Title
AN ORDINANCE proposing repeal of Section 690 of the King County Charter, to eliminate the requirement that candidates for nomination or election to an elective county office file statements of campaign contributions and expenditures with the county, in addition to campaign finance filings required by state law; and submitting the same to the voters of the county for their ratification or rejection at the November 2008 general election.
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STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. The King County Charter was adopted by the voters of King County in 1968 and became effective May 1, 1969. At its adoption, the charter included Section 690, which requires candidates for nomination or election to an elective county office to file statements of campaign contributions and expenditures with the county department responsible for conducting elections.
2. The adoption of the King County Charter including Section 690 predated the enactment of Initiative 276 in 1972. Initiative 276, codified in chapter 42.17 RCW, requires campaign contribution and expenditure reporting for candidates, political parties and political campaigns. Reports are required by state law to be filed with the Public Disclosure Commission.
3. The enactment of Initiative 276 made Section 690 of the King County Charter a duplicative and unnecessary campaign reporting process at the county level which imposes costs and burdens on King County government as well as candidates without providing any additional public benefit.
4. It is appropriate to repeal Section 690 of the King County Charter to eliminate wasteful and unnecessary local county reporting requirements for information required by state law to be filed with the Public Disclosure Commission.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. There shall be submitted to the voters of King County for their approval and ratification or rejection, at the next general election to be held in this county occurring more than forty-five days aft...
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