Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Did State Workers Help Pro-Gas Tax Effort? Watchdog Investigates.
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 7 years ago on
September 13, 2018

Share

SACRAMENTO — California’s campaign watchdog said Wednesday it is investigating whether a campaign to preserve the state’s recent gas tax hike violated finance rules.
The Fair Political Practices Commission will look into a complaint filed by the opposing campaign that alleges state employees distributed fliers urging voters to keep the tax increase in place.
The FPPC has not determined whether the allegations are valid but will investigate them, according to a letter it sent Carl DeMaio, an activist leading the charge to repeal the tax hike.

Caltrans Says Work Private Employees Distributed Fliers

Laurie Berman, the director of California’s transportation department, says the workers identified by the gas tax repeal campaign were private contractors employed by the department.
“Caltrans is looking into the matter, but it is our understanding that these individuals were private contractors not Caltrans employees,” Berman said in a statement. “Regardless, the Department does not condone political advocacy or the distribution of campaign information on work project sites and is contacting its contractors to remind them of this.”

Proposition 6 Seeks to Repeal Gas Tax Hike

DeMaio and other opponents of the gas tax hike put a measure on the November ballot — Proposition 6 — that would repeal the tax increase. They allege it was a violation of campaign rules for people employed by the state to hand fliers to passing drivers telling them to oppose Proposition 6.
Republican lawmakers and groups are the biggest funders of the Proposition 6 campaign, which has raised more than $4 million. They say the state Legislature shouldn’t have approved the gas tax hike last year. Some Republicans see the issue as one that will boost turnout among voters who care about pocketbook issues and could help the GOP hold onto U.S. House seats in the heavily Democratic state.
Construction companies and unions representing construction workers, who stand to benefit from more road work, are among the biggest funders of the campaign to defeat Proposition 6. They argue the tax increase provides revenue needed to repair the state’s crumbling roads. Proposition 6 opponents have reported raising $27 million.
FPPC spokesman Jay Wierenga declined to comment on the investigation. The FPPC prioritizes “campaign-season-related complaints” but can’t guarantee they will be completed before election day, he said.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Greg Cronin Fired as Coach of Anaheim Ducks After 2 Seasons

DON'T MISS

Spring Allergies Are Back. Here’s How to Check Pollen Levels and Keep From Sneezing

DON'T MISS

US Small Manufacturers Hope to Benefit From Tariffs, but Some Worry About Uncertainty

DON'T MISS

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Kill More Than 90 People in 48 Hours, Palestinians Say

DON'T MISS

US and Iran Advance Nuclear Talks to Expert Level After Rome Meeting

DON'T MISS

Putin Announces an Easter Ceasefire as Russia and Ukraine Swap Hundreds of POWs

DON'T MISS

NBA Playoff Guide: Who Plays When, How to Watch, What the Odds Are

DON'T MISS

Americans Haven’t Found a Satisfying Alternative to Religion

DON'T MISS

Supreme Court Blocks, for Now, New Deportations Under 18th Century Wartime Law

DON'T MISS

Senator Slams ‘Margaritagate’ Stunt During Deportee Visit

UP NEXT

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Kill More Than 90 People in 48 Hours, Palestinians Say

UP NEXT

US and Iran Advance Nuclear Talks to Expert Level After Rome Meeting

UP NEXT

Putin Announces an Easter Ceasefire as Russia and Ukraine Swap Hundreds of POWs

UP NEXT

NBA Playoff Guide: Who Plays When, How to Watch, What the Odds Are

UP NEXT

Senator Slams ‘Margaritagate’ Stunt During Deportee Visit

UP NEXT

LA Rams Can Bolster a Contending Roster With Another Strong Showing in NFL Draft

UP NEXT

Trump Admin Asserts COVID-19 Originated in Chinese Lab, Targets Fauci

UP NEXT

What Happens After a Homeless Person Is Arrested for Camping? Often, Not Much

UP NEXT

2 Killed and 5 Hurt in Florida State University Shooting; Gunman in Custody

UP NEXT

Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Trump Plan to End Birthright Citizenship

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Kill More Than 90 People in 48 Hours, Palestinians Say

1 hour ago

US and Iran Advance Nuclear Talks to Expert Level After Rome Meeting

1 hour ago

Putin Announces an Easter Ceasefire as Russia and Ukraine Swap Hundreds of POWs

1 hour ago

NBA Playoff Guide: Who Plays When, How to Watch, What the Odds Are

1 hour ago

Americans Haven’t Found a Satisfying Alternative to Religion

2 hours ago

Supreme Court Blocks, for Now, New Deportations Under 18th Century Wartime Law

2 hours ago

Senator Slams ‘Margaritagate’ Stunt During Deportee Visit

2 hours ago

Fresno County Pushes Valley to Highest Rates of Domestic Violence Calls in CA

2 hours ago

LA Rams Can Bolster a Contending Roster With Another Strong Showing in NFL Draft

3 hours ago

Mijo Proves Love Is Blind and That One Eye Is More Than Enough

3 hours ago

Greg Cronin Fired as Coach of Anaheim Ducks After 2 Seasons

ANAHEIM — Greg Cronin was fired Saturday as coach of the Anaheim Ducks after two seasons, general manager Pat Verbeek announced. “He i...

58 minutes ago

58 minutes ago

Greg Cronin Fired as Coach of Anaheim Ducks After 2 Seasons

1 hour ago

Spring Allergies Are Back. Here’s How to Check Pollen Levels and Keep From Sneezing

1 hour ago

US Small Manufacturers Hope to Benefit From Tariffs, but Some Worry About Uncertainty

1 hour ago

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Kill More Than 90 People in 48 Hours, Palestinians Say

1 hour ago

US and Iran Advance Nuclear Talks to Expert Level After Rome Meeting

1 hour ago

Putin Announces an Easter Ceasefire as Russia and Ukraine Swap Hundreds of POWs

1 hour ago

NBA Playoff Guide: Who Plays When, How to Watch, What the Odds Are

2 hours ago

Americans Haven’t Found a Satisfying Alternative to Religion

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend