Governor Brown: Please Sign SB 3 into Law!

The first step toward a new online campaign disclosure system
Campaign treasurer training

Members of the League of Women Voters and many other Californians urge Governor Brown to sign SB 3 by Senators Yee and Lieu. Californians’ trust in government depends on open and honest elections with maximum citizen participation in the political process. “Following the money” in California politics should be easy and straightforward, but that is not what voters find. If you’ve ever tried to look up the flow of money in a political campaign, you know why SB 3 is needed.

Cal-ACCESS, the state’s online campaign and lobbying disclosure system, is antiquated and fragile, limping along with outdated hardware and software. As a result, it has had one serious breakdown already. People accustomed to the federal system know that online disclosure can be simple, searchable, and flexible. Not so with Cal-ACCESS! We actually have a page of instructions on our lwvc.org Web site to help people figure out how to use it to follow the money in ballot measure or candidate campaigns.

SB 3 will bring California’s disclosure system into the 21st century. This bill will require the Secretary of State to perform a feasibility study, the first step in replacing Cal-ACCESS. We must have up-to-date information about the cost and the technology required to modernize the system. SB 3 will also help fund this project by increasing the fine for the late filing of reports, with the increase going to the Cal-ACCESS maintenance and replacement fund, PDATA.

Another important aspect of SB 3 is that it will require the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) to develop online training for campaign treasurers. Treasurers can easily be intimidated by all the rules and regulations regarding day to day activities and maintaining proper audit files. This training will address their uncertainties, which will allow them to remain in compliance with governing election laws. Equally important, we believe it will reduce campaign violations and cut down on the time that filing officers must spend following up on filing errors. This is a cost savings that will be especially helpful at the local government level.

SB 3 takes important steps to strengthen disclosure so that voters can get the information they need about who is trying to influence elections. Increased transparency will help preserve the integrity of the election process. We in the League of Women Voters are proud to sponsor SB 3, and we urge Governor Brown to sign this bill!

Statement presented by Fatima Malik, Member, League of Women Voters of California Board of Directors Ronald Reagan State Building, Los Angeles

Subject

Money and Politics