Campaign ‘99

Candidate Q&A

The Question: Do you believe there should be limits for contributions to candidates in city elections? Asked of candidates for Spokane City Council.

The Background: The 1999 elections have seen record levels of contributions, in some cases thousands of dollars, to candidates and political action committees that support candidates and ballot initiatives.

Position 1

David Bray: “No, but I think there should be limits in the total amount of money received and spent by candidates. It should be related to the salary of the elected official, perhaps no more than double.”

Roberta Greene: “Absolutely, because we are setting such a dangerous precedent with this election. This is going to scare off poor candidates. (Contribution limits) should be similar to those for state legislators,’ which are $550 per donor per election.

Position 2

Steve Corker: Yes, as part of overall campaign finance reform that shortens the campaign season, requires access that guarantees minimum exposure by the media and considers public financing. Possible limits could be $1,000 for individuals, $2,500 for corporations and $5,000 for PACs.

Al French: Yes, for PACs giving to candidates of $2,500. “If we are going to make the process open so everyone can participate, it needs to be accessible to everyone. When a PAC can contribute what they do at this point, it takes it out of the realm of the everyday person.”

Position 3

Jeff Colliton: No. “I think it is up to the individual to accept or not accept the money. They have to make the decision on what PAC or individual they might want to accept it from.”

Steve Eugster: No, because it’s a violation of state law. “Look at Bare v. Gorton. I was the attorney on the appeal, and the court held that campaign expenditure limitations were unconstitutional in the state of Washington.”

Campaign trivia

The list of candidate appearances is so long in this final week before the election that we have space only for a trivia question. This one suggested by Erik Skaggs, former legislative aide turned legislative director for Metropolitan Mortgage … What current candidate for local office once was the campaign director for Republican state Rep. Jim West? Yes, this was so long ago that West was running for the House, not the Senate … The candidate in question is not eligible for the prize. First person who submits the right answer to a phone number or address below wins a historic campaign button.

Catch the candidates

Today: Rerun of League of Women Voters forum on Spokane city candidates and ballot issues. 9 a.m., City Channel 5 on TCI cable.

Monday: Debate between Spokane City Council candidates Steve Corker and Al French, sponsored by North Spokane Rotary. 12:30 p.m., Inn at the Park.

Monday: Rally for supporters of Initiative 695, with representatives of different political parties and independents. 5 p.m., Spokane City Hall.

Wednesday: Discussion of possible effects of I-695, sponsored by the Reform Party, with council candidates Roberta Greene, David Bray, Steve Corker and Steve Eugster. 7 p.m., Room 1A, Downtown Spokane Library, Lincoln and Main.

Thursday: Candidates forum for state House candidates, Garfield City Council Position 1, sponsored by Garfield Lions. 7 p.m., Garfield Community Center.

Thursday: Spokane City Council candidate forum, sponsored by the Neighborhood Councils of Cliff/Cannon, Lincoln Heights, Manito/Cannon Hill and Rockwood. 8 p.m., Wilson Elementary School, 911 W. 25th.

Saturday: Rerun of League of Women Voters forum on Spokane city candidates and ballot issues. 9 a.m., City Channel 5 on TCI cable.

Oct. 31: Rerun of League of Women Voters forum on Spokane city candidates and ballot issues. 9 a.m., City Channel 5 on TCI cable.