Batman Fights for Clean Campaigning

Bat Signal Shines Light on Schwarzenegger Fundraiser, Alerts Public to Political Corruption

Batman made a cameo appearance last night for California’s political reform initiative, Proposition 89. While Arnold Schwarzenegger was inside raising funds from special interests in exchange for policies that benefit those vested interests at the expense of everyday Californians, Batman arrived outside—and projected his 40-foot high logo on the outside of the building where Schwarzenegger was having his event.

“When politicians like Schwarzenegger sell access to events, it's the people of California who pay the real price. Patients today can't afford healthcare, schools fail our students, and oil companies foul our environment. That's why we're here shining the 89 logo on this fundraiser--to let the people of California know there's hope for change in our broken political system.,” said Rose Ann DeMoro, Executive Director of the California Nurses Association, the proponents of Prop. 89.

During his time in office, Schwarzenegger has become a national symbol of the need for campaign finance reform. Despite promising to clean up Sacramento, he has broken all records for political fundraising, and in return has offered Big Oil, Big Drug, Big Insurance and other corporations unprecedented influence over government policy. Prop. 89 sets tough limits on contributions from corporations, unions and individuals and bans contributions to candidates by lobbyists and state contractors. It establishes public financing for candidates who reject private money, and contains tough penalties for candidates who break the law, including jail time and removal from office.

Phil Angelides and Proposition 89

California Nurses Association:

Angelides Endorses Proposition 89 - Says voting yes to Clean Elections is "the right thing to do"
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides today endorsed Proposition 89, the sweeping political reform initiative on the November ballot. Angelides made the announcement at a press conference where he was joined by leaders of the California Nurses Association, and Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, author of a bill that had sought to establish a similar reform through the legislature.

The initiative would establish tough limits on campaign contributions by corporations, unions or individuals, bar contributions by lobbyists and state contractors and establish a voluntary system of public financing of campaigns.

"I've thought a lot about this initiative, and it’s the right thing for California," Angelides said at a press conference held at CNA’s Oakland, Calif. headquarters. “It’s time in California to return to true democracy, where the power of a person’s beliefs again reigns supreme…Prop. 89 is the best shot we have at doing that. So I’m going to fight hard for this with each and every one of you."

"The special interests - big oil companies, drug companies, insurance companies, HMOs -- spend millions of dollars hoping to earn special favors like tax breaks and corporate tax loopholes," Angelides said in a statement handed out at the event. "It has become a dialing-for-dollars democracy, with the unjust influence of these special interests silencing the voices of Californians. The people of California deserve a state government worthy of their trust, one that hears the voices and attends to the needs of hard-working families, not the special interests."

CNA President Deborah Burger, RN, and CNA Executive Director Rose Ann DeMoro praised Angelides for supporting Prop 89, the Clean Money and Fair Elections Act.

"You dared stick your head above the crowd," DeMoro said to Angelides. “The entrenched special interests who are against this like the status quo or they fear change.”

Hancock noted that she has worked for clean elections reform because "I know it doesn’t have to be that way. Other states have passed Clean Money and they’ve changed the way they do business. I want to thank CNA for carrying the ball down the field and qualifying this initiative in record time. Remember, Clean Money is the reform that makes all other reforms possible."

A wide range of campaign finance reform groups has already endorsed Prop. 89, including: the League of Women Voters of California, the California Clean Money Campaign, Public Campaign, Common Cause of California, and the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.

Angelide's:

Angelides Endorses Clean Money Initiative - Democratic Nominee Urges Californians to Vote Yes on Proposition 89

SACRAMENTO, CA - California State Treasurer and Democratic nominee for Governor Phil Angelides today endorsed the Clean Money Initiative, Proposition 89 on the November ballot.

"I am proud to join the ranks of California Nurses Association, The League of Women Voters, California Common Cause and so many others in supporting Proposition 89 - the Clean Money Initiative," said Angelides who was joined by California Nurses Association President Deborah Burger and Assemblywoman Loni Hancock. "It is time for the people of California to clean up the influence of money in our government. Our government should answer to the voices of Californians, not corporate special interests."

Modeled after successful laws now in place in Arizona, Maine and other jurisdictions, Proposition 89 would provide public financing to candidates who:

* Reject private fundraising (except for a small amount of seed money) and agree to limit spending
to the amount provided by the public;
* Demonstrate broad-based public support by gathering a set number of signatures and $5 qualifying donations (from 750 - $5 contributions for an Assembly candidate to 25,000 - $5 contributions for a candidate for Governor); and
* Participate in at least one primary and two general election debates.

Nearly three years ago in his campaign for Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger said, "I will go to Sacramento and I will clean house. I don't have to take money from anybody. I have plenty of money." However, as Governor, Schwarzenegger has accepted more than $94 million in campaign contributions.

"The special interests - big oil companies, drug companies, insurance companies, HMOs - spend millions of dollars hoping to earn special favors like tax breaks and corporate tax loopholes," Angelides added. "It has become a dialing-for-dollars democracy, with the unjust influence of these special interests silencing the voices of Californians. The people of California deserve a state government worthy of their trust, one that hears the voices and attends to the needs of hard-working families, not the special interests."

Angelides has supported campaign finance reform in the past, including Assembly Bill 583, the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act, authored by Assemblymember Loni Hancock.

Clean Money Qualifies for the Ballot

Clean Money Initiative Qualifies for November Ballot
Hancock announces she will drop her legislation

Assemblywoman Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley) will be available to comment on today's announcement by Secretary of State Bruce McPherson that the "Clean Money" initiative has qualified for the November ballot. Assemblywoman Hancock is the author of a similar legislative proposal, AB 583, which is currently in the Senate Elections Committee.

According to the Secretary of State, the initiative submitted by the California Nurses Association has garnered more than the 411,000 signatures needed to qualify for the November ballot. As a result, Hancock announced she will drop her legislation so government reform groups can focus on the ballot measure.

The "Clean Money" system of public financing of elections is similar to those already adopted in Maine and Arizona. The legislation and the proposed initiative allow any candidate who raises a substantial number of small contributions from individuals residing in the district and agrees not to accept special interest money, will receive full public financing of their campaign.

"The public has lost faith in California's electoral process. Poll after poll show voters think campaign contributions have a corrosive effect on public policy decisions. Clean Money will reform the electoral system and re-establish trust with the voters. I believe it is time to return the democratic process to the voters," said Hancock.

A poll conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California in November found 64% of likely voters believe that campaign contributions have had a negative effect on the public policy decisions being made in Sacramento. In May, a PPIC poll on campaign finance reform & public financing of campaigns showed that 51% of likely voters would favor a system of public funding for campaigns even if it cost each taxpayer a few dollars a year to run.

"Ultimately, Clean Money is an idea whose time has come," concluded Hancock.