Taxpayers may be asked to help pay for political campaigns

Seattle taxpayers might soon be asked to help pay for political campaigns under a proposal that backers say will loosen special interests' grip on City Hall.

Some City Council members hope to ask voters as early as this fall to publicly finance some Seattle political candidacies. The Legislature approved such initiatives earlier this month.

"It provides a more level playing field among people who run for office, and, therefore, I think it assures that a wider array of candidates will run," said Councilman Nick Licata, who participated in Seattle's now-defunct public financing program when he made his first, unsuccessful council run in 1979.

Today, a small collection of people wields heavy influence as major financiers of city campaigns, including individuals who routinely donate the maximum allowed, Licata said.

"It's like max-out club," he said. "I don't think that political candidates should be beholden to that club."

Councilwoman Sally Clark plans to propose an ordinance to send the matter to Seattle voters. If it makes it to the November ballot and voters approve, a program could be in place in time for the 2009 election season, when the mayor and four council members will be up for re-election.

"There's excitement up here to try to get something in place by 2009," Clark said. Still, she said, getting the legislation through in time "would be a tall order. It's a lot of work, and a money question -- but I love it."

Council members have yet to sketch out the details. The thorny questions before them include: How would candidates qualify? Would the program provide full funding or supplementary contributions? What would be the limit that participating candidates could spend overall? What if they were grossly outspent by an opponent not participating in the program?

Still, Licata predicts there is better than a 50/50 chance the council will approve a measure in time for this fall's ballot. "Sally and I, we both think it's going to be very tight," Licata said. "But we're both committed to doing it. And I haven't heard any opposition from the council so far."

Mayor Greg Nickels, too, likes the idea of public financing, Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis said. "The mayor's been a longtime supporter of that," Ceis said.

Voting largely along party lines, state legislators approved the measure to authorize Washington cities, counties and other governmental jurisdictions to establish their own public financing programs with voter approval. School Board candidates are not allowed to participate. Gov. Chris Gregoire is expected to sign the bill into law Monday.

Backers, including most Democratic lawmakers, said the measure would allow local governments to rein in the influence of wealthier interests.

"The public is just becoming disgusted at the undue influence of money in politics," Craig Salins, director of Washington Public Campaigns, said in an interview.

But during a debate in the state House, some Republicans described the idea of using tax dollars in politics as undemocratic, "strange" and "reckless."

"It's intolerable for this House to say that someone has to pay to promote a candidate against their will," said Rep. Bruce Chandler, R-Granger. "I cannot think of anything that is more un-American. ... (It) would be the most tragic moment -- certainly in this session, maybe for many to come -- for the House to adopt this bill."

Some Democrats offered equally charged responses.

"This is, in my 10 years (in office), probably the most significant legislation we've passed," said Rep. Mark Miloscia, D-Federal Way. "Races will not be decided by the person with the biggest checkbook.

"Do we want them running elections, deciding who gets elected, or do we want to make sure it's the common people?" Miloscia said. "They've felt like they've lost control -- their voice is not being heard."

Nationally, 23 states and 15 local jurisdictions have public financing programs, including San Francisco and Portland, according to the Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles.

Portland's program aims to fully finance campaigns. Mayoral candidates receive $200,000 or more for a contested primary; City Commission candidates get $150,000 for a contested primary. Additionally, eligible candidates share a pool of matching funds. To qualify, mayoral candidates must collect 1,500 contributions of exactly $5 from Portland voters; commission candidates must collect 1,000 $5 contributions.

San Francisco's program is meant to supplement candidates' own fundraising. There, mayoral candidates can qualify for $50,000 upfront, plus up to $800,000 in matching contributions. Candidates for City Supervisor receive up to $10,000 initially, plus up to $77,500 in matches. (Candidates may get more under certain conditions.)

To qualify in San Francisco, mayoral candidates must collect $25,000 in contributions of between $10 and $100 from at least 250 city residents. Candidates for supervisor must collect at least $5,000 in such contributions from at least 75 residents.

In coming weeks, Clark plans to invite officials from those two cities to share their experiences with public financing at a lunchtime event at City Hall, she said. "And also (about) what it costs. There is a real cost. That will end up being a question for us."

Seattle once had public financing of campaigns, along with some other local governments in Washington. "It was very helpful in allowing candidates like myself," Licata said. "I came in a close third, so it allowed some people to be exposed to new and different ideas."

Seattle's program awarded matching contributions to candidates who collected a minimum number of contributions of $10 or more. Candidates who participated in that program include former council candidates Paul Kraabel, Walt Crowley, Martha Choe, Sue Donaldson, Jan Drago and Margaret Pageler.

But such programs were prohibited in Washington when voters approved 1992's Initiative 134, a sweeping campaign finance measure.

Washington Public Campaigns hopes the council will approve a full-financing model, Salins said. "If it's affordable, we do prefer that, and we think it is," he said.

But a partial-funding measure is more likely to win the council's approval, Licata said. "Ideally, I'd like to go with fully subsidized, but it may not be practical, given our budget constraints at this time."

SEE FOR YOURSELF

The Seattle City Council plans to be briefed on the question of public campaign financing during its meeting at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Council Chambers, 600 Fourth Ave. Watch it on Channel 21 if you have cable or over the Internet at seattlechannel.org. Listen to it live at 206-684-8566.

Also, the council plans to vote at 2 p.m. on legislation that would require lobbyists to publicly report their efforts at influence and their employers, with a controversial exclusion for many who represent cities, ports, state agencies and the federal government.