Snipping the Purse Strings

It's no secret that politicians have strings attached to "political investors" and that 97 percent of campaign cash comes from contributors giving $100 or more. But while these generous spenders constitute only one quarter of one percent of California's population, 80 percent of funds for legislative seats in the 1994 general election came from outside the candidates' districts, , according to the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPRIG). Since election laws have not changed in the past two years, there is little chance these numbers have dropped."In California, money determines election outcomes," according to CALPRIG. In 96 percent of all California races, the candidate with the most money received the most votes. Money can't buy you love, but it can buy you a position as governor, lieutenant, member of the assembly, secretary of state, and so on. This may not be a new phenomenon, but it has been revisited by Californians Against Political Corruption (CAPC), a coalition of more than 600 individuals and organizations--including former governor Jerry Brown--offering what they hope to be a new solution. They've put a new proposition (Proposition 212) on the ballot to give voters the chance to redirect the flow of corporate cash into political bank accounts. Limiting out-of-district contributions to 25 percent of total fundraising, Proposition 212 also bans corporate contributions completely--more than half the states have already banned corporate funds to candidates. CAPC is not the only group demanding campaign finance reform in California. A similar but conflicting attempt at reform is Proposition 208, touted by Californians for Political Reform. It walks down the path of reform but stops short of taking a firm stand on issues like corporate contributions. "Prop 208 is at best equal to the current system of campaign financing," said Yes on 212's Media Director Margie Alt, "and in some places is worse than federal law." She says that the coalition for prop 208 is actively trying to defeat 212 so their weaker measure will pass. Opposition also comes from the Citizens Against Flawed Reform, Citizens for Choice in Government, and--surprise, surprise--the Chamber of Commerce and political consultants coalitions. "The political consultants are worried it will cut into their profits," stated Alt.Alt is hopeful that 212 will overcome its foes and give voters a victory. "People are fed up with big business, so I think they will vote for the tougher reform-- prop 212," She stated. "This is politics the way it should be."