One
constant in Yorba Linda politics is controversy regarding the
financing of campaigns for City Council members, school trustees and
water board directors, especially related to cash that comes from
sources outside of the city or school and water district boundaries.
Some
residents consider these contributions tainted and say outside
special interests are trying to buy the election, while others
contend there's nothing wrong with an individual or business – no
matter their location – supporting candidates and causes they find
worthy.
Fortunately,
state law, as administered by the Fair Political Practices
Commission, makes it possible for voters to check how candidates and
political action committees raise the money to buy endorsements on
voter guides and pay for signs, mailers and automated phone calls.
But
the law makes sussing out a candidate's or committee's cash trail
possible, not easy or timely, since the locations candidates file
required disclosures vary, and the cash often isn't reported until
well after an election.
The
law mandates filings twice every year. Deadline for reporting money
raised and spent from Jan. 1 through June 30 is July 31, while the
due date for income and expenses July 1 through Dec. 31 is Jan. 31.
In
an election year, two additional filings also are required: July 1
through Sept. 24 reports are due Sept. 29 and Sept. 25 through Oct.
22 reports must be in by Oct. 27. Deadline for reports on cash given
and bills paid after Oct. 22 is Jan. 31, a fact well-known to major
donors.
Here's
how residents can find financial information on candidates and
committees much more detailed than can be reported in the confines of
this column:
City
Council reports are available at the City Clerk's counter at City
Hall. Ask for Form 460 statements for the persons or committees you
want to see. All of the forms for the current election cycle are in
a three-ring binder you can ask to review.
Also,
council data is posted on the city web page (but contributor
addresses are redacted). Click on “Documents” at the top of the
home page and click on “here” in the fourth line under “Public
Records Request.” Next, click on “Browse,” “City Clerk” and
“Campaign Statements,” which are in alphabetical order. Finally,
click on “460” for the time period sought.
School
trustee and water director candidates and committees file at the
Registrar of Voters office,1300 S. Grand Ave., Building C, Santa Ana.
While electronic filings are posted on the registrar's web site,
local candidates and committees file paper forms, so a trip to the
office is required for viewing.
Also
available at these locations are candidates' Form 700, the Statement
of Economic Interests, listing personal financial information in
broad categories and Form 497 listing donations of $1,000 or more in
the 90 days before an election that are required to be filed within
24 hours of receipt of the contribution.