California has among the weakest campaign finance rules of any
state in the country. As a result, 97% of the time in our last general
elections the candidate who raised the most money was elected, and
nearly all of the money came from big donors who gave more than $250 a
piece. In today’s economy only well-healed interests can afford to
have that kind of influence.
When big money funds elections and big money decides who wins, is it
any wonder that legislators listen to big money interests instead of
their constituents back home? To get California back on track, we need
to change the way we finance campaigns to put elected officials out of
the fundraising game.
Proposition 15 repeals existing barriers to campaign finance reform and
establishes a Fair Elections pilot program of public financing for
Secretary of State elections. Candidates would qualify by showing broad
grassroots support. They would then be barred from raising any private
campaign funds and instead receive a limited amount of public funds for
their campaigns.
We know that Fair Elections programs have worked in other states.
Nearly 400 candidates from different backgrounds have been elected with
this system in eight states and two cities- new people with new ideas
from all walks of life. Because they never take campaign
contributions, they speak their minds and work for the people, not the
special interests. That’s precisely why the lobbyists fear Prop 15 –
they too know it works.
Financing for the program would come from increasing the fee that
professional lobbyists pay to register with the Secretary of State.
It’s currently only $12.50 per year, lower than most professions pay in
California. The lobbyists, however, don’t want to see their fees go up
and are trying to mislead voters into thinking Prop 15 would raise
taxes on the general public. A judge ordered Prop 15 opponents to
remove their claim that it would raise your taxes from the official
voters’ guide, but this ruling doesn’t apply to their junk mail and
advertisements. Don’t fall for their lies.
Our elections should be won by the candidates who have the best
experience and ideas, not the ones who can raise the most money. Prop
15 is a modest step toward achieving that goal in California. Vote yes
on Prop 15.
Councilmember Huizar introduced the
resolution to gain support from the City of Los Angeles for Proposition
15 and is currently hosting a series of forums on Citywide campaign and
voter reform.