Los Angeles, CA (Mon., Jan. 10, 2005) -- On Wednesday, January 26, Larry Mantle, host of 89.3 KPCC's AirTalk will moderate "Can Public Campaign Financing Work in California?" a public forum at the Los Angeles Central Library in the Mark Taper Auditorium. KPCC will broadcast the one-hour discussion on Thursday, January 27 at 11 a.m.

In 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger raised $26.6 million dollars, twice the amount raised by former Governor Gray Davis in his first year of office. Many of California's 53 Congressional races cost much more than $1 million, and much of this funding comes from special interest groups. On the other hand, many argue that political contributions constitute an important form of free speech. Mantle will explore both sides of this issue with his guests.

Speakers on the panel include: Susan Lerner, Executive Director of the California Clean Money Campaign; Duf Sundheim, Chair of the California Republican Party; Marc Spitzer, former Republican State Senator from Arizona and current Arizona State Corporations Commissioner; and Adrian Moore, Executive Director of the Reason Public Policy Institute.

The program, sponsored by The Commonwealth Club of California, will be taped at the Los Angeles Central Library, located at 630 West 5th Street, Downtown, Los Angeles. The public is invited to attend. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for registration. Panel discussion starts at 7 p.m. Parking is available in the library parking lot. Please R.S.V.P. by calling 415-869-5904 by January 21 or by email at AirTalk@kpcc.org

This program is supported in part by grants from Southern California Edison and the California Community Foundation. Established in 1915, the California Community Foundation is one of the largest and most active philanthropic organizations in Southern California, with assets of more than $600 million. In partnership with its donors, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations and public institutions with funds for health and human services, affordable housing, early childhood education, community arts and culture and other areas of need.

KPCC is the flagship station of Southern California Public Radio. In the past three years KPCC has won more awards for excellence in journalism than any other radio station in Southern California. KPCC is also the fastest-growing public radio station in the country, airing the signature public radio news and talk programs from NPR, along with Air Talk with Larry Mantle weekdays from 10 a.m.- 12 Noon, and Talk of the City with Kitty Felde weekdays from 2-3 p.m. Visit www.kpcc.org for more information.