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Board committee hears from mayor's liaison on state lobbying and vows clearer reporting
Summary
At a Government Audit and Oversight Committee hearing, the mayor's legislative liaison summarized the State Legislation Committee's role and pledged improved communication; public commenters complained about missing minutes and lack of lobbyist accountability, and the committee agreed to follow up.
The Government Audit and Oversight Committee held a hearing on the city's State Legislation Committee and how the Board's policy positions are communicated to Capitol lobbyists. Nicole Elliott, the mayor's legislative liaison, told the committee that "the enabling legislation for this body is found in the administrative code chapter 5" and described the committee's membership (mayor, city attorney, controller, assessor-recorder, treasurer and two supervisors), its public-notice practices and the process for departments to bring bills forward.
Elliott said the mayor's Sacramento team (named in the hearing as Shaw Yoder & Antwi) monitors and testifies on many bills and that her office will be copied on board communications. "You have received the report for the April 18, positions taken at state legislation committee. And moving forward, you will receive them within 1 business day for all future legislation committee items," Elliott said.
Public testimony focused on accountability. Bob Planthold, a long-time good-government advocate, said the committee had not posted minutes for months and called that a "clear violation of the sunshine ordinance," urging regular report-backs from the city's lobbyists. The committee acknowledged the concern; Chair Supervisor Aaron Peskin said the hearing prompted improved procedures and proposed scheduling a future session where the city's lobbyists would meet with the committee in person.
Following the discussion the committee continued Item 2 to the call of the chair for follow-up work and invited city lobbyists to appear at a future meeting to explain their operations and potential conflict-avoidance mechanisms.
