Re: [Mpls] campaign finance
Apologies for the late response to this post, but I'm also a public union member (MAPE 0301) as a state employee and I disagree with Tony that limiting PAC contributions would drown out union voices or that it's somehow wrong to suggest that elected officials should recuse themselves from votes involving organizations they've allowed themselves to become beholden to. Admittedly, I used to be of a similar mindset to Tony in that I thought it was good enough to say a candidate can take money from a good PAC but not a bad PAC. David Shove did a good job a few days ago of explaining why that's not good enough. There are plenty of ways for unions to represent themselves either to advocate for legitimate union aims or to fight those who seek to undermine unions without throwing PAC money at municipal elected officials. And while I am a union member, at the same time, I'm also a Minneapolis resident and voter and it's pretty easy for me to see that those can come into conflict from time to time. When that happens, I want the elected official who's supposed to be representing me to actually represent my interests and the interests of my fellow Minneapolis residents (or at least listen to them) and not the narrow special-interests of some PAC or other, whether it be a union PAC or Faegre Benson's Govt Fund or whatever. One need only look at the Police Federation for an example. If I have to choose between the candidate who tries to get ahead by promising the city employee living in Maple Grove a bigger raise vs. the candidate whose priority is the taxpayers of Minneapolis, who should I choose? If I have to choose between the candidate who is beholden to the Minneapolis Police Relief Association and the candidate who recognizes that they've been getting away with their 13th check shenanigans for long enough, who should I choose? And as for the comment that unions tend to support those who support us - I would encourage folks to take another look at Sonja Dahl's post earlier today. Sometimes, I'm not so sure the union PAC leaders actually realize who they're getting into bed with. Mark Snyder Windom Park On 12/8/05 6:44 AM, TONY SCALLON [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Many on the Issues lists forget who are some of the larger PACS. The unions through their COPE committees are one of the largest contributors to campaigns including many of the City Council races. Efforts to ban or restrict or force voluntary recusals will restrict the way many of us union members effectively contribute to politics. The Unions contribute directly to the campaign and also campaign separately for the candidates just as the two Park Interest Groups. Unions have always been a mainstay of liberalism from workers rights to civil rights. Many of the Unions are public employee unions such as mine (Teachers Unions). In effect our voices would be drowned out in the so called reform. Elected officials would be forced or pressured not to support legitimate union aims. And Yes we tend to support those who support us. I know of no way to separate out Union PACS from other PACS. Tony Scallon Howe Neighborhood. REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Campaign finance question
I don't believe there is, David. But individual contribution limits apply to PACs as well, meaning that, if more money is to be spent, it would have to be the independent type - 521 - and not associated with the campaign in any meaningful way. But we know how these things work, don't we? Andy Driscoll St. Paul on 12/11/05 12:02 PM, David Brauer wrote: Sincere question for those who know more than I: Is there an individual-contributor limit to a Political Action Committee that might spend money in a Minneapolis race? Thanks for any help on this. David Brauer Kingfield REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Campaign finance question
David, Minnesota §10A.27 Unlimited Individual ® PAC Prohibited Corporate/Union ® PAC Unlimited Political Party ® PAC Unlimited PAC ® PAC Transfers The amount of money an individual can contribute to a PAC is unlimited in the state of Minnesota. Realistically you could give as much money as you want to a candidate as long as it is sent to the PAC first. Many large contributors just form PAC's. Al Franken for example just formed the Midwest Values PAC to raise money for progessive candidates. http://www.ncsl.org/programs/legman/about/cont_to_pac.htm Political Action Committees - Many states also limit the amounts that may be contributed to candidates by PACs - only 14 states do not. Limits on PAC contributions are generally similar or even identical to the limits on individual contributions. Some states differentiate between two types of PACs and establish different contribution limits for the types. For example, in Arizona a PAC may qualify for super PAC status if it receives contributions from 500 or more individuals in amounts of $10 or more during a one-year period. Super PACs may contribute nearly five times the amount a regular PAC is permitted to contribute. Arkansas, California, Colorado, Louisiana, and Michigan have similar provisions. Some states also place limits on the total amount a candidate can receive from PACs. In Arizona, it is $75,624 for a gubernatorial candidate and $7,568 for legislative candidates. Other states that limit the total dollars a candidate may accept from PACs are Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska and Wisconsin. In Kentucky, most candidates candidate cannot accept PAC contributions which in the aggregate exceed 50% of total contributions or $10,000 (whichever is greater) in an election cycle. http://www.ncsl.org/programs/legman/about/ContribLimits.htm Ken Bradley Kenny Neighborhood - Yahoo! Shopping Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Yahoo! Shopping REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Campaign finance question
