Speed Up Contribution Reports

When California’s campaign finance rules were adopted in 1974, candidates raised most of their money during the few months leading up to the June primary and the November general election. During a nonelection year, it made some sense to require that campaign contribution and spending reports be made to the secretary of state’s office just twice. But today, fund-raising is a year-round business, every year. The reporting requirements should be modernized to reflect this trend, as well as the high-speed communications used by both candidates and big givers.

For instance, Gov. Gray Davis raised an unprecedented $6.3 million during his first six months in office and some 25 months before he is expected to face voters again, in the 2002 primary. Davis’ fund-raising continued after the June 30 contribution reports as he sought campaign funds from special-interest groups that had keen interest in issues pending in Sacramento. State legislators did the same, sponsoring scores of events aimed primarily at the lobbyists whose livelihood depends on their ability to influence lawmakers.

The post-June 30 contributions won’t be reported until the end of December. By then, few members of the public will remember whether a key contribution was made at a critical moment for legislation. Such a contribution is not a violation of law, but it could raise questions about an official’s judgment or integrity.

A proposed ballot initiative sponsored by Silicon Valley entrepreneur Ron Unz would require all contributions of $1,000 or more to be posted within 24 hours on the Internet. That is not an unreasonable proposal; campaign records are computerized, and many campaign reports already must be filed electronically with the secretary of state.

The Legislature should not wait to see whether the Unz initiative becomes law. Lawmakers could--and should--pass legislation next year requiring far more frequent campaign contribution reports.