In just under a year, there have been at least four members of the California State Senate arrested for drunk driving, arms smuggling, money laundering, taking bribes, and voter fraud. There have also been highly publicized ethics violations involving cozy relationships among lobbyists and legislators.
As if these scandals weren’t enough, we have another potential conflict brewing in the capitol that has the strong smell of corruption or at least an unseemly quid pro quo between lobbyists for Safeway and other parties interested in Senate Bill 270 – high stakes legislation that would ban plastic bags and impose a minimum 10-cent tax on paper bags.
On Monday of this week the United Food and Commercial Workers withdrew their support for SB 270. In its letter, the union indicated that it would support SB 270 only if the 10-cent charge were removed from the bill.
Then a letter dated yesterday, just two days later – signed by Mr. Jonathan Mayes on behalf of Safeway Inc. – confirmed the existence of an “agreement” with the UFCW. Later yesterday evening the UFCW flip-flopped, sending a letter to Speaker Toni Atkins reversing the union’s opposition to SB 270.
In over two weeks, no amendments were taken to remove the charge, or any other changes to the bill that would trigger UFCW’s change of position, except for some now apparent backroom “agreement” between Safeway Inc. and UFCW.
The deal between Safeway and UFCW has not been disclosed to the public or the Assemblymembers expected to vote on this legislation in the waning days of this legislative session. These recent developments create an appearance of a backroom deal between the bill’s author, Senator Alex Padilla, and the special interests that stand to benefit financially from SB 270 if it passes.
The fact powerful interests are carving out this deal behind closed doors is shameful. But it’s almost criminal that the terms of that deal won’t be vetted in public or even included as amendments to SB 270.
One would think that in a year marked by scandal, lawmakers and lobbyists would be more sensitive about the public interest and their responsibility to follow a moral compass. Yet SB 270 is a prime and pathetic example that those in power are tone deaf to the people they serve and principles of democracy.
It is fair to say that SB 270 has already won the award for the sleaziest bill of the 2014 legislative season.
Comments 4
Greg – are you suggesting that non-public entities (here Safeway and the UFCW) should be forced to publicly disclose their internal discussions, positions and negotiations regarding legislation that impacts them? That’s a notion that has pretty wide-reaching implications.
Private discussions between private entities are what they are. Yet, “these recent developments create an appearance of a backroom deal between the bill’s author, Senator Alex Padilla, and the special interests that stand to benefit financially from SB 270 if it passes.”
If Padilla has been informed of the deal and is party to it (no one really thinks he doesn’t know what the deal is, right?), one must assume he has informed his colleagues so they have enough information to vote on the bill. If so, have those communications been kept under wraps? No amendments to the bill, but they all know why UFCW and Safeway have removed their opposition, even without any language amendments? Really?
Perhaps Padilla hasn’t informed his colleagues, which means no public discussions or communications have taken place. Then, his colleagues are being asked to vote on something without knowing a thing about it, all based on majority party “trust us and do what you’re told.”
Either way, sleaze.
So, just so I understand you, you’re accusing Senator Padilla of not changing his bill? A nefarious plot indeed.
I’m glad you agree. Thanks.