PROPOSITION 34
Campaign Contributions and Spending. Limits. Disclosure.
Our entire political system is in desperate need of campaign
finance reform. The powerful influence bought by corporations and
wealthy donors breeds corruption and perpetuates the notion that
elections can be bought. Proposition 34 fails to substantially
limit campaign donations and does not generate any real change. In
addition to not banning “soft money,” unlimited
contributions which both parties abuse for their campaigns, this
initiative would nullify California’s voter-approved
Proposition 208.
In 1996, voters passed Proposition 208, which set lower campaign
contribution limits ““ $250 for candidates running for
legislative races, $500 for statewide office and $500 for governor.
In contrast, Proposition 34 sets much higher limits ““ $3,000
for legislative offices, $5,000 for statewide ones, and a whopping
$20,000 for governor. Unfortunately, implementation of Proposition
208 has been tangled up in the courts, leaving the state with no
campaign limits at all.
Even though Proposition 208 is still in a judicial battle,
Proposition 34 would prevent it from ever coming into effect. And
while many big businesses and rich candidates can still benefit
from Proposition 208, Proposition 34 does virtually nothing to
lessen the of power wealthy interests to influence our political
system. We encourage a no vote on Proposition 34.