The Importance of Transparency

Politics is about the free and open discussion of ideas.  While much of the focus is often on disagreement, a healthy community should welcome varying views about the best path to get to our shared common goals.  But when there are disagreements over process or even the end point, it is particularly important that ideas are shared openly and fairly.

In the 2012 election cycle, there was a shadow group from Arizona that dumped millions of dollars into California's political cycle in order to defeat Proposition 30 and support Proposition 32.  They created the group in order to hide who was really funding their political activities.  California's Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) stepped up and sued them for not publicly disclosing their funding sources and filing the appropriate reports.  Fortunately, California law is clear and the group was found in violation. 

Currently in Berryessa, there is a small group of people who are intent on undermining the district's attempt to raise revenue the Board and District believe is desperately needed to bring our facilities up to 21st century standards, ensure a safe and secure learning environment, and offer modern technology to our students.  There is nothing wrong with legitimate debate about whether or not the district needs the community to provide this investment and the best way to structure any bonds.  However, this group of individuals began leaving leaflets on cars in front of schools and placing ads in local newspapers without any identifying information.

The materials contain unknown group names such as "Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education" and "Coalition Advisory Committee on Fiscal Reform."  State campaign law says that such groups must file paperwork with the state so that interested parties can find out who is funding them, if they are advocating for or against ballot measures or candidates.  

When no such paperwork was found, I filed a private complaint with the FPPC to try to shed light on these groups.  The FPPC has informed me that the anonymous nature of these groups' activities would be a violation of California election law once there is an actual ballot measure placed on the ballot.  Since the Board has not yet decided whether to place a bond measure on the ballot, there is no transparency required by any groups campaigning against the district.  They encouraged me to refile my complaint once the district takes action to place a bond on the ballot, if anonymous political activity continues.

While there may not yet be any violation of the letter of the law, there is no question that the spirit of the law has not been met in this case.  I will continue to advocate for transparency in all political activity in our community.  I welcome all public discussion of the issues surrounding the district's need for a bond measure, but the public should know who is behind all sides of the debate.