As part of its efforts to make sure city elections are competitive, the Los Angeles Ethics Commission heard calls Friday for dramatic changes in campaign finance laws to blunt the impact of unregulated independent expenditures
During a daylong conference at USC, the panel also heard arguments that the proliferation of independent expenditures is a natural reaction to tough contribution limits, that they are a legitimate exercise of free speech, and that they do not present a problem for the democratic process.
Commission President Miriam Krinsky said Friday's debate held among political candidates, ethics reform advocates and residents will help inform the panel's discussion of whether new rules are needed in response to this year's record $3.2 million in independent expenditures.
Such spending is not coordinated with the candidates and is not subject to limits imposed by the city.
"It's our purpose to start thinking of some ways to improve the system," Krinsky told the more than 60 people at the conference. "Independent expenditures are by far the biggest challenge we face."
She noted that the independent expenditures in this year's mayor's race were 10 times the amount in any previous race.
Under city election law, candidates for citywide office cannot accept individual contributions of more than $1,000. In City Council races, the contribution limit is $500. Candidates receive matching funds if they limit their campaign spending to amounts prescribed by the city.
However, during this year's elections, several groups, including the state Democratic Party, billboard companies and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, independently spent millions of dollars to support or oppose candidates. For political parties and unions, the spending is considered legal communication with members and is not subject to contribution or spending limits.
Other independent expenditure campaigns--those conducted without coordination with the candidates--also have no spending limits.
Former Councilman Mike Feuer, who ran unsuccessfully for city attorney, said his race was affected by more than $700,000 in independent expenditures by billboard firms and then-Mayor Richard Riordan on behalf of Rocky Delgadillo, who won.
Feuer said such large independent expenditures undermine efforts of the city's campaign finance laws to create a level playing field.
"There is no doubt in my mind that unbridled spending has an enormous impact on the outcome of races," he said.
