Cypress Talks Big Changes to Election Money Rules

Lowering Donation Limits

The Cypress City Council is considering a significant reduction in the maximum donation a candidate can receive, from $5,900 to $500. The proposal, introduced by Mayor David Burke, aims to reduce the influence of special interest money in local elections.

Debate and Delays

Councilmember Bonnie Peat argued for postponing the discussion until next year, citing insufficient time to review the presentation. Burke countered that the materials were shared early but were only attached to the agenda on the day of the meeting. He emphasized that the discussion was exploratory and no vote would be taken immediately.

Comparison with State Limits

Burke highlighted that Cypress's current donation limits are far higher than those in many states. For example, a candidate for Cypress City Council can receive more from a single donor than a gubernatorial candidate in states like Colorado or Massachusetts.

Single-Member Districts and Voting Rights

Cypress is transitioning to single-member districts following a lawsuit alleging the previous system disadvantaged Asian American voters. The city settled the lawsuit at a significant cost, and the new system has given Democrats a majority on the council, despite only a slight edge in voter registration.

Transparency in Political Funding

Burke also proposed stricter disclosure rules for political ads. Currently, Political Action Committees (PACs) only need to disclose their own name, not their top donors. Burke wants to change this, especially after a PAC spent nearly $50,000 in the last election, with major donations from a trash company and a development firm.

Peat disagreed with Burke's presentation, arguing it misrepresented how candidates receive funds. Councilmember Kyle Chang supported continuing the discussion next year after a new councilmember is appointed.

Final Decision

The council voted 3-1 to draft new rules for donation limits and donor disclosures, with Peat opposed.