Philadelphia City Council tightens campaign finance rules

Philadelphia City Council has unanimously passed changes to the ethics rules. 

The bill is designed to close a loophole in the current ethics law that allows well-heeled donors to funnel money through multiple political action committees to circumvent the annual contribution limit of $10,600. Councilwoman Marian Tasco said the bill isn’t perfect but council wants to send a signal to those trying to get around the rules.

“We did not address that when we first did the ethics bill and we want to make sure that was covered, which was not covered in the original bill,” said Tasco.

Councilman Bill Green among others has benefitted from the loophole. He said the new bill doesn’t go far enough.

“People contributed to my PAC, and they contributed legally under Philadelphia law and I’m trying to fix that and make that no longer the case,” said Green.

Councilwoman Tasco said the bill needs more amendments that could come in the future.