Argument in Favor of Proposition 34

Reform California political campaigns. Vote YES on Proposition 34.

– Clamp a Lid on campaign contributions

– Limit campaign spending

– Require faster disclosure of contributions via the Internet

– Does not allow taxpayer dollars to be used in campaigns

– Stop political "sneak attacks"

– Close loopholes for wealthy candidates

– Increase fines for law violators

Currently there are no limits on what politicians can collect and spend to get elected to state office. California is still the wild west when it comes to campaign fundraising. Six-figure campaign contributions are routine. Proposition 34 finally sets enforceable limits and puts voters back in charge of California's political process.

– PROPOSITION 34 LIMITS POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Proposition 34 brings strict contribution limits to every state office. These limits are tough enough to rein in special interests and reasonable enough to be upheld by the courts. Proposition 34 bans lobbyists from making ANY contribution to any elected state officer they lobby.

– PROPOSITION 34 CREATES CAMPAIGN SPENDING LIMITS

Campaign spending is out of control. Proposition 34 creates legally allowable limits to keep spending under control and includes a system so voters know who abides by the limits and who doesn't.

– PROPOSITION 34 USES THE INTERNET TO SPEED UP DISCLOSURE

Proposition 34 requires candidates and initiatives to disclose contributions of $1,000 or more on the Internet within 24 hours for a full three months before the end of the campaign.

– PROPOSITION 34 DOES NOT ALLOW TAXPAYER FUNDED CAMPAIGNS

Proposition 34 does not impose taxpayer dollars to be used to finance political campaigns in California. Our tax money is better spent on schools, roads and public safety.

– PROPOSITION 34 MORE THAN DOUBLES FINES TO $5,000 PER VIOLATION

– PROPOSITION 34 CLOSES LOOPHOLES FOR WEALTHY CANDIDATES

Wealthy candidates can loan their campaigns more than $100,000, then have special interests repay their loans. Proposition 34 closes this loophole.

– PROPOSITION 34 STOPS POLITICAL SNEAK ATTACKS

In no-limits California, candidates flush with cash can swoop into other races and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars at the last minute to elect their friends. Proposition 34 stops these political sneak attacks.

– PROPOSITION 34 REFORMS WON'T BE THROWN OUT

Three times in the past twelve years, voters have attempted to enact limits only to have the courts strike them down. Proposition 34 has been carefully written to fully comply with all court rulings and will set reasonable limits that can be enforced.

VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 34 if you're tired of special interests controlling our government.

VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 34 if you want real campaign reform that can and will be enforced.

VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 34 if you don't want taxpayers to pay for political campaigns.

Proposition 34 is tough, fair and enforceable. It deserves your support.

DAN STANFORD, Former Chair
California Fair Political Practices Commission
EILEEN PADBERG, Member
Bipartisan Commission on the Political Reform Act
HOWARD L. OWENS, Director of Region IX
National Council of Senior Citizens