A political watchdog organization has withdrawn a proposal to require bloggers to disclose payments from political campaigns. The proposal was opposed by bloggers and others who said it could chill free speech. -db From The Sacramento Bee, May 3, 2012, by Jim Sanders. Full story
A federal district judge upheld a state law allowing the release of names of those donating $100 or more to political campaigns. The supporters of Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage in California wanted to withdraw the information claiming that the donors were at risk. Prop. 8 supporters said they had been harassed, vandalized, and received hate mail and death threats. -db From the San Francisco Chronicle, October 22, 2011, by Bob Egelko. Full story
Rejecting claims they were unfairly exposing people who could well be innocent, the Fair Political Practices Commission said they would continue to post warning letters about possible violations of the Political Reform Act, a practice began August 31. The information has always been available upon request. -DB The Sacramento Bee September 11, 2009 By Andrew McIntosh Members of the state’s political watchdog agency rejected calls Thursday to immediately suspend the publication of its warning letters