Phila. businesses try to enforce ethics rules

Philadelphia business leaders hope that by sticking together they can help stop so-called pay-to-play politics in the city.

Board members of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce have unanimously adopted a resolution intended to limit donations to anyone planning to run for mayor in 2007.

The resolution advises Chamber of Commerce member businesses not to make contributions greater than the $2,500 guideline set forth in recent city campaign finance law to potential candidates for mayor.

Potential candidates and the city solicitor have argued that the limits set forth in the law are not applicable until candidates have officially declared their intent to run, and some who have not declared their candidacy are still accepting such contributions.

But "the Chamber feels that those running for office should hold themselves accountable," Chamber spokesman Richard Barnes said. "It's the right thing to do."

Penn Political Science professor Henry Teune said the Chamber has likely taken a stand because businesses are fed up with candidates' requests for money.

"They're tired of these guys dunning them," Teune said. "They just looked at it and said, 'Oh my god, here we go and it's not even 2007.'"

The resolution asks that potential candidates voluntarily abide by the limits as well and that the media not endorse candidates who don't voluntarily abide by the limits.

Though the Chamber will not force its about 3,000 members to abide by the limits, it is "strongly encouraging" them to do so, Barnes said. He added that the Chamber had not yet heard from any businesses regarding whether they plan to ignore or to comply with the limits.

Ray McCaffrey, operations manager at Cinergy Solutions of Philadelphia -- a Chamber member and utility provider -- said that while he supports the limits, his company has never been a significant donor and is not at risk of losing business if it doesn't contribute.

"It would help [reduce] the pay-to-play type contracts you read about," McCaffrey said.

Union leader John Dougherty, who is eyeing a run for mayor, is abiding by the spirit of the law, said Dougherty spokesman Frank Keel, adding that campaign finance legislation should be at the state, not the city, level.

"This is a local bill that has no teeth. It's pointless," Keel said.

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