Muskogee mayor hits campaign finance wall

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BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: January 8, 2009

MUSKOGEE — Muskogee’s 20-year-old mayor, an advocate for openness and transparency in city government, has lost a battle for local campaign finance reform.

John Tyler Hammons

The city council’s Public Works Committee on Tuesday voted down, 6-2, Mayor John Tyler Hammons’ campaign finance reporting ordinance plan.

Hammons and Councilman David Ragsdale voted for the measure. A council member was absent.

Hammons’ proposal would have required candidates for city offices to file disclosures reporting any campaign contributions of $200 or more. Failing to comply could result in a fine and a misdemeanor conviction.

"I’m very much opposed to it,” said Bob Luttrull, who voted against it.

"On what grounds?” Hammons asked.

"I think it’s just stupid,” Luttrull answered.

Jim Ritchey, who voted against it, said Hammons’ repeated messages calling for openness and transparency in government implies those now in office have something to hide.

Ragsdale said he felt requiring the disclosures could keep some people from seeking election to the council, not because they had something to hide, but because it would create a lot of red tape that they would not want to wade through.

Hammons said the proposed law was patterned after one in Broken Arrow.

He said cities with charters and school boards are the only elected entities whose members do not have to report campaign expenses and income.

"This is a step toward progress,” Hammons said.

He said he was voted into office by people who wanted change.

"This is the change they wanted,” said Hammons, who was among the nation’s youngest mayors ever when he was elected in May at age 19.

Related Topics: Politics, Elections and Voting, Campaign Finance, Local Politics