For weeks now top legislative leaders have been toiling in the back room cobbling together a complex package to try and address California’s water woes. The plan is rumored to include not only borrowing through bond measures of close to ten BILLION dollars, but also is said to include a host of new regulations that will impact all Californians.
The handful of legislative leaders that have been engrossed in the negotiations are very familiar will all of these details. One would imagine, if the legislative leaders are doing their job, that to some degree, each of the 120 legislators have some knowledge of the contents of the plans — at least through telephonic briefings and such. Well, at least the plans as of their most recent conference call. In addition some stakeholders have been briefed in summary fashion at various stages of negotiation, but certainly that is a small number.
Once you get beyond this very small pyramid of those in some sort of loop, it becomes clear that once again the legislature and the Governor are once again preparing to put up for a vote a piece of major legislation without providing an opportunity for thorough review in advance. Not only should every member of the legislature have a chance to read, study and fully comprehend final proposed language for at least 48 hours before a vote. But equally as important, this legislation that effects so many should be packaged up with a comprehensive summary and provided to legislators so that they may circulate it to constituents, to local stakeholders, and all interested parties. There should also be a process for relevant feedback from legislators to be considered for potential amendments to this package.
Republican legislators have been very heavy on the rhetoric for the need for transparency and having bills in print before a vote, yet repeatedly Republicans put their votes up on bills that require a 2/3rds vote that have not been in print for even hours — and of course Republicans have the ability with these super-majority bills to put their foot down and insist on transparency.
The water deal is a great example of an opportunity for Republicans to do just this. While the policy decisions are important and timely action is required, there is no super-urgent deadline (proposed bonds for a 2010 ballot would not need to be approved until the Spring at the earliest) that would give a defensible reason for the GOP to skip out on providing full transparency to the public.
If this package comes up for a vote before it is in print for at least for a few days, and frankly a bit longer if the feedback obtained by legislators isn’t going to be considered before a vote, then Republican leaders will not be able to hide behind saying, "As the minority party we don’t schedule the times for votes…"
On the contrary, especially on bills requiring a super-majority, Republicans DO have all of the leverage in the world to insist on transparency.
Just over two months ago Assemblyman Brian Nestande penned an outstanding column on this website about the need for transparency. May I suggest that everyone reading this who has a role in approving a water package take a moment to read it?
Republicans will never become a majority party if we don’t keep our promises.
Care to read comments, or make your own about today’s Daily Commentary?
Just click here to go to the FR Weblog, where this Commentary has its own blog post, and where you can read and make comments.