OLYMPIA — For the first time, Washington state will limit how much money city council and mayoral candidates can collect from donors.
A new law signed Thursday makes those vying for a council seat or mayor’s job subject to the same cap on contributions imposed on candidates for the state Legislature. Candidates had faced no such barrier, though Seattle, Kirkland and Issaquah had implemented their own limits.
The maximum amount a candidate can receive from a person, union or business is $800 per election or a total of $1,600 a year.
Entrants in most city council races in Snohomish County probably won’t notice much change in fundraising because donations that large are unusual.
It could make a difference in Everett, where Mayor Ray Stephanson garnered a pair of $3,000 contributions for his 2009 re-election campaign. Overall, he garnered 11 contributions in excess of $1,600, according to finance reports filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission.
Online reports show he received $3,000 each from retired Everett businessman Don Tisdel and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 191, and $2,500 from the Boeing Co.
This new measure allows cities and counties to craft their own donation maximums as long as the amount doesn’t exceed what the Public Disclosure Commission imposes.
Edmonds City Council did that earlier this year, deciding to limit individual donations to no more than $500.
Those running for county council or a countywide office will not be affected. A 2006 law required Snohomish and four other counties to abide by the state-set limits.
Council candidates in less populous cities may be able to legally sidestep the rules.
The Public Disclosure Commission doesn’t require candidates in cities with fewer than 5,000 registered voters to report donations if they also don’t raise more than $5,000.
Thus, in cities like Gold Bar, Sultan and Index, a candidate can legally accept a $2,000 check from a supporter if the $5,000 limit isn’t breached. If they do, then they must follow the new law.
While lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the legislation, Sen. Val Stevens, R-Arlington, did oppose it.
“It is a local issue. I can’t see why it’s necessary to regulate them in this manner,” she said Thursday.
Races aren’t typically expensive and there’s no history of donors dropping huge sums into a candidate’s campaign. Still she worried such a bill might deter people from entering politics.
“God bless them for running,” she said. “This is local control, and I would not want to do anything to do discourage local control.”
This measure deals only with contributions to candidates. Political action committees can continue to receive donations of any size — all of which must be publicly disclosed.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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