Cook Touts Passage of San Bernardino County Campaign Finance Reform Bill

The state assemblyman for Yucaipa and Yucca Valley touted passage Friday of a bill he authored that would allow the California Fair Political Practices Commission to enforce San Bernardino County's new campaign finance ordinance.

Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley, is termed out in the State Assembly. He abandoned his run for San Bernardino County Third District supervisor in February and to run for Congress in the new 8th District.

"Many counties and cities across California have enacted campaign finance rules to level the playing field for candidates and stem the influence of 'big money' in local politics," Cook's staff said in a statement distributed Friday.

"Currently, candidates for Supervisor in San Bernardino County face no contribution limits and abide by fewer rules than supervisors in other counties," Cook said. "A new campaign finance ordinance by the Board of Supervisors proposes contribution limits that mirror those applied to State Senate and Assembly candidates. With Cook's AB 2146, the County may contract with the FPPC to enforce the rules."

Cook's bill, AB 2146 now moves to the Senate, according to his staff.

"This bill is important to the residents and voters in San Bernardino County," Cook said. "It's a big step in restoring the trust that has been sullied by various scandals over the years. We need a campaign watchdog with a proven track record to monitor San Bernardino County. The FPPC has been enforcing campaign finance laws for nearly 40 years, and I know they'll provide effective and independent oversight."

The new 8th Congressional District includes Yucaipa, the Morongo Valley, the high desert of San Bernardino County, and stretches north to include Mono and Inyo counties. A pdf copy of the district is attached to this report.