UPI – United Press International
SACRAMENTO, CA — A bill aimed at reducing the importance of special-interest money in California politics is making its way through the Legislature.
The measure, AB583, passed the Assembly on Monday in a party-line vote, the Oakland Tribune reported.
It now heads for the Senate.
The bill would provide public money for candidates for statewide office and the Legislature who limit themselves to small contributions.
“The public has lost faith in its elected officials,” said Assemblywoman Louise Hancock, a Berkeley Democrat who is the bill’s principal sponsor. “The cost of implementing this program pales in comparison to the cost of doing nothing.”
Backers include the California Clean Money Campaign, the California Nurses Association, the League of Women Voters, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights and the Sierra Club.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger does not comment on proposed legislation until it comes to him for signing. The bill could be a problem for him since it has little support in his own party, although he has pushed for campaign finance reform.
