The Humboldt Board of Supervisors passed Campaign Finance Reform by a 4-1 vote today, which limits contributions to $1,500 in any four-year campaign cycle (through the June primaries).
Sylvia De Rooy, who attended the BOS meeting said that no candidate has ever received more than $20,000 during a campaign cycle.
She was incorrect. 2010 461s from Blue Lake Casino, who gave $94,475 that year including $27,475 to then 4th District Supervisor Bonnie Neely, $25,000 to 5th District Supervisor candidate Patrick Cleary and $20,000 to District Attorney Paul Gallegos).
The title is a takeoff on Sylvia's recent My Word: What the County needs is reform, not blather.
I will update the 460s shortly.
I believe that campaign finance reform should instead focus on limiting the amount of money in the election system. Why not agree to a cap that works for all districts? I don't see these individual caps having any impact on fundraising totals. If anything, it will handicap some candidates who are not favored by the wealthier citizens and/or businesses.
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