An independent committee backed by billionaire investor Nicolas Berggruen says it will support another group's ballot proposal that would make major changes to California's budget and governance processes.
The California Forward Issue Action Fund's proposal "perfectly reflects both the growing public demand in California for a more accountable government and Think Long's mission of strengthening California's democracy for the long term," Think Long's Berggruen said in a statement last week.
"We … are prepared to dedicate ample time and resources to this worthy cause," he added.
Berggruen had previously pledged to spend at least $20 million on proposals backed by the Think Long Committee for California.
The California Forward fund is gathering signatures in its campaign to put its proposal before voters.
The proposed constitutional amendment includes a transition to a two-year, performance-based budget and provisions intended to make the legislative process more transparent.
Think Long had announced this month that it would put its own proposals on hold until 2014, instead backing existing proposals this year.
BILL WATCH
Corporations that donate to political campaigns – including through so-called super PACs with no contribution limits – would have to report their activity if they have California shareholders under Senate Bill 982, which Sen. Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, introduced last week. A similar bill died in 2010. The California Public Interest Research Group sponsored both.
WORTH REPEATING
"Never before have so many kind words been said about me and my family in Orange County."
GOV. JERRY BROWN, quoted in the Orange County Register, as he helped celebrate San Juan Capistrano's 50th anniversary last week
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