Another Call for Capping Campaign Contributions : Politics: Santa Ana Councilman Acosta says Anaheim might be onto something. Colleagues give proposal mixed reviews.

Councilman John Acosta has proposed that Santa Ana follow Anaheim’s lead and consider setting limits on campaign contributions received by council candidates.

Acosta, who has expressed his intention to oppose Mayor Daniel H. Young in the November election, proposed the idea at the council meeting Monday by pointing to the swelling campaign reform movement in Anaheim.

During a later interview, Acosta conceded that the proposal could also help his own campaign if a contribution limits law could place him on a level playing field with the mayor, who is a better campaign fund-raiser.

But Acosta maintained that campaign contribution limits would help anyone who would like to run for the council but is intimidated by the large contributions that pour into the coffers of incumbents.

“They know they cannot compete in a system where the incumbent is tied to special interests and developers, and so the majority of the people are deprived of representation,” Acosta said.

Anaheim is considering placing on the November ballot proposals to limit council terms and to cap campaign contributions, possibly to $1,000 per contributor for each election period.

In June, county voters will decide on a measure that would cap contributions to candidates for county offices at $1,000 per contributor during an election cycle.

Santa Ana already limits council members to two consecutive four-year terms. City Atty. Edward J. Cooper said the council could restrict campaign contributions via an ordinance without seeking voter approval.

Council members Miguel A. Pulido Jr., Patricia A. McGuigan and Robert L. Richardson said they are willing to consider the concept of restricting campaign contributions, but Councilman Richards L. Norton said campaign limits laws usually do not work.

“The corrupt politicians around find ways to get money transferred to people so that the contributions can be made,” Norton said. “Unless somebody wants to take months and months of research time to find out how the money got to the donor and check banking records, the system does not work.”

While supporting the idea, Pulido cautioned that state law does not give cities the right to limit contributions made to independent political action committees.

“It’s going to be meaningless if somebody that is against whatever you are proposing forms a committee and can raise money without any limits,” Pulido said.

Richardson said he wanted to see a specific proposal before pledging support, but added, “there will be some appeal to that.”

McGuigan, who is forced by the term-limit law to leave office this year, said contributions to her campaigns traditionally were under $1,000.

“I have always been one who felt it was important for people to realize that just because they contributed, it does not mean I am going to support everything they bring to the council,” she said.

Young and Councilman Daniel E. Griset were not available for comment.