May 3, 2006

Campaign Reform

To the Editor:

The League of Women Voters of the Monterey Peninsula recently completed a yearlong effort to develop an ordinance for campaign finance and conflict of interest reform. A League committee found that over 100 jurisdictions throughout California have adopted campaign finance laws designed to minimize abuses and undue influence in local government operations.

The enormous amount of money (more than $1 million) spent in the 2004 election for Monterey County Board of Supervisors, District 5, provided impetus for the committee. Campaign finance reform has long been an important issue for the league. Currently campaign finance abuses and corruption nationwide make the news far too often.

No jurisdiction in Monterey County has an ordinance regulating campaign contributions. As a result, contributions can be enormous, from individuals or organizations. Documented contributions exceeding $5,000 invite speculation that the contributor receives preferential access to elected officials.

The model ordinance is posted on our Web site: www.lwvmp.org.

Sincerely,
     Marilyn Maxner
     President, League of Women Voters of the Monterey Peninsula