SB 1349 Passes with Bipartisan Support

Directs SOS to modernize Cal-Access, Campaign Finance Disclosure System

SACRAMENTO – Yesterday, the Legislature showed bipartisan support for Senate Bill 1349 (Hertzberg), which would direct the Secretary of State to modernize Cal-Access, California’s online system for campaign finance filing and disclosure. SB 1349 heads to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk for a signature. California Common Cause is a sponsor of this bill, with CA Business Roundtable.

“This necessary upgrade would make the California’s reporting and disclosure system more reliable, more informative, and easier to use,” stated Kathay Feng, Executive Director of California Common Cause. “It’s time to shelve the shoestring and bubble gum, and build a 21st Century disclosure system that give campaigns and voters real-time, real-world access to information.”
 
Gavin Baker, California Common Cause Open Government Program Manager, said, “Not only did SB 1349 pass unanimously through the Senate last night, it enjoys support from across the political spectrum as a much needed reform.”
 
The coalition of supporting organizations includes an unusual combination of good government groups, business groups, labor, environmental, civil rights and other non-profits including: AARP, CalChamber, California Business Roundtable, CA Church IMPACT, California Clean Money Campaign, California Common Cause, CA Forward, CA Labor Federation, CA League of Conservation Voters, California LULAC, CA Professional Firefighters, CA School Employees Association, CA State Council of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Cal Innovates, CALPIRG, Campaign Legal Center, Courage Campaign, Equality California, First Amendment Coalition, Fresno Business Council, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, League of Women Voters of California, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, MapLight, National Institute on Money in State Politics, NFIB, Sierra Club California, Small Business Majority, Sunlight Foundation, and UFCW Western States Council, Voices For Progress.

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California Common Cause is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.