Resolution to Minimize the Undue Influence of Large Campaign Contributors

(approved by the California Democratic Council Statewide Convention in San Bernardino on June 19th, 2005)

Whereas the current election campaign funding system discourages common citizens from seeking elected office by making their electoral survival dependent on their ability to raise private funds and cater to the interests of those who provide those funds, rather than their ability to represent their constituents; and

Whereas every year a large part of the state budget goes to payback legislation and tax expenditures (e.g., tax breaks or fee reductions) that primarily benefit major campaign contributors; and

Whereas other states' experiments with "clean money" public campaign financing, in which candidates may volunteer not to accept special interest contributions in exchange for state campaign funding, have met with considerable success in reducing the influence of large campaign contributors;

Therefore be it Resolved that the California Democratic Council, meeting in annual convention in San Bernardino on June 17-19, 2005, urges passage of The California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act, A.B. 583 (Hancock), which would establish a Clean Money Election Campaign option in California, or any similar proposal to advance such a goal; and

Be It Further Resolved that copies of this resolution be transmitted to all CDC-affiliated organizations, urging them to actively support AB 583, and to all Democratic members of the California Legislature.