LOS ANGELES (CNS) — The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously in favor of a resolution supporting state legislation that would amend the Political Reform Act of 1974 to allow campaign funds to be used for childcare by those running for elected offices in California.
As a working mother and one of only two women on the Los Angeles City Council, I understand first-hand the financial burden and challenges of running for public office,” Councilmember Monica Rodriguez said last month about her support of Assembly Bill 220. “Elected women are underrepresented at every level of government — we must do everything we can to remove the barriers and empower more women to enter public service.”
There is currently no official ruling by the California Fair Political Practices Commission or a statute in California allowing candidates to use campaign funds for childcare purposes, and AB 220 would apply to all candidates running for office at all levels of government in California, Rodriguez’s office said.
“AB 220 is a simple yet powerful change in state election law which can make our office holders more reflective of the electorate,” Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Oakland, lead author of AB 220, said last month.
“Parents of young children bring an important perspective to policy-making and should be encouraged to enter the political arena and serve. Our campaign laws should support candidates with young children and reflect our California values of inclusion, equity and opportunity.”
The Federal Election Commission last year took action to allow campaign funds to be used for child care expenses for those seeking federal offices, but the decision does not apply to candidates seeking local or state offices.