Report: State needs campaign finance reform
August 9th, 2011, 3:45 pm ? 13 Comments ? posted by Martin Wisckol, Politics reporter
To reduce the overbearing influence of money on the state?s politics, a law is needed to reduce contribution limits, outlaw fundraising in non-election years, and set up public financing for campaigns, according to a new report by the Center of Governmental Studies.
These measures would correct the current situation, where candidates need to be wealthy or have connections to special interests to be successful, report author Bob Stern told California Watch, which has a good summary of the report.
Stern proposes lowering contribution limits from $3,900 for legislative candidates and $26,000 for gubernatorial candidates to the federal limit, which is currently $2,500.
Public financing funds would be raised by a surtax on fines and criminal penalties and would most reward those who raise the most donations of $100 or less. It is similar to Arizona?s public financing system, but eliminates the parts ruled illegal by the the U.S. Supreme Court.
California Watch demonstrates a shortcoming of fundraising in non-election years by pointing out that Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, has a committee for a 2018 lieutenant governor bid that this year has raised $269,000 ? mostly from special interests with businessor potential before the state.
Similarly, Sen. Tom Berryhill, R-Modesto, has a 2014 lreelection committee that?s raised $165,000.
Stern tells California Watch that legislators are unlikely to embrace his proposals, but he?s hoping his proposed measures can make it before voters as a ballot initiative.
More Wisckol
Source: http://totalbuzz.ocregister.com/2011/08/09/report-state-needs-campaign-finance-reform/58773/
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