Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
State Politicians Still Up to their Sneaky Tricks: Walters
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
June 14, 2018

Share

Californians like transparency when its comes to their elected leaders.
Voters demanded that legislation be printed three days in advance when Proposition 54 passed in 2016.

‘Mushroom Bills’ Grow in the Dark

But as CALmatters columnist Dan Walters notes in his June 14 piece, Sacramento lawmakers still find an end-around.
With the budget heading to its final approval stages, Walters decries the practice of “trailer bills” that need not be printed in advance, and take effect immediately upon passage and the signature of the governor.
“It’s why some folks around the Capitol call them ‘mushroom bills’ that sprout in the dark, fertilized with manure,” Walters writes.

Shoveling Dirt Over Bond Transparency

And now, there is more funny business when it comes to finding out about what is in a local government or school bond measure.
Senate Bill 863, which would require disclosing the financial impacts of bond measures, was amended this week. Now there is a two-year suspension of Republican Assemblyman Jay Obernolte’s “requirement to tell voters the financial facts about the bond issues they are being asked to approve,” Walters writes.
Read more Dan Walters on trailer bills and the lack of transparency at this link.

DON'T MISS

Different Faces, Different Voices, But the Same Goal: Exercising Democracy by Voting

DON'T MISS

Live Updates: Who Will Be President? AP Calls States for the Candidates

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Road Rage Incident Leads to Violent Assault, High-Speed Chase

DON'T MISS

When to Expect Fresno County Election Results

DON'T MISS

Israeli Strikes Target Syria for a Second Day in a Row

DON'T MISS

Trump Snaps at Reporter When Asked About Abortion: ‘Stop Talking About That’

DON'T MISS

Soria Stumps Outside Polling Place. Was it Legal?

DON'T MISS

These California Toss-Ups May Decide Which Party Controls Congress

DON'T MISS

What We’ll Know and When We’ll Know It: A Guide to Election Night

DON'T MISS

Democratic Mayors in San Francisco and Oakland Fight to Keep Their Jobs on Election Day

UP NEXT

Democratic Mayors in San Francisco and Oakland Fight to Keep Their Jobs on Election Day

UP NEXT

California Sues LA Suburb for Temporary Ban of Homeless Shelters

UP NEXT

Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on Mexico to Curb Immigration

UP NEXT

Big Spenders: These Companies Are Giving the Most to California Legislative Candidates

UP NEXT

Immediate Threat: Mussel Invades California’s Delta, First Time in North America

UP NEXT

Lyft Pays $2.1 Million to Settle Case Alleging the Ride-Hailing Service Deceived Drivers

UP NEXT

Southern California County Official Pleads Guilty to Bribery Charge in COVID Funds Scheme

UP NEXT

Visalia Rollerblader Suffered Major Injuries After Being Struck by Vehicle

UP NEXT

Fresno County Man Indicted for Possessing Stolen Guns

UP NEXT

Anti-Semitic Incident at Oakland Cafe Raises Concerns About Rising Intolerance

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

When to Expect Fresno County Election Results

3 hours ago

Israeli Strikes Target Syria for a Second Day in a Row

4 hours ago

Trump Snaps at Reporter When Asked About Abortion: ‘Stop Talking About That’

4 hours ago

Soria Stumps Outside Polling Place. Was it Legal?

5 hours ago

These California Toss-Ups May Decide Which Party Controls Congress

5 hours ago

What We’ll Know and When We’ll Know It: A Guide to Election Night

6 hours ago

Democratic Mayors in San Francisco and Oakland Fight to Keep Their Jobs on Election Day

6 hours ago

These 8 Counties Could Hint at Where the Election Is Headed

6 hours ago

Israel’s Netanyahu Dismisses Defense Minister in Surprise Announcement

6 hours ago

Cryptocurrency Markets, Promoted by Trump, Brace for Election Volatility

7 hours ago

Different Faces, Different Voices, But the Same Goal: Exercising Democracy by Voting

They might not be able to agree on who should be elected president or whether the country is headed in the right or wrong direction, but the...

1 hour ago

1 hour ago

Different Faces, Different Voices, But the Same Goal: Exercising Democracy by Voting

1 hour ago

Live Updates: Who Will Be President? AP Calls States for the Candidates

A road rage incident in Fresno County escalated into a violent assault and a high-speed pursuit, resulting in the suspect's arrest and vehicle impoundment. (CHP)
3 hours ago

Fresno County Road Rage Incident Leads to Violent Assault, High-Speed Chase

3 hours ago

When to Expect Fresno County Election Results

The wreckage left by Israeli airstrikes in Dahieh, a predominantly Shiite suburb of south Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday, Nov. 5 2024. (Daniel Berehulak /The New York Times)
4 hours ago

Israeli Strikes Target Syria for a Second Day in a Row

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
4 hours ago

Trump Snaps at Reporter When Asked About Abortion: ‘Stop Talking About That’

5 hours ago

Soria Stumps Outside Polling Place. Was it Legal?

5 hours ago

These California Toss-Ups May Decide Which Party Controls Congress

Search

Send this to a friend