Campaign Reform Rejected
Mayoral Candidate Brings Up Topic of Public Campaign Financing

Commissioner Michael Gongora found the proposal a bit unfair.

By Bonnie Schindler

Sure, the November elections are nine months away, but Commissioner Matti Herrera Bower wants the city of Miami Beach to start playing nice.

In between approving items during the City Commission meeting on Wednesday, Bower, who is running for mayor, took the floor regarding the creation of a “blue-ribbon committee to discuss campaign finance reform for City Commission races.”

Her proposed committee would find ways to financially aid those who wish to run but are not connected to campaign donators.

“It might be futile, but it’s very hard to raise money, and we need to look at how we can help the candidates who are advocates, [but who are] not in touch with the people who give money all of the time,” Bower said.

There are handfuls of “talented people that are housewives, teachers, and are actually thinking of running” and would love to be in a political position of leadership, but can’t make a good run because they cannot make up the money, she said.

Commissioner Michael Gongora, who will have to run for re-election in November, found the proposal a bit unfair.

“What you are talking about is balancing the playing field,” but all candidates can go out and canvass the neighborhood, or run untraditional campaigns, he said, adding that it is not a good idea to help some candidates and not others.

There are other factors that play a role in campaigns, including electioneering communications organizations, or ECOs, Commissioner Richard Steinberg said.

ECOs can run ads that clearly identify a candidate or an issue, but do not suggest how to vote, according to the Florida State Senate Web site.

And because ECOs collect and contribute to advertising but need not be identified, large sums of money can be funneled into a candidate’s campaign without leaving a trail. 

Last November ECOs were blamed for much of the negative campaigning in state, county and city of Miami Beach elections.

Therefore, according to Steinberg, creating a committee would not result in productive changes. “Until the state changes the ECO laws, we are swimming upstream.”

No official committee was formed at the end of the discussion; however, Mayor David Dermer encouraged Bower to pursue her idea.

"[If she wants to talk about it with people], then God bless her."

Comments? E-mail letters@miamisunpost.com.