Last week, the Council spent two and half hours talking about making changes to a 1997 “competition policy.” At the prior Council meeting we spent two-plus hours talking about the same topic. That policy is already burdensome and makes it difficult for businesses and/or non-profits to jump through all the hoops to do business with the city. I don’t own a business or manage a non-profit, so don’t ask me, ask the only two businesses that tried to utilize the policy during the past 12 years, but to no avail.
I believe that all Council members have the right to bring up topics or policies that they are interested in. I think the Council does a good job of remaining civil towards each other so that we do not disrespect our colleagues who have differences of opinion.
Mayor Reed quoted Winnie the Pooh at the start of the discussion: “Before beginning a hunt, it is wise to ask someone what you are looking for before you begin looking for it.” The Mayor then asked the Councilmembers who authored a memo seeking changes to the current competition policy what problem is it that they were trying to fix. He asked for one example of something that went wrong that fueled their concerns. No one answered the Mayor’s question or gave one example.
I chose that day to not share opinions but rather just ask questions about the 15 additional proposed regulations to the policy. I asked several questions that took up about eight minutes and thanked my colleagues for their patience. The balance of the 2.5 hours was awkward, with back-and-forth about which group should review, when, how long, process, etc…
I want to thank the council members who brought forward the memo. They have opened the door to limiting campaign donations to city council races. In regulation five (out of 15), the proposal is to restrict campaign donations from any company that may provide an outsourced service to the city.
I understand the intent and agree. But why stop there?
The memo brings up the point that there is a connection between political campaign donations and elected officials’ decisions. Some people believe there is a direct connection between campaign donations and endorsements to an elected official’s voting record on things like contracts, which are covered directly in the competition policy.
Sooo…
Should we ban campaign donations from construction companies that build our community centers and libraries?
Should we ban campaign donations from residential and commercial developers as the Council regulates land use?
Should we ban campaign donations and volunteer time from public sector employee unions as the Council approves wages and benefits?
Should we ban campaign donations from anyone who makes money off city council decisions?
Currently, the only restricted source of campaign funds to San Jose city council races is from Garden City and Bay 101 Card Clubs.
Thank you for opening the door to allowing city council campaigns to one day be free
Instead of banning campaign contributions, can we do either of these things…?
1) Anyone who is in a position to have favors thrown their way has to donate into an “anonymous” fund.
Or.
2) Mandatory full publicity of how much and who donates to the cause. Front page news, local newsletters, donor websites, etc… Highlight the names of all donors on all propositions/decisions.
I think our elected officials should knock off the BS and get to work on our $65/+ million deficit. C’mon, what kind of half-arsed solution is laying off 18 people out of 7500?!? Does our Mayor and Council think that the Easter Bunny is going to save the day?
A friend is enclosing a porch to add a room. It can’t be more than 150 square feet. The building dept. has had the plans for many weeks.
They are laying off building dept. folks, allegedly due to the decreased amount of work. Hell, they can’t do the work in a timely manner with the people they have. Many of those folks must just sit around much of the day, LOOKING busy.
I GUESS IT IS EASIER TO DEBATE AND DEBATE THINGS THAN ACTUALLY GET SOMETHING DONE. SAD.
The more we limit campaign money the better.
The campaign money with the most conflicts is the public employee unions and especially public safety. These donations should be limited.
* Should we ban campaign donations from construction companies that build our community centers and libraries?
DEFINITELY YES
* Should we ban campaign donations from residential and commercial developers as the Council regulates land use?
DEFINITELY YES
* Should we ban campaign donations and volunteer time from public sector employee unions as the Council approves wages and benefits?
DEFINITELY YES
* Should we ban campaign donations from anyone who makes money off city council decisions?
DEFINITELY YES
This type of money does not belong in city council races
I don’t think it matters who donates as much is how much they donate, limiting one person’s donations would limit their potential influence. Plus going back and combing through records would just end up costing taxpayers more money. Additionally, I’d be in favor of an overall cap per position (i.e. a mayorial campaign is allowed more $ than city council…).
Also, it must be full disclosure and available to the public as to who donated and how much.
Last- P.O. what is your opinion? You complain about a 2.5 hour meeting on one topic, yet only ask questions for 8 minutes but don’t offer an opinion? Then come on line and ask more questions. I really like it when I see my representatives take a stance- what is yours?
Hello Paul,
Thanks for reading and making a comment.
My opinion on this topic was voting NO on adding 15 more regulations to a policy that is already difficult.
It is always my goal to speak concisely so 8 minutes is plenty of time to ask questions or make a statement. This topic will come back to council again in about 45 days and there will be opportunity again for more statements from the Council.
Dear Perluigi,
Next time you meet with the Mayor or the RDA ask them why there is no urban “youth hostel” in San Jose?.
There seems to be plenty of RDA money to throw at Teslas and Battery busses, positive results many years away.
I see no attempt to bring in young international tourists who would quickly perk up your sleepy tourist industry.
How can San Jose, CA, be considered “World Class” without a single hostel?
pgp3