Posted on 01/30/2006 3:57:59 PM PST by NormsRevenge
California would consider switching to public financing of political campaigns under a bill approved by the Assembly on Monday. It was the first time assemblymembers have ever passed such a measure.
The bill would provide public money to candidates who voluntarily give up outside contributions similar to systems in use in Arizona, Connecticut and Maine.
The voluntary system would require candidates to first raise a large number of small donations from within his or her legislative district before qualifying for public financing. The candidate would then have to agree not to spend additional money, including his or her own money. Candidates who don't accept the limits would be subject to the same fundraising rules as are currently in effect.
A committee analysis projects public financing could cost tens of millions of dollars in each election cycle if a large number of candidates participated.
Monday's 46-24 party-line vote sends the measure to the Senate, en route to a joint Senate-Assembly committee that would try to work out details. If the plan is approved by lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, voters would have to adopt the system before it would take effect.
"Many Californians feel that special interests control Sacramento," said Assemblywoman Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park. She said the public financing proposal has received the most interest of any bill pending before lawmakers this session.
"There are those who believe that money in politics guides decision-making," said Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, even as he denied that campaign contributions play a role. "I think the voters would certainly be much more supportive of this legislative body if we made an effort, a genuine effort, to take the money out of politics."
Opponents including Assemblyman Chuck Devore, R-Irvine, said contribution limits are likely unconstitutional restrictions on free speech.
"Political discourse in this country ought not to be restricted by the government," said Devore.
But the bill's author, Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley, said courts have upheld similar public financing systems in other states.
The California Nurses Association, which supports Hancock's bill, said it plans to circulate petitions starting in March to put a similar public financing measure on the November ballot. That labor-backed version also would restrict corporate contributions.
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On the Net:
Read AB583 at http://www.assembly.ca.gov
I think the Legislator's in Washington State are TRYING this same thing.....they must have all decided at some "conference" to do this this year. I wish they'd stay focused on IMPORTANT ISSUES, like REDUCING TAXES, etc.
Let's adopt a part time, 1 house legislature that meets for 1 month - every other year
Fixed !
I've seen the polls and focus groups on this. It'll be dead in the water after the opponents get through with it.
Shouldn't use taxpayer money for that and if candidates do that, then the press gets to elect the candidate with their extra publicity.
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