California: Fair Political Practices Commissioner spoke with Senate Democrats over campaign finance law related to Senate recall efforts

Commissioner Brian Hatch, a former lobbysit for the firefighters union and a Democrat, had discussions with the attorney for the Senate Democrats over a push to reverse the FPPC position on recall election contribution limits. This is all related to the push for a recall of state Senator Josh Newman (D).

The discussion is over a 2002 FPPC interpretation that state candidates are subject to contribution limits when they give money to a candidate-controlled recall committee, which would limit donations to $4400 maximum. In July, there was a 3-1 vote to adopt new rules (two Republicans and one Democrat voted to change the rules; one Democrat voted against).