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SACARAMENTO - To promote transparency and increase citizens'
accessibility to their state government, Senator Michael Morrell, R-Rancho
Cucamonga, introduced Senate Constitutional Amendment 3 to require that the
state budget be available to the public and posted online at least 72 hours
before any vote of the legislature.
"During my time in office, I've seen too often that the
public doesn't get a fair chance to review the final budget before it's
approved," said Morrell. "Even my fellow legislators and I have not
always been privy to the details until just hours before we vote. It's no way to run our government. I've
made government transparency a priority of mine since day one in Sacramento
and will continue to fight so that the process is accessible to everyone."
As an Assemblyman, Morrell introduced AB 998 (2011), AB 1437 (2012), and AB 70 (2013), all of
which would have required the state budget to be in print and posted online
at least three days before a vote of the legislature. Whereas these previous
measures would have been laws self-imposed by the legislature, SCA 3 would
require a vote of the people to write the requirement into the state
constitution. Unlike laws passed by the legislature, constitutional changes
must be made by the people.
"What we have in place now leaves the door open for
backroom deals and other mischief," continued Morrell. "That's how
last year's budget ended up including a provision capping the amount of money
school districts are allowed to hold in emergency reserves. But time and
again, legislative Democrats have rejected what the citizens want. Taxpayers
deserve better and that's why I've authored this measure for a fourth
time."
SCA 3 will be referred to committee and set for hearing in
Spring 2015.
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