Lehigh County Executive unveils proposal for controlled spending
(Allentown) Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller today unveiled his proposal to institute limits to both campaign donations and campaign spending for the critical legislative and administrative elected County positions which ultimately control spending.
“There has been a lot of talk about reform in Lehigh County over the past few years. Rather than just paying lip service to the notion of campaign finance reform, my plan represents REAL reform,” said Muller. “It shines sunlight on many of the areas that have gone undisclosed in years past and it addresses the concerns most often raised by people interested in good, ethical government.”
Muller’s proposal is modeled after the City of Philadelphia’s campaign finance law, which imposes yearly spending limits on behalf of campaigns, and closes loopholes that would allow wealthy contributors to essentially “buy” elected positions. Currently, Lehigh County has no limitations on donations to or spending by candidates for office.
“I have been considering such a proposal since I was elected but didn’t feel I’d get the support needed from our Board of Commissioners. Their recent embracing of a Philadelphia approach to contributions and contracts suggests we are all on the same page”, said Muller. “Philadelphia was alert enough to address all sides of campaign funding and Lehigh County needs to do the same.”
“Because existing campaign laws allow funding of campaigns through a variety of channels, it is necessary to go beyond contribution limits and also establish limits for spending on campaigns. I doubt the average citizen is aware of how much is being spent on campaigns for even part-time positions except when the mailbox is stuffed with political flyers.”
Under the plan proposed by Muller, individual contributions to any candidate would be limited to $2,500 per candidate, per year and contributions from political committees would be limited to $7,500 per candidate per year.
Campaign spending limitations would include $125,000 for County Executive candidates, $7,500 for districted County Commissioner candidates, and $12,500 for “at-large” County Commissioner candidates. He is particularly pleased his proposal has drawn the support of the Controller, Sheriff, Coroner and Clerk of Judicial Records and they would set the maximum spending for their elected positions at no more than the annual pay for that office.
In addition, a candidate may only have one “checkbook” out of which all expenditures in seeking office and for any transition or celebrations would be paid.
Muller is in the process of working with the Department of Law to determine what legislative approach is best for establishing these limits and has expressed a willingness to work with the commissioners to “tweak” the spending limits for their $7,000 positions if they believe it is necessary. Commissioner Geoff Brace has already committed to sponsoring the proposal in whatever form is determined by the Department of Law.
Proposed Lehigh County Campaign Finance Limits
Campaign Contributions
- Individual contributions limited to $2,500 per candidate per year
- Individual PAC contributions limited to $7,500 per candidate per year
Note: The above limitations are inclusive of both direct contributions and those made via PAC’s and loans.
Campaign Spending Limitations
The following would be the maximum amount of campaign spending, including “in-kind” contributions, allowed in an election year (inclusive of Primary elections) for the various elected offices:
- County Executive: $125,000
- Clerk of Judicial Records, Sheriff, Coroner and Controller: Equal to the position’s annual pay
- Districted Commissioners: $7,500
- At-Large Commissioners: $12,500
Candidates will be requested to sign a contract agreeing to these spending limitations no later than the last day upon which they may withdraw as a candidate.
PAC Restriction
A candidate may have only one PAC/checkbook out of which all expenditures in seeking the office and expenses for transition and inauguration must be funded.
Information Provided By:
Jill Slivka
Executive Assistant to the County Executive
Lehigh County, Office of the County Executive
17 S. 7th Street, 4th Flr., Suite 436
Allentown, PA 18101
jillslivka@lehighcounty.org
