Chamber Opposes Lifting Campaign Finance Cap

Statement from Mark Schweiker,
President & CEO
Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce

As a staunch supporter of campaign finance limits, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce is disappointed that Philadelphia City Council is considering legislation to suspend newly enacted campaign contribution limits.  We urge City Council to reject this proposal.

Ironically, just 24 hours prior to this legislation's introduction, the Chamber filed an amicus brief, at the request of Philadelphia City Solicitor Romulo L. Diaz, Jr., in support of the city's effort to re-instate campaign finance limits. Last year, a city judge ruled as unconstitutional the Philadelphia Campaign Finance Ordinance designed to limit campaign contributions.

We support the law that limited mayoral candidates in the upcoming May 15 primary to accepting political action committee contributions up to $20,000 and individual contributions up to $5,000 because it makes good-government sense. These limits encourage greater participation from citizens and greater transparency.  

As our amicus brief states, the Chamber has a strong interest in "preventing the considerable harm done to the local business environment where there is even the perception of political favoritism or a  'pay-to-play' atmosphere in the City of Philadelphia based upon the possibility (indeed, the expectation by office holders and candidates) of potentially unlimited campaign contributions."

The Chamber supports campaign finance limits because, as noted in the amicus brief,   "even the perception of such a 'pay-to-play' environment deters businesses from residing in Philadelphia or engaging in business in Philadelphia."

For these reasons, we will continue to encourage Chamber members to voluntarily adhere to the spending limits established in the Philadelphia Campaign Finance Ordinance.

Last Updated: February 3, 2007