State Senators want more control over spending
Democrats who control the California Senate say they are trying to tighten controls over hundreds of state special funds.
The Senate passed AB1487 on Tuesday, expanding reporting requirements for more than 500 special funds that are generated from fees. They did so over Republican objections that they are whitewashing a scandal at the state Department of Parks and Recreation.
It’s in response to the recent discovery of nearly $54 million in special funds that parks officials failed to report.
Sen. Bill Emmerson, a Republican from Redlands, called the bill “a minor little Band-Aid” over the scandal.
Sen. Mark Leno, a Democrat from San Francisco who carried the bill, responded that audits and Department of Justice investigations also are under way.
The bill passed 27-11 and now goes to the Assembly.