Spokane7
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October 25, 2011 in City
Campaign-limit trend shifts to smaller races
Campaign contributions for elected offices in state, county and city governments are limited to a maximum of $1,600. But smaller political races, such as school board, fire commissioner, park board and water district commissioner, have no limits.
Washington voters in 1992 overwhelmingly approved restrictions on donations to legislative candidates and the law was expanded last year to include all county, city council and mayoral candidates.
“School boards should be next,” said state Rep. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, who plans to bring a bill on the issue during the 2012 legislative session. “I think there should be limits in all races. It gives voters confidence. It’s about no one person or group having excessive influence.”
The state representative says the bill was not motivated by any particular school board race.
But the Spokane Public Schools board race offers an example where money might suggest influence.
Candidates Sally Fullmer and Deana Brower have each collected nearly $13,000.
Brower, who has been endorsed by the Spokane Education Association – the district employees’ union, representing more than 3,000 members – hasn’t received any contribution over $500. She’s gotten two separate $400 donations from the Washington Education Association, the statewide union.
Fullmer has collected more than $6,300 in campaign contributions from one person – Duane Alton. The former tire store owner, a Liberty Lake resident, has been a vocal opponent of school-funding measures recently, including bonds and levies in the Spokane, Central Valley, East Valley, Coeur d’Alene and Orchard Prairie school districts.
He’s also financially supported conservative candidates and action groups, according to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission. But Alton’s contributions to Fullmer are the largest he’s made to a single candidate.
“Most of the candidates that he’s contributed to have had limits, so the contributions had to stay below $1,600,” said PDC spokeswoman Lori Anderson.
Fullmer said she supposed Alton’s support is because “he agrees with my message of accountability, transparency, improved academic results, less bureaucracy – efficient administration with less spending.”
She did not indicate any familiarity with him, other than to say she’s had a “conversation” with him.
Alton claims his support is because he knows Fullmer’s family. Also, “I do think she wants to improve the quality of education for students in our area.”
Regardless, Fullmer appreciates the help, she said. “I don’t have the whole (school) district supporting me.”
Recent stories by Jody Lawrence-Turner
School districts emphasize science, trades May 26, 2012 4- Students to pay, work for prank May 24, 2012
- Sandpoint High students vandalize school in senior prank May 23, 2012 7
- Spokane schools officials’ pay frozen May 15, 2012 18
- Redinger brings fresh direction, expectations to District 81 May 13, 2012 7
Bugaboo on October 26 at 6:12 a.m.
Fantastic piece of journalism.
A public school district, a union representing our teachers, and a candidate for public office have broken the law using taxpayer money to get said candidate elected, and the big story is about a businessman who pays his taxes to Spokane Public Schools, isn’t seeing results that are worth the money, and so decides to back a candidate he believes will make a change.
I have children subjected daily to the district’s mediocrity. If I had $6,300 I’d give it to Sally too.
While we’re talking about contributions, it should be noted (but conveniently isn’t) that Andy Billig is a contributor of Deana Brower’s (so the statement, “the bill was not motivated by any particular school board race,” is suspect at best), and that the Spokesman endorses Brower as well.
Citizen on October 26 at 10:38 a.m.
I am voting for Deana Brower - she has the support of both the teachers (union/labor) and the administration. That ability to talk to and negotiate with both sides is a winner.
Her opponent has run on big-bucks from a political-machine funder, is suing the very board she wishes to serve on, and bashes administration. Hard to see any upside in her election.
I am bothered by her someone’s duplicitness in comparing the two statements about Alton, “She (Fullmore) did not indicate any familiarity with him (Alton), other than to say she’s had a “conversation” with him.”
“Alton claims his support is because he knows Fullmer’s family. Also, ‘I do think she wants to improve the quality of education for students in our area.’”
Join me as I vote for Deana Brower.
laurierogers on October 26 at 4:45 p.m.
Comments about duplicitousness are ironic.
A big difference between the union’s support for Deana Brower and Duane Alton’s support for Sally Fullmer is that Fullmer won’t be voting on bargaining agreements with Alton. And Fullmer doesn’t have to worry about Alton using public resources to campaign for elective candidates or ballot propositions. And Alton didn’t violate the Collective Bargaining Agreement by sending out campaign ads to schoolchildren — in contravention of RCW 42.17.130.
If we could add up all of the union and district support given to Brower - how much it would be? The progressive training, the long list of union member emails, the organized sign waving, the free face time with teachers and staff, the ads, the invitations to district activities and events …
Please read through my blog articles on the campaign and the PDC complaint for more on these issues. The union/district activity with respect to the KIDS Newspaper likely has affected three campaigns.
Brower answers that her meetings with teachers and staff was done on “union-protected” time. She’s OK with district staff inviting her to speak to teachers and staff on public property, knowing that the other candidates were NOT afforded those opportunities?
The district used taxpayer resources for Brower’s benefit, which Brower has not - to the best of my knowledge - come out and unequivocally condemned.
Please join me in voting for Sally Fullmer.
— Laurie Rogers, education advocate, Spokane
gkambs on October 26 at 8:14 p.m.
When you have a candidate endorsed by the school board, District 81 administrators and the SEA such as Ms. Brower you don’t have a candidate you have a crony put on a platform to preserve the status quo. That would be acceptable if those three conglomerations were accountable for the results they get from our children. But, they are not accountable. If they were Spokane School District would not be at or near the top of the leader board in virtually every negative statistic used to measure our children’s performance. Drop out rates, suspension rates, and the largest (by far) remedial math rates in the state for our students that actually go to college.
Ms. Brower said the school needs more money, how much more she does not know. She approves of our Superintendents salary (over 250K a year) and the (actually) over 200 administrators that gross over 100K
I am deeply disturbed at the overt corruption the “big 3” have gone through to get her elected but, I am more concerned about the covert things they are doing, the stuff we cannot see. And it certainly was not the Spokesman review who unveiled the corruption. I guess we should be happy they even reported it in this sickeningly lopsided article, since they too have endorsed her.
When you cast your ballot think about the people who have been protesting in our streets and in streets across our nation. They are there protesting the status quo in big business and big government. We cannot afford to preserve this corrupt system any longer. Our school system needs a major overhaul, a vote for Ms. Fullmer is a step in that direction. Nothing will change if the SEA and district administrators get their way.