EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
TO THE SAN FRANCISCO ETHICS COMMISSION
For the Meeting of December 12, 2011
1. Televised Meetings.
The Commission’s next regular meeting will be held on January 23, 2012, the fourth Monday of the month, in Room 400 City Hall, in order to accommodate televising of the meeting.
2. November 8, 2011 November 6, 2012 Elections.
As of December 6, the Commission disbursed a total of $4,659,289 in public funds to nine eligible candidates. The last day for eligible candidates to submit a claim to receive public funds is December 8, 2011.
Staff has notified potential candidates running for the Board of Supervisors in November 2012 about possible changes to the public financing program and other provisions of the Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance. After any modifications to the public financing program are adopted into law, staff will provide trainings and update manuals that explain the rules governing the November 6, 2012 election. These manuals include the Candidates’ Guide for City Elective Office (manual that applies to all candidates for City elective office) and the Supplement for Candidates for the Board of Supervisors (manual for Board of Supervisors candidates only). In the meantime, staff has advised candidates for the 2012 election to refer to the manuals that were created for the November 2010 election.
3. Investigation and enforcement program.
As of December 1, 2011, there are 15 pending complaints alleging violations within the Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction.
| Category | # of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Campaign Finance | 7 |
| Conflict of Interest | 2 |
| Governmental Ethics | 1 |
| Lobbyist Ordinance | 1 |
| Campaign Consultant Ordinance | 2 |
| Sunshine Ordinance | 2 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
4. Campaign finance disclosure program.
a. Filing deadline. The most recent filing deadline occurred on October 27, 2011 for the Second Pre-Election statement, which covers the reporting period ending October 22, 2011. As of November 7, 2011, two candidates/committees remain delinquent in filing the Second Pre-Election statement; they were sent a Non-Specific Written notice. Staff continues to receive and process campaign statements and will notify non-filers about their past due statements.
The next filing deadline falls on January 31, 2012 for the Second Semi Annual statement, which covers the reporting period ending December 31, 2011. In the interim, staff continues to receive and process campaign statements for other filing deadlines. Staff also continues to answer questions from and conduct outreach to candidates and other committee representatives about campaign finance filing obligations.
b. Collection of late filing fees and contribution forfeitures. In the FY 11-12, as of November 30, the Commission collected a total of $10,875 in campaign finance late fees and forfeitures. Outstanding late fees and forfeitures total $169,220 of which waiver requests are pending for $132,335; and $24,672 is pending at the Bureau of Delinquent Revenues.
c. Status of accounts to San Francisco Bureau of Delinquent Revenues (BDR). The following chart provides details on pending accounts referred to BDR:
| # | Committee/ Filer |
ID # | Treasurer or Responsible Officer | Date referral effective | Original amount referred | Last month’s balance | Current balance (Changes are in bold) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnnie Carter for Community College Board | 1226264 | Johnnie Carter | 6/16/06 | $9,520 | $6,595 | $6,595 |
| 2 | Committee to Elect M. Valle for Treasurer | 1278937 | Manuel B. Valle | 6/14/07 | $5,525 | $5,525 | $5,525 |
| 3 | Bill Barnes for District 5 | 1265969 | Alix Rosenthal | 1/3/08 | $3,120 | $113 | $113 |
| 4 | Care Not Cash | 1244505 | Ronald Jin | 2/29/08 | $5,331 | $356 | $0 |
| 5 | Omar Khalif for Board of Educ. | 1287030 | Omar Khalif | 7/30/09 | $1,800 | $1,775 | $1,775 |
| 6 | Myrna Lim for District 11 Sup | 1306882 | Myrna Lim | 7/30/09 | $1,180 | $1,180 | $1,180 |
| 7 | Myrna Lim for District 11 Sup | 1256697 | Jia Jun Chen | 8/20/07 | $3,855 | $2,775 | $2,775 |
| 8 | San Francisco Women’s Political Committee | 1243711 | Giselle Barry | 5/16/06 | $1,906 | $50 | $50 |
| 9 | Johnny K. Wang JKW Political Consulting |
100716 | Johnny K. Wang | 4/19/11 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| 10 | Coalition to Elect Chris Jackson to Community College Board | 1302351 | Chris Jackson | 6/17/11 | 2,658.90 | $2,658.90 | 2,658.90 |
| 11 | Reelect Dr. Anita Grier Community College Board 2010 | 1243852 | Dr. Anita Grier | 11/4/11 | 525.00 | New Referral | $525.00 |
