July 20, 2015 •
San Diego Lobbyist Registration Fees Proposed to Go Up
The San Diego City Council Budget Committee approved a proposal to increase lobbyist registration fees. Under the proposal, the fees will increase from $40 to $150. Annual registration fees paid by clients who hire lobbyists would also increase from $15 […]
The San Diego City Council Budget Committee approved a proposal to increase lobbyist registration fees. Under the proposal, the fees will increase from $40 to $150. Annual registration fees paid by clients who hire lobbyists would also increase from $15 to $30.
This increase will be the first since the enactment of lobbyist registration fees in 2008. The proposal must be approved by the full council, scheduled to meet again in September. If approved, the proposal would take effect in January.
Photo of the San Diego skyline courtesy of Tomcio77 on Wikimedia Commons.
June 25, 2015 •
Governor of California Calls Special Legislative Session
Gov. Jerry Brown has called a special legislative session to begin Friday, June 26, 2015. The special session will focus on Senate Bill 16, a bill proposing funding for roads, highways, and bridges in the state. The special session will […]
Gov. Jerry Brown has called a special legislative session to begin Friday, June 26, 2015.
The special session will focus on Senate Bill 16, a bill proposing funding for roads, highways, and bridges in the state.
The special session will take place concurrently with the legislature’s regular session.
Photo of the California State Capitol by Rafał Konieczny on Wikimedia Commons.
May 11, 2015 •
San Diego California Ethics Commission Considers Amendments
The Ethics Commission will be considering a number of proposed amendments to the city’s Election Campaign Control Ordinance (ECCO) and Lobbying Ordinance at a meeting on May 14, 2015. The proposed changes to ECCO involve non-substantive amendments to several definitions […]
The Ethics Commission will be considering a number of proposed amendments to the city’s Election Campaign Control Ordinance (ECCO) and Lobbying Ordinance at a meeting on May 14, 2015.
The proposed changes to ECCO involve non-substantive amendments to several definitions and will make surplus funds rules more consistent with state law. The proposed changes to the Lobbying Ordinance include updating the list of city officials and requiring lobbying entities to disclose contributions made by sponsored committees.
The proposed lobbying amendments are available here.
April 24, 2015 •
San Francisco, California Executive Director of Ethics Commission to Resign
John St. Croix, the executive director of the city’s Ethics Commission, has announced his intention to resign after 11 years leading the organization. St. Croix’s resignation letter to commissioners did not give a specific reason for leaving, but did announce […]
John St. Croix, the executive director of the city’s Ethics Commission, has announced his intention to resign after 11 years leading the organization.
St. Croix’s resignation letter to commissioners did not give a specific reason for leaving, but did announce August 27, 2015, as his final day.
The resignation and search for a replacement is a discussion item on the commission’s April 27 meeting agenda.
March 30, 2015 •
San Diego, California Clerk Advocating for Increasing Lobbying Fees
The Office of the City Clerk will make a presentation at the next meeting of the Ethics Commission to advocate for increased lobbyist registration fees and electronic payment of those fees. The clerk’s office published a report concluding the city […]
The Office of the City Clerk will make a presentation at the next meeting of the Ethics Commission to advocate for increased lobbyist registration fees and electronic payment of those fees.
The clerk’s office published a report concluding the city should increase the $40 lobbyist fee in light of fees set by other California cities such as Long Beach ($100) and Los Angeles ($450).
The meeting will be held on April 9, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. in the committee room on the 12th floor of the City Administration Building. Changes to fee schedules and electronic payment would take effect January 1, 2016.
March 18, 2015 •
San Francisco, California Ethics Commission Releases Interactive 2014 Report
The Ethics Commission has announced the release of a new online report entitled “Spending to Influence: Campaign Finance and Lobbying in San Francisco in 2014.” The report explores the interests and financial activity of campaign influencers during the November 2014 […]
The Ethics Commission has announced the release of a new online report entitled “Spending to Influence: Campaign Finance and Lobbying in San Francisco in 2014.”
The report explores the interests and financial activity of campaign influencers during the November 2014 election cycle by using publicly available data of committees, parties, consultants, major contributors, and lobbyists.
The report was prepared by two graduate students in the Master of Public Administration program at San Francisco State University, with guidance from commission staff. The report is available here.
March 5, 2015 •
Los Angeles, California Voters Approve Incumbents and Amendments
City Council incumbents and Charter amendments fared well in this year’s March city elections. Five incumbent City Council members retained their seats by receiving over 50 percent of the vote, but a May runoff will be necessary in the 4th […]
City Council incumbents and Charter amendments fared well in this year’s March city elections.
Five incumbent City Council members retained their seats by receiving over 50 percent of the vote, but a May runoff will be necessary in the 4th District to replace termed-out Councilman Tom LaBonge.
Voters passed Charter amendments intended to increase voter turnout by moving city and school board elections to even-numbered years when presidential and gubernatorial races are held, beginning in 2020.
Photo of the Los Angeles skyline by Nserrano on Wikimedia Commons.
