California Fair Elections Act--Summary

[John Fioretta]

Sally Lieber is a former State Assembly Member who was termed out of office and now is volunteering for Californians for Fair Elections, the group trying to pass the California Fair Elections Act ("FEA").  She spoke to us at our 12/1 meeting.  This summary is based on Ms. Lieber's comments and the materials she handed out.

1. FEA is a pilot project for public funding of campaigns.  It will apply only to the elections for Secretary of State in 2014 and 2018.  It will appear on the June 8, 2010 ballot.

2. Background:  The California Constitution currently bans public financing of campaigns.  This initiative would change that.

3. FEA addresses these problems:  (a) huge amounts of special interest donations result in undue influence on legislators, (b) legislators spend a large amount of time raising campaign contributions instead of working on the people's business, (c) the public believes that state government is being run by and for the special interests.

4. FEA would:  (a) impose strict reporting requirements and prohibitions on campaign spending for participating candidates ($1 million for the primary, $1.3 million for the general election), (b) require that Secretary of State candidates demonstrate their broad support by obtaining 7,500 contributions of $5 each, (c) pay for itself by imposing a fee on lobbyists, lobbying firms, and and lobbyist employers.

5. Experience with laws similar to FEA in other jurisdictions: (a) Nearly 400 elected officials in seven states and two cities serve under fair election laws, and (b) fair election laws create greater competition in elections that allows more diverse persons to run for public office.

For more info:  www.YesFairElections.org and sa...@sallylieber.org.  The campaign needs volunteers, as the opposition will be well-funded.

SB4C very much appreciates that Ms. Lieber drove all the way from Sacramento (!) to speak to us about this important issue.

Summary by J. Fioretta   12/16/09