Ulster County Considering Limits on Campaign Contributions

The Kingston Daily Freeman reports that the Ulster County Legislature is considering legislation that would impose limits on campaign contributions to county elected official from certain sources.

Under a bill proposed by the Chair of the County Legislature, an elected official would not be permitted to accept campaign contributions from entities that do business with the county if their contract must be approved by or executed by the elected official.

It would also cap what businesses that have county contracts can contribute: $500 to county legislators, and $1,000 for county-wide officials.

This serves as a good reminder that a number of local governments throughout the state have enacted what are commonly known as “pay to play” laws that limit political donations by county contractors.