February 20, 2015 •
California FPPC Approves Regulation to Prohibit Lobbyist Fundraisers
The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) adopted a regulation during its meeting on February 19 to ban political fundraisers in the homes and offices of lobbyists. Regulation 18215 modifies the definition of “contribution” to include the value of a lobbyist […]
The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) adopted a regulation during its meeting on February 19 to ban political fundraisers in the homes and offices of lobbyists.
Regulation 18215 modifies the definition of “contribution” to include the value of a lobbyist home or office if the lobbyist were to host a campaign fundraiser. Previously, lobbyist fundraisers did not qualify as an otherwise prohibited contribution so long as the value of hosting the fundraiser did not exceed $500.
The change in regulation was necessary following recent amendments to the Political Reform Act effectively prohibiting all fundraisers hosted by a lobbyist or lobbying firm.
The FPPC rejected arguments to exempt hosted fundraisers for local candidates or fundraisers for which the lobbyist was reimbursed.
January 27, 2015 •
San Francisco, California Commission Approves Campaign Finance Amendments
The Ethics Commission has voted to approve legislative amendments to update, simplify, and improve the city’s Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance during a meeting on January 26, 2015. The amendments repeal aggregate contribution limits, simplify reporting requirements for corporations and committees, […]
The Ethics Commission has voted to approve legislative amendments to update, simplify, and improve the city’s Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance during a meeting on January 26, 2015.
The amendments repeal aggregate contribution limits, simplify reporting requirements for corporations and committees, and clarify disclaimer requirements for campaign communications.
The amendments will become law only if approved by two-thirds of the Board of Supervisors.
January 21, 2015 •
Long Beach, California Council Votes to Increase Officeholder Account Limits
City Council has cast the first of two required votes to increase contribution limits for officeholder accounts. Ordinance 15-0062 triples total permissible contributions per calendar year to city officeholder accounts to $30,000 for council members and to $75,000 for citywide […]
City Council has cast the first of two required votes to increase contribution limits for officeholder accounts. Ordinance 15-0062 triples total permissible contributions per calendar year to city officeholder accounts to $30,000 for council members and to $75,000 for citywide elected officials.
Individual contributor limits per calendar year will also rise from $500 to $750 for council officeholder accounts and from $500 to $1,000 for citywide officeholder accounts.
The second required vote could take place as early as the next regularly scheduled meeting on February 3, 2015.
January 19, 2015 •
San Francisco, California Ethics Commission Drafts Campaign Finance Amendments
The Ethics Commission has released a memorandum summarizing legislative amendments proposed by staff to update, simplify, and improve the city’s Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance. The proposed amendments will repeal aggregate contribution limits, simplify reporting requirements for corporations and committees, and […]
The Ethics Commission has released a memorandum summarizing legislative amendments proposed by staff to update, simplify, and improve the city’s Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance. The proposed amendments will repeal aggregate contribution limits, simplify reporting requirements for corporations and committees, and clarify disclaimer requirements for campaign communications.
The amendments will be considered during the Ethics Commission’s meeting on January 26 and will become law only if passed by the commission and approved by two-thirds of the Board of Supervisors. The memorandum is available here.
January 15, 2015 •
California Special Elections Scheduled for March 17
Gov. Jerry Brown has announced special elections to fill vacancies in state Senate Districts 7, 21, and 37. The vacancies were created by departures of three former state senators to Congress. The special primary ballot is scheduled for March 17, […]
Gov. Jerry Brown has announced special elections to fill vacancies in state Senate Districts 7, 21, and 37. The vacancies were created by departures of three former state senators to Congress.
The special primary ballot is scheduled for March 17, 2015. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a runoff will take place on May 19.
January 9, 2015 •
San Francisco, California Ethics Commission Provides Lobbying Fact Sheets
The Ethics Commission has posted on its website six new fact sheets concerning the city’s lobbying ordinance. The fact sheets are to provide general guidance about registration and reporting requirements for lobbying in easily understandable language. The fact sheets were […]
The Ethics Commission has posted on its website six new fact sheets concerning the city’s lobbying ordinance. The fact sheets are to provide general guidance about registration and reporting requirements for lobbying in easily understandable language.
The fact sheets were produced in collaboration with the University of California Hastings Center for State & Local Government Law and are available here.
December 18, 2014 •
Santa Monica, California Council Wants Lobbying Regulations
City Council has directed staff to draft an ordinance to require all lobbyists and others involved in municipal business to register with the city. Council broadened the original proposal by Councilmember Sue Himmelrich and Mayor Pro Tem Tony Vazquez to […]
City Council has directed staff to draft an ordinance to require all lobbyists and others involved in municipal business to register with the city.
Council broadened the original proposal by Councilmember Sue Himmelrich and Mayor Pro Tem Tony Vazquez to require registration not only for those benefiting directly from city business, but any entity weighing in on issues. Councilmember Pam O’Connor wants registration required for everyone from local neighborhood representatives with issues before City Council to paid lobbyists.
Following a unanimous vote, the Office of the City Attorney was directed to begin researching, but not to hurry the process.
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