Undoing of Escondido Campaign Finance Reforms
Introduction
On March 3, 2021, Councilmembers Inscoe (District 2), Garcia (District 3) and Morasco (District 4) voted 3-2 to:
- Allow candidates to carryover surplus campaign funds to a new campaign account (for example, carryover remaining City Council 2020 campaign funds to a City Council 2024 campaign account);
- Exclude Political Party Committees from being subjected to the City’s campaign laws
From the SDUT: New Escondido council erases campaign finance reforms enacted by predecessors.
Previously on October 21, 2020, the former City Council voted 3-1 to reform the City’s campaign laws with provisions to disallow this carryover and to include Political Party Committees as subjects of our campaign laws. The reforms were intended to limit the amount of money in our city’s elections. They were initially considered on August 12, 2020, and were final made into law on November 18, 2020 as Ordnance #2020-27R after another hearing. See Escondido lowers campaign contributions for city offices, Escondido City Council votes to reduce campaign contribution limits, and Council moves towards reforming police and campaign finance.
Councilmembers Inscoe and Garcia were elected and sworn in as Councilmembers in December 2020, and Councilmember Inscoe had proposed to undo these two campaign reforms on January 13, 2021 as a Future Agenda item.
This post is a preliminary look at how the undoing of these campaign reforms may affect Councilmembers Inscoe, Garcia and Morasco based on online efillings available on the City’s website (which are mostly from 2020 Election).
Most notably, Councilmember Morasco can carryover $32,828.65 from his current on-hand campaign fund to his next election campaign. He received about $27,765 from businesses and political committees for his 2020 campaign committee. Of which $14,515 were from businesses, $12,500 from PACs (Political Action Committees), and $500 from former Councilmember Gallo’s campaign committees.
His District 4 had 18,238 voters who voted in the 2020 Election, and he will have a significant advantage over any candidates in his next election campaigns.
Councilmember Mike Morasco for District 4
Councilmember Mike Morasco has been a councilmember since he was elected in 2012 for 2 four-years terms (2012, 2016). He was re-elected in 2020. Of his last term, he approved to outsource library operations of Escondido Public Library to an out-of-state company, Library Systems and Services, in 2017.
District 4 had 18,238 voters who voted in the 2020 Election. Councilmember Morasco has $32,828.65 on hand as of his latest campaign disclosure. He potentially can carryover $32,828.65 to his next election campaign, and will have a significant advantage over any candidates.
Here is a breakdown of his cash on hand for his 2020 re-election campaign:
| Mike Morasco for City Council 2020 | 2019-07-01 to 2019-12-31 | 2020-01-01 to 2020-06-30 | 2020-07-01 to 2020-09-19 | 2020-09-20 to 2020-10-17 | 2020-10-18 to 2020-12-31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning Cash Balance | $34,648.08 | $47,594.79 | $59,585.29 | $54,976.84 | $46,284.49 |
| Contributions | $14,800.00 | $13,700.00 | $11,889.00 | $1,700.00 | $1,500.00 |
| Expenses | $1,853.29 | $1,709.50 | $16,497.45 | $10,392.35 | $14,955.84 |
| Ending Cash Balance | $47,594.79 | $59,585.29 | $54,976.84 | $46,284.49 | $32,828.65 |
Councilmember Morasco received about $27,765 from businesses and political committees:
| Name | Committee ID | Committee Type | Transaction Date | Contribution Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aelott Air Conditioning, Inc | N/A | Business Corporation | 10/16/2020 | $500.00 |
| Asphalt Construction, Inc | N/A | Business Corporation | 08/02/2019 | $1,000.00 |
| Bracor Capital Funding, Inc | N/A | Business Corporation | 06/30/2020 | $300.00 |
| CA Real Estate PAC (CREPAC) | 890106 | Political Action Cmte | 07/29/2019 | $4,100.00 |
