State upholds limits on use of local government funds for political advocacy

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The state’s ethics watchdog agency on Thursday rejected a request by cities and school boards throughout California to back off severe restrictions on their ability to use public funds on mailers that tout bond measures and other ballot questions.

In response to complaints that some government agencies go too far in advocating voter approval in taxpayer-financed mail, the state Fair Political Practices Commission last year voted to require money spent by government agencies to ‘expressly advocate’ on an issue or ‘unambiguously’’ urge a particular result in an election to be reported as campaign spending, which is restricted.

Attorneys for the League of California Cities and California School Boards Assn. had argued that the state panel lacked the authority to adopt the regulation of how public funds are used. City representatives argued the mailers are OK as long as they educate voters on an issue without directly urging them to vote ‘yes.’

Commission Chairman Ross Johnson said the tougher rule that his panel adopted is a good one and that too often government agencies bring in political consultants to shape ballot measures and help write mailers in a way that is improper.

‘These folks ought not to be able to use taxpayer money for overtly campaign-related material,’’ Johnson said.

-- Patrick McGreevy