Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  •  

California Lawmaker Wants To End Unlimited Contributions By Political Parties

  •  Chris Nichols 
Wednesday, October 12, 2016 | Sacramento, CA
  

Political parties in California would no longer be able to give unlimited money to candidates for state and local races under a proposal announced this week by Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-Marin County.

Individuals, unions and corporations currently can give a maximum of $4,200 per election to a candidate. There’s no cap, however, on what political parties can give.

“Sacramento needs to stop finger pointing at Washington to reverse Citizen’s United and start taking steps here in California to stop unlimited campaign contributions that lack disclosure,” Levine said in a press release. “We need to look ourselves in the mirror and stop waiting for Congress, where we know nothing will get done.”

Nicolas Heidorn of Common Cause, which advocates for open government, says wealthy donors get around the $4,200 limit by funneling money through political parties to candidates of their choice.

“When we elect people to office, we expect they’re going to put the public interest first,” Heidorn said. "When they’re entirely dependent on just a few donors, there’s a real risk and in many cases a reality that they’ll put the interests of those special interests above the interests of the constituents who they swore an oath to."

Political parties have been able to give unlimited money since Prop 34 passed in 2000. The measure put contribution limits on individuals, but did not cap the amount parties could spend.

Levine says he’ll formally introduce a bill in December when the Legislature reconvenes.

Robert Stern, former president of the Center for Government Studies, said he supports closing the loophole. But, he said in an interview that he’s not optimistic state lawmakers will pass a bill to restrict party spending.

“It will take a ballot initiative to get this through,” Stern added.

Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

 campaign financeCalifornia Legislaturecalifornia politicspolitical parties

Chris Nichols

PolitiFact California Reporter

For the past dozen years, Chris Nichols has worked as a government and politics reporter at newspapers across California.  Read Full Bio 

 @christhejourno Email Chris Nichols

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More State Government Stories

Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

California unemployment program too focused on fraud, failed to timely provide hundreds of millions of dollars, report finds

August 8, 2022

Damian Dovarganes / AP Photo

Fast food workers could get collective bargaining, better workplace standards under new legislation

August 9, 2022

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

In California, abortion could become a constitutional right. So could birth control.

August 7, 2022

Most Viewed

Parties, stolen cars, a gun: 9 police complaints at Council member Sean Loloee’s disputed North Sacramento residence

California coronavirus updates: Can the monkeypox outbreak be stopped? Experts believe it’s possible

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Trump says he will not oppose the release of documents tied to the Mar-a-Lago search

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Parties, stolen cars, a gun: 9 police complaints at Council member Sean Loloee’s disputed North Sacramento residence

California coronavirus updates: Can the monkeypox outbreak be stopped? Experts believe it’s possible

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Trump says he will not oppose the release of documents tied to the Mar-a-Lago search

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.