Political and Campaign Finance Reform

Political reform again in vogue, but history bodes ill for 'clean money'
By Dan Walters -- Bee Columnist

“The political reformers term their current cause "clean money" - providing public funds to candidates if they agree to limit spending to the amounts provided, modeled after fairly new programs in a couple of other states.

“At least (Assemblymember) Hancock and her allies are sincere, if misguided. The California Nurses Association, however, is being cynical by cherry-picking portions of her measure, and the "clean money" title, for its new ballot initiative… (emphasis added)

“It's been said before, but bears repeating: The only "reform" that makes sense is complete and immediate disclosure of contributions, with draconian penalties for obscuring their amounts or sources, then letting the chips fall where they may as voters are told who's giving to whom.”

Read the full article here.

Dan Walters is correct; I wrote a very similar commentary earlier this week which can be read here.