The League of Women Voters regrets the recent decision by the SLO County Board of Supervisors to propose raising the per person donation cap to $25,000 for candidates for county offices. This is a step backward. We should be moving toward reducing the influence of big money in politics not abetting it. Reducing the influence of big money makes our elections fairer. Our elections should work so that everyday Americans can run for office and every American can know that their elected officials are working for them, not the people who finance their campaigns with large donations.
Constituents become disaffected and apathetic when elected officials appear more committed to raising money from big donors and special interests than to connecting with voters and addressing their needs and concerns.
The league supports campaign finance reforms that combat the undue influence of monied interests in elections, that enable candidates to compete more equitably for public office, and that promote citizen participation in the political process. We urge the supervisors to reconsider this unfortunate decision.
Ann Havlik and Cindy Marie Absey
co-presidents
League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County
This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 8, 2020.
Tribune writer Lindsey Holden did a great job reporting on this. The Board of Supervisors voted to limit campaign contributions to $25,000 before Gov. Newsom’s new $4,700 cap on individual donations goes into effect in January. A majority of Board members reacted with, “Quick, let’s do this before we can’t!” That is not good governance.
District 4 Supervisor Lynn Compton was quoted as saying she’s “a little uncomfortable with the $25,000 limit….” Well, that’s the thing about ethics. When you’re doing something that makes you uncomfortable, it’s probably because you know it’s wrong. At least Ms. Compton had the moral compass to feel uncomfortable. District 1 Supervisor John Peschong, a partner in a local political consulting firm, can’t even see the connection between his firm’s profits and raising the contribution cap. District 5 Supervisor Debbie Arnold owes a debt of gratitude to John Peschong’s firm for helping her get elected, so of course she voted for the increase. Wink, wink. And then Peschong suggests that Dan Dow enforce the new $25,000 limits. That takes the cake. He’s one of the elected officials who stands to gain from increased contributions.
Hats off to District 2 Supervisor, Bruce Gibson, for casting the lone dissenting vote. You’ve earned my respect, sir.
Money should not govern politics! If you want votes, get out there & campaign!! The old fashion way!!
If there is one overriding lesson from recent history, its that propaganda works and that lies become credible if they are repeated enough. Money in politics fuels this corruption and buys policy. That is what our democracy is today….we need to turn it around instead of going backwards. Publicly funded elections would be a start.