Aldermen won’t give up push for campaign finance reform

By Jane Regan

Even though the mayor vetoed their proposed campaign finance reform ordinance, Alderman-At-Large Bill White and his colleagues aren’t giving up.

Known as a “Pay-to-Play” law, the ordinance would limit the amount of money people hoping to do real estate development-related business with the city at $250. It passed with seven votes on September 11 but on September 23, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone sent a letter to the Board of Alderman indicating he was vetoing it.

White, president of the Board, told Somerville Neighborhood News (SNN) that the law would be considered again in the near future.

“We’ll schedule it for a veto override vote,” White explained. “The public at large will be entitled to weigh in. That’s why you can have a veto and you can have an override. Because it then focuses more public interest and scrutiny on the issue and maybe folks will reach out and contact their elected officials.”

At the September 11 meeting, Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz explained why she supported it.

This story and more on the latest newscast of Somerville Neighborhood News. Visit our website for more news segments at www.somervilleneighborhoodnews.org.

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