-- Original Message - From: David Brauer [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sincere question for those who know more than I: Is there an individual-contributor limit to a Political Action Committee that might spend money in a Minneapolis race? [TB] The PAC can spend as much as it want (has) if it is not coordinated with the candidate or candidate's campaign. It needs to be a true independent expenditure. Its from a court decision based on free speech, the PAC has a constitutional right to make its opinions known. An individual is not limited in how much s/he contributes to the PAC (for a candidate, technically the limit is what a candidate can accept from an individual). That's essentially the same free speech thing, you can't regulate what I can give but you can limit what a candidate can accept. Terrell Brown Minneapolis (Loring Park), MN Should any political party attempt to abolish Social Security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes that you can do these things. Among them are a few Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or businessman from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid. - President Dwight D. Eisenhower (R), 1954 REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] campaign finance
Tony and Others, TONY SCALLON [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Many on the Issues lists forget who are some of the larger PACS. The unions through their COPE committees are one of the largest contributors to campaigns including many of the City Council races. PAC's represent business interests, lawyers, labor, environmental group, pro-choice, pro-life, hate groups, civil rights groups, and so on. They represent many segments of our society I personally agree with but that does mean the current system is working the best for all the people. Creating a public financed campaign system in our city would create a more participatory democratic society. It would create a level playing field for all citizens regardless of their economic situation or institutional influence. Voting would have significant more power and thus hopefully more people would participate. Ken Bradley Kenny Neighborhood - Yahoo! Shopping Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Yahoo! Shopping REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] campaign finance
I don't think too many people have forgotten that Unions are some of the biggest contributors to campaigns and the way some did their endorsements have left an indelible mark on the memory not to be forgotten. Many Union/Labor members are coming to realize that endorsements are not for the best and the best way for anyone to effectively contribute to politics is to process their own opinions, give money according to their own comfort level within the legal amount and caste a knowledgable vote for the person that best represents them. What some might call effectively contribute, others might call control of the masses. Dorie Rae Gallagher/Nokomis Many on the Issues lists forget who are some of the larger PACS. The unions through their COPE committees are one of the largest contributors to campaigns including many of the City Council races. Efforts to ban or restrict or force voluntary recusals will restrict the way many of us union members effectively contribute to politics. I know of no way to separate out Union PACS from other PACS. Tony Scallon Howe Neighborhood. REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] campaign finance
Hi folks, It is exciting and refeshing to see such interest in this topic since the recent election. There are a variety of potential reforms that we could move towards in Minneapolis over the next few years. A sustained, organized and thoughtful effort initiated and guided by a group citizen-activists will probably be essential to making progress on this front. Please keep me informed about any organizing efforts made to reform campaign finances in Minneapolis. In peace and cooperation, Cam Gordon Seward 2nd Ward City Council Member-Elect 612 296-0579 REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] campaign finance
