Open and Honest Government

By Sam T. Liccardo

We have seen and heard too much cynicism about politics in this city. I believe that we can restore faith in City Hall with open, honest government. As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said many decades ago, "sunlight is the best disinfectant."

Although the council has made a good start in addressing the public's concerns about secrecy, we must push farther.

Give the Ordinance Teeth

The sunshine proposal brought to council on March 21st focuses on a set of rules to require our leaders to do what we expect of them: to deliberate and make decisions in the open.

Creating new rules, though, won't do the job. As a prosecutor, I know that making laws, without effectively enforcing those laws, does little. A meaningful reform law must have an independent means of enforcement. We can't expect the city attorney's office to police its boss, the mayor and council.

Interpreting and enforcing the sunshine law should fall under the authority of an independent commission, consisting of a panel of three retired judges. Where a dispute emerges over a council's deliberations in closed session, the commission would review audiotapes of the meetings to determine whether the council improperly deliberated about matters that should be brought into the open.

In other ways, I'll lead an open government by example:

Keep a Public Calendar

The work of a city councilmember is the public's work. Your tax dollars pay the bills, including my paycheck. As your councilmember, I will keep my calendar public. On a weekly basis, I will update my calendar online so you can see the efforts being made on your behalf.

I have nothing to hide, and I'll tell you with whom I'm meeting and why.

Public Voting Record

For most of us, finding out how our councilmember has voted on an issue presents a cumbersome challenge. It often involves attending a city council meeting, working through the City Clerk's office, or negotiating your way deep into the City's website. As your councilmember, I will post my voting record front-and-center on my council webpage, and update it each month. No one should have to hire a researcher to see how their council members voted on important matters.

Stop Hiding Behind a "Privilege"

In the past, our City Attorney's office has repeatedly sought to keep the press from obtaining copies of the council's internal memoranda and emails, by invoking what it calls the "deliberative process" privilege. This practice has enormous potential for abuse. It also prevents the release of the very information about which the public has a right to know: why their elected officials decided as they did. I pledge that will not hide behind that exception, and I will oppose any other council members' attempts to do so.

Refuse Lobbyist Contributions

I have returned or declined well over $1,000 in lobbyist contributions made to my campaign. I have called upon my opponents in this race to do the same, to show our voters that we are beholden to no one but them. Of all my opponents, only one continues to accept lobbyist contributions.

In future races, all candidates should be required to sign a declaration announcing whether they will accept lobbyist contributions.

Leading by example is the best and only way to restore faith in city hall.

I look forward to this opportunity to serve you.