Pittsburgh City Councilmembers need to hear from YOU!
Next TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH, at 2 PM, City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed campaign finance reform legislation recently introduced by Councilman Bill Peduto that aims to limit individual and PAC contributions to local politicians in election and non-election years.
As observed in Philadelphia and other cities that have already implemented similar rules, passing this legislation would help to further reform the local government process by limiting the impact of large-scale donors and reducing their access to decision-makers, while also enabling less well-funded candidates to run for office.
To help convince undecided members of Council, I urge you to please consider attending the hearing, along with other members of your organization (or with friends!).
The details of the meeting are below, and the legislation and talking points are attached.
Tuesday, February 26th, at 2 PM in City-Council Chambers
5th Floor, 414 Grant Street
If you would like to make a public comment, please call Linda Johnson-Wassler in advance at 412-255-2138 to sign up.
If you have other questions about the meeting, please call Dan Gilman at 412-255-2133.
Links:
Post-Gazette article announcing the introduction of this legislation:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08007/847284-53.stm
Recent City Paper article with quotes from both sides of the debate:
http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A42016
Thanks in advance!
Julia Nagle
(contact deleted by blog owner)
Talking Points for the PEDUTO CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
- Legislation limits the amount any individual can donate to a candidate to $2,500 per year
- Legislation limits the amount any Political Action Committee donations to $5,000 per year
- If a candidate spends more than $250,000 of their own money, the contribution limits for all other candidates double
- Limits the amount a candidate can raise in non-election years. A mayoral candidate can raise no more than $250,000, a controller candidate $100,000, and a council candidate $75,000.
- Prohibits any individual or business that contributes the maximum to a candidate from receiving any no-bid contracts from the City.
- Calls on the City Controller to place all campaign finance reports online
- Requires the Ethics Board to advertise the contribution limits and other aspects of the campaign finance regulations
- May take violators to court for an injunction
- Ethics Board has right to punish for violations
Full bill from Google Document
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3 comments:
Thank you Mark for blogging about this subject.
John K. says: Ah yes, another Democrat and another attempt to limit free speech. Don't yah just love how the liberals always tell you they are encouraging openness by limiting how many times I can say something.
Speech is not being limited. Rather, you can pay for any message you'd like to send.
However, candidates will not be able to be purchased by those with deep pockets.
Say what you like -- when you like it -- and pay for it as you wish.
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