Governor Signs Feuer Bill Requiring Greater Local Government Transparency

On Saturday the Governor signed legislation by Assembly Member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) that responds to several recent bribery, corruption and waste scandals that have shaken public confidence in the ability of local government to use tax payer funds ethically and transparently.  AB 1344 institutes good-government reforms that will ensure that taxpayers are better able to hold local government accountable for use of public funds, especially in providing for the compensation of local officials.

“This new law aims to restore the public trust in local governments by implementing several much-needed good government and transparency policies.” said Feuer.  “California taxpayers must have confidence that their representatives are expending funds appropriately.”

The new law will require greater transparency in the process of setting compensation for local officials, in response to the grossly inflated salaries of Bell officials.  It will also provide greater public access to local government hearings by requiring the online posting of meeting agendas.

In addition, the new institutes several good governance measures that will help restore trust in local government, such as preventing public officials convicted of an abuse of office from being rewarded with public funds, and requiring greater public input in the process of adopting the guiding legal document for a local government.

The full text of the new law can be viewed here. 

Assembly Member Feuer’s website:  http://www.assembly.ca.gov/feuer

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