Pasadena Charter Task Force to Continue Discussions of Campaign Contribution Limits

The Pasadena Charter Study Task Force is scheduled to meet on Thursday, May 9 to continue discussions on potential changes to the city’s campaign contribution limits.

The meeting agenda includes a presentation on the Task Force’s draft final report and consideration of adjustments to the regular meeting schedule.

The Task Force has been examining campaign finance issues, including the impact of independent expenditure committees on local elections. At the previous meeting on April 25, the group reviewed data on campaign contributions and spending in Pasadena and other comparable cities.

Task Force member Andy Wilson expressed difficulty in tracing the source of funds donated to independent expenditure committees and stated the need for more information regarding any limitations on contributions to, and expenditures made by, independent expenditure committees.

The Task Force also discussed the differences between political action committees and independent expenditure committees, and the transparency around independent expenditure committee funding sources.

City Clerk Mark Jomsky presented data showing that Pasadena has seen lower levels of independent expenditures compared to other cities with lower contribution limits.

Wilson also presented an analysis on the correlation between contribution limits and independent spending, emphasizing that Pasadena is an outlier in terms of independent expenditures occurring in its city elections.

Several Pasadena residents spoke at the previous meeting, advocating for lower campaign contribution limits.

Vice Chair Marcus Hatcher said there is a need to determine if the matter at hand is to develop a solution to an optical problem, or an actual problem.

At the previous meeting, the Task Force requested additional information on the costs of enforcing contribution limits, how independent expenditure committees report contributions, and policies around elected officials voting on labor contracts if they have accepted donations from those unions. They also asked for data from cities using the state’s default contribution limits.

The May 9 meeting will include a presentation on the Task Force’s draft final report and potential changes to the regular meeting schedule. The public is invited to attend in person or virtually to provide comments.