susquehanna Valley Progressives is a nonpartisan organization united for the betterment of the whole community. We envision a community that empowers individuals to be engaged in and educated on the democratic process; promotes equality and appreciation of diversity; improves the living and working standards of all that live in Susquehanna Valley and actively protects our natural world.