STATE BILL WOULD TAKE BIG MONEY INFLUENCE OUT OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

A bill inspired by the need to dilute the influence of big money in San Bernardino County is awaiting Governor Jerry Brown’s signature. The bill authored by Assemblyman Paul Cook on Yucca Valley, would see a more independent watchdog — the California Fair Political Practices Commission — enforce the County’s new campaign finance ordinance. The ordinance proposes contribution limits that mirror those applied to state Senate and Assembly candidates. The bill passed through the Legislature on Friday. Candidates for San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and other county offices are not subject to contribution limits, and, according to Cook, abide by fewer rules than supervisors in other counties. For more than a decade, San Bernardino County has had a number of public and elected officials found guilty of misconduct. If approved by the governor, it would be the first agreement of its kind in the state.