Policy Order O-13

WHEREAS: Since 1996, states and municipalities have begun implementing full public financing of elections, as part of a "Clean Election" movement, in an attempt to curb the undue influence of special interests in politics; and

WHEREAS: Public financing will encourage candidates who lack substantial resources, effectively lowering the barrier for entry, increasing the ideological and socio-economic diversity, and expanding the range of policy positions put before the electorate; and

WHEREAS: Public grants can make elections more competitive by reducing the fundraising advantages that, in particular, incumbents have over challengers-increasing candidate diversity and encouraging shorter terms; and

WHEREAS: Public funding can reduce the influence of private contributions on both candidates and officeholders by replacing individual, labor, and committee contributions with public funds not tied to any particular interest; and

WHEREAS: Public financing programs have been shown to reduce the overall cost of elections, preventing the further escalation of campaign spending; and

WHEREAS: Despite the up-front cost, public funding ultimately saves tax payers' money by reducing wasteful government spending that can result from the influence of campaign donors; and

WHEREAS: In 1998 Massachusetts voters approved by a margin of 2-1, The Clean Elections Law which provided public financing of statewide elections with 77% of Cambridge residents voting in favor of the initiative; and

WHEREAS: In 2002, The Clean Elections Law was effectively repealed, through an amendment to the state's budget which eliminated funding for this popular initiative; and

WHEREAS: Municipalities such as Santa Fe, NM, New York, NY, and Albuquerque, NM have all implemented successful public financing programs; and

WHEREAS: Publically funded municipal elections can set a powerful precedent as one step towards nationwide campaign finance reform; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Law Department, the Election Commission, and the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance to determine the feasibility of publically funded elections for Cambridge, taking into account models for implementation from other municipalities as well as the exploration of new publically funded models; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter; and be it further

ORDERED: That this matter be referred to the Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee.