Gray Not Specific in Support for Campaign Reform

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray supports a broad review of city campaign laws but declined Wednesday to endorse any specific proposal.

At a Wednesday ceremony to open a new recreation department headquarters, Gray, whose 2010 campaign for mayor is under investigation, tried to shrug off committing to any specific campaign reform, such as a $25 limit on money orders because money orders are used to subvert campaign donation limits, more investigators for the campaign finance office or banning corporate donations to city campaigns.

A citizens group wants to ban any corporate donations to D.C. campaigns and hopes to have it on the ballot in November. Ronald Williams, one of the organizers, said Gray is the perfect person to call for reforms, not wait for studies.

D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown -- whose 2008 campaign for an at-large council seat is under a separate federal review -- has said the council would enact campaign reforms, but no timetable has been given.

Ward 4 Council member Muriel Bowser, who heads the council committee that handles election reform legislation, has said she hopes to have a reform bill ready this summer.

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