The Green Party does not accept money from PACS. ANY PACs. Not even good ones. Not even from pro-choice PACs, or feminist PACs, or minority PACs - or union PACs. Good is in the eye of the beholder; if it took any and called it good the general reply would be, Yeah, right! They would be called hypocrites. It doesn't like PACs generally, and the only way it has any moral standing against them is to take from none. PACs bundle contributions from the rank and file and funnel them thru a central giver. Then in the rush of the race, the candidate listens to the funnal, and not the rank and file, who go forever unheard. They should be heard - if you want their money, listen to them. The funnels in unions are the union bosses. They get the power. Many - not all - of them are not very progressive, and often don't act in the best interests of the rank and file. The Green Party needs and accepts contributions of all kinds. Money, time, ideas, etc. It likes the money in lots of small contributions from lots of individual people. That way it remains democratic and responsive and able to act in the interest of the many. So, much as the GP supports unions and the ideas of unions and union workers and the spread of unions, it will not take union PAC money. If you personally want to contribute a small amount, the GP will be more than happy to accept. It welcomes progressive union members as GP members. (The above is my personal take on the GP's position, one I strongly approve) --David Shove Roseville On Thu, 8 Dec 2005, TONY SCALLON wrote: Many on the Issues lists forget who are some of the larger PACS. The unions through their COPE committees are one of the largest contributors to campaigns including many of the City Council races. Efforts to ban or restrict or force voluntary recusals will restrict the way many of us union members effectively contribute to politics. The Unions contribute directly to the campaign and also campaign separately for the candidates just as the two Park Interest Groups. Unions have always been a mainstay of liberalism from workers rights to civil rights. Many of the Unions are public employee unions such as mine (Teachers Unions). In effect our voices would be drowned out in the so called reform. Elected officials would be forced or pressured not to support legitimate union aims. And Yes we tend to support those who support us. I know of no way to separate out Union PACS from other PACS. Tony Scallon Howe Neighborhood. REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] campaign finance
Creating a public financed campaign system in our city would create
a more participatory democratic society. It would create a level
playing field for all citizens regardless of their economic
situation or institutional influence. Voting would have significant
more power and thus hopefully more people would participate.
Ken Bradley
Kenny Neighborhood
I've been Treasurer for many party units, candidates, and joint
campaigns over the years.
I just can't see that public financed campaigns would solve all these
problems. Just change to different problems.
Here's some that I see:
1. Adequacy of public financing. Would the amounts budgeted for this
be adequate to run a campaign? Given that the City has trouble right
now budgeting enough for things like police fire, I have my
doubts. Especially when there is an incentive NOT to fund it --
incumbents are already known, and don't have to spend as much getting
their name out, so inadequate campaign funds generally helps the
incumbent. Then why would they budget more money into a system that
their opponents need more than they do?
And would the amounts stay adequate over the years? Look at
the State of Minnesota's Political Contribution Refund
program. Though a great innovative idea when it was passed (31
years ago), it's becoming more more irrelevant nowdays. Because
the amount has only been changed once (20 years ago), inflation has
made it so small as to be nearly irrelevant. More more candidates
are deciding it's better for them to forgo participating in this
program altogether. And it means less and less for the contributors, too.
And remember that you can't put a limit on campaign
spending; the Supreme Court struck down that part of the law soon
after it was passed. First Amendment rights are clear there.
2. Also, you can't limit the right of people (as individuals,
political parties, or PACs) to spend their money supporting
candidates they like. So you would have lots more of the
'independent expenditure' type of campaign ads or mailings. And
there are often questions about how 'independent' they are -- look at
Gov. Pawlenty's campaign for an obvious example of that!
Not that the 2 Park Board groups that started this
discussion are both of this independent expenditure type. Public
Financing of the candidate's campaigns would have absolutely no
control over how these 2 groups spent their money for their supported
candidates. So I can't see how this would be a level playing
field. Those with money could just stay off the field, and create
their own independent groups to mount huge fans on the sidelines.
Soon the official candidates' committee spending would be minor
compared to these independent groups.
3. Finally, ay time government is giving money, they can start to put
strings on it.
Currently, there are extensive reporting requirements for
campaign finance. And more are regularly suggested (often right on
this list!). There are fines and charges if you fail to meet these
reporting requirements. There is pressure from the State to use
their suggested software to do your reporting. (That software
started out pretty mediocre, with at least one major security
breach. It's been upgraded, and now is pretty good.) But they want
to force everybody to use it. There are requirements about accepting
non-check contributions that appear to work against grassroots
contributions from low-income people.
