Ward 6 D.C. Councilman Tommy Wells plans to tackle lobbyist influence this session with a bill that bans political contributions from corporations and lobbyists. It also proposes to reform the constituent services fund, which has recently come under scrutiny.
Here are the details, according to a staff email:
Gifts: Registered D.C. lobbyists would be prohibited from contributing to principal campaign committees and constituent services funds, and elected officials and their staff would be barred from receiving free legal representation.
Constituent Services Fund: Corporations with existing contracts and pending contract approvals before the Council and lobbyists are prohibited from contributing to the fund. Council members would be limited to raising $10,000 per year (reduced from $80,000) for the fund.
Campaign expenditures: Changes amount an individual may contribute to a political committee to match the contribution limit set forth for candidates. This avoids outside contributions greater than what is allowed to the candidates themselves.
