Ethics task force urges reforms

A mayoral task force on ethics reforms has recommended tighter rules for campaign fundraising, the registration of lobbyists prowling City Hall, the elimination of a pension windfall for elected officials and looser restrictions on political activity by city workers.

If preliminary recommendations by the nine-member panel are enacted, city employees could pursue political activities on their own time and serve as party committeemen and committeewomen.

"We found many of these restrictions were put in effect in the '50s, based on a perceived climate in Philadelphia in the '20s, '30s and '40s," said task-force chairman Michael Schwartz.

Schwartz said that when he was a federal prosecutor, he had more latitude for political activity than city workers did.

"I could be active in a political party as along as I didn't solicit contributions and didn't do it in my work hours," Schwartz said. "I could have been a ward leader."

Schwartz said that the task force will take comments on the 42 recommendations at a May 5 hearing and issue a final report later this year.

Many recommendations will require City Council approval, and some will have to go before voters as city Home Rule Charter amendments.

Committee of Seventy President Zack Stalberg said that the task force has done a good job, but hopes that it won't release its final report until the fall, so that its consideration won't be caught up in the current Council battles over the city budget.

Among other recommended changes:

* Applying the contribution limits in city campaigns to each election cycle, rather than a calendar year, so that incumbents or potential candidates can't accumulate maximum contributions for several years before running for election.

* Implementing tougher penalties for candidates failing to properly report their campaign fundraising and expenses, up to "a ban from holding elective office or employment with the city."

* Implementing a strict anti-nepotism and anti-fraternization policy prohibiting city workers from hiring, promoting, recommending or supervising people with whom they have a familial or romantic relationship.

* Appointing a commission to study public funding of city campaigns. The task force said that it was "an idea worth in-depth study and analysis."

_ Registering city lobbyists for the first time. Lobbyists would have to list their expenses and name the clients on whose behalf they were expended.

All the recommendations can be seen at http://go.philly.com/ recommend. *