Julie Patel
Julie Patel Liss, a professor and head of journalism at Cal State L.A., worked as an investigative reporter at the Center for Public Integrity and D.C.’s NPR affiliate. Before that, she worked at the South Florida Sun Sentinel and the San Jose Mercury News and has received over a dozen journalism awards and honors, including a 2008 national Emmy Award.
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Last week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law SB 1439 — a bill that will bar local elected officials from accepting or soliciting campaign contributions of over $250 from pending contractors.
Un análisis de los registros públicos de 2018 y 2020 confirmó que varias empresas contratadas por la ciudad de Huntington Park donaron obsequios y contribuciones de campaña a los miembros del consejo durante ese tiempo. La investigación plantea dudas sobre si los miembros del consejo realmente buscan los mejores intereses del público al crear políticas y tomar decisiones.
State Legislation to Close 'Pay-to-Play Loophole' for Local Officials and Contractors Is Up for Vote
Local elected officials are exempt from a law that bars pending contractors from making campaign contributions to officials responsible for contract decision-making. SB 1439 would seek to close that loophole and goes next to the Senate appropriations committee.
An examination of public records from 2018 and 2020 confirmed that several companies contracted by the city of Huntington Park donated gifts and campaign contributions to council members during that time. The investigation helped inform a bill that is currently before the State Assembly to bar local elected officials from accepting contributions from pending and recently approved contractors.