California state legislators are becoming increasingly concerned that Governor Gavin Newsom is assuming too much power as he invoked emergency powers to deal with the pandemic. The legislative Analyst’s Office said in drafting a new budget, he made decisions without involving the legislature. (KCRA 3 Sacramento, May 21, 2020, by Kevin Riggs)
A citizen alleges that the Tehama County Board of Supervisors violated the Brown Act, the state’s open meeting law, on a number of occasions. The first occurred when they banished a citizen recording a public meeting. There were also irregularities concerning minutes and the public record. (Red Bluff Daily News, May 22, 2020, letter to editor)
Another citizen faulted the Placer County Board of Supervisors for not announcing a May 20 special meeting on the website calendar 24 hours in advance. The meeting was posted on he website, but the citizen observed that those relying on the calendar would not have received timely notice. (Gold Country Media, May 21, 2020, staff report)
When Tulare County supervisors voted to reopen businesses and churches in violation of state public health orders, the matter was not on the agenda making the decision a violation of the Brown Act. (Visalia Times Delta, May 19, 2020, by Joshua Yeager)
In limiting the number of speakers at its May 14 virtual meeting, the San Dieguito Union High School District is accused of depriving the public of its right to be heard. (North Coast Current, May 20, 2020, by Marsha Sutton)
In the midst of charges that the Los Angele County Board of Supervisors were holding meetings without public comment, the supervisor representing Malibu held a virtual town hall meeting on May 6 without public comment but with prescreened questions. (The Malibu Times, May 15, 2020, by Judy Abel)
A state appeals court ruled that in apposing a 72-acre development, a Sacramento councilman violated the Brown Act by writing the script for a neighborhood association to use when addressing other council members in an attempt to deny approval for the development. (California Globe, May 11, 2020, by Katy Grimes)
The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office alerted the Solvang City Council to a possible violation of the Brown Act during a closed session meeting to discuss a litigation issue. During the meeting, the council voted to end contracts with two nonprofit organizations, the chamber of commerce and the visitors bureau. (Noozhawk, May 9, 2020, by Janene Scully)
After criticism for not allowing timely public comment during their virtual meetings, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to allow comment starting May 12. The supervisors held three virtual meetings without public comment, on March 32, April 14 and April 28. (Los Angeles Times, May 6, 2020, by Jaclyn Cosgrove)
Police officers fired last year in a fatal shooting of a homeless man in Oakland were reinstated when it emerged that the Oakland Police Commission violated the Brown Act. (San Francisco Chronicle, April 30, 2020, by Bay City News Service)
The American Civil Liberties Union alleged the McFarland City Council violated the Brown Act in approving the building of two new ICE immigration detention facilities. The ACLU said the council did not allow for adequate public input in holding meetings via Zoom which many in the town were unable to access. (Fresno Bee, April 24, 2020, by Trinity Audio)
The Lincoln Theater Company claimed that the Lincoln City Council violated the Brown Act and the California Public Records Act in its decision on October 1 to end an agreement it had with the company for use of the Civic Auditorium until 2030. (Gold County Media, April 22, 2020, by Matthew Nobert)