Form revised February 6, 2008
FISCAL NOTE FOR NON-CAPITAL PROJECTS
Department: |
Contact Person/Phone: |
DOF Analyst/Phone: |
Legislative |
Mike Fong/5-1675 |
N/A |
Legislation Title:
A Resolution establishing the Campaign Public Finance Advisory Committee |
· Summary of the Legislation:
This legislation creates an ad-hoc advisory group to provide the Mayor and Council with recommendations regarding the implementation of a campaign public financing program for the City of Seattle. The advisory group’s final report is due to the Council and Mayor by June 12, 2008.
· Background: (Include brief description of the purpose and context of legislation and include record of previous legislation and funding history, if applicable):
WHEREAS, the Washington State Legislature approved and the Governor has signed Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill (E2SSB) 5278, allowing local jurisdictions to establish programs to publicly finance campaigns; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle established a system for partial public financing for election campaigns in 1978; and
WHEREAS, the Fair Campaign Practices Act enacted following the passage of Initiative 134 in 1992 prohibited the use of public funds to finance state and local political campaigns; and
WHEREAS, recent information from the Seattle Ethics and Elections Office shows that the total number of contributors to local campaigns has declined by 37% since 2003 while the number of contributions under $100 has declined by 56% in that same time period; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council have expressed support for examining and potentially reinstating a local public financing system for election campaigns; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council welcome the input of a diverse group of individuals and organizations with expertise and interest in promoting fair and equitable election campaigns and removing barriers to the democratic process.
· Please check one of the following:
_X__ This legislation does not have any financial implications. (Stop here and delete the remainder of this document prior to saving and printing.)