New campaign-spending disclosure rules imposed on California politicians

Many elected officials will now have to explain how wining, dining and other expenses are tied to government business.

SACRAMENTO -- The state ethics watchdog Thursday made it tougher for politicians to use campaign funds to enhance their lifestyles.

New rules imposed by the Fair Political Practices Commission will force politicians to publicly explain how meals, gifts and out-of-state travel paid for with campaign money are connected to political or governmental business.

The panel's unanimous vote comes four months after The Times revealed that Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez (D-Los Angeles) spent tens of thousands of dollars from special interests and other political donors on overseas travel, meals, wine and high-end retail goods with no obvious connection to his official duties. The new regulations will take effect for campaign expenditures after July 1.

The commission reported receiving 2,043 letters and 74 phone calls from the public supporting adoption of the new rules -- an unprecedented response to its usually obscure actions. Most were form letters sent by customers of CREDO Mobile, a phone company that urges customers each month to weigh in on state and national issues.

The letters asked the commission to "stop elected officials' misuse of campaign funds."

"Consumers and citizens care about this stuff," said CREDO President Michael Kieschnick, "but they're not usually asked about it in a way they can respond."

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New campaign-spending disclosure rules imposed on California politicians

New campaign-spending disclosure rules imposed on California politicians

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