Democracy Wire

In a 2-2 vote by the California Fair Political Practices Commission last week, the commission declined to endorse a proposal that would give greater power and fundraising ability to state legislative leaders, while creating new reporting requirements.  Common Cause California and other open government groups warned against fast-track approval of the proposal. 

This Tuesday, the Los Angeles Ethics Commission is expected to vote on new recommendations to city campaign finance laws. But after all the talk and all the studies, it’s not even clear that they will be discussing a ban on corporate donations or a boost to public financing.

California Common Cause is working to increase transparency by improving California's online campaign finance and disclosure system, Cal-Access. Watch our press conference for SB 1349 - which overhauls and modernizes the outdated system.

Only five months into his term as a newly elected Los Angeles City Councilmember, David Ryu is already starting to shake things up at City Hall when it comes to campaign finance reform.

Late last week, the Court announced that they will hear oral arguments in Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association v Padilla on October 6th. The hearing will determine if Prop 49 will be restored to California’s November 2016 ballot.

Last week I took a break from my regular routine in Los Angeles by packing up and shipping out to hold power accountable from the source, California’s State Capitol.