Staff budgets start at $263,000 a year in the Assembly, but they can rise significantly higher. It’s vital that records of that spending be open, as it can be used by party leaders as a political weapon to reward the faithful or punish those who don’t toe the line. (Such an accusation by Democrat Anthony Portantino against Speaker John Perez is what started this snowball rolling.)
But Democrats in the Assembly dragged their feet, refused to open their books and flouted the state’s open-records law. Only two lawmakers posted budgets of their own volition. We’re disappointed that Tracy’s representative, Cathleen Galgiani, wasn’t one of them.
Now, however, lawmakers don’t have a choice. Their ledgers are open to sunshine, and the judge’s decision is a reminder to politicians at all levels of government that they are there to serve the public, not fatten allies on the public dime.
Thanks to the Los Angeles Times and Sacramento Bee for pursuing the matter in court, and forcing our elected officials to do what good ethics demands.
And for local government, why dont they let go of Traq's coat-tails? Where on earth cant you find the poppy seed petty cash voucher expenditures listed. Or the income collected by their attorney why is it not listed? How much does front page advertisement cost?
Lets be candid about something. Do you think the Tracy Press really supports an "open system"?
No disrespect intended but some people's view of open government is different than other's. Maybe government should be completely open to the public. In otherwords, no closed session meetings; no one on one meetings between elected officials and city management staff, no two on two meetings with elected officials from other jurisdictions.
City, County, State and Federal Officials could go a lot farther to ensure open government if they were truly concerned about the welfare of the taxpayers.
Its clear from the article what is meant by "open". They are writing about financial records being "open".
I dont disagree with that, but find it interesting when you pick and choose.
I have no problem with widening the scope. But you answered a different question. I understand you feel that emails between differing agencies should be open to "public record requests". But thats not what I asked.
Im asking if people really believe the Tracy Press supports an "open" system. Think about the emails you mentioned. Why didnt the Tracy Press ever print the lab emails? And why didnt they ever print the "proof" you claimed they had against Jan.
Dont you think the Tracy Press are hypocrites to leave the oeople in the dark like that?