Under the latest proposal, the Council will be able to raise $30,000 a year in $750 increments to fill their coffers. The funds cannot not be currently used for campaign and political reasons (but there is speculation from the City Attorney the courts may rule otherwise).
This action bumps up limits from $10,000 and $500 per individual which in turn makes fundraising for office accounts more lucrative since campaign accounts are limited to $350 per individual.
For City-wide offices such as mayor, auditor, prosecutor and attorney, the limits are bumped up to $75,000 and individuals may give $1,000 annually.
Long Beach voters approved campaign finance reform in 1994 because of concern over the corruption money can bring to politics. Fundraising was limited to only one year before an election so that elected officials would not be tempted to engage in "pay to play."
By increasing the amounts for officeholder accounts, the lines are now being blurred about perpetual fundraising. More seriously, now a contributor can give $3000 to a council member over a 4 year period of time versus the maximum of $350 in a primary election and $350 in the run off.
The Council cannot vote to increase campaign limits (because these were set by voters in Prop M). So the next best thing was to jack up the officeholder account limits to open up the door for a flood of new money.
Long Beach Inside will report as the money is given, provide the Council now insists on stringent, open and public reporting.
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