The Alta Californian

Prop. 89 will ensure that tax dollars are used to fund Democratic and Republican political campaigns, while offering little for independent and third-party candidates. And, like any attempt at funding campaigns with tax dollars, it forces all corporations in the state to fund candidates whose ideas they may despise. Even if you do not reject funding party politics with public money, you still might not like campaign financing reform that clearly benefits the two major parties over everyone else.

Under Prop. 89, qualifying “Clean Money” candidates receive public money for their campaigns up to specified limits. But, the rules governing qualification for public funds ensure that in most cases only Democrats and Republicans will receive significant public funds, while third-party or independent candidates receive little or nothing. Partial support is offered to third-party and independent candidates under certain circumstances. Full funding would be offered only when a party received more than 10% of the votes in the last election, something many parties only get in their strongest districts, and something an independent candidate could never have (because he has not been on the ballot before).

The matching funds provisions included in the legislation are designed to prevent qualifying candidates from being outspent by an opponent with private money, but neither Democrats or Republicans are at a loss for private money. At the same time, private funds and personal wealth are the backbone of most (if not all) independent campaigns. Prop. 89 essentially guarantees public money for any Democrat or Republican campaign, while penalizing independent candidates who must use their wealth usually to just get on the ballot.

Prop. 89 will not reduce or eliminate corruption, but it will grant public money to help Democrats and Republicans get elected. Vote No on Prop. 89.