And these regulations could be extended.
What about adding a Davis-Bacon type restriction on this: public
campaign funding can only be spent at businesses that pay prevailing
('union') wages? Our DFL candidates generally do this already, but
what anti-union Republican candidates think of such a restriction?
I don't see this solving the problems at all.
Tim Bonham, Ward 12, Standish-Ericsson
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Re: [Mpls] campaign finance
Tim Bonham [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I've been Treasurer for many party units, candidates, and joint campaigns over the years. I just can't see that public financed campaigns would solve all these problems. Just change to different problems. Here's some that I see: ML : (see previous post for list of problems) There is a state-level proposal that seems to make a lot of sense that addresses many of Tim's concerns: Fair and Clean Elections (FACE). A similar system might be workable at the city level too. We'd still have independent expenditures and candidates choosing to forgoe public money in order to spend away their opponents, but choosing this route looks even more unattractive with viable alternative funding sources available. It might be a challenge to figure out the funding source at the city level, but consider it a public investment in voter education and turn-out. Rather than attempt to run through this complicated issue here, I'll point interested parties to the following link to learn more: http://www.mapa-mn.org/programs/face/ Would this model work for Minneapolis? Does it adequately address Tim's concerns? What say you, Minneapolis? What the heck, East Minneapolis can chime in too. ;) Matty Lang, Central - Yahoo! Shopping Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Yahoo! Shopping REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Campaign finance considered in ethics report?
Sorry it took me so long to respond to this... Victoria Heller wrote, of campaign financing: Those in the know make a $50 profit by applying for the political contribution refund. Sorry, Victoria, but the PCRP is not available to those who make donations to candidates for Minneapolis offices. The PCRP is a state program. This kind of factual error makes your larger (and unsubstantiated) reports less believable. This is unfortunate, because I agree with your basic point: money has a hugely corrosive impact on politics, including local politics. One point of disagreement, though, is that you seem to think that the corruption flows entirely top-down, that is, from office holders and candidates. In my experience - the Dinkytown McDonald's comes to mind - the negative influence of money is at least a consensual affair, if not sparked in many cases by the avarice of businesses lusting for a partner/patsy inside city government. Which brings us to the more important question: how do we solve this? I disagree with your defeatist sentiment that all the laws in the world won't make people honest. The law against murder doesn't keep our society totally free from murder, but it's still a really good idea. I believe the ethics task force is a step in the right direction. Most people's entrance into unethical behavior is like climbing into a bathtub - toes first, not a cannonball. If we make the grey areas clearer, we may keep our freshmen CMs off the slippery slope entirely. The next step is at least partial public financing of local elections. I'm glad you brought up the PCRP - it would be hugely beneficial (especially to candidates attempting to reach out to the non-monied-interests) to have a Minneapolis version of this astoundingly successful Minnesota program. I realize there are those on this list who decry any expenditure of taxpayer money at all, but the lesson of the last decade is pretty clear: when you compare the amount of money given in campaign contributions and the amount of money allocated to private interests, elected officials tend to be a REALLY good buy. Let's pay for them ourselves. Robin Garwood Seward ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Campaign finance considered in ethics report?
