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Proposition 89, The Clean Money and Fair Elections Act. Prop. 89
Political campaign fundraising is skyrocketing.
More and more Californians are feeling ignored by Sacramento policy makers.
There is a solution on the November 7 ballot: Proposition 89, The Clean Money and Fair Elections Act. Prop. 89 would allow ordinary people to mount campaigns without having to depend on wealthy special interests to bankroll—and buy—their political platforms.
Statewide campaigns have become multimillion dollar affairs, making candidates increasingly reliant on private contributions from millionaire contributors, powerful unions and deep pocket corporations. We can no longer pretend that the current campaign finance system values the participation of Californians who cannot afford to contribute thousands of dollars to candidates.
More and more Californians are feeling ignored by Sacramento policy makers.
There is a solution on the November 7 ballot: Proposition 89, The Clean Money and Fair Elections Act. Prop. 89 would allow ordinary people to mount campaigns without having to depend on wealthy special interests to bankroll—and buy—their political platforms.
Statewide campaigns have become multimillion dollar affairs, making candidates increasingly reliant on private contributions from millionaire contributors, powerful unions and deep pocket corporations. We can no longer pretend that the current campaign finance system values the participation of Californians who cannot afford to contribute thousands of dollars to candidates.
Prop. 89 sets up a voluntary system of public finance for political candidates to end the links between state policy and political contributions. Prop. 89 also sets new limitations on political contributions to ballot measures and candidates. Clean money candidates are not tainted by special interests. Once elected, these officials are accountable to all of us, rather than to wealthy backers and special interests.
To qualify, candidates must demonstrate popular support. They would do this by collecting a certain number of $5 contributions from residents of the districts they hope to represent.
Once clean money candidates qualify, they receive a limited amount of public funds for their campaigns and are prohibited from receiving private contributions or using personal funds to finance their campaigns. The Clean Money Fund will be paid for by a slight tax increase on corporations —not individuals or small businesses.
Prop. 89 also places limits on political contributions, lowering the amount a person can
give to candidates for state office. And it prohibits corporations, lobbyists and state contractors from contributing to candidates and political parties.
Prop. 89 also sets tough penalties for those who violate the law. For details visit < http://www.commoncause. org/CA>.
Prop. 89 will save taxpayers money. Prop. 89 would end legislative giveaways on lobbyist driven projects. The $3.3 billion in corporate tax loopholes today cost each California household $275 every year.
Candidates who accept public financing must participate in open debates and cannot hide behind negative 30-second TV ads. Prop. 89 will open our elections to a diversity of qualified candidates from all walks of life, not just those with access to the most money.
Elections should be decided by voters, not special interests. Elections should be about the best ideas, not who has the most money. Vote yes on Prop. 89 for fair and clean elections.
JoAnn Fuller is associate director of CaliforniavCommon Cause and an editor with Because PeoplevMatter. For more info: 916-443-1792 x11 <jfuller [at] commoncause.org>.
This article was reprinted with permission from "Because People Matter," a local independent newspaper.
To qualify, candidates must demonstrate popular support. They would do this by collecting a certain number of $5 contributions from residents of the districts they hope to represent.
Once clean money candidates qualify, they receive a limited amount of public funds for their campaigns and are prohibited from receiving private contributions or using personal funds to finance their campaigns. The Clean Money Fund will be paid for by a slight tax increase on corporations —not individuals or small businesses.
Prop. 89 also places limits on political contributions, lowering the amount a person can
give to candidates for state office. And it prohibits corporations, lobbyists and state contractors from contributing to candidates and political parties.
Prop. 89 also sets tough penalties for those who violate the law. For details visit < http://www.commoncause. org/CA>.
Prop. 89 will save taxpayers money. Prop. 89 would end legislative giveaways on lobbyist driven projects. The $3.3 billion in corporate tax loopholes today cost each California household $275 every year.
Candidates who accept public financing must participate in open debates and cannot hide behind negative 30-second TV ads. Prop. 89 will open our elections to a diversity of qualified candidates from all walks of life, not just those with access to the most money.
Elections should be decided by voters, not special interests. Elections should be about the best ideas, not who has the most money. Vote yes on Prop. 89 for fair and clean elections.
JoAnn Fuller is associate director of CaliforniavCommon Cause and an editor with Because PeoplevMatter. For more info: 916-443-1792 x11 <jfuller [at] commoncause.org>.
This article was reprinted with permission from "Because People Matter," a local independent newspaper.
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