The San Clemente City, California board all voted to bring higher campaign finance transparency to the city, offering simple access to public notices and tax files, all while limiting contributions for councilors to $500.
Mayor Gene James compared what he called the “cesspool” of project cash and “dark money” in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento with current problems more detailed to home in Orange County– pointing out the current revealing of a now-voided offer of the Angel Stadium in Anaheim where, according to a current affidavit, the previous mayor shared secret information of the arena sale with agents of the Angels baseball group with the expectation of getting a large contribution to his reelection project.
The city board’s action comes following a progress report from Citizens Take Action– a non-profit federal government guard dog company that requires uncomplicated reportage on the money behind political campaigns and ads in openly funded elections– provided the City of San Clemente a D minus.
“I was a little upset when I saw the report,” James said during a May 25 city council meeting. “But I looked at it a little more, and I really understood the D minus.”
The report, released in April 2022, kept in mind the city’s low grade originated from a mix of aspects such as permitting an unrestricted quantity of project contributions by people, potential city professionals, and designers looking for approval from regional authorities.
“Anyone vying for a contract, or has a contract with the city, it should be disclosed,” Councilwoman Kathy Ward said during the May 25 meeting.
Councilman Chris Duncan included disclosure of any agreements including city councilors ought to take place “especially” throughout reporting durations.
Candidates can likewise raise money from those groups or political action committees without needing to stress over a restricted fundraising window.
“The absence of such limits makes local elections and government vulnerable to undue influence from large donors,” the report reads.
And although the city’s site releases info on prospects’ project contributions and expenses– which returns to 2018, covering every sitting chosen officials– it’s “not particularly easy to find” such information, according to the report.
With the movement to revamp the city’s site relative to project contribution filing types still in its initial stage, councilors likewise gotten in touch with the city clerk to supply a run-through for tax return such as California Form 460, a project declaration utilized by all recipient committees like a prospect, an officeholder who has actually managed committee, or a recipient who invests or raises $2,000 or more throughout a fiscal year in connection with elections or holding office.
“I’m really supportive of this, especially with what happened in Anaheim that has come to light,” said a resident during the public comments. “Setting limits is really important to do, especially in this day and age.”
Concerns likewise emerged from the council and homeowners about why particular prospects get project contributions from locals in other cities like Irvine, Newport Beach, and Los Angeles.
The San Clemente City council will consider the concerns at a later city board conference.
H/T The Epoch Times
