Clean money campaign turns up heat

From the Globe Political Desk

Supporters of “Clean Money” – the notion that public financing of political campaigns should replace private dollars because donors have had too much access and influence over office holders they help elect – is picking up steam in Sacramento.
   Assembly Bill 583 would inject public dollars into the political process. “This is more than just a bill. It’s a movement,” said Assemblyman Mark Leno of San Francisco, chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
    California’s “Clean Money” movement is at a crucial juncture, say supporters, who are raising funds to publicize their message. Last week, California Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) became a co-author of AB 583.
    Perata joins an ever-growing list of legislators who are coauthors of AB 583, the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act.
    Clean Money Executive Director Susan Lerner joins AB 583 author Loni Hancock of Berkeley and representatives from Secretary of State Debra Bowen and the League of Women Voters of California to testy in support of the bill at hearings in Sacramento last week, attended by dozens of activists.
    “The dedication of Clean Money members and activists always inspires me,” said Lerner. “ They never let me forget that Clean Money is the reform that makes all the other reforms possible.
    ” A vote on the bill is to take place in the coming weeks.
    For more information call (800) 566-3780.