September 15, 2021 •
Newsom Survives Recall

California State Capitol Building - Jeff Turner
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has defeated the recall effort utilizing a campaign focused on his pandemic efforts and threats of “Trumpism.” Newsom had a large lead entering the final day of voting due to the enormous turnout of mail-in voters […]
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has defeated the recall effort utilizing a campaign focused on his pandemic efforts and threats of “Trumpism.”
Newsom had a large lead entering the final day of voting due to the enormous turnout of mail-in voters and Newsom’s unrestricted campaign fundraising.
In February, California passed a bill mandating all active registered voters be sent a ballot each election.
This increased voter turnout brought relief to many Democrats who feared voter apathy would allow Republican front-runner, Larry Elder, to win the governorship.
The recall election cost California roughly $300 million, a price tag officials are hoping to reduce by next year when Newsom faces reelection.
September 14, 2021 •
California Legislature Adjourns

California State Capitol Building - Jeff Turner
The California Legislature adjourned late last week, just in time for today’s recall election of Gov. Newsom. The trifecta government passed close to 900 bills this year as Democratic lawmakers utilized a budget surplus to enact many progressive policies such […]
The California Legislature adjourned late last week, just in time for today’s recall election of Gov. Newsom.
The trifecta government passed close to 900 bills this year as Democratic lawmakers utilized a budget surplus to enact many progressive policies such as police reform, health care for undocumented immigrants, and climate change.
Assembly bills 319 and 1367 are on Newsom’s desk awaiting signature.
AB 319 prevents a foreign government or principal from making a contribution or expenditure to a candidate for state or local office.
While AB 1367, raises the penalty for a person who uses campaign funds that results in an egregious personal benefit to an amount up to three times the amount of the unlawful expenditure.
July 16, 2021 •
FPPC Look to Shed Light on Behested Payments

Sacramento, CA Skyline - Basil D Soufi
The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) met on July 15 to discuss new regulations concerning behested payments. A campaign finance watchdog report noted in a report there has be a substantial rise in donations to charities that have a […]
The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) met on July 15 to discuss new regulations concerning behested payments.
A campaign finance watchdog report noted in a report there has be a substantial rise in donations to charities that have a connection to a candidate or committee via behested payments.
Currently, there are no reporting requirements if a donation is given to a charity that has ties with a candidate or committee.
The pending regulations seek to shed light on who is making these donations and what candidate or committee is tied to the charity receiving the donation.
The FPPC only has the regulatory authority to make rules that require disclosure, any rules prohibiting such donations must come from the Legislature.
Formal voting and hearings over the proposed regulations are set to occur in September.
June 28, 2021 •
Governor Recall Election to Move Forward

California Gov. Gavin Newsom
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber announced the recall campaign against Gov. Gavin Newsom had enough signatures to move forward. The recall effort was able to collect 1,719,900 signatures for the election. The election will most likely take place in […]
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber announced the recall campaign against Gov. Gavin Newsom had enough signatures to move forward.
The recall effort was able to collect 1,719,900 signatures for the election.
The election will most likely take place in October or November 2021.
June 21, 2021 •
California to Postpone Cal-Access Replacement System

California State Capitol Building - Jeff Turner
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber announced that the Cal-Access Replacement System, scheduled to roll out June 30, will be postponed. The replacement system seeks to update the current paper driven system to an electronic system.
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber announced that the Cal-Access Replacement System, scheduled to roll out June 30, will be postponed.
The replacement system seeks to update the current paper driven system to an electronic system.
May 26, 2021 •
San Diego Drops Long Time Campaign Disclosure Vender

Downtown San Diego, California
The city of San Diego has declined to renew their contract with Netfile, the city’s longtime online campaign disclosure vendor. There have been reports that online campaign disclosures will be available for eFile-SD by June 2021. During the outage of […]
The city of San Diego has declined to renew their contract with Netfile, the city’s longtime online campaign disclosure vendor.
There have been reports that online campaign disclosures will be available for eFile-SD by June 2021.
During the outage of the reporting site, people wishing to file can call the office and request copies of the disclosure filings in PDF format.
April 30, 2021 •
California Governor Announces Special Election August 31

California Gov. Gavin Newsom
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order calling for a special election on August 31 to fill the vacancy in Assembly District 18. Former Rep. Rob Bonta was sworn in as California’s attorney general on April 23. The date of […]
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order calling for a special election on August 31 to fill the vacancy in Assembly District 18.
Former Rep. Rob Bonta was sworn in as California’s attorney general on April 23.
The date of the special primary is set for June 29.
April 22, 2021 •
The California Fair Political Practices Commission clarifies Assembly Bill 571

