Clean Money Bill in Senate Elections on Wednesday

by cacleanmoney [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

AB 583, the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act, has a critical hearing in the Senate Elections committee tomorrow (Wed, 6/18).  After passing the full Assembly last year as a pilot project providing Clean Money public financing for the offices of Governor and one state senate and assembly seat, it has now been amended to provide funding Secretary of State candidates in 2014.  It would go on the ballot in 2010 if it passes (unless enough Republicans join in to make it an urgency measure for this year).

The Secretary of State race makes an ideal test for public financing because it will have a very low cost and would show voters and elected officials that Clean Money will work for statewide elections in California.  Most importantly, voters should instantly understand why the elected official who oversees the integrity of elections needs to be completely free from any possible pressures due to private campaign contributions and partisan meddling, as the fiascos in Florida and Ohio attest.  Secretary of State Debra Bowen, a strong supporter of Clean Elections, supports AB 583.  AB 583 details are here.

Please sign the California Clean Money Campaign's petition for AB 583, which will automatically email your petition and comments to your Senator and to Senate President pro tem Don Perata.

If you can attend the hearing in Sacramento, Clean Money supporters are meeting in front of hearing room 3191 in the Capitol building at 9:15am to pack the hearing room and then lobby Senators afterwards.

Trent Lange

President of Board of Directors

California Clean Money Campaign

www.CAclean.org