California politics, as we all know, can generate heated disagreements.
In a pluralist, diverse state with many interests, that is to be expected.
Nonetheless, there is one issue that many organizations across the political spectrum agree on, and that is the need for more transparency in government.
This is not a Democratic or Republican cause.
Most California voters desire to have as much information as possible as to what is happening in the halls of government, whether at the federal, state or local level.
But when government doesn’t want citizens to know what is going on, exposing bad behavior is difficult.
One can always ask for information, which reporters do on a daily basis. But sometimes, when government refuses to disgorge information that ought to be public, more direct action is necessary.
We at Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association have been involved in more than a half dozen legal actions under the California Public Records Act to force disclosure of information on a variety of matters including public employee compensation.
We almost always get the information we’re looking for.
At the state level, the Legislature is just finishing up its annual budget dance.
Contrary to what you may read in the media, the budget is not final but is subject to so-called “trailer bills.” These are bills that bypass public hearing and review because they are deemed to merely implement the budget.
While some language is, of course, necessary to accompany specific appropriations, what has evolved from California’s budget process is an insidious effort to sneak broad policy language into bills which the legislators themselves often don’t have the ability to analyze before approving them.
In just one example, a trailer bill was used to reduce transparency in the financial reporting of California’s High Speed Rail project. This massive infrastructure project has become more controversial with every passing year. What is needed is more legislative oversight of this expensive undertaking, not less.
But because this is Gov. Jerry Brown’s “legacy” project, the Legislature seems all too willing to accept reports from the High Speed Rail Authority every other year. This lack of accountability is inexcusable for a massive $100 billion infrastructure project.
At the local level, the Marin County grand jury recently issued a scathing report regarding the approval of pension benefits without public notice.
The granting of large increases in pension benefits for the county itself, the city of San Rafael and the Novato Fire District leaves taxpayers on the hook for significant increases in financial obligations for years to come.
Moreover, as is common with most local governments and the state itself, the increasing percentage of the budget to pay down unfunded pension obligations is “crowding out” other important public services like roads, water and libraries.
The legality of Marin’s pension increases has yet to be determined. But taxpayers should brace themselves for the possibility that the collective bargaining agreements that were struck years ago can no longer be challenged. Nonetheless, we are encouraged by the actions taken by the grand jury to pursue more transparency going forward.
And with citizen groups like Marin’s Citizens for Sustainable Pension Plans keeping the heat on, maybe voters will finally have access to the vital information they need to make informed decisions in their local elections.
Jon Coupal is the executive director of the Sacramento-based Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, a statewide organization dedicated to the protection of Proposition 13 and the advancement of taxpayers’ rights.