| Escondido Mobilepark West One – Charles Jacobson | N/A | Business Corporation | 08/17/2020 | $2,215.00 |
| Escondido Police Assn PAC | 962373 | Political Action Cmte | 09/15/2020 | $4,300.00 |
| Gallo for City Council | 1225888 | Candidate Controlled Cmte 1 | 2/30/2019 | $500.00 |
| Grangetto’s Farm & Garden Supply – Kevin Grangetto | N/A | Business Corporation | 08/17/2020 | $250.00 |
| Grangetto’s Farm and Garden Supply | N/A | Business Corporation | 06/23/2020 | $250.00 |
| Hallmark Communities | N/A | Business Corporation | 06/30/2020 | $250.00 |
| Henry Avocado Corporation | N/A | Business Corporation | 06/29/2020 | $1,000.00 |
| Jack Powell Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Inc | N/A | Business Corporation | 07/01/2020 | $100.00 |
| New Urban West, Inc | N/A | Business Corporation | 07/09/2019 | $4,100.00 |
| Safari Highlands Ranch, LLC | N/A | Business Corporation | 06/30/2020 | $4,300.00 |
| Sager Management | N/A | Business Corporation | 06/24/2020 | $250.00 |
| Western Manufactured Housing Assn PAC | 742422 | Political Action Cmte | 07/15/2019 | $4,100.00 |
| $27,765.00 |
Of which $14,515 were from 12 businesses, $12,500 from three PACs, and $500 from former Councilmember Gallo’s campaign committees:
| Committee Type | Total Contributions |
|---|---|
| Business Corporation | $14,515.00 |
| Candidate Controlled Cmte | $500.00 |
| Political Action Cmte | $12,500.00 |
| Total | $27,515.00 |
Moreover, contributions from three developers totaling $8,650 posed a pay-to-play conflict of interest where the companies are involved in development projects up for consideration of the City Council:
- New Urban West, Inc (NUWI) and Escondido County Club (ECC): NUWI brought ECC from Stuck in the Rough, LLC in 2017 and re-branded it to “Canopy Grove”. Redevelopment of ECC were strongly opposed by Escondido residents:
- From 2014: Battle Over Escondido Golf Course Comes Down To Measure H, Escondidans Nix Ballot Measure To Put New Homes On Golf Course
- From 2016: New Round In Escondido Country Club Development Saga
- From 2017: Escondido Golf Course Saga Ends Up Back Before City Council, 380 Homes To Be Built On Defunct Escondido Country Club Golf Course
- From 2019: Escondido Country Club lawsuit settled; construction at former golf course could begin by fall, Home construction begins at site of former Escondido Country Club
- Sager Management and Daley Ranch Resort/Sager Ranch
- Safari Highlands Ranch, LLC and, previously, Safari Highlands Ranch/now Harvest Hills:
- From 2017: Developer Tries to Make Escondido Bigger to Accommodate 550 Luxury Homes, Neighbors decry Safari Highlands Ranch plans
- From 2019: Safari Highlands Ranch becomes Harvest Hills in rebranding effort for proposed development, Environmental and climate groups urge denial of Escondido housing project, Escondido Council debates Harvest Hills, contested housing plan
- From 2021: Major housing projects coming before Escondido City Council
- San Pasqual Valley Preservation Alliance: Safari Highlands Ranch and Harvest Hills
- Stop Harvest Hills Facebook Group
No Political Party Committees contributed to his 2020 campaign, but Councilmember Morasco did contribute $2,200 to the Republican Party of San Diego County and spent $3,001.60 of campaign expenses with them:
| Name | Transaction Date | Amount | YTD | Expense Type | Expense Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican Party of San Diego County | 08/17/2020 | $1,000.00 | $2,200.00 | Contribution | No Description |
| Republican Party of San Diego County | 09/15/2020 | $1,200.00 | $2,200.00 | Campaign Literature &. Mailings | Slate Card |
| Republican Party of San Diego County | 11/09/2020 | $1,801.66 | $4,001.66 | Campaign Paraphernalia/Misc | AutoDial & Text Communications |
Councilmember Joe Garcia for District 3
Councilmembers Joe Garcia was elected and sworn in as a councilmember for District 3 in December 2020.
