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Motion expressing the Sense of Council of Allegheny County, encouraging the General Assembly to consider and approve legislation of statewide applicability that would amend the Pennsylvania Election Code to provide for campaign contribution limits, insuring greater public access to financial information regarding campaigns through the use of the Internet, and, considering legislation that would provide public financing as an alternative campaign reform tool.
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WHEREAS, the push for campaign finance reform has grown by leaps and bounds throughout the Commonwealth with residents calling for reforms that place contribution limits on candidates for political office; and
WHEREAS, although some reform may be able to be done on a local level, true campaign finance reform in the Commonwealth must come from the General Assembly and apply uniformly to all candidates for office within the Commonwealth, not just a select few that local law may be able to address; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of campaign contribution limitations can go a long way towards addressing the concerns with campaign finance and furthering the public trust in the electoral system; the establishment of guidelines on the state level would also insure that penalties are consistent and uniformly applied and enforced throughout the Commonwealth; and
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS MOVED, AND IT IS THE SENSE OF THE COUNCIL OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, that this Body encourages the General Assembly to consider and approve legislation of statewide applicability that would amend the Pennsylvania Election Code to provide for campaign contribution limits, insuring greater public access to financial information regarding campaigns through the use of the Internet, and, considering legislation that would provide public financing as an alternative campaign reform tool.
BE IT FURTHER MOVED that copies of this motion be transmitted to the Governor of the Commonwealth and the Members of the General Assembly from Allegheny County.