If Denver City Council members want to make donations to some of the city’s many fine non-profit and charitable organizations, we have no problem with thatso long as it comes out of their own pockets.
Stories by television reporters from 7News and CBS4 in recent days have explored how some council members are using taxpayer money to make thousands of dollars in donations to local groups.
The money, which came from the council members’ office budgets, went out in small increments to many familiar groups.
For instance, council member Doug Linkhart donated $50 of city money to Big Brothers Big Sisters. He gave another $50 to the Dragon Boat festival. He also gave money to the Greater Denver Ministerial Alliance and Youth for Christ, according to 7News.
At taxpayer expense, Linkhart attended some 38 luncheons, dinners, benefits and awards ceremonies last year, according to records filed with the city clerk’s office.
Council member Carol Boigon is another elected official who seems to like to dole out taxpayer money. In 2009, she made 31 donations for a total of $1,550.
One of those donations was $70 to NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado, an abortion-rights advocacy group.
“I don’t know what I was thinking when I did that and I’m not sure it was the right thing,” Boigon told CBS4. “I wasn’t using my best judgment at that moment.”
Realizing what a political hot potato that could become, Boigon told CBS4 she had repaid the city for the NARAL donation, and for another donation — $100 of city money to a local religious congregation.
However, Boigon then defended the practice of using public money to give to causes she believes are “working on things that are important to the city, in my view.”
Many of the groups that received money from council members may very well be doing great work, and perhaps even deserve some sort of city support for a specific program or cause in the public interest. However, if city council members feel they have extra cash to spread around even during times of layoffs and budget cuts, that ought to be handled in an open and competitive grant process.
Allowing council members to essentially use taxpayer money as a slush fund to curry favor with one group or another is out of line.
The money comes out of the $200,000 each council member receives annually for their salary (nearly $80,000), staff salaries and in some cases, office rental.
It is not illegal for council members to use any leftover money for donations, but it doesn’t pass the smell test in most cases.
Council members ought to change the policy that allows taxpayer money from their office funds to be donated to non-profits and charities.
If council members are feeling philanthropic, they should by all means support their favorite causes. They should not, however, expect taxpayers to foot the bill.
Taxpayers can choose their own charities for their money.
