> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Report from living wage commission to be reviewed - URL: https://www.smdp.com/report-from-living-wage-commission-to-be-reviewed/ - Published: 2003-12-16T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T03:20:02.000Z - Author: Guest Author - Tags: Government & Politics, Santa Monica, #archive-import *LOCAL ❑STATE City Council to discuss commission suggestions* *By Daily Press staff* The City Council is expected tonight to mull campaign reforms pushed by proponents of the living wage measure, which was narrowly defeated last fall. Living wage backers, smarting from what they say were unfair campaign tactics, are proposing a host of measures to stop the strategies. But city staffers suggest a host of problems may await the reforms. The living wage would have increased pay and benefits for workers in non-union businesses near the beach that gross more than $5 million annually. In the report, backers accuse opponents of deliberately misleading voters, prompting a narrow defeat — the margin was 1.7 percent — at the polls. Another living wage proposal is expected on next year’s ballot. A “living wage commission” comprised of academics, clergy and other community members in June recommended a series of changes. Reforms pushed by living wage backers may be a ticklish issue for the council. Its political control rests in the hands of the Santa Monicans for Renters Rights (SMRR), which backs a living wage. But legal and ethical issues raised by city staff may blunt the push for reforms sparked by an electoral defeat more stinging due its closeness. One recommendation would make it more clear who’s building political war chests and how the money from them is spent. Another would create a new commission just to review election complaints. City Hall staffers said several of the suggestions are already in place in Santa Monica. Others may be unrealistic because they cost too much in either time or money. Still others have legal complications, according to documents prepared by City Attorney Marsha Moutrie and City Clerk Maria Stewart. “Generally speaking, California cities may enact contribution and disclosure laws in addition to those required by state law... Nonetheless, constitutional restrictions, which protect rights of speech, privacy, association and petition, limit cities’ ability to legislate in the area of campaign reform,” a note written by Moutrie and Stewart says. City Hall staffers said enforcing that requirement may be difficult because often groups are formed after a measure qualifies. They go on to say that the ballot format requirement, among other suggestions, would necessitate statewide action. > “slate mailer” — Backers of the living wage think the City Clerk should make available campaign finance information about organizations Identifying all five of a political committee’s top contributors may not be feasible, according to Moutrie and Stewart. “Because of the printing and mailing deadlines for the ballot pamphlet, any information printed regarding the contributors would become ‘stale’ by the time voters received the information pamphlet... Also, adopting the proposal would create an incentive for forming committees after the printing deadline,” they wrote. And then there are legal concerns. According to Moutrie and Stewart, printing contributors on a ballot or ad may violate state law. What’s more, there may be constitutional issues surrounding the right to anonymous political speech, even if included in advertising. Backers of the living wage think the City Clerk should make available campaign finance information about “slate mailer” organizations. Slate mailers, which are sent to residents before an election, can be misleading because they often group several candidates and measures together, leading to the false assumption that the candidates support all the issues. A last-minute blitz of misleading slate mailers descended on Santa Monica before the last living wage election. The living wage commission asked the City Clerk to post online within 24 hours all campaign statements — including late payments to slate mailer organizations. City Hall staffers said they already post statements as soon as possible. In the area of campaign finance reporting, the commission recommended requiring slate mailer organizations to file statements of organization with the City Clerk two weeks prior to an election. But Moutrie and Stewart said that may cause legal problems because it “could be perceived to hinder the exercise of constitutional rights to participate in the electoral process.” Another suggestion from the commission was to require all groups that spend $1,000 or more to report to the City Clerk. Moutrie and Stewart said City Hall’s reporting levels could be made more strict than the state’s, but noted possible additional enforcement costs. The living wage backers also encouraged the state and City Hall to include an explanation of slate mailers in ballot pamphlets. But Moutrie and Stewart said City Hall already offers a free pamphlet explaining slate mailers, and added that there are two additional concerns surrounding the suggestion. But Moutrie and Stewart warned that while slate mailers were a factor at the last election, abuses may surface from any quarter. “Thus, it is unclear why there should be a particular warning about slate mailers that are, like other election campaign materials, protected speech,” they say. Finally, the commission recommended creating a “Santa Monica Ethics Commission” to review election complaints, provide training to candidates and treasurers, and monitor other issues. Moutrie and Stewart said that issue is a matter of policy for the council, but added that other agencies and avenues exist for reaching the same goals. *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 16, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/121603.pdf?ref=smdp.com)