2nd Vote Scheduled on Campaign Law

The City Council on Monday will consider whether to formally adopt an ordinance amending Ventura’s campaign finance law so organized groups can contribute to candidates.

Last week, the council voted 5 to 2 to abolish a provision that prohibits organized groups from giving money to candidates.

Only Councilman Steve Bennett, who wrote the city’s campaign finance law, and Councilman Gary Tuttle voted to keep the provision.

Normally the ordinance would come back for final approval as a consent item and would be considered at the beginning of meetings without discussion.

But the ordinance provoked so much controversy last week that the council agreed to bring it back for final approval as a formal item, so that the public can comment on it.

Ventura’s campaign finance law, one of the most restrictive in the state, was approved by 81% of the voters in 1995, and this fall will see the first election in which it is in effect.

The law stipulates that anyone who gives more than $25 to a political campaign must be identified. It also prohibits any candidate from receiving an individual contribution of more than $100 unless that candidate agrees to spend less than $20,000. If the candidate adheres to that limit, he or she can receive up to $200.

At issue is a provision of the law that prohibits political action committees or other groups from contributing to candidates’ campaigns.

City Atty. Bob Boehm has questioned the legality of this section on the grounds that it may violate the 1st Amendment’s free speech rights.

Bennett counters that San Diego has had a similar provision since 1973 and never had a problem.

Bennett argued last week that if the law is amended as the city attorney advises it will be impossible to monitor how much money individuals give to candidates.