by Kirk Ross
Staff Writer
The General Assembly authorized the Town of Carrboro to set a limit on campaign contributions for town races this week.
The new legislation allows the town to change its election ordinances to limit contributions from individuals to $250.
The bill passed the state Senate in mid-May. The House passed a slightly different version in early July with a conference committee working out the differences in the versions, which mainly involved a timeline for action by the town in the House version.
The legislation is scaled down compared to a bill that was held up last year after two candidates for local office — Sharon Cook and Katrina Ryan — and other residents petitioned Rep. William Faison to try and stop the measure. They said the bill did not get a full hearing, a criticism that was disputed by town officials who said the bill was discussed as part of the proposed legislative agenda. Faison represents two precincts in northern Carrboro.
Since then, Faison, Rep. Verla Insko, the bill’s main sponsor, and board of aldermen members Dan Coleman and Lydia Lavelle worked to find language agreeable to all parties.
The measure allows the town to set contribution limits for the 2009 town elections, but expires 60 days prior to the filing start for the 2011 elections. In order for limits to apply to that and subsequent elections the board of aldermen will have to approve limits prior to each town election.
Mayor Mark Chilton said he expects the board to discuss the legislation once it reconvenes after the summer break. Chilton said that if the board decides to change the ordinance it would hold a public hearing, a requirement under town rules.
The limit on contributions mirrors similar legislation authorized for Chapel Hill, but does not include that town’s requirement that require campaigns to report the source of donations over $20.