McCracken Poston, of Ringgold, has been elected to the governing board of Common Cause Georgia by the statewide non-profit, non-partisan citizens' lobby organization.
Officials said, "Common Cause believes that by banding together, citizens can make a difference. Common Cause spotlights issues that affect all Georgians, working to strengthen public participation and ensuring that the political process serves the public interest, rather than the special interests."
Mr. Poston, a former state legislator, was in 1992 awarded Common Cause Georgia’s first Charles Weltner Award for, as a state legislator, authoring and championing the passage of the “Ethics in Government Act of 1992” - passing the first laws in Georgia requiring lobbyists to register and report gifts given to and expenditures made on behalf of legislators. He won the same award the next year as part of the House Democratic Reform Caucus for further pushing ethics and open government measures.
“I am honored to join the board for this very active and important organization which is often the lone voice calling for ethical, open and transparent government,” said Mr, Poston. The former legislator is particularly excited about joining Common Cause at a time when ethics is again a hot topic at the state capitol. Several measures have been introduced which include gift bans and other measures that promote accountability in government.
The purpose of the organization is to make public officials and public institutions accountable and responsive to citizens. Common Cause Georgia has more than 3,000 members and supporters across the state. It is a non-partisan organization with members from across the political spectrum.
Common Cause Georgia is guided by its State Governing Board, and is a state chapter of the national Common Cause organization.