Transparency

Covered California Abuses No-Bid Contract Policy

Covered California views transparency as an obstacle to be overcome and no-bid contracts as a perk to abuse. That's the lesson to be learned after an audit released Tuesday by the state auditor that questioned a broad policy that allowed the use of no-bid contracts at the health exchange, which contracted $198 million worth of bids, out of $989 million in total, for these type of sole-bid contracts during a three-period of time. 

Capitol Watchdog: Upcoming Meetings to Watch

A Joint hearing will be held about the transportation sharing economy, a topic that has struggled getting approval from committee chair Sen. Ben Hueso. The Fair Political Practices Commission will be getting an update about California legislation now being considered that could affect transparency, including changes to advertisement disclosure, lobbying procurement contracts and disclosure of contributions deadlines.

Find those details and more below: 

Demanding a Public Probe Into Porter Ranch Blowout

The largest methane gas leak in California history began more than three months ago and has driven residents with nosebleeds, vomiting, rashes, and dizziness out of 5,000 homes. Shouldn't we know why, how and who caused the mess by now? 
 

Big Oil Lobbyist Leads in Spending, Most of Which Stayed Hidden

Hiding how money has been spent by big industries to influence the California legislature has been rampant for years and has become a speciality of well-funded special interests such as Big Oil's Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA).

How Deep Will CA Attorney General Dig Into PUC Scandal?

Gov. Jerry Brown must release all his emails connected to the Public Utilities Commission's San Onofre Nuclear power plant scandal. Otherwise, Attorney General Kamala Harris needs to dig deeper to see if he was involved in negotiating a horrendous settlement to the detriment of ratepayers.
 

Shining Light Into A Big Black Hole (Or The Undisclosed Millions Big Industry Spends Lobbying)

The Fair Political Practices Commission is promoting new lobbyist disclosure rules after massive spending by the oil industry at the end of the last legislative session killed a law that would have reduced petroleum use in California by 50%. 
 

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