The LBJ School's Center for Politics and Governance To Examine 'Money and Politics' at Fall Forum

November 12, 2009

AUSTIN, Texas — The Center for Politics and Governance (CPG) at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs will examine the implications of money and politics in the 2009 Fall Forum, a one-day conference on Nov. 16 at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, that will include members of the media, business and political leaders, and members of academia.

CPG, along with the Texas Politics Project and faculty from The University of Texas at Austin's Department of Government, will release the results of a poll on public perceptions about the influence of money and politics. It is one of the most wide-reaching polls conducted on the topic.

"The last presidential election drew renewed attention to lobbying practices and the potential of small donors at the same time that it called into question the future of public financing for campaigns," said Veronica Vargas Stidvent, director of the Center. "And as the nation awaits the Supreme Court's ruling in the pivotal case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, our discussion will address campaign finance reform, public perception of corruption and its impact on political participation, and how money really affects policy."

Matthew Petersen, vice chairman of the Federal Election Commission, will be this year's keynote speaker. He was nominated to the Federal Election Commission by President George W. Bush and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate in 2008.

The conference will also feature two panel discussions, "Public Perceptions of Money, Politics and Campaigns," and "Lobbying and Policy."

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

For more information, contact: Kerri Battles, Lyndon B Johnson School of Public Affairs, 512-232-4054.