The Inquirer jumped into the fray yesterday with this editorial, ripping a new one into those not-yet-candidates who continue to skirt the campaign finance limits by claiming that they do not yet fit the definition of candidate.
As if in answer to that, over at YPP, Councilman Wilson Goode posted the text of an ordinance that he is introducing, which, I guess, he hopes will prohibit the spending of any "pre-candidacy" contributions in excess of the limits. At least that's what I take away from the legalese in this part:
(4) No candidate may spend any excess pre-candidacy contributions for the purpose of influencing the outcome of a covered election in which he or she is a candidate, nor may any candidate political committee spend any excess pre-candidacy contributions for such purpose, including, but not limited to, the purpose of paying any expenses of such candidate political committee.
Now, I'm just a caveman, I'm not familiar with all of this big time law talkin' stuff. But I think that's what it means. Anyway, check out the YPP post for informed comments by folks who actually go or have been to law school.