Paper Trails

Thumbnail image for CitiReport Looks at SF Ethics, 2011-2013

CitiReport Looks at SF Ethics, 2011-2013

by Larry Bush 05.10.2013

When CitiReport relaunched in January 2011 it was with the intent of providing information and commentary on the workings of City Hall and in particular the junction of ethics, money and politics. Over the past two years, our attention has returned repeatedly to the city’s Ethics Commission, the current city laws and how they are [...]

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Thumbnail image for Washington, Sacto Want End to Dark Money

Washington, Sacto Want End to Dark Money

by Larry Bush 05.10.2013

It’s an age-old cry from unions facing management demands for cost-cutting measures that hit workers in the paycheck: “Open The Books.” Or, as Ronald Reagan said of the Russians, “Trust but Verify.” In either case, the goal was the same: finding a way to a level playing field that didn’t leave one side vulnerable to [...]

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Thumbnail image for The Ethics Reform On the table

The Ethics Reform On the table

by Larry Bush 05.10.2013

Chiu, Herrera Put Ethics on the Agenda Board President David Chiu and City Attorney Dennis Herrera’s proposed ethics reforms would force into the open a flow of money aimed at influencing City Hall that has been hidden by custom and law, identifying how play-to-pay politics tips the scale on decisions that cost taxpayers in swollen [...]

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Thumbnail image for City Hall Dodge Ball

City Hall Dodge Ball

by Larry Bush 03.06.2013

San Francisco lobbyists took in $6,055,756 in fees from vendors relying on their help to win contracts worth $372,601,824 in 2012, according to filings at the Ethics Commission. Lobbyists in turn contributed $111,557 to political campaigns last year, with half that total ($61,920) from the San Francisco Apartment Association. San Francisco is one of the [...]

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Thumbnail image for An Ethics Syllabus

An Ethics Syllabus

by Larry Bush 01.15.2013

2011 San Francisco Civil grand jury report “Ethics: Sleeping Watchdog” http://www.sfcourts.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=2860 2012 Board Budget and Legislative Analyst Report: San Francisco, Los Angeles Ethics comparison http://www.citireport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Ethics-II.Final_.pdf SACRAMENTO DEVELOPMENTS Overview of California Disclose Act http://corporatereformcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CA-DISCLOSE-Act-Overview.pdf FPPC Proposes Tighter Rules on Reporting http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2012/09/fppc-pushes-to-tighten-disclosure-for-independent-expenditures-disclosure.html Stricter Campaign Disclosure Proposed by Yee, Leno http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2012/12/california-democrats-propose-stricter-campaign-disclosure-laws.html http://sd08.senate.ca.gov/news/2012-12-03-yee-and-lieu-introduce-california-campaign-disclosure-act California Lobby Laws Riddled with Holes [...]

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Thumbnail image for Conway Tops $1.2 Million in city elections

Conway Tops $1.2 Million in city elections

by Larry Bush 11.02.2012

It was in 2010, just two years ago, that Ron Conway told a business group “We are going to take our city back.” This year, Conway appeared before the Commonwealth Club to update that pledge. “Guess what,” Conway said, “Ed lee got elected mayor, and we have taken our city back,” reported the San Francisco [...]

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Thumbnail image for A Primer for Closing “Soft Money” Disclosure Loopholes in San Francisco

A Primer for Closing “Soft Money” Disclosure Loopholes in San Francisco

by Oliver Luby 10.22.2012

How to Improve Transparency for Independent Election Spending: Header summary: 1. Fix Supplemental “Third Party” Disclosure. a. Limitations regarding the reach of California AB 481’s 90-day period for disclosure of independent spending. b. Limitations regarding San Francisco’s third party disclosure                                 [...]

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Thumbnail image for Shadow Money May Set Record

Shadow Money May Set Record

by Oliver Luby 10.21.2012

Independent spending regarding San Francisco Board of Supervisors contests, 2002 – 2012 Independent spending refers to campaign spending by independent groups or persons which is not coordinated with any candidates. I. Year-to-year historical comparison   Year # of candidates directly impacted by Independent spending Total Independent spending on candidates Largest amount of opposition spending Largest [...]

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Thumbnail image for Candidates Answer CitiReport Questions

Candidates Answer CitiReport Questions

by Larry Bush 10.02.2012

Candidates Talk It Up There was near universal support for increasing transparency (providing a Guide for Contributors to reduce confusion, providing material in languages other than English, requiring electronic reporting), and for tightening up the potential for influence-peddling (a ban on contributions from lobbyists, a ban on giving contributions in City Hall itself). Overall, there [...]

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Thumbnail image for CitiReport’s 2012 Supe Candidate Questionnaire

CitiReport’s 2012 Supe Candidate Questionnaire

by Larry Bush 10.02.2012

(This is the questionnaire and the introduction to ethics issues sent to the candidates for supervisor for 2012. While CitiReport did not send this as well to the Community College and School Board candidates, we are pleased to make this available to any organizations or individuals who would like to do so. Most of the [...]

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