Washblog

And now, after 16 years of a state ban, local towns and counties can create programs with modest use of public funds for campaigns for local office.  The benefits?

• Public financing cuts the undue influence of money in politics - and restores governance of, by and for the people.
• Ordinary people with good ideas can run for office, without needing personal wealth.
• Candidates spend time with voters instead of courting big donors.

For today's action, we are grateful to legislative leaders and champions, who courageously took the time (over 80 minutes!) to debate and vote on the Local Option bill, despite passionate - although uninformed - opposition.  If opponents wanted to run out the clock, they failed.

Watching the debate, it is obvious we still have a challenge - public awareness, correcting the myths and misinformation:

Opponents say public financing is "incumbent-protection." Others say it is "throw the bums out."

In fact, it is neither.  Instead, public financing restores the voice of people, rather than money, in election campaigns.  And as a result, local budget, land use and governance decisions are made in the interest of the community, rather than as payback for campaign contributions.

Public funding of campaigns is NOT a misuse of taxpayer money .. it is an essential step to RESTORE our democracy and curb the undue influence of money in politics.  This is a fundamental reform that is essential for progress in many other areas of public policy!

How does it work?  Visit our website.

We encourage Governor Gregoire to sign the bill quickly - and with fanfare.  This law embodies the principle of local choice, local-decision-making, with trust in voters and local elected officials to make thoughtful decisions for the community, where the state does not need to micro-manage the process.

Next steps?  We are already consulting with several cities and towns - Seattle, Spokane, King County, and others - to design and create programs of public financing for local races.  Under the Local Option law enacted today, these programs must be submitted to local voters in a referendum, for voter approval or rejection, to ensure local voter and taxpayer support.  Although an organizing challenge, this will help us, to build a stronger base for future statewide action!  Read The Road Ahead.

To continue, we need your financial support!   Washington Public Campaigns is a shoestring operation with less than two staff, a hardworking board, wonderful volunteers, and a mailing list of 7,400 supporters.  To take full advantage of the Local Option opportunity, we need funds for consulting assistance to selected towns and counties, public education literature and communications, and continued field organizing toward public financing for state supreme court races.  

Please help us continue this important work:   Contribute to WashClean.

Friends, thank you!   It has been grassroots support - informed, mobilized and focused - that brought us this far.  It is humbling, and wonderful to behold.  And roll up your sleeves - there is more to come!

- Craig