-Original Message- From: David Brauer Did the mayor's ethics group consider campaign-finance reform? Such as: * More timely disclosures for city candidates. (This includes required electronic disclosures, such as posting on the web so that voters reporters could more fully analyze contributions close to an election.) [TB] The city (or Henn. County where the reports are filed) has gotten way behind on this one. Last time I checked they still relied on paper forms. At least the state accepts electronically filed forms. It would be reasonably easy to adopt the same form statewide (most of the information required is the same) and use the same electronic filing system for all. Since the State of MN already has developed the structure, why not avoid duplication and put everyone on the same system? * Reduced or altered contribution limits. (Currently, MN Statutes 211A.12 allows the mayor and at-large Parks and Board of Estimate members, and all Library and School Board of candidates to raise $500 per donor in an election year; council members and district parks commissioners can raise $300 per donor. In non-election years, the limit for everyone is $100.) [TB] I don't think the current limits are to high. They have been eroded by inflation since they were originally set. Any contributor giving over $100 in a year is disclosed. It costs something over a quarter of a million dollars for a serious candidate to run for Mayor of Minneapolis. The $500 limit is only two tenths of one percent of that. Unless you are going to have complete funding of all city campaigns, I don't think giving two tenths of one percent of the cost of the campaign is unreasonable. * A ban on non-election year fundraising. [TB] I have 2 objections to this. First its incumbent protection. If nobody could have begun to raise money to run for Mayor in 2001 prior to January 1, 2001 the challenges would have had a tremendous disadvantage in challenging an incumbent mayor who had the opportunity to be all over the media based on the office she held. Second, office holders use much of their campaign funds for constituent services. Unless the city decides to fund these services it is to the advantage of many of the constituents that these services (i.e. newsletters, handouts at neighborhood meetings) be provided. * If no non-election year ban, more frequent campaign-finance reports in non-election years. (You only have to file annually now, meaning a contribution received in Jan. 2003 isn't known until Jan. 31, 2004.) [TB] Since only contributions of over $100 are reported and those contributions are prohibited in non-election years, I don't think additional reports would give us a whole lot of useful information. Unless you require all contributors to be listed (which I would not oppose but would question how meaningful it really is) you don't know contributors, just aggregate amount of contributions and how much was spent. I would make election year reports at least quarterly instead of just before elections. Finally, since many of the rules are in state law, can the city enact its own tougher standards? [TB] My non lawyer guess is probably not because the city only has the power to do the things the state authorizes it to do. Terrell --- Terrell Brown Loring Park Minneapolis, MN 55403-2315 Terrell at terrellbrown dot org ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Campaign finance considered in ethics report?
I was planning to wait to see the debate roll out, but I do want to address one point by Terrell: * A ban on non-election year fundraising. [TB] I have 2 objections to this. First its incumbent protection. If nobody could have begun to raise money to run for Mayor in 2001 prior to January 1, 2001 the challenges would have had a tremendous disadvantage in challenging an incumbent mayor who had the opportunity to be all over the media based on the office she held. Really? Having looked a war chests over the years, I think just the opposite. Most candidates don't plan to be candidates four years in advance; incumbents do. My guess - and it is only that - is that people decide to run at most two years in advance. That gives incumbents a two-year head start on fundraising. Such off-year war chests have scared many a good opponent away. That said, perhaps a compromise is to extend the meaning of election year from calendar year to 12 months prior to the election, for a little longer fundraising time. More importantly, though, banning off-year fundraising (in whatever your off-years are) removes one avenue for private interests to influence public officials. Money for campaign is a necessary evil, but it does distort the body politic - and we should reduce that distortion as much as possible...taking it off the table for 2-3 years would be terrific, in my view. And ethical. Second, office holders use much of their campaign funds for constituent services. Unless the city decides to fund these services it is to the advantage of many of the constituents that these services (i.e. newsletters, handouts at neighborhood meetings) be provided. Well, this is exactly what the city should do. I've heard the I need to communicate with my constituents, so let me raise campaign funds explanation countless times - but just as often, said constituent services amount to campaign propaganda. And of course, depending on such private funds for public business means they don't have to fall into the city's ethics code. The council's budget for constituent communication - and here, I'm talking notices of meetings, straightforward public info etc. - should be raised if it is too little. This is not a frill; this expenditure is essential in a democracy. I doubt the public would scream if they paid more taxes for what amounts to better service. I still think there should be an Office of Email so that the city can email notices to interested citizens (and, long-term) save budget on mailings. I do this for my neighborhood on a volunteer basis, but it is an appropriate role for taxpayer $$ - not campaign $$. David Brauer King Field ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Campaign finance reports and Honking Pickle Seeds
