Posted on 08/08/2004 9:12:40 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Candidates for mayor have raised thousands of dollars from contractors, developers and others doing business with city departments even though Mayor James K. Hahn has proposed banning such political donations.
Hahn and former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg together accepted at least $50,000 from city contractors and their employees, according to a Los Angeles Times review of campaign finance statements from the first half of the year.
The two also pulled in more than $250,000 from real estate and development interests, at least $45,000 of which came from donors with business at City Hall.
"It's business as usual," said reform advocate Paul Ryan of the Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles. "It's to be expected, even if it is disappointing."
Hahn was elected mayor in 2001 after 16 years as city attorney and four years as city controller. His administration is under scrutiny by federal and county prosecutors who are looking into allegations that contracts in major city departments were linked to campaign contributions.
Six months ago, Hahn proposed barring political donations from firms with city contracts and developers seeking land-use permits, as well as their executives and majority owners. He argued the ban would "fundamentally reshape the political culture."
Besides Hahn, Hertzberg and state Sen. Richard Alarcon have voiced support for stricter rules on campaign donations. None has committed to rejecting such contributions, however.
Hahn said he wouldn't curb his fund-raising unless the laws changed. "Nobody is going to unilaterally disarm," he said.
Hertzberg campaign finance chairman Dan Weinstein denied any of Hertzberg's donors with city business were promised favors in return.
"There is no quid pro quo," Weinstein said.
Alarcon and a fourth candidate, Councilman Bernard C. Parks, received much less in donations from interests with city business, the Times reported. But they both accepted checks from contributors who have issues pending before them.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Ethics Commission is scheduled to consider political fund-raising reforms.
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