The California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) Endorses Prop. 54

September 15, 2016 – The California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) announced their endorsement of Prop. 54, a statewide initiative on the November 2016 ballot that will rein in the power of special interests and give voters a stronger voice in the State Legislature.

“The California legislature does the work of the people, and their hearings and votes should be accessible to anyone who wants to follow their process. Unfortunately, bills now can be amended and pushed through mere hours before the final vote, with last minute backroom deals benefiting special interests rather than the public,” said Emily Rusch, Executive Director of CALPIRG. “The simple sunshine measures in Prop. 54, requiring the language of all bills be posted online for 72 hours before their final vote and allowing the public to view hearings online, should result in better public policy and we encourage a yes vote.”

Prop. 54 will require all legislation to be in print and publicly posted online in its final form at least 72 hours before it may pass out of either house of the State Legislature, require all open legislative meetings to be audiovisual recorded and posted online within 24 hours, and grant all individuals the right to record and share videos of public legislative proceedings.

CALPIRG joins a diverse coalition in support of Prop. 54 including the League of Women Voters of California, the California State Conference of the NAACP, League of California Cities, California Common Cause, California Forward, the California Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business/CA, the Small Business Action Committee, the Latin Business Association, the California Business Roundtable, California Planning and Conservation League, Californians Aware, the First Amendment Coalition, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, CalTax, and many others.

To learn more about Prop. 54 or to join the coalition, visit the website at www.yesprop54.org.

#  #  #