RESOLUTION NO. _____________

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

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RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION 15, THE CALIFORNIA FAIR ELECTIONS ACT THAT WILL APPEAR ON THE JUNE 8, 2010 BALLOT

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RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, that

 

WHEREAS, the current political finance system burdens candidates with the incessant rigors of fundraising; and

 

WHEREAS, Proposition 15, the California Fair Elections Act, would create a voluntary system for candidates for Secretary of State to qualify for a public campaign grant if they agree to strict spending limits and take no private contributions; and

 

WHEREAS, under Proposition 15 candidates would have to qualify before receiving a campaign grant and candidates who demonstrate sufficient public support would receive the same amount; and

 

WHEREAS, under Proposition 15 participating candidates would be prohibited from raising or spending money beyond the grant and there would be strict enforcement and accountability with published report open to the public; and

 

WHEREAS, under Proposition 15 public campaign grants would be funded through voluntary contributions and by a $700 biennial registration fee on lobbyists, lobbying firms, and lobbyist employers; and

 

WHEREAS, Proposition 15 would provide a voluntary alternative form of financing which would provide candidates with the means to run a competitive, issues-based campaign on a level playing field.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DETERMINED AND ORDERED that the Board of Supervisors by the adoption of this resolution hereby supports Proposition 15, the California Fair Elections Act, that will appear on the June 8, 2010 ballot to establish a pilot program providing public financing for Secretary of State candidates in the 2014 and 2018 election campaigns.

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