Search:
powered by
Total Buzz ~ The insiders' hotline to Orange County government and politics
« More on the Hoa Van Tran controversies
Chris Norby hospitalized »

Grand jury: place campaign finance on ballot

May 21st, 2008, 8:49 am · 1 Comment · posted by PEGGY LOWE

countyseal1.jpg

 The Board of Supervisors should reverse itself and place two issues that would strengthen the county’s campaign finance regulations on the November ballot, the grand jury announced today.

In a report found here, the panel said the county needs to create a local version of the Fair Political Practices Commission because the District Attorney doesn’t enforce the law. The DA “has not filed any charges in response to numerous complaints since 1992,” the report says.

The Board voted down watchdog Shirley Grindle’s two plans in February, 3-2, with Supes Pat Bates, Janet Nguyen and Chris Norby voting against them. Norby said he felt it would criminalize free speech.

The grand jury also wants the new board, called the Fair Campaign Practices Commission, to have subpoena power through the office of county counsel, so “liability for violations is reattached to campaign treasurers and campaign donors.”

Would you support strengthening the county's campaign finance laws?
View Results
Reader comments: We want this to be a place where people discuss and debate ideas that foster stronger communities. We expect people to differ -- judgment and opinion are subjective -- and we encourage free speech and the exchange of ideas. But you are participating in a community that is intended for all of our users and we prohibit profanity, vulgarity, racial, sexual and homophobic remarks, threats, harassment and personal attacks. Here's the full User Agreement. Thank you for making this a safe place worth preserving and sharing. Share this: The icons below make it easy to share this post with others. First icon e-mails a link.
  • E-mail this story to a friend!
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google

Posted in: OC Government • Supervisors • |

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

One Response to “Grand jury: place campaign finance on ballot”

  1. Alex Ojin Says:
    May 21st, 2008 at 10:41 am

    Thanks for the great coverage, Peggy. My only concern is: With all the shenanigans the GOP elite pull (Schroeder, Lincoln Club, Baugh, etc.) won’t the ensuing investigations and then lawsuits actually cost much more to the Taxpayers than any real benefit gained by holding these gentlemen accountable locally???

    Is there a provision in the proposal pending that allows for expedient resolution
ADVERTISEMENT