An annual limit of $12,707.79 for individual and group campaign contributions as part of Columbus' new proposed campaign finance law for municipal elections was criticized by every speaker Tuesday night at a public hearing at City Hall.

About 15 people attended with eight speakers expressing opposition to what they saw as an inadequate campaign finance limitation on donations — especially those from wealthy donors who can influence city policy. Many also questioned what they contend is an effort by Mayor Andrew Ginther's administration and the City Council to rush the proposal for a vote on Monday.

Ginther last week unveiled the campaign finance law, trumpeting that the city for the first time would place a limit on campaign contributions.

Bryan Clark, chief policy director for Mayor Ginther, said that the $12,707.79 figure matches the limit now imposed on state office races. In response to questions, Clark also noted that for some type of campaign finance law to be in place for the 2019 municipal elections, it would be best to have a vote at the end of this year.

But speakers weren't buying the city's reasoning.

"Mayor Ginther's proposed campaign-contribution limit ensures that big-moneyed special interests will continue to corrupt our local political system," said Will Petrik, 32, who was an unsuccessful candidate for City Council in 2017. Petrik is part of the Yes We Can grass roots organization, which has run council candidates against Democratic incumbents.

Alexa Hanna, 25, said that while she is pleased that Ginther tried to address the issue, "I do not believe for a second that a campaign contribution limit as ridiculously high as $12,707.79 will allow residents to have an equal voice in Columbus elections."

Some speakers commended the proposed law for requiring the disclosure of contributors of so called "dark money", in which anonymous donors finance advertisements that are critical in nature.

But Joe Motil, 62, who has run for council a number of times, said that he doesn't see where it is an issue because "dark money" rarely is used to finance ads in Columbus city races.

jwoods@dispatch.com

@Woodsnight