“We call on the Governor to terminate his questionable business dealings and champion the one innovative measure that will change the pay-to-play culture in Sacramento and help voters regain faith in their elected officials – Clean Money,” campaign finance reform group says.

July 26, 2005 (Los Angeles) - Joined by California Clean Money Campaign Executive Director Susan Lerner and Board Chairman Ted Williams at a press conference this morning, Los Angeles Councilmembers Eric Garcetti, Wendy Gruel, and Bill Rosendahl announced that they will introduce a joint motion directing the City Legislative Analyst to develop a plan to convert Los Angeles’ partial public financing system to Clean Money full public financing of election campaigns.

On the heels of a mayoral race with record fundraising totals and continual allegations of questionable campaign contributions and “pay-to-play” favors, the three councilmembers will push for an alternative to the current system of campaign funding.  Their proposed solution, full public funding of campaigns (commonly referred to as “Clean Money”), seeks to level the campaign playing field and make politicians more accountable to voters rather than their large campaign contributors.  Already used for state races in Arizona and Maine, Clean Money is a voluntary program whereby qualified candidates are given set amounts of public money to run for office.  Pay-to-play scandals are now virtually unheard of in those states because of the numbers of candidates using public funds rather than solicited contributions.

The City of Portland, Oregon recently became the first city government to adopt the Clean Money system when its city councilmembers approved their “Voter-owned elections” plan back in May.  Prior to this decision, Portland had conducted an analysis similar to the one the three LA councilmembers are requesting. Furthermore, the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico has scheduled a vote on their fall ballot on adopting a Clean Money system for their city races.

“We are very pleased that the City of Los Angeles is seeking to lead the way on this critical issue. It is exciting to be working with Councilmembers Garcetti, Rosendahl, and Greuel to help develop a practical Clean Money proposal tailored for Los Angeles. Adoption of Clean Money is the most effective way to counter the public’s perception that a ‘pay to play’ environment dominates public policy decisions coming out of City Hall.   Angelenos need to have confidence that their elected city officials put voter concerns and interests ahead of lobbyists, big money donors, and other special interest groups that routinely contribute to politicians’ campaigns,” declared California Clean Money Campaign Executive Director Susan Lerner.

“Results from elections in Arizona and Maine have shown that Clean Money increases voter turnout, increases the number of candidates running for office from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women and minorities, and is widely supported by both voters and candidates,” continued Lerner.  “With Clean Money in Los Angeles, voters would finally be able to be confident that politicians will be accountable to them instead of to companies or individuals seeking city contracts and favors by making campaign contributions.”

“Transformation of Los Angeles' partial public funding of elections to a full Clean Money system would finally allow us to do what L.A.'s voters hoped the matching-fund system they adopted in 1990 would accomplish: Yank the "for sale" sign from City Hall and make campaigns be about which candidates have the best ideas rather than who raises the most money,” said Ted Williams, retired CEO of publicly-traded Bell Industries and Chairman of the California Clean Money Campaign’s Board of Directors.