[Press release from Assemblyman Anthony Portantino's office. Portantino represents part of Monrovia.]
Continuing his efforts to bring transparency and accountability to the State Legislature, Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) has introduced an Amendment to the Standing Rules of the Assembly (HR20) calling for all Assembly financial records to be made public.
“Californians deserve the respect of the legislature by having access to how their money is being spent,” said Assemblymember Portantino. “We have used the better part of this legislative year legislating good practices in cities such as Bell and Vernon. We need to lead by example and not shroud our budgets in secrecy.”
HR 20 requires all current financial records to be made available to the public, not a year from now, but immediately. The resolution also provides for fairness in budgeting for all members’ office expenses and precludes leadership from either rewarding or punishing a member for voting their conscience. There can no longer be arbitrary budget action under HR 20. In addition, it requests that the State Controller conduct annual financial audits.
“Assembly leadership has refused to release current budget details and has not conducted a Performance Audit as required by law,” explained Portantino. “Further adding insult to the process, the incomplete information released by the Assembly Rules Committee for last year has been discredited by the press. Unfortunately, Leadership needs to be brought into the sunshine kicking and screaming. Under HR20, the adoption of members’ budgets would be done in an open and public hearing instead of behind closed doors. Not only will members’ budgets be made available, but, all Assembly leadership, committee, caucuses and all administrative budgets for the Assembly will have to be disclosed in comprehensive detail. It is outrageous, unacceptable and wrong to keep the public in the dark when it comes to spending their money.”
The Sacramento Bee and the Los Angeles Times have filed suit against the Assembly Rules Committee for keeping comprehensive budgets secret from the public. Like the press, Portantino’s requests for comprehensive budget information have also been denied.
- Brad Haugaard
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