Downtown San Diego, California
The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) issued an opinion finding the state’s new limits on contributions to local candidates passed in Assembly Bill 571 for jurisdictions that otherwise do not have a limit are not aggregated with contributions made […]
The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) issued an opinion finding the state’s new limits on contributions to local candidates passed in Assembly Bill 571 for jurisdictions that otherwise do not have a limit are not aggregated with contributions made before the effective date of the bill.
FPPC Opinion No. O-21-001 reverses earlier informal advice from staff stating contributions received before the January 1 effective date were aggregated for purposes of the new default limit of $4,900 per election.
March 17, 2021 •
California Governor Newsom Expands Lobbying Ban

California Gov. Gavin Newsom
Gov. Gavin Newsom has expanded a ban on political consultants lobbying him and his administration to include unpaid advisers, based on recommendations from the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). No consultant, whether paid or not, will be permitted to leverage […]
Gov. Gavin Newsom has expanded a ban on political consultants lobbying him and his administration to include unpaid advisers, based on recommendations from the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).
No consultant, whether paid or not, will be permitted to leverage their relationship with the governor to unduly benefit a client in connection with legislative or administrative actions.
Under the new rules, appointees with a high level of influence over administration policy decisions are prohibited from accepting gifts from lobbyists.
The rule applies to the governor, his wife, senior officials, policy advisers, and any equivalent position.
The new rules also prohibit influential appointees from working on specific bills in their first two years if they worked on substantially similar bills in the two years prior to joining the Newsom administration.
It will apply to appointees who joined the administration after March 1, 2021.
March 15, 2021 •
Governor Newsom Announces Special Election

California Capitol Building
California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring a special election for the 54th Assembly District on July 20. The seat was vacated by Sydney Kamlager who was voted to Senate District 30. The special primary election will be held […]
California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring a special election for the 54th Assembly District on July 20.
The seat was vacated by Sydney Kamlager who was voted to Senate District 30.
The special primary election will be held on May 18.
March 4, 2021 •
Los Angeles City Ethics Commission Announces Adjustments to Contribution Limits

Los Angeles from Santa Ana Freeway - by Pag293
The City Ethics Commission announced the mandatory annual adjustments to limits and thresholds in the city’s campaign finance laws. The new limits apply beginning with any city election for which the fundraising window opens after March 1, 2021. The per person […]
The City Ethics Commission announced the mandatory annual adjustments to limits and thresholds in the city’s campaign finance laws.
The new limits apply beginning with any city election for which the fundraising window opens after March 1, 2021.
The per person contribution limits for mayor, city attorney, and controller have been raised to $1,600.
The adjusted limits do not apply to elections for the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education.
February 24, 2021 •
Fair Political Practices Commission Updates Regulations on Local Contribution Limits

Sacramento, CA Skyline - Basil D Soufi
The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) updated their regulations regarding local campaign contribution limits due to Assembly 571. The updates will add language to the regulations regarding candidates for elective city or county offices subject to the state contribution limits. […]
The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) updated their regulations regarding local campaign contribution limits due to Assembly 571.
The updates will add language to the regulations regarding candidates for elective city or county offices subject to the state contribution limits.
Those local candidates and their committees will now be subject to the regulations regarding reporting of contributions and expenditures, establishing campaign accounts, solicitation of funds, loans, terminations, and other regulations related to campaign finance.
These regulations do not apply to candidates for an elective city or county office or the candidate’s controlled committee prior to January 1, 2021.
February 3, 2021 •
Governor Newsom Announces Special Election

California State Capitol Building - Jeff Turner
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring a special election for the 79th Assembly District on June 8. The seat was vacated by Shirley Weber who was appointed California Secretary of State. The special primary election will be held on […]
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring a special election for the 79th Assembly District on June 8.
The seat was vacated by Shirley Weber who was appointed California Secretary of State.
The special primary election will be held on April 6.
January 29, 2021 •
San Diego Raises Campaign Contribution Limits

San Diego City and Administration Building - by Business Navigatoren (Diskussion), via Wikimedia Commons
The San Diego Ethics Commission has announced an increase to the limits on contributions made to local candidates. The increase from $600 to $650 comes due to an increase in the consumer price index. This increase is effective from January […]
The San Diego Ethics Commission has announced an increase to the limits on contributions made to local candidates.
The increase from $600 to $650 comes due to an increase in the consumer price index.
This increase is effective from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022.
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