Proposal Seeks More City Matching Funds

City Councilman Marvin Braude, whose district includes parts of the West Valley and West Los Angeles, introduced a motion Wednesday that would double the available matching funds for city office candidates.

City law now states that incumbents and challengers who follow certain guidelines may receive $1 in city money for every dollar they raise privately, up to specific limits. Braude is calling for a 2-1 ratio.

“My proposal addresses races where serious challengers are underfunded,” Braude said, adding the proposal would “give them a fairer chance of being heard and taken seriously by the voters by adjusting the ordinance’s provisions to reflect today’s financial realities of campaigning.”

Braude, who is retiring in June, cited spiraling campaign costs. One result of unchecked costs, he said, is some candidates being unable to offset the advantage of incumbents while others deciding to tap into special interests.

City ordinance allows a maximum of $2 million annually to be appropriated by the City Council to the matching funds account. That account, including interest the funds draw, may not exceed $8 million.

In 1993, candidates for mayor and eight council seats received a total of $4.8 million in matching funds.

Braude said one reason all available funds are not fully utilized is that some races involve unknown challengers whose incumbent opponents do not need matching funds.

A council committee will study the motion before recommending action to the full council.