District 3 had 14,341 voters who voted in the 2020 Election. Councilmembers Garcia has $3,407.09 on hand as of his latest campaign disclosure. He potentially can carryover $3,407.09 to his next election campaign, and will have a significant advantage over any candidates.
Here is a breakdown of his cash on hand for his 2020 re-election campaign:
| Garcia for City Council | 2020 2019-07-01 to 2019-12-31 | 2020-01-01 to 2020-06-30 | 2020-07-01 to 2020-09-19 | 2020-09-20 to 2020-10-17 | 2020-10-18 to 2020-12-31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning Cash Balance | $3,341.90 | $11,207.77 | $10,902.16 | $14,145.58 | $6,505.02 |
| Contributions | $9,025.00 | $6,795.00 | $13,390.00 | $7,400.00 | $2,375.00 |
| Expenses | $1,159.13 | $7,100.67 | $10,146.58 | $15,040.56 | $5,472.93 |
| Ending Cash Balance | $11,207.77 | $10,902.16 | $14,145.58 | $6,505.02 | $3,407.09 |
Councilmembers Garcia received about $25,715 from businesses and political committees:
| Name | Committee ID | Committee Type | Transaction Date | Contribution Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron M. Perez, DDS, Inc | N/A | Business Corporation | 12/17/2019 | 500.00 |
| Alameda Dental | N/A | Business Corporation | 12/22/2019 | 250.00 |
| CA Real Estate PAC (CREPAC) | 890106 | Political Action Cmte | 09/21/2020 | 4300.00 |
| Escondido Mobilepark West One – Charles Jacobson | N/A | Business Corporation | 09/08/2020 | 2215.00 |
| Escondido Police Assn PAC | 962373 | Political Action Cmte | 09/16/2020 | 4300.00 |
| Gallo for City Council | 1225888 | Candidate Controlled Cmte | 06/29/2020 | 100.00 |
| Gallo for City Council | 1225888 | Candidate Controlled Cmte | 12/17/2019 | 500.00 |
| Grangetto’s Farm & Garden Supply – Kevin Grangetto | N/A | Business Corporation | 08/24/2020 | 250.00 |
| Groupo Poder, LLC | N/A | Business Corporation | 12/30/2019 | 500.00 |
| Mike Morasco for City Council 2016 | 1380198 | Candidate Controlled Cmte | 08/25/2020 | 500.00 |
| Mike Morasco for City Council 2020 | 1380198 | Candidate Controlled Cmte | 10/22/2020 | 500.00 |
| R&R Marketing Services, Inc | N/A | Business Corporation | 08/20/2019 | 300.00 |
| Safari Highlands Ranch, LLC | N/A | Business Corporation | 06/29/2020 | 4300.00 |
| Sager Management Corp. | N/A | Business Corporation | 10/12/2020 | 250.00 |
| Sam Abed for Mayor | 1315596 | Candidate Controlled Cmte | 12/17/2019 | 500.00 |
| Samuel Sauza D.D.S., Inc | N/A | Business Corporation | 12/17/2019 | 350.00 |
| San Marcos Catering | N/A | Business Corporation | 12/17/2019 | 300.00 |
| Southwest Strategies – Chris Wahl | N/A | Business Corporation | 10/13/2020 | 1000.00 |
| Western Manufactured Housing Communities Assn PAC | 742422 | Political Action Cmte | 09/08/2020 | 4300.00 |
| $25,715.00 |
Of which $10,215 were from 11 businesses, $12,900 from three PACs, and $2,100 from Councilmember Morasco’s, former Councilmember Gallo’s and former Mayor Abed’s campaign committees:
| Committee Type | Total Contributions |
|---|---|
| Business Corporation | $10,215.00 |
| Candidate Controlled Cmte | $2,100.00 |
| Political Action Cmte | $12,900.00 |
| Total | $25,215.00 |
Moreover, contributions from two developers totaling $4,550 posed a pay-to-play conflict of interest where the companies are involved in development projects up for consideration of the City Council:
- Sager Management with Daley Ranch Resort/Sager Ranch and Safari Highlands Ranch, LLC with, previously, Safari Highlands Ranch/now Harvest Hills: Major housing projects coming before Escondido City Council in 2021
No Political Party Committees contributed to his 2020 campaign, but Councilmember Garcia did contribute $1,006.16 to the Republican Party of San Diego County and spent $2,102.74 of campaign expenses with them:
| Name | Transaction Date | Donation Amount | Donation YTD | Expense Type | Expense Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican Party of San Diego | 09/14/2020 | 800.00 | 800.00 | Campaign Literature &. Mailings | Slate Card |
| Republican Party of San Diego | 10/07/2020 | 931.16 | 1731.16 | Contribution | No Description |
| Republican Party of San Diego | 10/27/2020 | 25.00 | 3108.90 | Meetings & Appearances | 11/3 Election Night Ticket |
| Republican Party of San Diego | 11/02/2020 | 75.00 | 3108.90 | Contribution | No Description |
| Republican Party of San Diego | 11/09/2020 | 1277.74 | 3108.90 | IT costs (internet, email) | Digital Fundraising Services |
Councilmember Tina Inscoe for District 2
Councilmember Inscoe was elected and sworn in as a councilmember for District 2 in December 2020 to fill a vacant seat.
