Bipartisan Coalition Backs CA Transparency Initiative

Diverse, Bipartisan Coalition of Good Government, Employers, Current and Former Elected Officials Endorse Measure To Give Voters a Voice in the Legislative Process 

SACRAMENTO, March 17, 2016 – Today, a proposed ballot initiative that will rein in special interests and give voters more access to the legislative process received new endorsements from a diverse, bipartisan coalition of unlikely allies. The California Common Cause,  California Chamber of Commerce, Californians Aware, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, former Democratic Assembly Speaker Pro-Tempore Fred Keeley, and Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen (R-Riverbank) have all lined up behind the California Legislature Transparency Act making its way toward the November 2016 ballot.

This latest round of endorsements join other early supporters including California Forward, the California National Federation of Independent Business, the California Black Chamber of Commerce, and the First Amendment Coalition. The California Legislature Transparency Act is rapidly gaining support and is well on its way to qualifying for the November ballot.

“The California Legislature Transparency Act helps further the mission of Common Cause by creating a more open, honest, and accountable government and working to empower the public to participate in, and have their voices heard, in our political process,” said Kathay Feng, California Common Cause Executive Director.

“When legislation that affects jobs and the economy is decided upon by only a select few and passed in the dead of night, it can create significant obstacles for business growth which impacts real people,” said Allan Zaremberg, CalChamber President and CEO. “CalChamber supports the California Legislature Transparency Act, which will create transparency in the legislative process.”

The measure filed by former State Senator and Assembly Minority Leader Sam Blakeslee, and government reform advocate Charles Munger, Jr., aims to reduce the power and influence of special interests and empower the average California voter in the legislative process. The initiative would increase transparency in the legislative process by requiring that all proposed new laws be published online in final form, viewable to the voters, for at least 72 hours before the Legislature votes.   It further requires that all legislative meetings are recorded and made freely available online for the public within 24 hours.

To learn more about the California Legislature Transparency Act or to join the coalition, visit the newly launched website at www.holdpoliticiansaccountable.org.

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