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politics15h ago
California’s ‘behested payments’: a culture of corruption
- Latest: The piece argues California’s behested payments enable political influence via donor-asked contributions.
- The Representation Project and Jennifer Siebel Newsom are cited as beneficiaries of behested-driven funding.
- The article notes reports of broad use of such payments over 15 years, with nearly $300 million reported by 2020.
- Critics argue that donors gain influence and politicians enrich their friends through non-profits tied to officials.
- The author claims California’s system is prone to abuse despite reforms in 2021 requiring donor disclosures.
- The piece argues behested payments distort public policy by aligning it with private fundraising.
- Citizens are urged to view California’s economy as deserving of higher integrity in governance.
- The opinion calls on authorities to eliminate behested payments altogether.
- The piece mentions media coverage tying the payments to school curricula promotion of films.
- The article emphasizes potential conflicts of interest when donors have business before the state.
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