Government

UPDATE: FPPC thinks twice, will not limit financial disclosures

Submitted by Carmen Balber on Tue, 11/10/2015 - 17:31

In a quiet email and with no explanation, the Fair Political Practices Commission reversed course today and said it was withdrawing proposed new rules to limit online disclosure of politicians' financial dealings.

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Capitol Watchdog: Upcoming Meetings to Watch

Submitted by Eddie Barrera on Mon, 11/09/2015 - 10:52

The state's political money watchdog has been aggressive in giving the public the ability to find out who and how much donors spend to sway lawmakers. So why is it considering removing behested contributions solicited by politicians from its website after seven years? Find that and other meetings that have statewide impact below for the week of Nov. 9 - 13.

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State Agency Deal Shortchanges Blue Shield Customers

Submitted by Eddie Barrera on Wed, 11/04/2015 - 10:34
If a health insurer misrepresents a policy's network of providers and hospitals, shouldn't consumers be protected by state regulators overseeing the insurance company? 
 

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To Sway Lawmakers, California Lobbying Spending Continues to Increase

Submitted by Eddie Barrera on Tue, 11/03/2015 - 11:56

Another quarter, another tens of millions of dollars spent on lobbying lawmakers. In 2015, $236 million has been spent on lobbying, with $86 million in this quarter alone, according to the Secretary of State. Last year, at the same time, $224 million was spent in the first three quarters of the year, with $79 million in the third quarter. 

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Big Oil Spends Millions to Protect Billions

Submitted by Cody Rosenfield on Tue, 11/03/2015 - 11:12

For the oil industry, this year’s legislative session was full of doomsday legislation – bills targeting petroleum use, emissions, environmental protection, and profits. For the rest of us, it was the opposite – a bright spot in the battle over climate change. It’s no surprise then that the oil industry spent $11 million on lobbying in the third quarter alone. But that’s a pittance compared to the billions of dollars in profit it was protecting. 

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Will Ethics Board Kill Disclosure of Politicians' Fundraising for Pet Charities?

Submitted by Carmen Balber on Mon, 11/02/2015 - 18:37

Yesterday, the Fair Political Practices Commission sent out an interested persons notice that it's considering removing disclosure of behested contributions solicited by politicians from its website after a period of 7 years. 

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