Senator George Runner
Serving the 17th District which incorporates portions of the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties.

Today, a majority of Democrat Senators passed legislation to ostensibly reduce crowding in California prisons and save $1.2 billion along the way. But what Assembly Bill 14xxx really does is release about 27,000 felons early from prison, reduces felonies to misdemeanors and creates a public safety commission whose membership will include an ex-felon appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly. Yes, you read that right.

The bill passed 21-19 but not without a lengthy debate and protest by Republican Senators. This bill is a contradiction to our belief that government’s number one priority is to protect its citizens. In fact, this bill is nothing more than an over-the-top assault on California’s public safety; it’s an affront to law-abiding citizens throughout the state.

The Democrat Senators may have passed this measure today, but I believe the people of California will have the last word in the way of referendum on either the June or November 2010 ballot.

Transparency should be more than a buzzword.

During the budget negotiations, the phones in my office rang constantly. Concerned citizens from across the state demanded to know what’s going to happen to the program they care about most and they insisted on knowing how I would vote.

I applaud my constituents who have pushed to make the political process transparent and who want to know what’s going on with their government and the officials they have elected.

Open government is a centerpiece of America’s system of rule. Unfortunately, not every elected official agrees with me because in Sacramento transparency remains a buzzword; simply a nice idea with no real legislative push to force its implementation. As a result, when Californians want to know exactly how their representatives voted on an issue or how their tax dollars are being spent, they are easily given the runaround and left in the dark.

My fellow Senate Republicans and I want to breathe life back into the word transparency and deliver what the people truly desire. Our first step is Senate Bill 719, the Taxpayer Transparency Act.

Sponsored by my colleague Sen. Bob Huff, of Diamond Bar, this legislation would require each state department and agency to develop and operate a searchable Internet Web site that would give the public access to expenditures of state funds, grants, contracts, purchase orders, tax refunds, and more. SB 719 would provide an unfiltered, easy-to-access record that prevents lawmakers from hiding behind midnight votes and vague manipulation of funding numbers.

If passed, these mandatory Web sites would be up and running no later than July 1, 2010. After that, the law would require these sites to be updated at least once a month. Given that the current official budget Web site (http://www.ebudget.ca.gov) only updates when there’s a new proposal, this would ensure that public records remain up-to-date as changes in spending occur, not at the convenience of the mammoth state bureaucracy.

Ultimately, the great benefit of the Taxpayer Transparency Act would be a more intimate knowledge of how California’s state government works. De-mystifying the great labyrinth of Sacramento politics will help bring the accountability that voters want and appreciate. Even though legislators will continue to appreciate input from their constituents, we could all do with a little less confusion.

Encore performance of “A Salute To Veterans”

Join the amazing dance ensemble, the Boogie Woogie Mamas, to benefit the William J. “Pete” Knight Veterans Home of California—Lancaster on Monday, Aug.24 at 6:30 p.m.

The performance will be held at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 2551 West Avenue H, Lancaster, California, at the Performing Arts Building.

For more information, visit: www.avfair.com or call: 661-948-6060.