Title
Amending Chapter 20-1000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled Political Contributions And Expenditures, by amending the limits for campaign contributions made to candidates for City offices, all under certain terms and conditions.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Section 20-1000 of The Philadelphia Code is amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 20-1000.
POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES
§ 20-1001. Definitions.
* * *
(14) Primary Election Contribution. Any contribution to a candidate made prior to the date of a primary election in which he or she is a candidate.
* * *
§ 20-1002. Contribution Limitations.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (6), no individual shall make total contributions per [calendar year] covered election, including contributions made to or through one or more political committees, of more than [two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500)] thirteen hundred dollars ($1,300) to a candidate for City elective office.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (6), no person, other than individuals who are covered under § 20-1002(1), and no political committee shall make total contributions per [calendar year] covered election of more than [ten thousand dollars ($10,000)] five thousand three hundred dollars ($5,300) to a candidate for City elective office.
* * *
(10) After the primary election, no candidate may spend any primary election contribution for the purpose of influencing the outcome of a general election in which he or she is a candidate, nor may any candidate political committee spend any primary election contribution for such purpose, including, but not limited to, the purpose of paying any post-primary expenses of such candidate political committee.
* * *
(6) The limitations imposed by this Chapter shall not apply to contributions from a candidate's personal resources to the candidate's candidate political committee. However, if such contributions total $250,000 or more (regardless of the time period over which such contributions are made), then the contribution limits set forth in this Section for all [other] candidates for that City elective office shall double with respect to any covered election for which the individual who has made the contribution of $250,000 or more is a candidate.
* * *
(8) On January 1, [2008] 2012 and on January 1 every four years thereafter, the maximum amounts set forth in § 20-1002(1) and (2) shall be adjusted, as follows. On the December 15 immediately preceding the adjustment, the Finance Director shall calculate the "CPI Multiplier" by dividing the average consumer price index for Philadelphia during the then-current calendar year by the average consumer price index for Philadelphia during calendar year [2005] 2009. To determine the average consumer price index for Philadelphia, the Finance Director shall use the latest available figures for the Consumer Price Index for all urban Consumers (CPI-U) All Items Index, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as measured by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. After calculating the CPI Multiplier, the Finance Director shall calculate the new maximum amounts as follows:
(i) The maximum amount for purposes of § 20-1002(1) shall equal [$2,500] $1,300, multiplied by the CPI Multiplier, rounded to the nearest $100.
(ii) The maximum amount for purposes of § 20-1002(2) shall equal [$10,000] $5,300, multiplied by the CPI Multiplier, rounded to the nearest $100.
The Finance Director shall certify the new maximum amounts in writing to the Mayor, the City Council President and Chief Clerk of Council.
SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall take effect January 1, 2009. The limitations on contributions established by this Ordinance shall not be applicable to contributions made before that date.
End
2