From Public Citizen

WHAT: The D.C. Council will vote Nov. 20 on critical pay-to-play legislation that would limit political contributions from District contractors to elected officials with sway over the contracting process. DC 4 Democracy, D.C., Jews United For Justice, Ward 3 Democrats, Public Citizen, Campaign Legal Center, the Brennan Center for Justice enthusiastically support the legislation and most will attend the vote and will be available for comment.

The legislation was passed unanimously by the Judiciary Committee on Oct. 18 and is championed by the committee’s chair Charles Allen (D-Ward 6). The bill incorporates proposals from Council Chair Phil Mendelson, Councilmembers Anita Bonds (D-At-Large), Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), Vincent Gray (D-Ward 7), David Grosso (I-At-Large), Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1), Elissa Silverman (I-At-Large), Robert White (D-At-Large), Trayon White, Sr. (D-Ward 8), and Attorney General Karl Racine. Specifically, the “Campaign Finance Reform Amendment Act of 2018” (B22-0107) would:

• Restrict major government contractors from making campaign contributions to those responsible for issuing the contracts, addressing ongoing concerns about “pay to play” politics;
• Ensure the independence of the campaign finance enforcement agency from political interference;
• Enhance the disclosure requirements for money in District elections and require that “independent” expenditures be truly independent of candidates; and
• Mandate training of all candidates and campaign treasurers of the campaign finance and ethics laws.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m., EST Tuesday, Nov. 20

WHERE: Wilson Building, Room 500
1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.