lobbyists – San Jose Inside

How Long Will CA Lawmakers Let Tech Firms Make Them Look Like Fools?

Barry Holtzclaw — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 20:44:33 +0000

Lawmakers in California and elsewhere can no longer take the tech industry's word when their armies of lobbyists make the case that they police themselves and shouldn't be held accountable.

The post How Long Will CA Lawmakers Let Tech Firms Make Them Look Like Fools? appeared first on San Jose Inside.

California Voters Could Get Chance to Force More Sunlight on Public Records

Barry Holtzclaw — Sun, 06 Aug 2023 19:14:42 +0000

In the past few months, a former employee of the San Jose mayor’s office sued the city for extending deadlines for responding to records requests, while Mendocino County repealed an ordinance that charged as much as $150 per hour to locate, review and redact documents.

The post California Voters Could Get Chance to Force More Sunlight on Public Records appeared first on San Jose Inside.

San Jose City Council Looks to Strengthen Lobbyist Regulations

Jennifer Wadsworth — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 17:47:23 +0000

In a bit to improve transparency, San Jose will consider increasing the frequency of its lobbying reports.

The post San Jose City Council Looks to Strengthen Lobbyist Regulations appeared first on San Jose Inside.

Former Santa Clara Mayor, Council Candidate Pat Mahan Accused of Lobbyist Violations

The Fly — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 23:13:49 +0000

Former Santa Clara Mayor Patricia Mahan, who’s again running for City Council, has been accused of failing to register as a lobbyist.

The post Former Santa Clara Mayor, Council Candidate Pat Mahan Accused of Lobbyist Violations appeared first on San Jose Inside.

Campos Meets with City Staffer; Revolving Door Concerns Raised

The Fly — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 21:08:49 +0000

Last month ex-San Jose Councilman Xavier Campos joined a lobbyist and consulting firm. Less than two weeks later he took a meeting with a council member's chief of staff. City Attorney Rick Doyle says that's concerning when it comes to San Jose's revolving door policy.

The post Campos Meets with City Staffer; Revolving Door Concerns Raised appeared first on San Jose Inside.

More than Meets the Eye in Bay 101’s Potential Milpitas Move

The Fly — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 19:33:58 +0000

As Bay 101 floats plans to build a new casino with adjoining hotels closer to competitor Casino M8trix, our selfless public servants in Sacramento are trying to do the right thing by green-lighting the San Jose card club’s exit to Milpitas. At least that's one version of the story.

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Paul Fong Owes Lobbyist $100K

The Fly — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 22:15:49 +0000

State Assemblyman Paul Fong has owed $100,000 to one of Sacramento's most notorious lobbyists throughout his five-plus years in the State Assembly. A review of Fong's voting record shows the favor has not gone unreturned.

The post Paul Fong Owes Lobbyist $100K appeared first on San Jose Inside.

New Ethics Laws Will Change Nothing

Rich Robinson — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 21:03:00 +0000

Santa Clara County is going forward with a new ordinance to govern lobbyists. By definition, everyone who has an issue or interest is a lobbyist. But this new ordinance would apply only to those who are paid to redress county government.

The post New Ethics Laws Will Change Nothing appeared first on San Jose Inside.

Term Limits Help Lobbyists at the Expense of Good Government

Rich Robinson — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 20:41:34 +0000

Voters love term limits for politicians, but they shouldn’t. The quaint notion that public service should be held only for utilitarian purposes for a short period of time, and that these limits create better government, is misguided and fundamentally flawed. The proof can be seen locally in the current mire that represents our public policy.

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Taxpayer Lobbying is Part of the Game

Rich Robinson — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:00:08 +0000

The recent incendiary headlines regarding the California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) employing “lobbyists” was another attempt by opponents to avoid substance and attack the process of building our nation’s first high speed rail system. Make no mistake, this isn’t an abuse of taxpayer money and the holier than thou statements of some pundits are simply cowardly political attacks on very good people.

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