Good News for Transparency in Government

By Dawn Whitney, ECOS Executive Committee

SB 1439 became effective in January of 2023. It is a good advancement in laws prohibiting “pay to play” contributions made by developers and lobbyists. This recent amendment to the Political Reform Act of 1974 extends preexisting prohibitions on campaign contributions made to appointed officials to include local elected officials. It applies only to contributions made after the law was passed.

It expands the period of disclosure for contributions of $250 or more, made by project applicants and lobbyists, to 12 months before and 12 months after a decision to grant a permit or other entitlement.

The changes made by SB 1439 are straight forward prohibitions on “pay to play”: If an official has accepted a contribution of $250 or more at any time in the twelve months prior to a decision to grant a permit or other entitlement, the official can return the money and vote on the application, or simply recuse and keep the contribution. It is not a huge departure from accepted practice. Eighteen major and large cities in California already have such a law on their books.

In February of this year, developers, trade groups, Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume, and Rancho Cordova City Councilmember Garrett Greenwood filed a suit in Sacramento County to throw out SB 1439. They claim that this legislative amendment does not comply with the amendment requirements of the original ballot initiative of 50 years ago; however, the initiative explicitly permits amendments passed by two-thirds of the legislature. SB 1439 was passed unanimously by both houses of the California legislature.

The plaintiffs in the suit also claim the new law violates their First Amendment rights, arguing that unless a prohibition addresses actual quid pro quo transactions, it violates constitutional rights.

The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), the defendant in this case, argues that such a very narrow interpretation is not legally correct, and does not promote the purpose of the Political Reform Act.

The Sacramento Court is set to rule on May 25, 2023, whether SB 1439 stands as written, must be repealed, or needs a change somewhere in between. In the meantime, the FPPC has announced it considers the law to be in full effect and will proceed to draft supporting regulations.

Watchdog groups should monitor contributions over $250 to elected officials made by permit applicants and supporters of permit applicants. These contributions must be disclosed not only by the elected officials, but also the applicant and developer.

For more info, see:
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB1439
https://calmatters.org/newsletters/whatmatters/2023/02/campaign-finance-law-california/

SacBee, March 13, 2023: “Local electeds are suing to stop transparency” https://www.sacbee.com/article272963050.html

City Earth Day Clean-Up Event 4/22

City of Sacramento staff are inviting people to participate in the “Great Sacramento Clean-Up,” a citywide event to clean litter from community locations and waterways.

Clean-ups will happen at several locations on Earth Day, April 22. The event is open to individuals or groups. Minors under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

Volunteers should wear sunscreen and appropriate work clothing, as well as bring their own water and snacks. Tools to clean litter will be provided.

Free bus and light rail rides are available the day of the event, courtesy of SacRT.

Click here to learn more.

Electric Vehicle Showcase at Sacramento Earth Day to Feature Family-friendly Activities and Used Cars

By Guy Hall, Board Director at Electric Auto Association and Chief Strategy Officer of Sacramento Electric Vehicle Association

Everyone is invited to stop by the electric vehicle showcase at Sacramento Earth Day on April 23, 2023. In addition to 20+ of the latest and coolest electric cars, we’ll have a Nissan LEAF electric vehicle on which kids can draw their favorite earth day picture, or take a picture in the driver’s seat of a Tesla. Also, we’ll have a reading at 12:00 pm by Louie Dias, author of The Dragon-Powered School Bus: A Courageous Fight to Clean the Air. The author of the comic book: Teslaman Fights Dirty! (English and Spanish) will also be there. Check the Table Talks listing for other presentations during the day.

Adults won’t be left out. Our EV Showcase will focus on used EVs. With new EV sales approaching a record 7% of the total US auto market and 20% in California, the used EV market is beginning to pick up. According to new data from Cox Automotive, used EV sales were up 32% in the first quarter, with a clear new path to increase rapidly. Beas Auto, a used EV dealership in Stockton pointed out, as new EV models return to the market, EV owners are trading their prior EVs in and upgrading to EVs with newer technologies. There are more used EVs than the new car dealerships want to handle so they make their way to auction houses and then to used car dealership lots. Beas Auto will be joining our EV Showcase. Electrek concurs: “As new EV sales continue smashing records, more used EVs will become available as buyers trade up for the latest tech and features or more range”. For more info, see https://electrek.co/2023/04/07/used-ev-sales-set-to-rapidly-intensify-after-q1-jump-report/. Finally, thanks to SMUD, we will have a special comprehensive EV buyers guide.

California Natural Resources Agency Screening California’s Watershed: Healing in Sacramento 4/21

The Chronicles Group documentary California’s Watershed: Healing screening at the California Natural Resources Agency headquarters showcases local efforts to restore and preserve the ecosystem. A must-see!
Address: California Natural Resources Agency 715 P Street Sacramento, CA 95814

Timetable

Friday, April 21, 2023 | 4:30PM | Introduction by Director and Founder of The Chronicles Group James Thebaut.

4:40PM | Screening

5:30PM | Experts panel, moderated by Wade Crowfoot, Secretary California’s Natural Resources

  • Angela Avery, Executive Officer, Sierra Nevada Conservancy
  • Andrew Fecko, General Manager, Placer County Water Agency
  • Don Hankins, Plains Miwok fire expert and professor at California State University, Chico
  • Nichole Morgan, Board Member, State Water Resources Control Board

6:00PM | Light refreshments reception

RSVP here

Celebrate Earth Week with the California Natural Resources Agency

Celebrate Earth Week with the California Natural Resources Agency: Meet California’s New Generation of Environmental Leaders Driving Change

As we celebrate Earth Week, please join the California Natural Resources Agency in a virtual conversation this Wednesday with young environmental leaders in California who are combating climate change, confronting environmental justice and building equitable access to nature. We’ll learn how these leaders became engaged, what motivates them, and their vision for the future.

WHAT: Secretary Speaker Series – Generation NOW: California’s Young Environmental Leaders Drive Change

WHEN: Wednesday, April 19, from noon to 1 p.m.

HOW: Register for Zoom here

WHO:

  • Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Secretary
  • Ben Grundy, Environment California Conservation Campaign Associate
  • Reuben Rosas, Hispanic Access Foundation Por la Creación Youth Advocate
  • Sabryna Robles, California Conservation Corps Crew Leader
  • Sydney Chan, Youth4Climate Intern

In addition to Wednesday’s virtual discussion, the California Natural Resources Agency is hosting two other events this week in Sacramento.

Join us Thursday, April 20 for a kid-friendly Earth Day Open House from 3 to 5 p.m. at our headquarters, 715 P Street in downtown Sacramento. The event features interactive demonstrations and fun activities as well as a screening of short, kid-friendly films from this year’s Wild and Scenic Film Festival.

Then on Friday, April 21 at 4:30 p.m., please join us for a screening of the documentary “California’s Watershed: Healing.” Produced by The Chronicles Group, this film highlights the crucial role of community engagement in the restoration and conservation of the Sierra Nevada’s natural resources. Following the screening, a panel of water experts will discuss the film, as well as the ongoing efforts of local organizations and individuals who are making a significant difference in preserving California’s watershed. This event is free and open to the public, but capacity is limited. Please RSVP here to confirm your attendance.

Register to join – https://ca-water-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Epli4uzZQgqlBQmiEY6a6A#/registration