Tuesday, June 6, 2017
12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
25 Van Ness Avenue
Room 70 (basement)
San Francisco, CA 94102
And
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
5:30 to 7:00 PM
25 Van Ness Avenue
Room 70 (basement)
San Francisco, CA 94102
The Ethics Commission (“Commission”) will host two meetings to receive public input on a proposed review and revision of the Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance (“CFRO”). The review and potential revision will ensure the effectiveness and enforceability of the City’s campaign finance laws.
At its May 22, 2017, regular meeting, the Commission heard Staff’s initial analysis of two proposals by Supervisors Farrell, Peskin, and Ronen. The proposals would add additional disclosure requirements and political activity restrictions for certain persons. The proposals, along with the Commission’s review of CFRO, are being considered for a bundled package of campaign finance revisions.
Staff began an internal review of CFRO this spring as part of the goals reflected in the Commission’s Annual Policy Plan. This review includes potential improvements or clarifications to better support the stated goals of CFRO. Along with that discussion, the Commission has also identified potential revision of the City’s Public Financing system as an area warranting focus in its most recent report on the public financing program.
Staff will include feedback from these meetings in its analysis and recommendations for the CFRO review project when it reports back to the Commission again at its June 26 and August 28, 2017 regular meetings.
The Staff’s memoranda on the Farrell and Peskin-Ronen proposals are categorized as follows:
- Agenda Item 7A – Farrell Proposal: enhance disclosure of business entities’ contributions
- Agenda Item 7B – Peskin-Ronen Proposal: enhance disclosure of contributions and ban contributions from persons with pending or recently resolved land use matters
The Commission is interested in public comment related to the proposed CFRO review and revision project, including
- What specific issues, above and beyond those identified above, should the Commission address if it suggests revisions to CFRO?
- What changes do you believe are needed to strengthen CFRO’s effectiveness and/or enforceability?
- How has CFRO influenced the political activities of your organization or its members, and how could a revision help?
- What, if any, practical or legal considerations should be examined in evaluating proposed CFRO changes?
The Commission is additionally interested in public comment related to the City’s Public Financing System, including:
- What has been your experience with the public financing system?
- What impact has the public financing system had in City elections?
- How can the public financing system be strengthened to better achieve its stated goals?
Staff also welcomes written comments on the proposed changes, which can be sent via email to ethics.commission@sfgov.org, or via regular mail to San Francisco Ethics Commission, 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 220, San Francisco, CA 94102. Written comment should be submitted no later than Friday July 7, 2017, to be considered in Staff’s analysis of the proposal.
For questions about the upcoming Interested person’s meetings, please contact Kyle Kundert at the number below. We welcome your input and look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Please R.S.V.P Your Attendance by Contacting:
San Francisco Ethics Commission
25 Van Ness Ave., Suite 220
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 252-3100
ethics.commission@sfgov.org