(Plain Press July 2024) At its June 3, 2024 meeting, Cleveland City Council passed campaign finance legislation (Ordinance No. 615-2024) that increased the amount of donations an individual can make to a City Council candidate from $1,500 per calendar year to $3,000 in a calendar year. The legislation also increased the amount of money a City Council candidate can accept from a political action committee from $3,000 per calendar year to $6,000 per calendar year. The legislation was sponsored by City Council President Blaine Griffin and Ward 5 City Council Representative Richard Starr.

   The legislation passed by a vote of 14-3 with Ward 12 City Council Member Rebecca Maurer, Ward 15 City Council Member Jenny Spencer and Ward 17 City Council Member Charles Slife voting against the legislation.

   In response to the City Council legislation a group called A Better Cleveland for All issued a press release saying it is “a grassroots alternative to the influence of wealthy corporate interests.” A Better Cleveland for All says it is a Political Action Committee (PAC) that aims to help progressive candidates run for Cleveland City Council seats.

   A Better Cleveland for All listed its donation guidelines saying: “We don’t accept donations from corporations or corporate PACs. We don’t accept donations from business owners who have an obvious stake in city policy or contracts. We don’t accept donations over $1,000 per year.”

   The Steering Committee for A Better Cleveland for All lists the following members: David Beach, Bishop Chui, Nora Kelley, Deb Kline, Patrick Murray, and Rosemary Palmer.