About: 

•  Proposition 4 would reverse a 1988 ban on public fundraising (Prop 73)

• With prop 4 cities of California will be able to decided to use their city's taxpayer money to fund campaigns.

  • Each city will have their rules to decide who can receive money and what they can’t do with it.

• This proposition will not cost the state anything to enact (pass).

• Works to level playing field, less wealthy qualified people have higher chance of winning against someone who has a lot of money

Background:

• In 1988 Prop 73 and 68 were on the ballot. 

  1. 1. Pro 73 banned public funding 

     2. Pro 68 proposed public funding 

• Both propositions had passed but because Prop 73 got a higher percent, Prop 73 prevailed banning public financing of campaigns.

• However, charter cities such as Compton could still have public financing

Con:

• Prop 4 uses tax dollars to fund political campaigns. This will force taxpayers to financially support candidates they might not want to. 

  • • Ex: Tax dollars or Democrat goes to a Republican candidate

• Prop 4 won’t keep companies from funding other candidates. (Lobbying)

• Many believe don’t trust their city councils to manage distributing money to candidates fairly. 

  • • CA Taxpayer Association argues that this allows the city and politicians to control the rules for the taxpayer money they will receive. 

    • The prop also doesn’t have a limit on how many candidates can receive money per election .