Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Some media about our success...

Friends,
I wanted to share more information with you about our first success. But the fight is not over, we have lots more to do! This excerpt is from the Contra Costa Times....
The much debated California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act of 2006, which passed with 47 of 48 Democrats voting in favor -- and no Republicans in support -- would be a voluntary program. But a candidate who chose not to participate and accepted outside donations would almost certainly face scrutiny -- and perhaps voter backlash.

"This is a historic victory in that the state of California has never even debated the merits of a public financing bill previously," said Eric Tang with the California Clean Money Campaign. "I think there's been a huge groundswell demand from the public to do something about the corruption scandals that are crippling our faith in public officials."

The measure, nearly identical to a law in Arizona, next heads to the Senate.

A previous measure failed in the state Legislature for lack of support in 2004, but the new bill, written by Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley, found renewed interest following the November special election. That election, called by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, cost about $40 million in public money and incurred record spending -- as much as $300 million -- by the committees battling over the eight failed ballot measures.

"Polls show that respect for state government has gone down dramatically in the past year," Hancock told her colleagues on the Assembly floor. "Everyone recognizes we have a system in place that brings out the worst in almost everybody that participates in it."

You can read the rest of the article by clicking HERE.

Monday, January 30, 2006

AB 583 PASSES ASSEMBLY FLOOR!!

Friends!
The first hurdle has been reached and we cleared it! This is our official media advisory that I wanted to share with you.
Historic Campaign Finance Reform Legislation Passes State Assembly
Next Stop - the Senate
Sacramento, CA – For the first time in the history of the California Legislature, the issue of public financing of campaigns was passed by State Assembly. Today, AB 583, the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act, by Assemblymember Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley/Oakland) was approved by the State Assembly by a 46-24 vote. The bill was amended to create a conference committee with members of both the Assembly and the Senate in order to craft the final details of the legislation.

AB 583 will establish the "Clean Money" system of public financing of campaigns similar to those in Maine and Arizona. That system allows any candidate who raises a substantial number of small contributions from individuals residing in the district and agrees not to take contributions from any special interest, to receive full public financing of their campaign.

"The public has lost faith in its elected officials. The cost of implementing this program pales in comparison to the cost of doing nothing. We must reform our electoral system and re-establish trust with the voters," said Hancock. A recent poll conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California found 64% of likely voters believe that campaign contributions have had a negative effect on the public policy decisions being made in Sacramento.

"I introduced the Clean Money legislation to provide a clear and innovative alternative to the deluge of big money in California politics. At a time when we are making budget decisions that will shape the future of every human being in our state, at a time where scandal on Capitol Hill has shown the abuses of special interest money, we can no longer ignore the corrosive influence of money on the legislative process. Clean Money - public financing of campaigns - is an idea whose time has come," concluded Hancock.

It just goes to show, that with your loyalty and support, we can accomplish anything!

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Nurses Association Is Joining the Fight!

Friends,
The Nurses Association is joining the fight for a Clean Money system. Together, with all our hard work, a Clean Money system for financing campaigns will be a reality. Here is an article by Lisa Vorderbrueggen of the Contra Costa Times detailing their effort.
Nurses Association targets lobbyists with new initiative
Flush with success after the special election showdown with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the California Nurses Association has filed an initiative petition that would establish public financing of campaigns and bar contributions from corporations and lobbyists.
After the Attorney General's Office prepares the title and summary, the CNA has 150 days to collect roughly 600,000 signatures in order to qualify for the ballot.
The petition roughly mirrors AB 583 by Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley, which would create a voluntary "clean money" program in California. In addition, the initiative prohibits corporations and lobbyists from contributing to candidates who opt out of public campaign financing.
CNA Executive Director Rose Ann DeMoro of Walnut Creek endorses Hancock's bill, but she is not optimistic that legislators will pass it or that Schwarzenegger will sign it.
DeMoro predicts, however, that the CNA will obtain the necessary signatures through the use of its statewide nurses' network and that voters will overwhelming approve the initiative in November.
"Working people have been cut out of the legislative process," said DeMoro. "Legislators cater to corporations and lobbyists that write big checks. It's time to level the playing field."
Ultimately, the CNA believes electoral reform is key to passing universal health care in California. "As long as corporations control the process through money, we will never see health care reform," she said.
The California Hospital Association, which represents private hospitals, had no comment regarding the petition.
The initiative would fund public campaign financing with either a surcharge on oil drilling or banking transactions

Friday, January 20, 2006

YEAH!

Friends,

We are on our way to making the Clean Money System a reality! This article from the Associated Press details our recent victory...

Measure seeking public financing of campaigns passes committee

SACRAMENTO - A proposal seeking public financing of political campaigns passed a key committee Thursday and was sent to the full Assembly.

The measure, patterned after systems in use in Arizona and Maine, would provide public money for candidates who voluntarily give up outside contributions.

