Williams, Kenney support Council's donor bill
Organizations spending big money on political candidates would have to disclose their spending more often.
GREATER transparency is something every political candidate will promise to bring to the city in exchange for your sweet, delicious vote during the upcoming primary and general elections.
But why wait that long for some sunlight?
City Council President Darrell Clarke introduced a bill earlier this week that would reveal more information about the big money groups behind some of your favorite local pols.
The proposed legislation would require nonprofit organizations, corporations, partnerships and political action committees that spend $5,000 on ads - televised, print, digital, whatever - in favor of a candidate to disclose their spending to the Board of Ethics four times in the weeks leading up to an election.
The Democratic mayoral front runners, state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams and former City Councilman Jim Kenney, released dueling statements yesterday declaring their full support of the bill.
Williams - who has faced intense scrutiny over American Cities, a pro-Williams super PAC run by a trio of wealthy Main Liners - took a shot at Kenney, who also has a super-PAC on his side: Building a Better Pennsylvania, which is tied to Local 98 leader John Dougherty.
"Voters have a right to raise questions about financing of candidates in this campaign," Williams said in an emailed statement.
"If people are concerned that three education philanthropists, who are completely transparent about their interests, support my candidacy, how much more concerned should we be with John Dougherty's support of Mr. Kenney?"
Williams said transparency builds public trust. "Unfortunately, Mr. Kenney's campaign fails that test."
Kenney didn't respond specifically to Williams' jabs.
"In the early 2000s, I worked with then-Councilman Nutter to establish the Board of Ethics and other legislation that would keep special interests from buying municipal elections," he said in an emailed statement.
"However, it's clear that the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling has allowed a few wealthy outsiders to have the loudest voice in Philadelphia's election.
"I support Council President Clarke's bill and, as mayor, I will fight to eliminate the influence of money in campaigning and governance."
If Clarke's bill is adopted by City Council and signed by Mayor Nutter, it would take effect on July 1.