九色视频

The Town Council has ironed out a drafted campaign finance ordinance. Council members wrapped up their proposed edits to the legislation Monday during the second of two workshops on the matter.

Ward 3 representative David Montgomery, who sponsored the ordinance alongside Mayor Megan Cook during the lead-up to May鈥檚 election, says he鈥檚 pleased with its status.

鈥淚 think there have been some very valuable comments,鈥� Montgomery said in an interview Tuesday. 鈥淪o I鈥檓 very happy where the draft stands now.鈥�

Easton doesn鈥檛 currently have any campaign finance-related laws in place, and financial disclosures submitted by candidates around the dates they file for candidacy don鈥檛 offer specific details into campaign contributions. The matter raised debate during the election cycle in May, especially between current Council President Don Abbatiello and his predecessor, Frank Gunsallus.

The council is expected to decide on a public hearing date for the ordinance at its next meeting Aug. 18. That hearing will allow for more resident input before the legislation is eligible for a vote.

On Monday, Ward 4 representative the Rev. Elmer Davis asked for the council to take its time with the legislation.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to rush into anything when we have time on our side,鈥� Davis said.

Here鈥檚 a look at some of the specific rules candidates would have to follow if the ordinance passes:

• Campaign contributions, except from spouses or domestic partners, would be limited to $1,000. Council increased the mark from $250 as originally proposed.
• Contributions from political committees and organizations would be prohibited. (Town elections are nonpartisan, though May鈥檚 election raised questions
  • about political party influence.)
  • All candidates would need a treasurer.
  • Treasurers would be required to submit regular campaign reports to the town office, beginning no later than two months prior to the election date.
  • Campaign materials would have to include authority lines unless the town鈥檚 election supervisor grants exemption.
  • Candidates would not be allowed to accept more than $2,500 in loans during an election cycle.

  As drafted, the ordinance would also require persons, organizations and political committees to report election-related spending, even if independent of any candidates. Expenditures under $100 would not need to be reported to the town.

  On Monday, the council agreed to increase a 48-hour deadline for the reporting of independent expenditures to one week.

  Also at Monday鈥檚 workshop, council amended the draft legislation to require that election winners pay any fines related to the campaign finance rules before being sworn in. A violation of the campaign finance ordinance would result in a $500 fine.