Public Financing of Races Good Idea

By Mary Bartmettler, Letter to the Editor

San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales' proposal for full public funding for future mayoral and city council campaigns is a good one (Page 1A, March 24). As a backer of AB 583, the California Clean Money Act, I am convinced that voluntary public-financed campaigns are the wave of the future. Candidates and incumbents could eliminate the vast amount of time and effort spent on fundraising and focus on the issues concerning voters. Even more important, the winners of elections are freed from the influence of lobbyists or special interests funding their campaigns.

My hope is that by the 2008 San Jose City Council elections, voluntary public financing of campaigns will be in place, and the winners will truly represent the interests of San Jose voters.

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