A California bill that would require more disclosure about
donors in campaign ads is nearing passage, after seven
years of attempts by proponents.
The “California DISCLOSE
Act†requires most campaign ads to display
their top three funders, even if those contributions were
funneled through other generically-named committees.
The author of this year's bill's, Democratic Assemblyman
Kevin Mullin, said at a rally that the measure has the
votes to pass.
"For the first time it appears we have a deal within the
Legislature to move a real reform bill to the governor,"
Mullin said. "Let me tell you that the moment is indeed at
hand."
An amendment inserted Wednesday could allow certain
contributors, including labor unions and business groups,
to avoid revealing their top funders. Trent Lange of the
California Clean Money Campaign, the bill's main proponent,
says the amendment helped secure the deal.
The bill failed last year by one vote in the state Senate.
The conservative Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
opposed the measure, as did the California Fair Political
Practice Commission, which monitors campaign finance in the
state. The FPPC said the it contained confusing language
and could complicate enforcement. After changes in this
year's bill, the agency has remained neutral.