HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 8655RESOLUTION NO. 8655
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO
ALTO TO SUPPORT PROPOSITION 89 -THE CALIFORNIA
CLEAN MONEY AND FAIR ELECTIONS ACT OF 2006
WHEREAS, the amount of money needed in order to run for
public office and to compete against privately funded interest
groups and Political Action Committees [PACs] has grown
phenomenally in politics at the local, state, and national levels
in the past several years; and
WHEREAS, the current privately funded system hinders the average
ci ti zen lacking great wealth from participating effectively in
the political arena, thus undermining the democratic process; and
WHEREAS, full public funding of political campaigns will
both improve voters' access to their elected officials and free
elected officials from spending inordinate amounts of their time
fundraising;
WHEREAS, Proposition 89, the California Clean Money and
Fair Elections Act of 2006, is a measure on the November 2006
ballot to help limit the influence of special interests and
level the playing field so that ordinary ci ti zens from diverse
backgrounds can run for office; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 89 will reduce or eliminate the
perception that special interests and wealthy private
contributors exert undue influence over candidates and elected
officials, by ensuring that legislators are more like;y to
represent a broad segment of the population rather than a narrow
range of special interests; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 89 will reduce funding disparities
between candidates and help new candidates become more
competitive; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 89 will release candidates from the
pressures of fundraising and give them more time to discuss
issues of real concern with a broader segment of the electorate;
and
WHEREAS, Proposition 89 will limit big political donors
to $7,500 per year in contributions to independent expenditure
committees; and
061004 jp 6050053
WHEREAS,
provisions; and
Proposition 89 features strong enforcement
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto
does RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby expresses its strong
support for Proposition 89, the California Clean Money and Fair
Elections Act of 2006, and urges local voters to support the
measure.
SECTION 2. The City Council and staff are authorized to
provide impartial informational materials on the ini tiati ve as
may be lawfully provided by the City's representatives. No
public funds shall be used to campaign for or against the
initiative.
SECTION 3. The residents of the City of Palo Al to are
encouraged to become well informed on the ini tiati ve and its
possible impacts.
SECTION 4. The Council finds that this is not a project
under the California Environmental Quality Act and, therefore,
no environmental impact assessment is necessary.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: October 10, 2006
AYES: CORDELL, DREKMEIER, KISHIMOTO, KLEIN, MORTON,
NOES: BEECHAM, KLEINBERG, MOSSAR
ABSENT: BARTON
ABSTENTIONS:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
061004 jp 6050053
Director of
Services
2