Issue Position: Promoting Public Confidence in Government

Issue Position

Jamie has been a vocal advocate for significant ethics and campaign finance reform. As the only candidate to be elected running a Clean Elections campaign, in 2003, he understands the critical need to reduce the influence of special interest money on elections and give the public confidence that their elected officials are acting in the best interest of their constituents -- and not their campaign coffers.

Jamie strongly supported the ethics and lobbying reform legislation that was passed into law in 2009, including proposals to strengthen investigative and enforcement authority, improve the lobbying laws, enhance penalties, and impose ethics education and training requirements.

These reforms don't go far enough, however -- which is why he's filed additional legislation regulating campaign contributions from lobbyists and those seeking government contracts. Jamie's bill -- the "Anti-Pay-to-Play Act " -- would limit the influence of moneyed interests and the impact they have on legislative deliberations -- eliminating "pay-to-play" opportunities in the campaign finance system and, hopefully, increasing public confidence in the integrity of our system as a result.

In June 2010, Jamie also filed the Massachusetts Corporate Political Accountability Act to address the problems created by the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC by requiring new levels of disclosure and transparency for corporate political spending, eliminating "pay-to-play” opportunities for state contractors, enshrining new protections for employees, shareholders and investors, and prohibiting foreign corporations from influencing elections in Massachusetts.

Over the long term, Jamie also supports the reinstatement and funding of the Clean Elections Law, which was approved by 67% of voters in 1998. This law provided a limited amount of funding for candidates who agreed to strict spending and contribution limits and who qualified by demonstrating significant support in their districts. By providing public funding, Clean Elections breaks open the financial barriers to running for office and offers any citizen with good ideas and local support the opportunity to run a competitive campaign. It reduces the role of special interest money, brings more accountability to government, and helps to ensure that lawmakers put the needs of our communities before big corporations and special interest groups.

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