DeVore Introduces Bill to Increase Transparency among Public Agencies
AB 1992 Prohibits Agencies From Using Taxpayer Dollars For Political Activities 

SACRAMENTO - Seeking to increase transparency among public agencies and save taxpayer dollars, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (R--Irvine) has introduced Assembly Bill 1992, the Taxpayer Protection Act of 2008. AB 1992 is sponsored by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. 

Under current law, taxpayer financed organizations including the League of California Cities and the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) can finance political activities through anonymous campaign accounts. These "non-public fund" accounts do not need to disclose the source of their financing or contributions. This denies to the public, regulatory agencies and the media full transparency as to the source of these funds.  

In addition to this lack of transparency, there is substantial evidence that these organizations are using tax dollars to deny Californians real property rights reforms.  In 2006, these groups contributed more than $4.7 million from their anonymous accounts to oppose Proposition 90, an eminent domain ballot measure and over $2 million more opposing Proposition 98, a June 2008 ballot measure that prohibits the taking of all private property for a private use. As of January, at least 81% of the money spent opposing Proposition 98 has come from these anonymous accounts.

"AB 1992 will provide necessary accountability for taxpayer financed organizations by imposing fines and possible imprisonment for using public funds for political purposes. Unless these organizations have something to hide, I cannot imagine why this bill would not pass," said DeVore.

HJTA President Jon Coupal restated the objective of the bill. "In no way does the 'Taxpayer Protection Act' keep these organizations from lobbying on behalf of their clients. We simply want to ensure that the public can see where these government associations are getting their money and that public dollars are not being used to influence elections - something which offends both the federal and state constitutions.

Coupal also added that with the introduction of AB 1992, that HJTA would remove Initiative 07-0085 from circulation. That statutory initiative was substantially similar to the current bill.