"The public has lost faith in its elected officials," Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, D-Berkely, said in a statement. "The cost of implementing this program pales in comparison to the cost of doing nothing."

The Assembly Appropriations Committee approved the bill, AB583, with 13 Democrats supporting it and all five Republicans opposed. The measure would go to the Senate if approved by the full Assembly.

It ultimately would require voter approval, perhaps being placed on the June 2008 ballot.

An analysis by committee staff estimated that public financing could cost tens of millions of dollars in each election cycle if a large number of candidates participated.

Thank you again for all your support.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

THURSDAY IS THE HISTORIC VOTE!

Friends,

The day has come. Assembly Bill 583 The California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act of will be heard today in Assembly Appropriations Committee and voted on Thursday. AB 583 allows any candidate who raises a substantial number of small contributions from individuals residing in the district and agrees not to take contributions from any source, to receive full public financing of their campaign.

With AB 583 we finally establish a “Clean Money” system of public financing of elections similar to those in Maine and Arizona.

Ultimately, if we truly want a government by and for the people…our campaigns have to be paid for by the people

The cost to implement this program is considerable. But the cost to do nothing is completely unacceptable. I have introduced the Clean Money legislation to provide a clear and innovative alternative to the deluge of big money in California politics.

At a time when we are making budget decisions that will shape the future of every human being in our state, at a time where scandal on Capitol Hill has shown the abuses of special interest money, we can no longer ignore the corrosive distortion of money on the legislative process. Clean Money, or the public financing of campaigns, is an idea whose time has come.

And with your support, we will prevail!

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Clean Up Sacramento - An Editorial from the SF Chronicle

Friends,

We are clearly gaining momentum in our effort to clean up politics in this great state of ours. And it all starts in Sacramento with the Clean Money System. I want to thank you for all your help.

Today is we will see a very critical vote in the Assembly Elections Committee, I hope to have your support and the support of the Committee.

Here is the editorial from the SF Chronicle:
THE 2003 RECALL of Gov. Gray Davis did nothing to lift the pull of special interests in Sacramento. It merely changed the roster of monied interests that have clout in the governor's office.

California legislators, meanwhile, remain a portrait of dysfunction -- their priorities contorted and their fortitude vaporized by their obsession with campaign contributions. Assembly members, in particular, are notorious for "taking walks" on tough votes -- and sometimes even switching their votes after the fact -- to appease contributors.

Elected officials in Sacramento spent far too much time on fund-raising, including in periods of peak legislative activity when the foul scent of "quid pro quo" taints the transactions.

This contamination of our democratic process with special interest has reached the point where this state must give serious consideration to proposals for public financing of campaigns. Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley, has proposed a "clean money" system modeled after public-finance programs in Maine and Arizona. Hancock's AB583, which faces a critical vote this week in the Assembly Elections Committee, must reach the Senate by month's end to remain alive for the session.

Hancock's bill contains several unresolved issues, starting with how the state would pay for it. Also, some campaign veterans question whether the spending limits on certain races -- a $250,000 baseline for an Assembly candidate, for example -- are sufficient in some cases. That limit can be raised up to $1.5 million if the "clean money" candidate is facing a self-financed wealthy candidate who eschews the voluntary public-finance system.

To those Californians who may be reluctant to have their hard-earned tax dollars spent on political campaigns, we offer this thought: There are many special interests out there that are only too eager to pick up the tab. And their "special interests" often involve your tax dollars.


You can read more about it in the SF Chronicle by clicking here: SF Chronicle Editorial

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

More Evidence Supporting a Clean Money System!

Friends,

Disturbing news about the Jack Abramoff scandal further highlights the need for publicly financing campaigns. This is diabolical case of the undue influence of campaign contributions and lobbyists in exchange for lucrative government contracts and legislative deals that defrauded a Native American Tribe and the public interest of the American people.

This story truly demonstrates how campaign contributions have had corrosive effect on Capitol Hill.

Read the story here: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1153AP_Lobbyist_Fraud_Timeline.html

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Tired of Politics as Usual?

Friends,

I would like to invite you to be a part of re-creating our political dynamic. I will be holding a Town Hall meeting on the Clean Money system of publicly financing elections in California. Simply put, the Clean Money system allows people to run for office without taking a single dime of special interest campaign contributions. With Clean Money, candidates demonstrating broad public support can choose to receive public funding to run competitive campaigns. Clean Money has been working in Maine and Arizona and has lowered overall campaign spending, freed candidates from incessant fundraising, increased turnout, and encouraged a qualified diverse group of candidates to run for office.

Clean Money is the only solution that eliminates the corrosive influence of money on public policy. It is the only solution to turn around cynicism in our democracy. It is the only solution that will make legislators beholden to the people that elected them... you.

Please Join Me in recreating our democratic process:

SATURDAY January 7th, 2006
11:00AM – 2:00pm
Oakland City Hall, Council Chambers
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, between 14th and 15th Streets at Clay Street.

Please call (510) 559-1406 if you have any questions.

Thank you!