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Residents urge FPPC to boost enforcement and funding over alleged rural-county corruption
Summary
Two public commenters at the May 14 FPPC meeting accused elected officials in rural counties of repeated violations and urged stronger enforcement and a $1 million budget increase to the FPPC for FY2026-27. Commissioners thanked commenters and noted existing outreach to rural jurisdictions.
Several public commenters told the commission they had filed sworn complaints alleging local official misconduct and urged stronger enforcement and more resources.
Christopher Butner of Calaveras County described what he called "flagrant violations of California government code" in several rural counties and said he and a colleague have generated FPPC enforcement cases and additional sworn complaints. He said those local dynamics—"fewer eyes and ears on the rural counties"—make state enforcement especially important.
Independent investigative reporter Scott Fishler said he co-authored a letter to the Senate and Assembly budget subcommittees urging approximately a $1 million augmentation for the FPPC for fiscal year 2026-27 to bolster enforcement and education. "More money for the FPPC equals more enforcement and education," Fishler said. He and other commenters urged the commission to coordinate with local district attorneys and to clarify how civil and criminal referrals should work.
Commissioners thanked the speakers, said FPPC staff have made outreach to rural jurisdictions, and described the agency's enforcement and education work. No formal action or vote followed the public comments; commissioners noted staff would continue outreach and that some matters described in public comment are the subject of existing investigations or referrals to local law enforcement.