At 09:14 AM 10/29/01 -0600, David Brauer asks: Does anyone know when pre-general-election campaign finance reports for the mayor's race are filed? I'm thinking tomorrow (Tuesday) - a week before the election, but I'm not confident about that. EY: I thought October 25th was the due date. It would be nice service -- if the toolkit would also accept Campaign Finance Reports from candidates. Would it? Yup, I know -- I'm making MORE WORK for David Brauer. I also think it is a good thing when candidates post their campaign finance reports on their campaign website. Certainly it would be nice if a City for Neighbors would do that for theirs. How about it Joe? Personally I thought the City for Neighbors website provided some useful information. I thought the most interesting part of the site was looking at the attendance rates for candidates (which their information wasn't specifically designed for). Brian Herron had the lowest attendance record for that list of 15 or so votes. However as far as this comment by Don Jorovsky goes: But wait! I forgot! It's OK when RT's supporters do stuff like that! They're the pure reformers who are going to change those terrible things down at City Hall, so it's all justified in the name of the greater good. Come on. You can bet that if some SSB supporters did any of this stuff, people like Joe would be all over them. = EY: Is City for Neighbors specifically involved in RT's campaign? As I recall RT supporters on the list didn't hold SSB responsible for the posts of MA on the list. As far as attacking a list member for posting to the list instead of finishing a campaign finance report -- that's a bit lame. I'll agree that Barazonzi's excuse was a bit like the dog ate my homework I haven't gotten it in because I'm overwhelmed at work and I haven't dropped it off. Royally Honking Pickle Seeds: Wizard Marks writes: The very vulnerable section of the population was the elderly. At the time, there was subsidized housing for the elderly. The others in that section were largely dope dealers, gang bangers, prostitutes and their children. The others were those trying their damnedest to get out of the way of the dealers, etc. and in fear of their lives. What was also true, and part of the bigger picture, was that, demographically, Phillips was overwhelmingly the subsidized poor and the lower echelons of the working poor. The theory on which Portland Place and SJI were warranted was that a neighborhood cannot survive and prosper without a mix of incomes. That meant that there had to be an influx of higher incomes to balance the lower incomes which prevailed. That's the bigger picture which I have said before that Lilligren does not get. EY: I've heard Lilligren talking about housing many times. I also know that when people asked him how much he charged for rent for his own buildings -- he answered with a range. (I don't recall the exact amounts). The point is he produced a nice mix of housing opportunities on his block. However let us presume that Wizard is correct on this point, and Lilligren just doesn't get mixed income housing. I guess what I'd like to hear are Brock's proposals for improving housing opportunities in Minneapolis. I've heard a lot from Wizard Marks -- and her views -- but Wizard is not on the ballot for City Council -- and Brock is. So again I'd like to challenge the elusive Ms. Brock to speak up electronically on this forum. I'd also like to hear what write in candidate Zack Metoyer has to say about these issues. To his credit, Zack has been contributing to this forum. I don't always agree with Zack Metoyer, but I have appreciated his postings to this list. Marks continues honking about being royally honked: Not a rumor and the person had a phone call from Lilligren, not a lit piece. I got the person's call on Friday or Thursday. EY: Robert Lilligren has denied having the conversation Wizard Marks reports. Wizard Marks insists that the conversation occurred. So at this point, the question is credibility. It's a he says, she says situation. So people on the list will just have to decide. Who has been more honest and credible on the Minneapolis Issues list -- and if you are on the CNIA Chat list -- who is more credible on that list? Eva Eva Young Central ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Campaign finance reports
The reports are due TODAY in person OR if mailed, must be postmarked today. Thanks Rod Krueger Candidate for Re-Election to Library Board 12-3 SENARod Original Message Follows From: David Brauer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Mpls] Campaign finance reports Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2001 09:14:58 -0600 Does anyone know when pre-general-election campaign finance reports for the mayor's race are filed? I'm thinking tomorrow (Tuesday) - a week before the election, but I'm not confident about that. Replies to me, or the list, would be appreciated. David Brauer King Field - Ward 10 _ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
