An assembly member reveals that new California legislators receive training that prioritizes special interest influence over public needs, explaining the state's persistent struggles with issues like the cost of living crisis, crime, homelessness, job losses, and failing schools.
Assembly member Carl DeMaio, right, of San Diego, joins others as they are sworn-in to the California Assembly during the Assembly’s organizational session in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. A week after the November election, I joined nearly two dozen newly elected members of the state Assembly gathered in Sacramento for a closed-door training program.
Most state legislators owe their seats to campaign contributions from corporate special interests, lobbyists and labor union bosses. Very few state legislators raise significant support from small dollar grassroots donors — making them particularly dependent on keeping special interests happy even if it means not giving the public what it wants.
That’s why the state Legislature delegated sweeping authority to unelected bureaucrats to impose taxes, fees and mandates. One legislator bragged that he has never had to vote “No” on any bills. Given how many bad ideas are proposed by politicians, that should be a dead giveaway that something is wrong with the process.
California Legislature Campaign Finance Lobbying Special Interests Accountability
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