(Hey people, this is a big deal! I’ve cross-posted to MyDD and dKos, please recommend. I want to get the word out about this. Good job, Phil! – promoted by SFBrianCL)
Phil Angelides is apparently taking some new, bold moves. He has announced his support for Prop 89, the California Nurses’ Association’s Clean Money Initiative:
California State Treasurer and Democratic nominee for Governor Phil Angelides today endorsed the Clean Money Initiative, Proposition 89 on the November ballot.
“I am proud to join the ranks of California Nurses Association, The League of Women Voters, California Common Cause and so many others in supporting Proposition 89 – the Clean Money Initiative,” said Angelides who was joined by California Nurses Association President Deborah Burger and Assemblywoman Loni Hancock. “It is time for the people of California to clean up the influence of money in our government. Our government should answer to the voices of Californians, not corporate special interests.” (Angelides.com 8/3/06)
To say that I am excited by this move is more than a bit of an understatement. Admittedly, Phil is taking a significant risk by endorsing Prop 89, as the CTA and other unions that support him have rejected it. But, for me, I think it’s a great move. Prop 89 gives the people of California a chance to take back their government. It gives the grassroots something to get excited about.
But I’m not saying all of this for my own health, we need to make sure that Phil understands that this was the right decision. So, if you can give him some money, please contribute. If you can give some time and some cell minutes, make some calls. And finally, Phil will be having a town hall tomorrow in Sacramento. I don’t have all the details yet, but I’ll update when I do.
I’ve posted the entire press release in the extended.
From Angelides.com:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 3, 2006
Angelides Endorses Clean Money Initiative
Democratic Nominee Urges Californians to Vote Yes on Proposition 89
SACRAMENTO, CA – California State Treasurer and Democratic nominee for Governor Phil Angelides today endorsed the Clean Money Initiative, Proposition 89 on the November ballot.
“I am proud to join the ranks of California Nurses Association, The League of Women Voters, California Common Cause and so many others in supporting Proposition 89 – the Clean Money Initiative,” said Angelides who was joined by California Nurses Association President Deborah Burger and Assemblywoman
Loni Hancock. “It is time for the people of California to clean up the influence of money in our government. Our government should answer to the voices of Californians, not corporate special interests.”
Modeled after successful laws now in place in Arizona, Maine and other jurisdictions, Proposition 89 would provide public financing to candidates who:
* Reject private fundraising (except for a small amount of seed money) and agree to limit spending
to the amount provided by the public;
* Demonstrate broad-based public support by gathering a set number of signatures and $5 qualifying donations (from 750 – $5 contributions for an Assembly candidate to 25,000 – $5 contributions for a candidate for Governor); and
* Participate in at least one primary and two general election debates.
Nearly three years ago in his campaign for Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger said, “I will go to Sacramento and I will clean house. I don’t have to take money from anybody. I have plenty of money.” However, as Governor, Schwarzenegger has accepted more than $94 million in campaign contributions.
“The special interests – big oil companies, drug companies, insurance companies, HMOs – spend millions of dollars hoping to earn special favors like tax breaks and corporate tax loopholes,” Angelides added. “It has become a dialing-for-dollars democracy, with the unjust influence of these special interests silencing the voices of Californians. The people of California deserve a state government worthy of their trust, one that hears the voices and attends to the needs of hard-working families, not the special interests.”
Angelides has supported campaign finance reform in the past, including Assembly Bill 583, the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act, authored by Assemblymember Loni Hancock.