Title
City of San Leandro City Council Discussion of Campaign Finance and Contribution Limits
Staffreport
SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION
The City Council Rules Committee has been discussing whether or not the City of San Leandro should enact an ordinance limiting campaign contributions for elections to the City Council. Staff has provided information to the Rules Committee about various issues related to a potential ordinance. Before proceeding further, the Rules Committee recommends that the City Council provide direction regarding a potential ordinance regulating Campaign Finance and Contribution Limits. Specifically, the Rules Committee recommends the City Council provide direction on the following items:
1. Should the Rules Committee continue to consider an ordinance establishing contribution limits for City Council elections?
2. If yes, should the contribution limit be voluntary or mandatory?
3. What should be the amount of the contribution limit?
4. When should a potential ordinance become effective?
BACKGROUND
At the February 19, 2019 City Council Meeting, the City Council provided direction to staff to bring forth a discussion on Campaign Finance and Contribution limits at the City Council Rules Committee to consider whether the City should adopt an ordinance limiting campaign contributions for elections to the City Council.
At the April 11, 2019 City Council Rules Committee meeting, the Rules Committee discussed whether the City should implement an ordinance that would set campaign contribution limits for City elected offices. The discussion was continued to a later meeting with direction to staff to provide additional information regarding certain issues. The Rules Committee further discussed the item at the July 11 and October 10 meetings. When the Committee was unable to reach a consensus, the discussion lead to a recommendation for this item to be returned to Council for further direction.
Analysis
State law and the Fair Political P...
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