Pittsburgh City Council today approved new campaign finance rules by a 5-4 final vote that sends the proposed ordinance to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, but without a veto-proof margin.

Mr. Ravenstahl has not yet said whether he will sign or veto the bill, authored by Councilman William Peduto. It would bar candidates for city office from taking more than $2,000 per election from any individual or partnership, and more than $5,000 from any of the political committees that represent corporations and unions, and the mayor has expressed skepticism about that approach.

For today, though, backers won the day.

"I believe there are times -- and I believe this is a time -- when our vote symbolizes more than an issue, when our vote symbolizes the future direction of our city," said Councilman Ricky Burgess, who joined Mr. Peduto, Bruce Kraus, Patrick Dowd and Council President Doug Shields in voting for the package.

No votes Jim Motznik, Darlene Harris, Tonya Payne and Dan Deasy, made two arguments. Some said that unless it applied statewide, the contribution limits would put city officials at a disadvantage in terms of bolstering their campaign coffers in preparation for running for higher office. Others said it would allow wealthy people to finance their own campaigns with personal money, while candidates of modest means faced the donation limits.

"I've been outspent in all of my races. I know what it's all about," said Mr. Deasy, the Democratic nominee for a state House seat. "In my next life, up in Harrisburg, I'm willing to take on this issue."

Mr. Deasy has won the Democratic nomination for state representative and there is no Republican opponent on the ballot.

The donation limits would double if any candidate used $250,000 of his or her own money for campaigns. Big donors would have to disclose any contracts, employment relationships or board appointments with the city or its authorities.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.