League of Women Voters of California and CALPIRG Share Their Support for Prop 54 in Orange County Register and Capitol Weekly Opinion Editorials

October 24, 2016 –Joanne Leavitt, Vice President of the League of Women Voters of California and Emily Rusch, Executive Director of CALPIRG and CALPIRG Education Fund explain why they support Prop. 54in two recent opinion editorials published in the Orange County Register and Capitol Weekly, respectively. Prop. 54 is 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.

Below are excerpts from the two opinion editorials: Orange County Register, “Proposition 54 is an easy ‘yes’ vote” by Joanne Leavitt, vice president of the League of Women Voters of California:

“Prop. 54 will help solve a long-standing problem at the state Capitol, where bills are changed at the last minute – sometimes drastically changed – and rushed through the legislative process with little or no time for legislators and the public to review and comment. This practice is usually the result of special interests making deals behind closed doors, and ultimately serves to benefit them alone… As voters wade through the cluttered ballot there is one easy choice: Yes on Prop. 54.”

Capitol Weekly “A quest for government transparency” by Emily Rusch, executive director of CALPIRG and CALPIRG Education Fund:

“Proposition 54 directly addresses the secrecy and back room deal-making that occurs in Sacramento’s legislative process.  For example, a proposed law typically must make its way through several committee hearings over the course of many months – allowing all interested parties to weigh in to ensure the language of the bill is properly analyzed and vetted to produce sound policy.

Then, at the very last minute, just before the bill is up for a final vote, a deal may be struck between legislators to make changes to the bill language. These changes are often at the request of a lobbyist with access and influence, and the Legislature then votes on the bill before the public has had a chance to review and respond to the changes.

Scenarios such as this one have unfortunately become routine in Sacramento. These last-minute deals are much more likely to benefit the special interests at the expense of the rest of us. Proposition 54 will create more transparency and accountability at our state Capitol with three simple amendments to California’s Constitution.”

To learn more about Proposition 54 or to join the coalition, visit the website at www.YesProp54.org.

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