SANTEE CITY COUNCIL POSTPONES ACTION ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE CHANGES

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By Leon Thompson

Photos: Mayor Voepel, left, favors lifting limits; Councilman Dale, right, opposes.

July 8, 2015 (Santee)—Candidates running for Santee City Council or Mayor can only receive campaign contribution from individuals and for no more than $650.00 dollars.  However, that may change due to a proposal that would strike the restriction to individual donors and open campaign contributions up to corporations,political action committees (PACs) and other organizations. 

City Attorney Shawn Hagerty made clear that the current law is similar to ones many other California jurisdictions have.  Despite recent court rulings on some campaign finance issues, he made clear, “local limits to individuals have not been called into question and there is no requirement to change that.” Despite that, some Council members seemed eager to allow corporate and political action company money into local races to help fund rising campaign costs.

Council staff indicated that the City could leave the provision that only individuals may contribute to Santee elections or make one of the two following changes: 

One, eliminate the provision by striking it from the books.  This would open campaign donations to any and all persons or organizations that wish to contribute. 

Two, add new wording to the law that would define new contributors and distinctions. 

The proposals also would raise the donation limit from $650 dollars to $700 dollars and eliminate the restriction that campaign funds are kept in a Santee Bank.

Vice Mayor John W. Minto said he favored option one, eliminating the restriction to individual donors altogether and raising the limit to $700. He pointed out that campaigning for office has become very expensive, noting that it costs between $35K to $50K thousand dollars just to launch a viable campaign. 

Mayor Randy Voepel noted that it costs $9,000 to $12,000 to send a mailer to voters, among other rising campaign costs.  He said a council campaign costs $18,000 to $20,000 and a contest seat or mayoral race can run $30,000 to $45,000, so he favors raising limits and allowing contributions beyond individuals.

Voepel had a proposal of his own: raise the limit to $1,000 and allow entities including corporations, PACs including tribes, and individuals to donate to candidates in Santee. He noted that incumbents have a huge advantage and this would limit the playing field.

Council Member Jack Dale said eliminating the restriction to individuals was “bad policy.”  He said he has never spent that much on a campaign and “has been elected several times.”  “Opening up campaign contributions to corporations is going down a slippery slope.” He further stated, "If you can't win with $650 [per person from individuals], perhaps you shouldn't be running."

Council Member Rob McNelis called the proposal “scary.”  He said developers with business before the Council could buy considerable influence. “I can’t support that.”

The City Attorney acknowledged that the “downside of eliminating restrictions could be multiple contributions that seem to be directed by one person,” such as a corporation donating, along with its directors and their wives. If a candidate was aware of collusion, they would be required to report it, he noted.

Even Minto, who initially asked staff to draft language to raise limits and open the doors to contributions beyond individuals, admitted that the idea of big money controlled by one person “makes it too scary for me” but that he is okay with $1,000 as a higher limit for individuals. He said he brought the motion forward because some donors don’t have check accounts anymore and want to donate with a business account check.

Council Member McNelis asked that council staff research and report on the repercussions of changing the law.  The matter was tabled for a later meeting.

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