Cambridge City Council Tables Resolution on Campaign Funds

A resolution requiring candidates in Cambridge city elections to disclose the sources of all campaign contributions prior to election day provoked a spirited debate in City Council last night, but a vote on the measure was postponed until next week.

The resolution, proposed by councillor Saundra Graham, cited recent developments on the state and national political scene as justification for amending present Massachusetts laws.

Candidates currently do not have to reveal campaign fund sources until 30 days after an election or primary.

Councillor Robert P. Moncreiff opposed the resolution, claiming that such a measure is outside of the council's jurisdiction. "This council does not have the power to enact such legislation," he said. "Disclosure laws belong in the state and national legislatures."

"It's unfair to ask a candidate to amass such information in the last week of an election," Moncreiff said.

Graham said she proposed the resolution two weeks ago but that other council business delayed discussion on it. "Besides, all candidates have their records on file and it is in the best interest of the city to disclose this information," she said.

Councillor Alfred E. Vellucci was vocal in his support of the resolution. "If you are not afraid to disclose where your funds come from, you will vote for this order," he told the resolution's opponents.

Addressing himself to Mayor Barbara Ackermann, Vellucci said, "It would take me three minutes to write my contributions down, but it would take you three days."

Ackermann said, however, that she supported the resolution.

The debate ended when Moncreiff called for tabling the resolution until the council's meeting on Monday.