District 2 has 20,027 voters who voted in the 2020 Election. Councilmember Inscoe actually $0 on hand as of her latest campaign disclosure. Here is a breakdown of her cash on hand for her 2020 election campaign:
| Tina Ostrem Inscoe for City Council District 2 2020 | 2020-01-01 to 2020-06-30 | 2020-07-01 to 2020-09-19 | 2020-09-20 to 2020-10-17 | 2020-10-18 to 2020-12-31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning Cash Balance | $0.00 | $18,739.50 | $29,861.05 | $13,413.92 |
| Contributions | $19,650.00 | $21,100.00 | $7,799.00 | $3,250.00 |
| Expenses | $910.50 | $9,978.45 | $24,246.13 | $16,663.92 |
| Ending Cash Balance | $18,739.50 | $29,861.05 | $13,413.92 | $0.00 |
Councilmember Inscoe received about $17,700 from businesses and political committees:
| Name | Committee ID | Committee Type | Transaction Date | Contribution Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aeling Family Trust – Dorothy A. Aeling | N/A | Family Trust | 08/20/2020 | $500.00 |
| Aelott Air Conditioning Inc | N/A | Business Corporation | 08/20/2020 | $500.00 |
| CA Real Estate PAC – CREPAC | 890106 | Political Action Cmte | 12/03/2020 | $3,000.00 |
| CA Real Estate PAC – CREPAC | 890106 | Political Action Cmte | 09/19/2020 | $1,000.00 |
| Daniels Inc | N/A | Business Corporation | 10/13/2020 | $100.00 |
| Escondido Police Association PAC | 962373 | Political Action Cmte | 09/18/2020 | $4,300.00 |
| Mike Morasco for City Council 2020 | 1380198 | Candidate Controlled Cmte | 08/25/2020 | $500.00 |
| Safari Highlands Ranch, LLC | N/A | Business Corporation | 06/30/2020 | $4,300.00 |
| Sam Abed for Mayor | 1315596 | Candidate Controlled Cmte | 07/20/2020 | $500.00 |
| The Raymond Family Trust | N/A | Family Trust | 10/08/2020 | $1,500.00 |
| Unicorn Jewelry & Watch Boutique – Fred Nasseri | N/A | Business Corporation | 08/08/2020 | $500.00 |
| Western Manufactured Housing Communities Assn PAC | 742422 | Political Action Cmte | 10/08/2020 | $1,000.00 |
| $17,700.00 |
Of which $5,400 were from four businesses, $9,300 from three PACs, $2,000 from two Family Trusts, and $1,000 from Councilmember Morasco’s and former Mayor Abed’s campaign committees:
| Committee Type | Total Contributions |
|---|---|
| Business Corporation | $5,400.00 |
| Candidate Controlled Cmte | $1,000.00 |
| Family Trust | $2,000.00 |
| Political Action Cmte | $9,300.00 |
| Total | $17,700.00 |
Moreover, $4,300 contribution from Safari Highlands Ranch, LLC posed a pay-to-play conflict of interest where the company is involved in development projects up for consideration of the City Council:
- Safari Highlands Ranch, LLC with, previously, Safari Highlands Ranch/now Harvest Hills: Major housing projects coming before Escondido City Council in 2021
No Political Party Committees contributed to her 2020 campaign, but Councilmember Inscoe did contribute $1,300 to the Republican Party of San Diego County.
