In 1999 the League of Women Voters and other civic organizations decided to try again, organizing the Fair Elections Coalition to examine campaign reforms adopted by other cities. The charter amendment would re-establish limits on campaign contributions and increase reporting requirements. Mayoral candidates would need twice as many contributions in order to qualify. The fine for violating voluntary spending limits would be equal to three times the excess spending. Dell Heitkamp, a League of Women Voters member involved in the project, isn't optimistic about support from city council.
Most council members seem less than eager to talk about the proposal.
A member of Councilman John Cranley's staff said Cranley needs more time to study the proposal. Tax money shouldn't pay for political campaigns, DeWine says, because citizens are bound to disagree with some of their positions. Paving streets or other basic services would be a better use of the money, DeWine says. Bill Woods of Hyde Park, who helped research the charter amendment, acknowledges public funding will be the hardest part of the amendment to sell. But he says the proposal stands a good chance to pass, because people believe they no longer have a voice in elections.