About Us
Our Mission
The Capital City PAC is a nonpartisan organization based in Jefferson City whose mission is to advance the public interest by focusing on local initiatives, issues and candidates that work to ensure citizen participation, government transparency, integrity and respect.
Who We Are
The nonpartisan Capital City PAC was formed in late 2023 by mid-Missouri residents troubled by the direction the Jefferson City Council was taking. In response we have encouraged citizen involvement, transparency (with fewer closed meetings) and respectful attitudes and behavior on the City Council. We welcome all who want to work together to ensure a City government that works for all of us.
Our goals
1) Educate voters and serve as a source of accurate, credible information to enable Jefferson City citizens to make well-informed decisions.
2) Encourage participation in local government. Staying informed about local issues and decisions made by the Jefferson City Council will allow residents to provide their opinions to their elected officials in a timely manner.
3) Identify and recommend candidates of integrity who are respectful, reasonable individuals capable of serving in a nonpartisan capacity while adhering to democratic principles. Candidate recommendations from the April, 2024 municipal election are here.
Campaign for respect, integrity and transparency
Improvements in the JC City Council since the April, 2024 municipal election
Since Capital City PAC initiated its campaign for respect, integrity and transparency some progress has been made.
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City Council moved public comments on the council meeting agendas to the beginning of the meeting rather than the end
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The City Council will be voting on a handbook which emphasizes the need for respect.
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The City Council has recently-elected council members who are committed to transparency and respect.
There’s still work to be done.
Click here to learn more and learn why this work is still needed.
Steps we encourage City Council to take
To enhance confidence in city government
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Create a policy requiring public feedback in the initial and ongoing phases of major projects or policy changes.
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Respect the voice of the people and honor policies and promises made by the city.
To provide an open and transparent decision-making process
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Have an outside expert on the Sunshine Law (Open Meetings and Records Law) provide training for City Council members and staff
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Develop a process for citizen appointments to city boards and commissions that includes publicizing openings, vetting of potential candidates, input from city staff and opportunity for public feedback.
To promote integrity
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Approve City Council Handbook
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Establish guidelines on City Council members’ participation in political activities similar to city staff guidelines.
Join our work
If you would like to help reverse the disturbing trends in local governance of lack of civility and transparency, and a disregard for the voice of the citizens, consider donating today. Help refute the partisanship that has infiltrated the nonpartisan City Council.
Your gift will help offset the influx of funds from corporations and outside political interests attempting to influence the Jefferson City Council.
News/opinions about local issues
We encourage voters to stay informed and communicate their views through letters to the editor.
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City Council
Monroe Street project abandoned News Tribune Aug. 8, 2023
City Council ignored voters’ wishes Opinion, News Tribune July 30, 2023
Potential developers for a proposed downtown conference center unveiled in a closed session News Tribune Jan. 30, 2024
Jefferson City ends LU student liaison position KOMU Oct. 16, 2023
Jefferson City Downtown business owners weigh in on City Council's parking moratorium KRCG May 11, 2023
Council candidate Mark Schwartz brought in $28,525 for campaign, including $8,000 from Lincoln PAC, $300 from Pat Thomas
News Tribune March 29, 2023
On our City Council, there is a grievance-driven coalition of flame-throwers wreaking havoc Letter to the editor, News Tribune Nov. 5, 2023
We have seen recent examples of bad governance by this current City Council as well as rudeness and incivility Letter to the editor, News Tribune Jan. 14, 2024
Less shouting, more listening needed at City Council Opinion, News Tribune Jan. 19, 2024
Library
Cole County Concerned Citizens PAC emerged week before special election, disseminated misleading info News Tribune Aug. 20, 2023
Local PAC raised over $7,800 to defeat library levy issue News Tribune Sept. 13, 2023
Misleading information made it difficult for voters to discern the truth Letter to editor Missouri Indepedent Aug. 18, 2023
No one likes to be deceived Letter to the editor News Tribune, Aug. 20, 2023
Uneasiness that exists between the council and the Library board is not good for the community News Tribune Feb. 9, 2024
Library Board president seeks to clear air with Jefferson City Council, CCCC PAC News Tribune Feb. 7, 2024
Don’t judge a book by its cover Opinion, News Tribune Feb. 9, 2024
Parks and recreation
City council member wants to take away Parks Dept. autonomy News Tribune Feb. 4, 2024
City Council discusses reallocation of $500,000 from Parks KMOU Sept. 14, 2023
Jefferson City Council members at odds over consistency of administrative chargeback fees News Tribune, Oct. 1, 2023
Parks appointment criticized due to PAC’s donations in local election News Tribune Oct. 17, 2023
Councilmen says Parks Commission has too much power under charter News Tribune Jan. 5, 2024
Jefferson City councilman proposes reallocation of funds between Parks, Public Works departments KOMU Sept. 13, 2023
Jefferson City Council ups Parks administrative fees KOMU Sept. 18, 2023