About – CCLA

Accountability for Indiana's Legislature

“The Citizens’ Coalition for Legislature Accountability is a group of groups-all kinds of groups-made up of Hoosiers who want to learn more about how our legislature works and how we can refocus legislators’ attention from campaign cash and leadership back to the people they represent. We are non-partisan and encourage groups of all types who are interested in improving the legislative process to join us!

We will be posting short videos explaining specific steps in the legislative process and its needed improvements. We encourage our participating groups (and any interested parties) to view and share those videos. We hope that viewers will become more comfortable with how their government works and get involved in improving the process.”

CCLA Vision

By informing Hoosiers of the legislative process and its failures, Hoosiers can again become the employers in the citizen-legislator relationship.

Mission Statement

To promote issues resolution through legislature debate, and to hold legislators accountable for participating in and representing only their constituents’ values in that debate.

Our Objectives

The goal of the Citizens’ Coalition for Legislature Accountability is to educate people on the processes of the legislature. Each group that joins us nominates a board member who will be responsible for disseminating the information we provide to their members. We will be contacting our legislators to let them know that our members are aware of the processes and to advise them that we will be monitoring their voting and participation on bills. We hope to change the chamber rules that hinder the legislative process and make it difficult if not impossible for legislators to represent their constituents.

CCLA Bylaws (PDF):

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):

Q: What does our group have to do if we join the CCLA?
A: We only ask that our member groups agree to educate themselves and promote legislative rule changes. We won’t police you; your participation is voluntary.

Q: Can our group join if we’re a non-profit?
A: Yes! CCLA is a 501 (c) 4 non-profit itself, and groups don’t threaten their non-profit status by joining the CCLA. We don’t promote legislation, only changes to the legislative process that contribute to representative democracy. And we don’t promote candidates; we only list those who support or don’t support those changes.

Q: Can the CCLA “go rogue” and oppose our group’s goals?
A: No! Our bylaws prevent any of the CCLA’s assets or resources from being used to oppose any of the goals of any of its member groups. Groups on all sides of an issue can joint the CCLA, as long as they support debate and votes as a resolution to conflicts.

Q: Can individuals support the CCLA’s work if they aren’t part of a member group?
A: Yes! send us your email or mobile number and we’ll send you emails and texts about our efforts and campaigns so you can let your legislator know what you want from him.

Q: Are CCLA officers paid?
A: No, all our officer and workers are totally volunteer. That keeps us from being influenced or beholden to anyone but each other, our state and the constitution.

Q: What if my group wants back out of the CCLA?
A: Your group only has to send us written notice. We want all our groups to be voluntary members.