June 19, 2006 - New lobby law aims at local officials

New lobby law aims at local officials

June 19, 2006

News Article/Pasadena Star News

By Gary Scott Staff Writer
Pasadena Star-News

City and county leaders will be prohibited from lobbying with their colleagues for one year after leaving office under a law that takes effect July 1.

The anti-corruption measure is identical to one that already applies to members of the state Legislature and statewide office holders.

State Sen. Nell Soto, who authored the legislation, said she wanted to extend the rule down to the local level to fight a rise in influence peddling in her home district.

"In my county alone, we have had a recent rash of corruption and bribery charges against locally elected officials," Soto, D-Ontario, said in a statement in support of her bill.

"I feel the citizens of San Bernardino deserve the commitment to see that our local government is free of corruption."

The restrictions cover all local elected officials, from city council members to county supervisors to school board members, county chief administrative officers, city managers and general managers for special districts.

These officials will be barred from acting as mouthpieces for any group or individual seeking a public benefit - be it a license, contract, grant or other consideration - from the agency the official formerly served. Officials who violate the law will face civil fines and possible criminal penalties.

"There were a number of communities in the Southern California area that had unfortunate incidents of public official corruption," said David Miller, spokesman for Soto. "This was a way she saw not only to prevent these things from happening but also to restore public confidence in their officials."

The law does make an exception for officials that move to another public agency. And local agencies are allowed to adopt even stricter standards if they choose.

Support for the bill came mainly from consumer rights' and government watchdog organizations such as the California Public Interest Research Group and Common Cause.

The Consumer Federation of California called the legislation "a common sense approach" to "elevating the people's trust in their elected officials."

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New lobby law aims at local officials


June 19, 2006 News Article/Pasadena Star News By Gary Scott Staff Writer Pasadena Star-News City and county leaders will be prohibited from lobbying with their colleagues for one year after leaving office under a law that takes effect July 1. The anti-corruption measure is identical to one that already applies to members of the state Legislature and statewide office holders. State Sen. Nell Soto, who authored the legislation, said she wanted to extend the rule down to the local level to fight a rise in influence peddling in her home district. "In my county alone, we have had a recent rash of corruption and bribery charges against locally elected officials," Soto, D-Ontario, said in a statement in support of her bill. "I feel the citizens of San Bernardino deserve the commitment to see that our local government is free of corruption." The restrictions cover all local elected officials, from city council members to county supervisors to school board members, county chief administrative officers, city managers and general managers for special districts. These officials will be barred from acting as mouthpieces for any group or individual seeking a public benefit - be it a license, contract, grant or other consideration - from the agency the official formerly served. Officials who violate the law will face civil fines and possible criminal penalties. "There were a number of communities in the Southern California area that had unfortunate incidents of public official corruption," said David Miller, spokesman for Soto. "This was a way she saw not only to prevent these things from happening but also to restore public confidence in their officials." The law does make an exception for officials that move to another public agency. And local agencies are allowed to adopt even stricter standards if they choose. Support for the bill came mainly from consumer rights' and government watchdog organizations such as the California Public Interest Research Group and Common Cause. The Consumer Federation of California called the legislation "a common sense approach" to "elevating the people's trust in their elected officials."
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