Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

3 days ago

Trump Says He’s Willing to Let Migrant Farm Laborers Stay in US

3 days ago

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

4 days ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

4 days ago

Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congressional Approval

4 days ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

4 days ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

4 days ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

4 days ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

4 days ago
Unions Exempt From New State Law Taking Big Money Out of Fresno Politics
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 3 years ago on
October 27, 2022

Share

Starting Jan. 1, local elected leaders need to double-check their campaign accounts when voting on specific legislation. A new state law will significantly affect the size of contributions.

“The goal was to sever the tie between pay-to-play politics that unfortunately occurs in different parts of California,” said the bill’s author, state Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda.

Going forward, any business that has a license, permit, or other entitlement in front of a government agency will only be allowed to contribute up to $250 to an elected official making that decision.


In other words, labor unions continue to wield huge influence over a Legislature controlled by the Democratic Party.


The current contribution limit in Fresno City Council races is $4,900 per election cycle; for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, it’s $30,000. The city of Clovis and several school boards do not have set limits.

Signed by the governor in September, SB 1439 updates a 1982 anti-corruption law, to apply it to local elected leaders — such as county supervisors, city councilmembers, and school board trustees.

If developers are one major source of political contributions, labor unions would be right up there.

The law does not apply to labor contracts, competitive bidding, nor personal employment contracts, keeping those current exemptions.

“(The bill) wouldn’t have been successful in this current Legislature,” Glazer said, if the new limit covered union contributions, too.

In other words, labor unions continue to wield huge influence over a Legislature controlled by the Democratic Party.

Author: Bill is Fair

On its surface, the bill could limit the influence of local developers. Darius Assemi, the publisher of GV Wire and president/CEO of Granville Homes, is one of the top political contributors in local politics.

Glazer does not see any unfairness, with capping some contributions at $250, and in the case of Fresno City Council elections at $4,900.

“Is it infringing upon someone who’s trying to influence a council? Yes, it is. That’s the purpose of the law, to limit that influence,” Glazer said. “(Those contributing without business in front of a local legislative body) don’t have a selfish financial interest at stake in that choice.”

Applies to Local Governments

Starting with votes taken on Jan. 1, 2023, elected representatives may not take more than $250 for 12 months after the vote on a license, permit, or other entitlement.

“License, permit, or other entitlement for use means all business, professional, trade, and land use licenses and permits and all other entitlements for use, including all entitlements for land use, all contracts (other than competitively bid, labor, or personal employment contracts), and all franchises,” the law reads.

“The goal was to sever the tie between pay-to-play politics that unfortunately occurs in different parts of California.”State Sen. Steve Glazer

Current law applies to non-elected leaders with decision-making power, such as planning commission members. Corruption, experts say, could happen when those members would run for office and accept contributions from those with business in front of them.

Glazer’s bill now extends the anti-corruption provision to local elected leaders. An elected leader would have to recuse himself or herself from votes, return the excess contribution, or face potential fines from the Fair Political Practices Commission, the state agency tasked with refereeing campaign finance violations.

Glazer does not anticipate a problem where a majority in a given agency have to recuse, possibly creating a situation where a quorum is not established.

“There’s a cure provision in the bill. So if you become aware of the conflict, you have the ability to cure it by returning the funds,” Glazer said.

If unexpected problems pop up with any part of the bill, Glazer said that he is willing to seek fixes.

Also, contributions in the prior 12 months must not exceed $250. That means, even though the law is still two months away, contributions made in the last year could affect future votes.

Glazer said the FPPC would be one of several agencies to enforce SB 1439. Others would include county district attorneys or the state attorney general.

For the Clovis Unified school board, it will be up to the trustees to determine if they are eligible to vote.

“Individual board members are also responsible for managing their campaign finances and remaining within the boundaries of the law and our conflict of interest policy,” district spokeswoman Kelly Avants said.

A city of Clovis spokesman said the city attorney would help with compliance.

A look at financial reports for Fresno City Councilmembers shows several members receiving support from entities that may have business in front of the council.

Above: how the Fresno City Council may be affected by new law; Below: a look at the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.
(GV Wire/David Rodriguez)

No Opposition

The bill did not receive a single “no” vote, nor was there any organized opposition.

“There’s growing recognition that confidence in government comes from a process that is above reproach,” Glazer said.

Most of the support came from good government groups. California Common Cause supported the law and celebrated when the law was signed.

“Our democracy belongs to the people, not the highest bidder,” said Jonathan Mehta Stein, executive director of California Common Cause, said in a news release. “This legislation gives power back to Californians by holding our local leaders accountable to the people they serve.”

California Common Cause pushed for the bill after revelations of major contributions to elected officials for land use votes. These include the cannabis industry contributing in the city of Lynwood; and the owner of the Los Angeles Rams contributing to the Inglewood city government before the approval of SoFi Stadium.

Is There a Loophole?

There are other ways developers and others with public business can contribute to a candidate.

​”They can put their money into independent expenditures. But the fact that it is impossible to address some problems in our campaign finance system, thanks to Citizens United and the Supreme Court, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to fix the problems that it is possible to address. This law will hopefully stop the most direct and most blatant examples of quid pro quo we have seen in recent local political scandals,” Mehta Stein told GV Wire.

