The records of Common Cause in Michigan comprise nearly seventeen linear feet of materials and consist of agendas, minutes, newsletters, correspondence, memoranda, press releases, reports, and drafts and comments on pending legislation. The materials document this public interest group's efforts to secure a more ethical, open, responsive, and representative government in Michigan. The strengths of the record group derive from its reflection of the reform issues salient to the Michigan electorate and the perspective it manifests on the close relations between the Michigan legislature and lobbyists in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. The records also shed light on the internal workings and outreach efforts of Common Cause in Michigan. The record group is arranged into three series: Administration, Office Reference, and Reforms. Each series is further divided by period of time (with overlap) reflecting the different dates of accessioning.
Common Cause in Michigan, a citizens group committed to securing good government, was founded in 1973 The group grew out of a nationwide reform impulse spurred by citizens who felt that politicians were more responsive to special interest groups than to the common weal. The national Common Cause serves as clearinghouse for the financial operations; it distributes income from dues to the various state concerns. As the local chapter of the national organization, Common Cause in Michigan has considerable autonomy in determining the issues and tactics to adopt in its pursuit of more representative government. The Michigan group has attempted to win campaign finances disclosure laws, to reduce conflicts of interest of legislators, to constrain lobbying, to open meetings, and generally to secure ethical governance. Perhaps the most effective tactics available to Common Cause in Michigan involve the use of the media: releasing reports and statements to the press, having favorable editorials published, and making the Common Cause view public in news stories, features, and columns. The group will also directly lobby the state legislators, and indirectly lobby by stimulating letter writing campaigns through a network of activists.
Common Cause in Michigan is a self-consciously democratic organization as all dues-paying members vote for the nine members of the Board of Directors (formerly the Executive Committee), each of whom serves a two-year term. In general this board establishes the political agenda and makes policy decisions for the organization. At times the board will survey the membership to determine which issues should receive a high priority. Once policy is decided upon, an executive director and an assistant director are responsible for enacting it. As with many public interest groups, Common Cause in Michigan finds that involvement in and commitment to the organization varies in response to the political climate.
Common Cause in Michigan is considered one of the most active chapters in the country by the national organization. A committed and effective leadership, backed by over 10,000 dues-paying members, was able to secure passage of the Political Reform Act of 1975 in Michigan. This omnibus act required candidates to file details of campaign finances, established a means of public financing for gubernatorial elections, and set standards for such financing, government ethics, and lobbying. After this act was struck down as unconstitutional by the Michigan Supreme Court in 1976, Common Cause in Michigan attempted to secure the piecemeal passage of the individual elements of the omnibus act. They have met with some success on the campaign financing, but have been thwarted on the less clearly defined issues of lobbying and ethics.
