An initiative proposed for the 2024 ballot could amend California’s public records law and force politicians to disclose more information. Proponents say the move will curb government corruption and keep voters informed.
of “Government Transparency Act” The bill will go to the California Attorney General’s office on Wednesday and, if approved by voters, would require lawmakers to provide details about meetings with lobbyists, fundraising events and fraud investigations.
The measure would also set stricter standards for government agencies and require faster and more comprehensive provision of documents to the public.
“Access to information about the public’s business activities is a basic and necessary right of every person living in this state,” the ballot proposition reads.
The initiative is in the early stages of the state’s ballot preparation process and will need to gather enough signatures in the coming months to qualify for next November’s ballot, when voters will decide their fate.
The proposal has so far successfully shaped policy in California, sponsored a landmark ballot measure to lower insurance rates, and fought for legislation to protect financial and internet privacy and health care rights. It is sponsored by the influential nonprofit Consumer Watchdog.
Jerry Flanagan, litigation director at Consumer Watchdog, noted the California Public Utilities Commission’s resistance to releasing public records about the deadly wildfires, saying, “There’s something the government hasn’t said. It can have a detrimental effect on health,” he said.
“This lack of transparency leads to inaction, which leads to devastating consequences,” Flanagan said Wednesday. “People understand transparency in this day and age, and they understand why it matters.”
Many provisions of the proposal include a requirement for state agencies and legislators to keep records for at least five years, aimed at preventing destruction of records that could “expose government misconduct.” be.
The move also reveals more details about sexual harassment investigations in state legislatures that have been criticized for being opaque and slow-moving since the #MeToo movement began.
A survey of 800 likely voters conducted in April on behalf of Consumer Watchdog showed that about 70% supported the bill.
But for the bill to qualify for the vote, it must first garner the signatures of about 550,000 registered voters, a process that involves paying petitioners to circulate the proposal.
Flanagan said Consumer Watchdog is budgeting $5 million for the certification process, but declined to say how much has been raised so far, citing donation promises that have yet to materialize. rice field.
While some government agencies and elected officials are sure to frown on the proposal, which could take time to search public records, Flanagan doesn’t expect much public opposition.
“Some may dislike the idea, but will they campaign against it? It is unlikely that legislators would want to publicly oppose a bill like this, and state agencies would not vote to take a stand. It’s forbidden,” he said.