Glazer says the bill would not preclude political action committees from contributing to elected leaders or candidates.

“There is the potential for examination to see whether that political action committee is simply a conduit for some or an individual that has applied for a license. So I think you do that at your own risk,” Glazer said. “I think there’s a clear flashing red light to an elected leader to be aware of where contributions are coming from.”

Local Delegation: Most Republicans Avoid Votes

The bill passed the state Assembly 66-0 and the state Senate 32-0, both on Aug. 31.

The local delegation split almost along party lines: all Democrats voted in favor; most Republicans did not cast votes. The only GOP “aye” vote: Devon Mathis of Porterville.

Voting in favor: Assembly — Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno; Adam Gray, D-Merced; Rudy Salas, D-Bakersfield; Devon Mathis, R-Porterville; Senate — Anna Caballero, D-Merced; Melissa Hurtado, D-Bakersfield.

Not voting: Assembly — Frank Bigelow, R-O’Neals; Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield; Jim Patterson, R-Fresno; Senate — Andreas Borgeas, R-Fresno; Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield.

 

RELATED TOPICS:

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

How Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Make China Great Again

DON'T MISS

What’s Caitlin Clark Worth to the WNBA? A Lot More Than Her $78,066 Salary.

DON'T MISS

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

DON'T MISS

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Grows to More Than 70,000 Acres

DON'T MISS

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

DON'T MISS

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

DON'T MISS

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

DON'T MISS

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

DON'T MISS

Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal

UP NEXT

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Grows to More Than 70,000 Acres

UP NEXT

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rachelle Maria Blanco

UP NEXT

Fresno Police to Conduct DUI Checkpoint on Fourth of July, Boost Holiday Patrols

UP NEXT

Madre Fire Burns More Than 52,000 Acres in San Luis Obispo County

UP NEXT

RIP John Harris: Fresno County Rancher, Racehorse Breeder Was a Visionary Leader Who Leaves a ‘Profound Legacy’

UP NEXT

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

UP NEXT

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

UP NEXT

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

UP NEXT

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

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

Wanted Fugitive Found Hiding in Attic Arrested in Chowchilla

1 hour ago

Trump Says US Will Impose 25% Tariffs on Japan, South Korea

2 hours ago

Wall Street Knocked Lower by Tariff Jitters, Musk’s Political Plan Hurts Tesla

2 hours ago

Trial Over Free Speech on Campus, and Trump’s Student Crackdown, Begins

2 hours ago

Planned Parenthood Sues Trump Administration Over Planned Defunding

3 hours ago

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Injures 1 Firefighter, Burns Over 80,000 Acres

3 hours ago

Two Border Patrol Officers Injured After Gunman Opens Fire in Texas

3 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest 9 at Independence Day DUI Checkpoint

3 hours ago

Schumer Wants Probe of National Weather Service Response in Texas

3 hours ago

Israeli Guilt Over Gaza Lurks Beneath Silence and Denial

3 hours ago

Man Dead After Firing at US Border Patrol Station in Texas

WASHINGTON – A 27-year-old Michigan man was shot dead by police after opening fire with an assault rifle on a U.S. Border Patrol stati...

53 minutes ago

Photo of caution tape
53 minutes ago

Man Dead After Firing at US Border Patrol Station in Texas

The Flume Fire in Sequoia National Forest has burned 65 acres near Highway 190 with no containment as of Monday, July 7, 2025, prompting evacuations in Tulare County. (CalFire)
1 hour ago

Tulare County Flume Fire Burns 65 Acres in Sequoia National Forest, Evacuation Order Issued

Firefighters stopped the forward progress of the Fish Fire near Avocado Lake after it burned 15 acres Monday, July 7, 2025, reaching 50% containment. (CalFire)
1 hour ago

Fresno County Fish Fire Burns 15 Acres Near Avocado Lake, 50% Contained

Gary White, 42, a wanted fugitive, was arrested in Chowchilla after deputies found him hiding in an attic and he surrendered without incident on Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Madera County SO)
1 hour ago

Wanted Fugitive Found Hiding in Attic Arrested in Chowchilla

Containers on a cargo ship are pictured at an industrial port in Tokyo, Japan, July 2, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Trump Says US Will Impose 25% Tariffs on Japan, South Korea

Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., June 30, 2025. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid)
2 hours ago

Wall Street Knocked Lower by Tariff Jitters, Musk’s Political Plan Hurts Tesla

Protesters march near the campus of Columbia University in upper Manhattan to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and former Columbia student, on March 14, 2025. A federal judge in Boston on Monday, July 7, 2025, will hear opening statements in a trial expected to present the foremost challenge to the Trump administration’s aggressive posture toward foreign students who espoused pro-Palestinian views. (Dave Sanders/The New York Times)
2 hours ago

Trial Over Free Speech on Campus, and Trump’s Student Crackdown, Begins

Activists for Planned Parenthood demonstrate as the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments in South Carolina's bid to cut off public funding to Planned Parenthood, in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 2, 2025. (Reuters File)
3 hours ago

Planned Parenthood Sues Trump Administration Over Planned Defunding

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

Search

Send this to a friend