Despite a new law imposing the state's strictest limit on political contributions, some members of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's board of directors continue to accept contributions from lobbyists and contractors who do business with Los Angeles County's transit agency.
An analysis by The Times of campaign contribution reports filed in the last week shows that, in the first half of this year, several members of the MTA board received contributions exceeding the newly adopted $10 limit.
The law passed by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Pete Wilson last October addresses concerns that the MTA board's decisions on policy issues and awarding contracts have been "heavily influenced by lobbyists bearing gifts and contributions."
In an effort to limit special interest influence and restore public confidence in the transit agency, the statute says, it is necessary to strengthen existing laws governing contributions and gifts to MTA directors and employees.
The law says no company that does business or seeks to do business with the MTA can give more than $10 in contributions to the agency's board members, employees or members of their immediate families.
And no MTA board member, employee, or their immediate family members can accept, solicit or direct a contribution of over $10 from the same sources.
The law specifically mentions construction companies, engineering firms, consultants, and law firms, which have donated generously to the campaigns of some prominent MTA board members in the past.
But the latest campaign contribution reports show that several MTA board members have continued to receive campaign contributions from such sources since the year began.
Los Angeles Councilman Hal Bernson, who is up for reelection next year, received $500 contributions from two MTA contractors and two firms registered as lobbyists at the transit agency. Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Quade & Douglas is a major engineering firm working on subway construction, and Laidlaw Transit operates bus service under contract with the MTA. The prominent lobbying firm of Rose & Kindel and lobbyist Michael Lewis also sent $500 checks to the councilman.
Bernson said he has never knowingly violated the spirit of the law restricting contributions to MTA board members. "We are very careful to screen all the agendas" to make sure there are no conflicts on items before the MTA board, he said.
