CA: Capitol resistant to reforms

Sac Bee ^ | 9/13/04 | Jim Sanders

[NormsRevenge]

Despite miserable job-approval ratings, California lawmakers this year derailed or defeated nearly every bill aimed at overhauling how they campaign for office or conduct business in the Capitol. The casualties included bills to reduce the influence of special interests by publicly funding campaigns, and to make legislative races more competitive by redrawing district boundaries.

Of 16 legislative or political reforms tracked by The Bee before the session ended Aug. 31, only three reached the desk of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has not yet decided whether to sign them.

Even the Republican governor, hugely popular with voters, found tough sledding in the Legislature for political reforms he endorsed.

Rejected were Schwarzenegger-supported measures to restrict campaign consultants from lobbying officeholders they helped elect, to open more legislative records to the public, and to ban state officeholders from accepting campaign contributions while a state budget is being negotiated.

Ashley Snee, Schwarzenegger's spokeswoman, said the governor has not given up.

"It may take longer than his first several months to get the reforms enacted, but he remains committed to these principles," she said.

Jamie Court, president of the nonprofit Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, characterized lawmakers' performance as business as usual.

"Legislators feel they're above the law because they write it," Court said.

"Who wants to reform themselves? But given (last year's gubernatorial) recall and the public disapproval rating of the Legislature, you'd think politicians might take the public's concerns more seriously."

[rimmont]

Much of this problem can be traced to the fact that many California voters are immigrants who are not well informed or well versed in the American system of government. The Democrats take full advantage of this situation.