Senate Rejects Political Fund Disclosure Bill

SACRAMENTO — A bill to require political candidates to reveal more about the people who contribute money to their campaigns has been overwhelmingly rejected by the state Senate.

The measure, by Assemblyman Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) went down to defeat Friday on a 6-22 vote.

The bill would have required candidates to reveal the names and primary business activities or fields of specialization of anyone who gives them $500 or more.

Sen. Nicholas C. Petris (D-Oakland) said the bill would give voters and a candidate’s opponent a better idea of the interests supporting a particular candidate.

It would only require slightly more information than now included on campaign finance reports that candidates must file periodically with the secretary of state’s office, he added.

“Instead of listing yourself as John Smith, MD . . . you would list yourself as John Smith, MD, orthopedist,” Petris said.

But Sen. Herschel Rosenthal (D-Los Angeles) complained that candidates had “enough problems right now” filing finance reports.

And Sen. John Doolittle (R-Citrus Heights) claimed the bill would give the Fair Political Practices Commission another reason to “go after” legislators.