| Name | Transaction Date | Donation Amount | Donation YTD | Expense Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Republican Party of San Diego County | 09/21/2020 | $1,300.00 | $1,300.00 | Contribution |
Reference
- Escondido Campaign Finance Disclosure
- On recent events: New Escondido council erases campaign finance reforms enacted by predecessors
- From 2020: Escondido lowers campaign contributions for city offices, Escondido City Council votes to reduce campaign contribution limits, Council moves towards reforming police and campaign finance, Sierra Club calls on Escondido candidates to return campaign donations from developers
- From Los Angeles in 2019: Editorial: L.A. says it banned developer contributions. It hasn’t.
Timeline
- October 9, 2019: Mayor McNamara asked a Future Agenda item be added to consider lowing campaign contributions:
- City Council Meeting Broadcast (scroll to Future Agenda at around 3 hr. 9 min.)
- City Council Meeting Broadcast (scroll to Future Agenda at around 3 hr. 9 min.)
- December 18, 2019: The City Council postponed review of proposals to “lower the maximum personal contributions from $4,300 to $250 for city council candidates and from $4,300 to $800 for mayoral candidates” :
- City Council Meeting Agenda, Item 27, Review and Reconsideration of Campaign Contribution Limits
- City Council Meeting Minutes, Item 27
- City Council Meeting Broadcast (scroll to Item 10 at around 2 hr. 10 min.)
- March 4, 2020: The City Council postponed review of proposals to “lower the maximum personal contributions from $4,300 for city council candidates and mayoral candidates” and any additional campaign control amendments:
- City Council Meeting Agenda, Item 14, Review and Consideration of Campaign Contribution Limits
- City Council Meeting Minutes, Item 14
- City Council Meeting Broadcast (scroll to Item 14 at around 1 hr. 58 min.)
- August 12, 2020: The City Council first heard about proposal to “lower the maximum personal contributions from $4,300 for city council candidates and mayoral candidates” and any additional campaign control amendments:
- October 21, 2020: The City Council heard about proposed Ordinance No. 2020-27 to lower the maximum personal contributions from $4,300 to $1,000 for city councilmembers and $1,750 for mayor or city treasurer and adopt additional campaign control amendments. The City Council voted 3-1 to adopt Ordinance No. 2020-27; Councilmember Morasco voted no.
- November 18, 2020: Ordinance No. 2020-27 to reform campaign finance is adopted.
- January 13, 2021: Councilmember Inscoe asked that campaign finance be added as a Future Agenda item:
- City Council Meeting Minutes, Item 18, Future Agenda
- City Council Meeting Broadcast (scroll to Future Agenda at around 1 hr. 52 min.)
- March 3, 2021: The City Council heard about proposal by Councilmember Inscoe to undo two campaign reforms to allow campaign fund carryover and exclude Political Party Committees from the City’s campaign laws. Ordinance No. 2020-27 is introduced, and Councilmembers Inscoe (District 2), Garcia (District 3) and Morasco (District 4) voted 3-2 to adopt the ordinance.
- City Council Meeting Agenda, Item 10, Adoption of Ordinance Amending Campaign Control Ordinance
- City Council Meeting Broadcast (scroll to Item 10 at around 1 hr. 47 min.)
Last Updated
- March 7, 2021 to link to SDUT‘s New Escondido council erases campaign finance reforms enacted by predecessors and correct attachment for March 3, 2021, City Council Meeting Agenda, Item 10, Adoption of Ordinance Amending Campaign Control Ordinance
- March 6, 2021 to add more about pay-to-play campaign contributions from developers.