Regarding "For everyday citizens to save democracy, it'll
cost money. Here's where it can come from" (Open Forum,
SFChronicle.com, July 9): Joe Mathews writes about saving
democracy with Democratic Action Funds, but Assembly Member
Alex Lee of San Jose has a better idea in AB270.
Lee's bill allows all cities, counties, and the state to
create public campaign financing systems where candidates
can get matching funds for small-dollar contributions. This
empowers voters and reduces the influence of big-money
contributors.
In Los Angeles, recently elected Mayor Karen Bass received
$2.2 million in public campaign funding, and it helped her
defeat billionaire Rick Caruso. Charter cities such as San
Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, and Long Beach have similar
public campaign funding systems, but state law doesn't
allow it for most cities, all counties, and state
offices.
Let's pass AB270 so all cities and counties can make
elected officials more responsive to the voters rather than
to big-money contributors.
Subscribe to our newsfeed
