Carol Becker's arguments that there is no reason to disclose campaign
contributions because 1) donations over $100 already must be disclosed,
2) it is illegal to bundle donations under $100 misses, and 3)
corporations cannot make campaign donations, are all observations that
miss the point.
1) Although donations over $100 must be disclosed, the type of
disclosure is inadequate. a) the donations only must be disclosed on a
few reporting dates during the year, and b) the donor lists can only be
purchased by going downtown and paying (I believe) $0.50 per page. the
information about which people and interests are financing a campaign do
not become general public knowledge before the elections. A large part
of the information is released after it can be utilized by most voters
in their decisions. To the degree that the information is timely
available, it is only accessible to people who have the time and
resources to go and get the information. People are basically at the
mercy of the the news media to do research and decide what is worthy of
reporting. RT's previous point was the modern technology allows
information about campaign donations to be available online within a
short time after they are made. This would greatly increase availability
of important information.
2-3) Although donors cannot write several checks below $100 to avoid
disclosure and corporations cannot make contributions, there is no way
to prevent a candidate's supporters from arranging for many relatives,
friends, business associates, and employees from making many separate
donations. If the donations are for $99 or less, no one will find out
the donors' identity and interests being advanced. To the degree that
donor information is disclosed and readily accessible, voters will be
able to make determinations about what interests are backing a
candidate. As to and example of the influence of corporations, a couple
of years ago, I was at a meeting where someone went over SSB's donor
list and pointed out the dozens of Dayton's family members and
executives who made donations of more than a hundred dollars to SSB's
campaign. One could make a justibiable inference that this financial
support influenced SSB's strong support for the $128 tax subsidy for the
Target Development. At the least, the donations demonstrated that the
Dayton/Target people had reason to believe that the Mayor would advance
their interests. Voters have a right to ready access to this
information BEFORE the election.
Jordan Kushner,
Powderhorn
Carol Becker wrote:
>
> We did debate this earlier and when we did earlier, I was at a loss to
> figure out what the issue that Mr. Rybak was pursuing. In his comments, he
> says that candidates should have to disclose contributions from
> corporations. It is illegal for campaigns to accept any money from
> corporations. The fine for violating this for the corporation shall be not
> more than $40,000.
>
> He says that candidates should have to disclose contributions from
> individuals because they may be affiliated with businesses. Candidates are
> already required to disclose all contributions by an individual over $100.
> That disclosure requires not only the individual's name and address, it
> requires their employer also. These are available to anyone who wants to
> see them. Failure to do so can result in a conviction for the treasurer and
> loss of office for the candidate. These donations are capped at $500 for an
> individual, by the way.
>
> Bundling of checks (writing a bunch of small checks to avoid limits) is
> prohibited. Anonymous donations are prohibited. So the only thing that
> could be at issue here is whether someone could be buying secret influence
> with a donation below $100, something that I strongly doubt.
>
> I do believe campaign finance is an issue. But I believe this is an issue
> that is very very big at the federal level, somewhat of an issue at the
> state level, and not really an issue at the local level.
>
> Carol Becker
> Longfellow
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: R.T.Rybak <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: Mpls@Mnforum. Org <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2001 5:09 AM
> Subject: [Mpls] Campaign cash and conflicts
>
> > The opening statement I made at last night's candidate debate is now live
> on
> > my website:
> > www.rtformayor.com )
> >
> > With our tax bills soaring, and the city's financial condition
> > deteriorating, the next Mayor will be facing some very serious fiscal
> > choices. So taxpayers have a right to know that the next Mayor can act
> > independently.
> >
> > That's why at last night's debate, when I was given a chance to question
> the
> > other candidates, I asked:
> >
> > "Since you have both refused to join me in releasing the names of your
> > contributors, could you at least tell the taxpayers whether you have, or
> > will, take money from companies or individuals that compromise your
> ability
> > to make independent decisions on behalf of the taxpayers, including:
> > developers with multi-million dollar projects before the city, like
> > Brookfield and Ryan,
> >
> > companies with major environmental conflicts with the citizens, like
> > Northwest Airlines and American Iron, and
> >
> > companies or individuals involved with the plan to build a stadium.
> >
> > If a candidate has taken money from someone who could profit from their
> > decisions,--but the candidate can make a case that they will still be able
> > to make an independent decision....then make the case and we can move on.
> >
> > But people have a right to know.
> >
> > We are running very different types of campaigns. When this began, I was
> > given a play for a half million dollar campaign but said no because it
> would
> > force me to take large contributions that would tie my hands when I got to
> > City Hall. So we have built a grass roots network of supporters and, to
> > date, have had an all volunteer staff.
> >
> > The three other candidates are all planning to spend more than $1 for
> every
> > resident in the city.....probably about $5 for every primary voter.
> >
> > Meanwhile they are having fundraisers hosted by people and initials who
> > currently have business before the city.
> >
> > So when you see that big ad for another candidate in the paper, or get a
> > paid phone call from a polling company, ask who pays for it.
> >
> > And ask who will walk into City Hall without the conflicts that will keep
> > the next Mayor from making the tough choices that will have to be made.
> >
> > R.T.Rybak
> > www.rtformayor.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy
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> >
>
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