Tuesday, March 24, 2009

City Council Discusses Campaign Finance Reform

Pittsburgh City Council today held a post agenda meeting to address campaign finance reform legislation proposed by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. Last year the Mayor used his veto power to strike down a campaign finance reform bill that was passed by council in June. The Mayor and Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato have proposed identical legislation to both City and County Council that would enact campaign finance reform for all elected city offices and all county elected offices. Left out of the bill are all the separate municipalities that reside within Allegheny County.

Many council members were upset that the Mayor is trying to pass his own version of a finance reform bill after he vetoed the legislation that City Council passed. Others on council voiced support for statewide reform. The proposed legislation would allow for individuals and partnerships to give up to $4,600 per four year election cycle and political action campaigns would be allowed to give $10,000. Currently there are no limits on campaign contributions in the city.

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