Council Puts Contribution Curbs on Hold

The Los Angeles City Council delayed action Friday on a proposed Charter amendment that would toughen the city’s campaign contributions law, thus ending the likelihood that the measure will appear on next April’s election ballot.

The proposal, which has the backing of City Atty. James K. Hahn, would place tighter controls on political fund raising by candidates for city office and impose harsher penalties for those violating the year-old campaign contributions law. It also would give broader powers to the city clerk’s office to audit campaign records.

Aimed at curbing the rapid growth and influence of campaign contributions, the ordinance places a $500 limit on donations to candidates in City Council elections and a $1,000 ceiling on those running for mayor and other citywide offices. The ordinance also limits contributions from committees controlled by a candidate.

Hahn and other supporters had hoped that the measure would be ready to go before voters during the next municipal election on April 14. But the council Friday postponed any vote on the issue until February, virtually ensuring that the council will miss the Jan. 9 deadline to place it on the April ballot.

Among other changes, the Charter amendment would broaden the power of the city clerk’s office to include the power to subpoena campaign records and provide for both criminal and civil penalties for candidates who violate the campaign restrictions.