Seen here arguing against the proposed “Pay-to-Play” ordinance back in July of this year, Mayor Curtatone formally submitted his veto of the final approved ordinance at the Board’s general meeting last week.

By Jim Clark

An updated version of the so-called “Pay-to-Play” ordinance regulating campaign contributions approved by the Board of Alderman’s Legislative Matters Committee was formally vetoed by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone in writing at the regular meeting of the Board last week.

The mayor had argued for a differing version of the ordinance, one featuring measures that would restrict city employee contributions, rather than the Boards version that focused on contributions made by property developers.

In a statement to the Board the mayor stated, “A fair, equitable and transparent electoral system forms the foundation of our democracy and of good, responsive government. I know you agree. Thus I appreciate the Board’s desire to ensure that fairness, equity and transparency are reflected in our election laws.”

The mayor’s communication went on to say, “The ordinance before you tonight is clearly well-intentioned, but it is with the greatest respect that I must also acknowledge that it is flawed. One thing I’m sure we have all learned from our years of public service is that bad legislation can do far greater harm than good, especially when it impacts the very foundation of our democratic process. The proposed ordinance leaves glaring gaps that [are] effectively politicizing our planning and zoning boards. A grave move considering these critical boards are intended to remain outside the political process.”

The mayor has long argued that he was concerned that the proposed law would impose too many restrictions and negatively affect those who would run for office as well as set the stage for the zoning and planning boards to become involved in political decisions.

The Committee’s proposed ordinance was approved by a vote of 7 to 4, with Aldermen Sullivan, White Jr., McLaughlin, Lafuents, Niedergang, Gewirtz, and Ballantyne voting “aye” and Aldermen Connolly, Rossetti, Heuston, and McWatters voting “nay.”

The mayor’s formal veto of the ordinance was submitted to the Board of Alderman at last week’s regular meeting.

In a lighter moment at the meeting, Ward 6 Alderman Gewirtz asked if what she had read was correct, that this was the first veto in the history of the city. Board President White Jr. assured her that “in the old days those things were flying fast and furious.”

Turning to the issue in earnest, Alderman Gewritz said, “It’s certainly the first veto in the 10 years that I have been here. I think it actually might warrant a public hearing, to hear from people about this issue. It’s an important issue and I know a lot of people do care about it.”

“We didn’t have a public hearing in committee because there were two versions of the very similar ordinances,” Gewirtz added. “Almost everyone on the Board of Alderman had signed on. So we didn’t deem it necessary to have a public hearing, but maybe at this point it is.”

Alderman Gewirtz then recommended that a public hearing be held. Board President White Jr. stated that he will schedule a meeting that will involve the full Board and present a public hearing on the matter.