Bethlehem Councilman J. Michael Schweder said Thursday that he plans to introduce legislation that will place strict limits on the money individuals and political committees can give to candidates for all city offices.

Candidates for mayor, city council, controller or treasurer would not be allowed to accept more than $1,000 from any person during an election year or $2,500 from any political action committee. During non-election years, the contributing limits would drop to $500 for PACs or people.

‘‘What we’ve seen in the last few years is that the amount of money being spent on elective office has begun to corrode the entire system,’‘ Schweder said. ‘‘It’s become a full-time occupation to continue to run for office. We’ve seen the cost of running multiply enormously in the last 10 years. I think it’s high time that we do it.’‘

The councilman said his legislation was not aimed at any candidate in particular, but a response to the escalating cost of campaigning.
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