The California state legislature is reacting to public pressure and restoring the mandate for transparency and accountability while repealing state reimbursement for the California Public Records Act and the Brown Act. The public will vote in June 2014 on the measure. (California Special Districts Association, June 30, 2013)
Some are saying that, if enacted, the new law would just codify existing practice. Governor Jerry Brown has bemoaned the costs of public accountability (the CPRA and the Brown Act), but in fact his administration has ignored appeals from local governments for reimbursements. Under the state constitution, the state is required to pick up the costs but now it seems that the requirement is not binding. (PublicCEO, June 28, 2013, by Dan Oney)
A Contra Costs Times editorial argues that the new bill to suspend reimbursement is being rushed through to meet the budget deadline without proper consideration by the citizenry and poses a serious risk to transparency. (Contra Costa Times, June 26, 2013)