Assembly bill would protect the public’s right to know regarding
donors who back incorporation efforts
Transparency in government makes for good government, and that applies to the process of creating new governments. That’s why we support AB 745.
The bill, introduced by Assemblyman Jim Silva (R-Huntington Beach), would allow Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs) to require groups supporting incorporations to disclose who’s financing their efforts.
Sounds dry and boring, but it’s important, and it has impact right here in South County.
A group of residents of the unincorporated town of San Martin are hoping to incorporate into a city. Doing so would mean that residents of San Martin would control their own zoning and land use issues, but would be responsible for providing services like water, sewer, police and fire protection. Because San Martin is an unincorporated community, Santa Clara County currently handles all those governmental duties.
Before San Martin can become a city, proponents of incorporation must prove that the proposed city will be able to support itself financially. That’s an expensive process, requiring a financial feasibility study, legal fees and reimbursements to LAFCO for staff time. An environmental report might also be required.
The entire process could end up costing $200,000 – a difficult sum for the residents of tiny San Martin to raise.
Sylvia Hamilton, president of the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance, told reporter Tony Burchyns, “We don’t have a problem at all divulging those types of things,” adding that she wasn’t sure how to handle anonymous donors.
Those anonymous donors are the problem that AB 745 addresses.
Citizens evaluating the incorporation proposal have a right to know who’s funding the effort and with how much cash so that they can try to determine motivations. Knowing who is funding an effort is an important part of the pro or con analysis process.
Write your legislators and urge them to support AB 745 when it comes before them for approval.
