|
Associated Students of the University of Washington |
|
|
Resolution in Support of Public Financing of Political Campaigns WHEREAS, our political system at all levels is increasingly dominated by the influence of large sums of private money to finance electoral campaigns, whereby •large special interest donors have undue political access to lawmakers and influence over public policy; and •the current system of privately-financed campaigns actually selects for candidates who are proficient at raising money – regardless of their commitment or ability to represent voters in their district; and WHEREAS, until campaign financing is reformed so that voters and issues matter more than money, there is unlikely to be significant progress on issues that concern many Americans, such as affordable health care for all, full funding for education, living wages, safety on the job, sustainable energy policies, respect for small business and family farms, protection of habitat and our ecosystem, and an environment we can proudly leave to our children; and WHEREAS, several states such as Arizona and Maine have pioneered “Clean Elections” programs (public financing of campaigns), whereby more diverse, qualified citizens can afford to run for office – and win – without personal wealth, and whereby elected lawmakers are less beholden to wealthy special interests and their lobbyists, spend less time “dialing for dollars” for election campaigns; and WHEREAS, public financing of election campaigns would save taxpayers millions of dollars now wasted due to biased public policy decisions, earmarking of tax dollars and corporate giveaways due in large part to the influence and quid-pro-quo demands of large campaign contributors; and WHEREAS, the City of Seattle and King County are proposing enacting a public finance campaign system, similar to programs enacted in Arizona and Maine; and WHEREAS, a comprehensive system of public financing of campaigns at all levels within the state would level the financial playing field for candidates who wish to represent the people’s interests; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON: THAT, we hereby call on public officials and lawmakers at local, state and national levels to enact public financing of political campaigns, and; THAT, copies of this resolution be sent to Mayor Greg Nickels, Governor Christine Gregoire, the Seattle City Council, Reagon Dunn, Sally Clark, and King County Council Representative Bruce Chandler. History of Legislation 03/4/2008: Submitted for consideration |
Legislation ID: Date Submitted: Sponsor: Cosponsor(s): |