| TOTAL | $25,197 |
5. Revenues report.
For FY 11-12, the Commission is budgeted to generate $100,000 in revenues. As of December 1, 2011, the Commission received and deposited $37,321 as summarized below. The figure represents collection of approximately 37 percent of expected revenues for FY 11-12.
Revenues received and deposited as of December 1, 2011:
| Source | Budgeted Amount FY 11-12 | Receipts |
|---|---|---|
| Lobbyist Fees | $27,000 | $5,500 |
| Other Ethics General | $1,000 | $210 |
| Campaign Finance Fines | $50,000 | $10,875 |
| Campaign Consultant Fees | $18,000 | $12,550 |
| Lobbyist Fines | $1,000 | $100 |
| Statements of Economic Interests Fines | $1,000 | $325 |
| Other Ethics Fines | $1,000 | $5,961 |
| Campaign Consultant Fines | $1,000 | $1,800 |
| Total | $100,000 | $37,321 |
6. Status of legislative proposals endorsed by Ethics Commission.
On November 22, 2011, Supervisor Scott Wiener introduced proposed amendments to the CFRO that were approved by the Commission at its October and November 2012 meetings. The legislation, File No. 111275, was assigned to the Rules Committee. If approved by a supermajority of the Board of Supervisors, the amendments would 1) modify and streamline disclaimer and reporting requirements for candidates and third parties raising and spending funds in local elections; 2) require the Ethics Commission to provide public notice when thresholds are met; 3) eliminate the overall contribution limit on contributions to all candidates on the ballot in a single election; and 4) make various reporting and disclaimer requirements parallel to requirements in State law.
On the same day, Supervisor Malia Cohen introduced proposed amendments to the CFRO that were approved by the Commission at its November 2012 meeting. The legislation, File No. 11277, was assigned to the Government Oversight and Audit Committee. If approved by a supermajority of the Board of Supervisors, the legislation would delay the certification of 2012 supervisorial candidates seeking public financing until the Redistricting Task Force completes its revision of supervisorial district boundaries.
7. Lobbyist program.
As of December 1, 2011, 79 individual lobbyists were registered with the Commission. In FY 11-12, total revenues collected to date amount to $5,600, which consist of $5,500 in lobbyist registration fees and $100 in late fines. The November 2011 reporting period deadline is December 15, 2011.
8. Campaign Consultant program.
As of December 1, 2011, sixty campaign consultants are active and registered with the Commission. $12,750 in registration fees and $1,900 in late fines have been collected so far during the 2011-2012 fiscal year. The next campaign consultant quarterly report deadline is Thursday, December 15, 2011. Staff has mailed and e-mailed reminder notices to all active campaign consultants two weeks before the deadline.
9. Outreach and Education.
On November 30, staff met with managers of the Inspection Office of the City of Kobe, Japan, to discuss anti-corruption measures governing local officers and employees.
The Commission continues to offer trainings on Statements of Incompatible Activities to City departments.
The following are web video trainings available on the Commission website:
- Department of Building Inspection SIA Training
- Candidates’ Training
- Controller’s Office SIA Training
- Department on the Environment SIA Training
- Governmental Ethics Ordinance Training for City Employees
- Lobbyist Ordinance Training
- Medical Examiner’s Office SIA Training
- Non-Candidate Recipient Committee Training
- Public Utilities Commission SIA Training
- SIA Template Language Training
Respectfully submitted,
______________________
John St. Croix
Executive Director
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