In 2022, Oakland voters enacted Measure W to reduce big money's influence in politics via the Democracy Dollars initiative that offered each voter $100 vouchers for candidates. However, financial constraints have delayed the initiative's start to 2024. Rather than uphold Measure W's goals, the City Council approved proposals to raise contribution limits for candidates and extend access to officeholder accounts, effectively undermining the original objectives of public campaign financing aimed at leveling the electoral playing field for lower-income citizens.
It's disheartening to see Oakland's leaders reversing course on campaign finance reforms that intended to diminish the power of wealthy donors in elections.
By raising contribution limits and extending the officeholder accounts, the city appears to be prioritizing the interests of the few rather than the many.
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