Getting money out of politics may just be the most important thing we can do to preserve the integrity of our democracy. Too many wealthy interests are influencing the way our representatives act and vote. Whether it’s foreign interests, corporate powers or entrenched party entities, their needs shouldn’t supersede those of the people. Here are some things we can do right away to start combatting this major problem.

The Problem: Lobbyists give over $1.5 million annually in meals, travel, lodging, and other gifts to legislators and their families, but only about 3% is reported. This allows lobbyists to have undue influence over our public officials without any real oversight.

The Solution: Pass a gift ban to eliminate gifts from lobbyists to our legislators, with reasonable exceptions. A Gift Ban would ensure our reps serve the public, not special interests.

There are several bills in circulation that need more support, and I pledge to do exactly that.

The problem: Pennsylvania has no limits on campaign donations, allowing big donors to influence party leaders who reward obedient legislators or intimidate/punish those who stand up for their constituents.

The solution: End this “Wild West” system by establishing limits on how much money individuals can give to politicians. The federal government and 41 other states have such limits. I support imposing these limits, emphatically!

The Problem: Since the Citizens United ruling, voters have been bombarded with anonymous TV ads, vicious mailers, and online attacks funded by mysterious sources seeking to elect, defeat, or intimidate candidates. Many are paid for by corporations, unions, and other “artificial persons” hiding behind Super PAC dark money. Some of these corporations have significant foreign ownership interests trying to influence officials in Harrisburg and Washington DC. With their seemingly unlimited money, these groups wield enormous political power, pushing officials to serve them or fear their retaliation. Meanwhile, the needs of real people take a back seat to the wealth and influence of “artificial persons.”

The Solution: Good news! The Montana Plan reasserts states’ power to stop corporations from spending money in elections. Corporations, unions, and other “artificial persons” exist because states created them as purely legal entities. Pennsylvania can change its laws to make clear that spending on elections is not a power granted to “artificial persons,” with no federal law needed. This is a change to corporate law, not campaign finance law. It simply limits political spending to real people, as it was before the Citizens United ruling. The plan is expected to be on the ballot in Montana and Colorado in the Fall. Legislation has also been introduced in twenty state legislatures and is expected to be introduced in Pennsylvania soon. If elected I will be supporting and promoting this approach from day 1.

These three reforms are just the beginning of multiple solutions needed in order to restore the American people’s faith in our legislative system, and re-establish a system that represents our interests first and foremost. Stay tuned for more additions to this list!