Campaign Finance Reform...Not Yet

The Alameda City Council last week decided not to adopt the ordinance to enforce a cap at $250 on election contributions to local campaigns at this time. Back in February, the City Council had tasked the Sunshine Task Force to compile a list of community issues pertaining to access to open government.

I watched the fireworks and though there were inferences that incumbents or their friends stood to benefit from capping others’ ability to raise money during this election year, it came across as an honest difference of opinion.

Councilor Gilmore expressed concern in particular about the timing and she had a good point. It was all pretty much an undone deal at any rate since Councilor Matarrese said he had been to a Democratic Club meeting recently on the topic and nobody seemed to even know the Council had it under consideration.

And speaking of Gilmore and fireworks, she did not like the look of Interim City Manager Ann Marie Gallant’s decision to toss some no-bid work to a bond advisor who used to be her boss. Councilor Tam was not impressed either, and it was shocking to watch the City Manager act as if she were being accused of taking kickbacks. Nobody said anything about kickbacks, but that there was an appearance of a conflict of interest – especially since her old boss and friend was getting more than 75K on the deal. This amount normally needs Council approval.

When back and forth was over, there seemed to be agreement that council would tighten up the leash on this sort of thing going forward. Stay tuned.