Posted on 02/19/2025
Councilmember Price, joined by Councilmembers Imelda Padilla and Adrin Nazarian, introduced a motion for the Ethics Commission, with assistance from the Chief Legislative Analyst and the City Attorney, to assess the feasibility of allowing candidates for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education to participate in the Public Matching Funds Program. This evaluation will include an analysis of the potential impacts on the Public Matching Campaign Funds Trust Fund and the necessary steps to place a ballot measure for expanded eligibility in 2026.
The Public Matching Funds Program, established by Los Angeles voters in 1990, aims to limit special interest influence in elections by providing public financing to qualified candidates. Candidates can receive matching public funds at a 6:1 ratio for individual contributions, significantly enhancing their campaign resources.
Since 2011, over $54 million has been spent by outside interests on LAUSD Board of Education races through independent expenditure groups, which face no contribution limits. In contrast, individual donations to candidate campaigns are capped at $1,300, often forcing candidates to seek endorsements from interest groups rather than engage directly with their communities.
Currently, while the City administers municipal elections for the Board of Education and enforces relevant fundraising and ethics guidelines, candidates are ineligible for the Public Matching Funds Program. Expanding eligibility would empower non-traditional candidates, reduce reliance on major fundraising, and promote greater community engagement, thereby enhancing the value of smaller contributions.