Ban on political party donations lifted

By Craig Gustafson, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 6:06 p.m.

A federal appeals court has lifted a ban placed on political party donations in the city of San Diego ahead of the June 8 election, which could open the door to unlimited contributions from parties to City Council candidates over the next few weeks.

The ruling is the latest in a lawsuit filed by the county Republican Party and several individuals to change the city’s campaign finance laws, which they say are restrictive and infringe on free speech rights.

U.S. District Judge Irma Gonzalez had previously ruled that party donations should be allowed but issued a stay on her decision until the city adopted a limit for those contributions. The City Council set the cap at $1,000 last month, but the city’s adoption procedures for new laws mean it won’t go into effect until late June, after the election.

The Republicans appealed the judge’s decision, which is what led to Tuesday’s ruling by the 9th U.S. Court of Appeals to lift the stay.

The practical effect of the ruling isn’t known. Questions remain on whether the city can implement its $1,000 cap ahead of schedule and whether an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court would prevent any immediate contributions from parties.

Tony Krvaric, chairman of the county Republican Party, said there should be nothing to stand in the way of parties giving as much as they want directly to candidates until the city’s limit becomes law.

“We’re happy to stand for Democrats’ First Amendment rights too,â€