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League of Women Voters of California, California
Common Cause,
and California Clean Money Campaign
Joint Statement in Opposition to AB 1430
June 29, 2007
The California state legislature stands poised to approve a bill
that would wrest control of local elections from cities and counties
and vitiate local laws designed to check the financial influence
of special interests in local elections. The bill, AB
1430, would prohibit local jurisdictions from regulating the
source and amount of money that political parties can use to campaign
for candidates - even though the state legislature does the exact
same thing for state elections.
“This bill is an end run around local campaign finance laws and
a gift to special interests who want to dominate local elections
with big contributions,” said Jacqueline Jacobberger, president
of the League of Women Voters of California. “A move like this
will only feed voters’ cynicism about the legislature, undermining
the appreciation the public has had for the recent accomplishments
of their elected representatives. It seems counter to the spirit
of the political reforms that legislators are considering this
year.”
The California Clean Money Campaign, California Common Cause,
and League of Women Voters of California oppose AB 1430 for the
following reasons:
- AB 1430 would prevent cities and counties from enacting any
laws that would restrict the funneling of large contributions
through political parties to benefit candidates - even when
the candidate, party, and donor coordinate the payment and expenditure.
Without such safeguards, local contribution limits would be
rendered meaningless. Contribution limits are a fundamental
and constitutional means that cities and counties can and do
use to prevent corruption and the appearance of corruption in
their elections. AB 1430 would create an enormous loophole in
these laws, allowing special interest groups to use large campaign
contributions to dominate city elections and exert undue influence
over city officials.
- The right of cities and counties to regulate their own elections
is enshrined in the state constitution and Political Reform
Act. AB 1430 threatens to abridge these rights, substituting
the view of the state legislature for that of voters and local
officials as to what campaign finance laws best meet the needs
of local jurisdictions. This is why the ethics commissions of
San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco all either oppose
or have asked their city council to oppose AB 1430, and the
San Diego
Union Tribune and Los
Angeles Times have editorialized against the bill as
well.
“What exactly is the problem this bill is intended to address?”,
asked Ned Wigglesworth, Policy Advocate for California Common
Cause. “The state legislature has passed the exact same law which
they would prohibit cities and counties from adopting and enforcing
with this bill. If this is truly about ‘free speech’, how come
the legislature isn’t holding itself to the same standard?”
AB 1430 is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Elections Committee
on July 10. The League of Women Voters of California and California
Common Cause are urging the members of Senate Elections Committee
to vote against this bill.
Other resources:
San Diego Union Tribune -- No
on AB 1430 Editorial (6/22)
Los Angeles Times -- No
on AB 1430 (6/19)
See more on Campaign Finance Reform.
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