Mayor withdraws ordinance, rejects pledge - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Mayor Mike Bell still wants to give top staffers a pay raise but he says his plan to restrict union employees and other city workers from contributing to political campaigns has been withdrawn.

The mayor only offered the restriction because he felt a council member was trying to handcuff him if he chooses to run for re-election.

Mayor Bell wants to increase the pay of his top staffers who haven't seen a pay raise in 14-years.

But the mayor felt councilman Steve Steel-D was trying to confuse the issue by tying those pay raises to a pledge aimed at the mayor to not accept campaign donations from those employees. 

The mayor felt the Steel plan was directed solely at him, telling an agenda review meeting of council, Tuesday, "I don't want to be picked on personally because I'm doing something no other mayor has been willing to do and have it fall back on me."

Bell felt *all* city workers,  including union members, should not contribute to *any* campaigns.  That's why he proposed his restriction which is really a change in the city ordinance.

Councilman Steve Steel fired back, "I just asked you to sign a pledge.  I didn't propose legislation.  They are two very different things."

Steel says the mayor's change in law restricts first amendment rights. Councilman D. Michael Collins-I said there are state laws prohibiting office holders from coercing their employees into giving to their campaigns.  Collins urged the mayor to withdraw his ordinance.

The mayor then took care of both issues, saying, "We will withdraw our legislation and I have no intention of signing your pledge."

So, the mayor withdraws his plan-- which means union workers and others-- will be able to contribute to any city candidate.

And by refusing to sign Steve Steel's pledge, the mayor may accept campaign donations from his employees or *any* city employee.

Now the mayor wants the council to tackle the issue of pay raises for top administrators.