“Politicians like Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara need to focus on doing their job rather than accepting lavish gifts like free trips to Bermuda. I’ve introduced AB 26 to cut politicians’ perks and end this form of corruption.”
Assemblyman Carl DeMaio announced legislation (AB 26) which will enact the “Cut the Politicians’ Perks Act.” California lawmakers and other elected officials enjoy a large amount of benefits and perks, including being exempt from some of the same laws they impose on the citizens of California. Politicians should be encouraged to seek office for the purpose of serving Californians, not for the amazing benefits and perks they are afforded.
KEY PROVISIONS OF AB 26:
- Gift ban: Prohibits legislators from accepting most gifts and using campaign funds for out-of-state travel or tourism unrelated to campaigning.
- Lifetime lobbying ban: Bars former legislators from ever working as lobbyists. Elected officials will also be prohibited from buying or selling individual stocks.
- Public records transparency: Repeals the Legislative Open Records Act and requires the Legislature to follow the California Public Records Act.
- Local pension limits: Bans new local officials from joining pension programs and caps retirement benefits at private-sector levels.
- Legislative labor compliance: Requires the Legislature to follow the same labor laws and employment standards as private employers.
“Assembly Bill 26 will strip politicians of these lavish perks and hold them accountable to the People, not special interests,” Asm. DeMaio added.