California Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata sent the following message to constituents today in support of the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act, AB 583:

Our representative democracy is based upon the premise that all qualified individuals have a fair opportunity to represent their communities in elected offices. Currently, the system is weighted to favor those who have the greatest access to financial resources. We need to fix this problem.

Yesterday, the Senate Elections, Reapportionment, and Constitutional Amendments Committee heard Assembly Bill 583, the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act. The committee hearing room was filled with Californians who had traveled to the Capitol from all parts of the Golden State, including a large group of constituents from the East Bay.

If passed, AB 583 will create a voluntary system of publicly-funded campaigns for elected statewide and legislative offices. Based on legislation enacted in Arizona and Maine, this measure would level the playing field for candidates who show a broad base of public support by raising a qualifying number of signatures and $5 contributions and agreeing to forgo all other private funds. Qualified candidates would receive matching funds from the state.

Committee Members raised a myriad of concerns and the proponents agreed to address those concerns with future amendments and additional information in the next few weeks. I support AB 583. I look forward to it coming up for a vote and being approved by Elections Committee at an upcoming hearing. There is much work ahead, but I am hopeful for a positive outcome.

I look forward to seeing our democratic system become more accessible. We will all benefit from having elected officials that reflect the economic diversity in our state.

As always, I value your input.

Sincerely,

DON PERATA