In just the latest in a series of questionable maneuvers to protect Senator Josh Newman, the target of a recall by his constituents, it has been revealed that a lawyer for Senate Democrats held private meetings and exchanged texts, and phone calls with a member of the Fair Political Practices Commission. These contacts were kept secret until a reporter made a Public Records Act request to the FPPC.
The FPPC is currently considering a request by Democrats to allow other lawmakers to make unlimited campaign contribution transfers to Senator Newman, who is the subject of a recall for casting the deciding vote in favor of a recently-approved gas tax increase.
These private meetings raise new questions about both the impartiality of Commissioner Brian Hatch, a former firefighters lobbyist, and legislative Democrats, who face litigation from recall proponents for their last-minute approval of new hurdles that will delay the Newman recall.
“Tax-raisers are in a panic over the thought of losing their supermajority power to pass unlimited taxes,” said Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. “After having socked Californians with billions in new gas taxes, car taxes, and cap and trade charges, sleazy maneuvers are their last desperate attempt to cling to power.”
Jon Coupal is the President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (HJTA). HJTA, with offices in both Los Angeles and Sacramento, is the largest taxpayers association in California with a membership of over 200,000. Founded by the late Howard Jarvis, the author of Proposition 13, HJTA’s name is synonymous with tax relief and the uncompromising defense of the California homeowner.