The LA City Ethics Commission wants to raise contribution limits for candidates, which will further dilute the ability of young, minority female and progressive candidates to run for office. Follow the links in this diary to let them know this is a bad idea.
The Progressive Community in Los Angeles could use some help. In April 2008, the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission wrote that: "Raising contribution limits seems to disproportionately benefit incumbents, who already raise and spend more on campaigns than non-incumbent candidates." This of course ia no-brainer in the post-Citizens United world we live in. But it would also make it more difficult for new progressive candidates to campaign and win – a first stepping stone to higher office and populating California government with Progressies.
But last week, the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission proposed that they raise all of the contribution limit levels in the city's campaign finance law – from $500 to $1,100 for city council candidates, and from $1,000 to $2,200 for citywide campaigns. This is a direct shot at youth candidates, minority and women candidates and those who are not tied to major contirbutors or special interests.
It also can affect progressives who want to run for other offices. The campaign contribution limit for a congressional seat is $2,400, and when only 0.1% of voters do give gifts of more than $500, not many Angelenos can actually afford that price, thus diluting the influence of the 99% in LA and keeping the 1% on top. While many of the 1% here are progressive, we still need to broaden our base and our outreach - raising the cost of campaigns does the opposite.
You can take action to hold the line on our contribution limits. Send a message today to the LA City Ethics Commission urging them to refrain from raising contribution limits at their meeting on February 23. This is especially important if you live in the LA metro area. Then promote this diary and repost on your sites, twitter feeds, blogs and FB pages. Angelenos have spoken time and time again – we want our city officials to be accountable to the people, not to special interests.
Also, if you live in the LA metro area, you can sign up to come to the meeting and speak out in person! The more people who oppose this, the less chance it has.