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Ethics Commission approves 2012 limited public financing report; staff cites changing rules and rising independent spending
Summary
The commission approved the draft report on San Francisco's 2012 limited public financing program, noting staff dispersed roughly $1.2 million in public funds and observed rising independent spending and shifting expenditure ceilings across cycles.
The San Francisco Ethics Commission voted to approve the draft report on the city's limited public financing program for the 2012 election cycle after a staff presentation summarizing participation and funding.
A staff member reported that 12 candidates qualified for public funding in 2012 and that the office dispersed approximately $1,200,000 in public funds; candidates spent about $3,000,000 and third-party persons spent approximately $1,500,000, according to the presentation. The staff speaker also noted that program rules and expenditure ceilings have changed over multiple election cycles, complicating year-over-year comparisons.
Commissioners asked whether the program met its goals and questioned how to measure whether the program increased participation in public office. Staff said the program appears to have qualified more candidates over time and that some candidates increasingly trust the program, but noted that independent spending has risen and court rulings have affected contribution limits for independent expenditures.
After brief discussion and a minor textual correction requested by staff, the commission moved to approve the draft report. The motion passed on a voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded.
Staff and commissioners said they will continue to monitor program metrics and consider what additional measures might indicate whether the public financing system is succeeding.
