News Clips

According to Heidorn’s research, Johnston was a founding member of the Woman’s Council, an umbrella organization of 30 women’s clubs in Sacramento that would successfully campaign for a new high school in the city and street markers. In 1911, she helped lead the local campaign to pass the amendment granting women in California the right to vote after voters in this region had defeated a similar measure 15 years before.

"Anti-corruption measures like these maintain the public's trust in our democracy," said Jack Blattner of government watchdog group California Common Cause, adding the proposed restrictions would "[ensure] that conflicts of interest do not arise through the appointment process."

Kathay Feng, executive director of California Common Cause, said that politicians should have been cautious and checked how much the tickets were worth, especially given the frenzy around the show.

According to a 2016 study by Nicolas Heidorn, Policy and Legal Director of California Common Cause, state law allows local jurisdictions to set their own rules when it comes to limits on how much a candidate can raise and when. Only 109 cities (23% of all cities in the state), including Fresno, impose limits.

The practice of allowing corporate interests and labor to make unlimited contributions to help legislators with legal problems is troubling to Kathay Feng, executive director of California Common Cause.

Starting this April, the more than 1 million Californians who renew their driver’s licenses by mail each year will be able to register to vote using one form under the terms of a new settlement agreement.