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I heard a story on NPR (and I can't now recall the particulars) about a progressive<br>candidate in the Sacramento area, a college professor whose shoestring campaign<br>was surprisingly successful and who was very close to winning. In the last week<br>before the election a blitz of attack ads funded by contributors from outside the<br>district knocked the professor down. The program made the point that candidates <br>that threaten the status quo must expect to face misleading or even lying ad <br>campaigns funded by groups with names like "Citizens for Rational Tax Policies", <br>and this inhibits those who might be inclined to speak out against the powerful <br>and wealthy special interests.<br><br>Disclosure of who exactly is funding political ads is a first step toward reversing <br>the effects of this flood of PAC money.<br><br>The California DISCLOSE Act will be considered in the CA state legislature this<br>month. The immediate need is for letters to Senate President Pro Tem Darrell<br>Steinberg, asking him to make passing AB1648 a priority.<br><br><br><br><br>Handwritten letters really stand out. Please take a few minutes to write him a <br>hand-written letter (even a few sentences). Include in your letter one or two <br>points below and use your own words:<br><br>Thank him for being such a strong advocate of Clean Money and campaign <br>finance reform.<br><br>Voters have the right to know who’s paying for political ads so they can make<br> informed decisions.<br><br>It’s time to stop special interests from deceiving voters when they hide who’s<br> paying for political ads.<br><br>It’s a good idea to make sure that political ads have to clearly state who their<br> largest funders are. If federal candidates have to stand by their ad, then <br>special interests should, too.<br><br>You are happy that the California Democratic Party endorses, as well as the <br>more than 300 other organizations and leaders that endorse it.<br><br>You strongly agree with the 84% of Californians in the Field Poll who want<br>this kind of disclosure.<br><br>What are opponents to real disclosure trying to hide?<br><br>California can lead the way for the rest of the country for real disclosure!<br><br>Also be sure to say something like:<br>How much it would mean to you if he took leadership by co-authoring <br>AB 1648 and doing everything he can to help the California DISCLOSE Act pass.<br>_______________________________________________________________________________<br>Example Letter – PLEASE USE YOUR OWN WORDS!<br>Your Name<br>Your Address<br>Your City, CA Your Zip<br><br><br><br>Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg <br>State Capitol, Room 205 <br>Sacramento, CA 95814 <br> <br>Dear Senator Steinberg,<br><br>Thank you for being such a strong advocate of Clean Money and campaign<br> finance reform . AB 1648, the California DISCLOSE Act, is a crucial bill,<br> because we need to stop special interests from deceiving voters when they <br>hide who’s paying for their political ads.<br><br>California has the chance to lead the way for the rest of the country for <br>real disclosure. It will mean a lot to me if you make sure it passes!<br> <br>Sincerely,<br><br><Your Signature><br> </div></body>
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