EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
TO THE SAN FRANCISCO ETHICS COMMISSION
For the Special Meeting of April 1, 2013
1. Budget Update
As mentioned in last month’s report, staff submitted a budget proposal of $2,597,220, a figure which would fully fund all existing positions of the department. This figure includes salaries, benefits and office expenses. In addition, another $1,903,559.49 was requested for the annual funding required for the Election Campaign Fund. Thus, the total budget request for Fiscal Year 2013-14 is $4,530,779.49. The Board of Supervisors will consider the Commission’s budget at its hearings on June 17 and 24, 2013.
2. Investigation and enforcement program.
As of March 22, 2013, there are 18 pending formal complaints alleging violations within the Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction. At the Commission’s regular meeting of February 25, 2013, six Sunshine Ordinance cases were resolved.
| Category | # of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Campaign Finance | 12 |
| Conflict of Interest | 1 |
| Governmental Ethics | 0 |
| Lobbyist Ordinance | 0 |
| Campaign Consultant Ordinance | 2 |
| Sunshine Ordinance | 3 |
| TOTAL | 18 |
3. Campaign finance disclosure program.
a. Filing deadline. The most recent filing deadline was on January 31, 2013 for the Second Semi-Annual statement, which covers the reporting period ending December 31, 2012. The next filing deadline that applies to all campaign filers is July 31, 2013 for the First Semi-Annual Statement, which covers the reporting period ending June 30, 2013.
b. Collection of late filing fees and contribution forfeitures. In the FY12-13, as of February 28, the Commission collected a total of $35,478 in campaign finance late fees and forfeitures. Outstanding late fees and forfeitures total $15,581, of which waiver requests are pending for $210; and $6,659 is pending at the Bureau of Delinquent Revenues (BDR).
c. Status of accounts to San Francisco Bureau of Delinquent Revenues (BDR). The following chart provides details on active 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 | Johnny K. Wang JKW Political Consulting |
100716 | Johnny K. Wang | 4/19/11 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| 2 | Coalition to Elect Chris Jackson to Community College Board | 1302351 | Chris Jackson | 6/17/11 | 2,658.90 | $2,658.90 | 2,658.90 |
| TOTAL | $6,659 |
4. Revenues report.
For FY 12-13, the Commission was budgeted to generate $100,000 in revenues. As of March 25, 2013, the Commission received $ 109,773 as summarized below. The figure represents collection of approximately 110 percent of expected revenues for FY 12-13.
Revenues received as of March 25, 2013:
| Source | Budgeted Amount FY 12-13 | Receipts |
|---|---|---|
| Lobbyist Fees | $27,000 | $46,675 |
| Other Ethics General | $1,000 | $110 |
| Campaign Finance Fines | $50,000 | $35,478 |
| Campaign Consultant Fees | $18,000 | $5,450 |
| Lobbyist Fines | $1,000 | $600 |
| Statements of Economic Interests Fines | $1,000 | $2,540 |
| Other Ethics Fines | $1,000 | $1,300 |
| Campaign Consultant Fines | $1,000 | $150 |
| Unallocated | $0 | $17,470 |
| Total | $100,000 | $109,773 |
5. Lobbyist program.
As of March 20, 2013, 82 individual lobbyists were registered with the Commission. For FY 12–13, as of March 20, 2013, total revenues collected were $46,675, including $46,075 in lobbyist registration fees and $600 in late fines. The filing deadline for the next lobbyist disclosure statement is April 15, 2013.
6. Campaign Consultant program.
As of March 26, 2013, eighteen campaign consultants were registered with the Commission. $5,900 in registration fees and $150 in fines have been collected so far during the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The next campaign consultant quarterly report deadline is Monday, June17, 2013. Staff will send reminders to all active campaign consultants two weeks before the deadline.
7. Outreach and Education.
The Commission continues to offer trainings on Statements of Incompatible Activities to City departments via web trainings. 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
On March 5, 2013, staff held the second of two trainings for filing officers regarding the annual Statement of Economic Interests filings that are due April 2, 2013.
On March 4, staff met with a delegation of 19 representatives from Wuhan Province, China. The delegation was in the United States to attend trainings on anti-corruption and to meet with related organizations to learn about transparency in government.
On March 8, staff met with a delegation of 25 representatives from the Chongqing Municipal Supervisory Bureau, Szechuan, China. The group, which had just met with the Fair Political Practices Commission, was in the United States to learn about the workings of ethics commissions and steps to curb government corruption.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
John St. Croix
Executive Director
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