REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Resolution Establishing the Political Campaign Voluntary Expenditure Limit and Campaign Contribution Limit for March 3, 2020
Report
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara Political Campaign Finance Reform Act (the "Act") established an initial base for a candidate's voluntary campaign expenditures at $25,000 for the November 2000 City election. The Act contains a cost of living adjustment using the index from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Consumers (CPI-U), San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose subgroup - all items ("CPI"), to be adjusted on an annual basis. The expenditure limit was last adjusted to $43,400 by the City Council on June 26, 2018.
With the inception of the Act, limits on individual campaign contributions were originally $500 for candidates who accepted the voluntary expenditure limit and $250 for those who did not. In 2014, the Act was amended to require that the applicable contribution limits also be adjusted by the CPI, rounded to the nearest ten dollar figure. As adjusted in 2018, the applicable contributions limits were $590 and $290, respectively.
The Act was amended in May 2018 to provide maximum transparency to the voters of the City of Santa Clara about who is spending money on local campaigns and to create specific disclosure requirements for contributions to organizations that have historically refused to disclose contributions ("dark money"). The Act now includes mandatory disclosure of all contributions of one hundred dollars ($100.00) or more to any organization that makes expenditures that affect or are intended to affect a local Santa Clara election to City office or for or against a local Santa Clara ballot measure. Contributions must be reported in the same manner as campaign contributions are required to be reported under SCCC 2.130.280.
DISCUSSION
Pursuant to City Code Chapter 2.130 - Political Campaign Finance Reform Act, the Council must adjust the contribution limits by Resolution. Acco...
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