Campaign Finance

Between the summer session of the California Legislature featuring hot topics like AI regulation and money for journalism, and a special one focusing on gas prices, powerful corporations poured in record-setting money to influence lawmakers.

The tech giant spent $10.7 million lobbying the Legislature and governor from July through September during a media bill fight. It also showered elected officials with $107,500 in campaign cash on one day in September.

Independent expenditure committees have put nearly $100 million into legislative races, funding ads to support, and often attack, candidates. The outside, unlimited spending is increasing with each election.

Proposition 33 on local rent control and the related Proposition 34 are attracting the most campaign cash by far of the 10 ballot measures. But the amount pales to what was spent on dueling sports betting measures in 2022.

Campaigns in California’s hottest congressional races are being boosted by outside groups. That money is on top of fundraising by the candidates, where Democrats are besting Republicans.

A CalMatters analysis shows that California’s campaign finance watchdog has sometimes taken years to resolve cases, sometimes after politicians have won election or left office.

A California ballot measure would dedicate tax revenue to pay doctors more if they see low-income patients with Medi-Cal insurance. Its critics worry the plan could run afoul of the federal government.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a controversial gambling bill that could lead to cuts to city budgets now that he’s given legal authority to tribes to sue their competitors in the gambling business. The rival business interests spent millions trying to influence politicians this legislative session

Kamala Harris is bringing back Democratic donors who soured on President Biden. Donald Trump is counting on V.P. pick JD Vance to raise money in Silicon Valley.

California’s rival gambling interests gave the 22 members of an obscure legislative committee more than $1 million in campaign donations. Did the cash infusion to this “juice committee” influence members’ votes?