Posted on 02/15/2005 8:46:37 AM PST by NormsRevenge
Sacramento -- State Senate Democratic leader Don Perata and his Republican counterpart are quietly and urgently pushing a bill that critics say would torpedo a major investigation by election regulators into at least one sitting legislator's campaign finances.
The bill, SB25, would make it harder for investigators to prove that a politician may have manipulated contributions to avoid new campaign donation limits. It would lessen the Fair Political Practices Commission's ability to use as evidence letters from political donors to candidates that accompany contribution checks.
The so-called "transmittal letters" are said to make up a significant portion of the evidence in a current commission investigation of Republican Sen. Jim Battin of La Quinta (Riverside County).
The bill's language was inserted into legislation that originally dealt with how the state handles the sale of surplus property, in a parliamentary tactic called a "gut and amend." It received just one policy committee hearing and could come up on the Senate floor as early as today.
The measure also contains an urgency clause, so it would take effect immediately if signed by the governor.
"It gives us great unease that they would be shifting the rules for enforcement cases in legislation at all," said Mark Krausse, the commission's executive director.
The measure was authored by Perata and Republican leader Sen. Dick Ackerman of Irvine.
In an interview, Ackerman said the origins of the bill lie in a dispute with the commission over its interpretation of the law. He acknowledged there are "pending investigations" of "at least one member" related to transmittal letters.
"We think there's a problem in their interpretation of the law, and that's what this bill aims to correct," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
The so-called "transmittal letters" are said to make up a significant portion of the evidence in a current commission investigation of Republican Sen. Jim Battin of La Quinta (Riverside County).
The bill's language was inserted into legislation that originally dealt with how the state handles the sale of surplus property, in a parliamentary tactic called a "gut and amend." It received just one policy committee hearing and could come up on the Senate floor as early as today.
The measure also contains an urgency clause, so it would take effect immediately if signed by the governor.
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Comments? Please.
This is awful handy legislation to pop up so quickly and get enacted without much public review at all. , especially when it has been shown of late ,,politicos could care less about how closely they are being watched, and deservedly so., imo.
If caught , they just sue and settle.. on your dime.
Cutting deficits, or vetoing spending , not a priority to most in StinkyMento, this sure has the fast track going on, tho,, makes one wonder why, at least, one would hope so.
maybe someone can post an example..
I agree, more crap.
To get an R off, they will let a big Rat probably slide as well.
The feds may not be so generous ,however.
Groan!
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