Californians who were inspired in a negative way by last
year's Citizens United decision will be inspired in a
positive way by efforts to require the straightforward
disclosure of the funding behind political ads in state
campaigns.
The California Clean Money Campaign, an organization that
has been active in Los Angeles and the Bay Area, is
beginning to stake out territory in the San Joaquin Valley,
starting in Stockton and Fresno. Organizers will also find
fertile soil in Kern County, where anonymous and
semi-anonymous benefactors have long been a feature of the
political landscape.
Inspired by Citizens United, the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court
ruling that permits corporations to influence campaigns by
spending unlimited amounts of money -- as long as that
money is channeled through independent expenditure
committees -- the California Clean Money Campaign, and
independent grassroots allies, are circulating petitions
urging the Legislature to adopt Assembly Bill 1148. The
bill would require the primary funders of each political
advertisement -- television, video or radio -- to "stand by
their ad" by appearing on screen and saying that they
"helped pay for this message and approve it." The so-called
California Disclose Act would apply to ballot-measure ads
and independent expenditure ads for or against a
candidate.
California voters enthusiastically endorse the idea of
accountability in political advertising. A Field Poll
conducted last October found that 84 percent of
Californians favor requiring that the funding sources of
ballot initiatives be clearly identified. AB 1148's
supporters include the League of Women Voters of California
and California Common Cause. Add The Californian's name to
that list.
