The City Council has consented to explore several ideas to reform city campaign finance contribution limits and procedures.
A public meeting will be held to seek public input on the ideas on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m., in the second floor Don Cassano Room in the Tempe Transportation Center, 200 E. Fifth St.
A City Council working group comprised of Mayor Mark Mitchell, Vice Mayor Corey Woods and Councilmember Lauren Kuby has been exploring possible changes to limit the appearance of influence of high-dollar contributors in city government. In order to make these changes for the 2018 election cycle, a City Charter Amendment would need to be approved by voters during the March 8, 2016 Primary Election. An ordinance has been drafted with specifics, including proposed, lowered contribution limits to candidates running for Mayor and Council seats:
- $500 limit per person per election cycle for individual contributions (down from the current $6,250 limit)
- $1,000 limit per election cycle for political parties
- $1,000 limit per election cycle for political committees or partnerships (down from the current $6,250 limit)
- $5,000 limit per election cycle for multicandidate political action committees (PACs) (down from the current $12,500 limits)
- $10,000 aggregate limit for contributions from political parties and political committees (currently no limit in the amounts that candidates can receive from political committees and a $10,000 limit in the amount that the party nominee candidate can accept from political parties.)
- $10,000 aggregate limit for contributions from PACs and multi-candidate PACs (currently no aggregate limit in the amounts that candidates can receive)
If a City Charter amendment is referred to the March 2016 Primary Election, the ordinance would need approval by the City Council before taking effect.