Assembly Bill 583, the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act

Written by: Vicki Cosgrove on Apr 17, 2006 2:43 AM EDT

Dear Member

TAKE ACTION NOW - (See info at the bottom of this announcement).

Assembly Bill 583, the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act, by Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley), asks the voters to create a voluntary system of public financing for legislative candidates and candidates for statewide office in California. All candidates, regardless of party affiliation, including independents, who can demonstrate a broad base of support would be eligible for public funds provided they agree not to accept private campaign contributions.

Clean Money levels the playing field. The high cost of conducting campaigns crowds out candidates who are not independently wealthy or who are unable and/or unwilling to raise money from wealthy individuals and powerful special interests. In California, campaign expenditures have reached staggering proportions and continue to grow. In the Recall Election of 2003, candidates spent over $130 million. In the special election last fall, over $250 million was spent by labor unions and powerful business interests to promote their political agendas. Governor Schwarzenegger has said that the California Republican Party needs to raise $120 million for the November 2006 election. The high cost of running campaigns disenfranchises people from marginalized communities. Candidates should win elections on the basis of their ideas -- not on their ability to raise money from vested interests.

Clean Money increases public accountability. Whoever pays the piper calls the tune. Under the current system of private contributions, elected officials become accountable to their financial supporters who drive the political agenda. By divorcing our elected officials from powerful special interests, they become accountable to the people. Instead of raising money, elected officials and candidates for public office would spend more time getting to know voters.

Clean Money is working well in other states. Arizona, Maine and Connecticut have all passed versions of Clean Money. While many candidates for public office first resisted, voters and candidates alike have come to see the value of "running clean." Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, the nation's first Clean Money governor, explained the benefits of Clean Money: "I could spend my time talking to voters, not with contributors. We were able to S campaign in a fundamentally different way. " Because she ran clean, "lobbyists were not swarming around me" in the hopes of courting political favor once taking office. (Los Angeles Times, March 20, 2006). Since switching to clean money, voter turnout has increased, state legislatures have become more diverse, and both the Maine and Arizona have passed voter-friendly legislation in the areas of health care and prescription drugs. Assembly Bill 583 is supported by the League of Women Voters, California, California Common Cause, The Greelining Institute and The Green Party of California.

TAKE ACTION NOW: Resistance to changing the status quo in Sacramento is mounting. AB 583 will be heard in the Senate Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments Committee on Wednesday, April 19th, 2006. So far, only one member of the Committee, Senator Deborah Bowen, has committed to voting for AB 583. Three votes are needed to pass the bill out of committee. Therefore, please contact (letters, faxes, phone calls and e-mails) members of the Senate Elections Committee and Senate leadership and urge them to support AB 583. Addresses and phone numbers are included below. Print this list and phone and email these seven offices in a few minutes.

Senator Deborah Bowen, Chair Phone: (916) 651-4028
Senator Jim Battin Phone: (916) 651-4037
Senator Kevin Murray Phone: (916) 651-4026
Senator Charles Poochigian Phone: (916) 651-4014
Senator Gloria Romero Phone: (916) 651-4024

Senate leadership:
Senate President pro Tem Don Perata Phone: (916) 651-4009
Senate Minority Leader Dick Ackerman Phone: (916) 651-4033

Best regards,

Kevin Lynn
Coordinator
Pasadena Chapter, Democracy for America
lynnke@earthlink.net
626.825.1331
www.dfalink.com/pasadena

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Location: CA