TO: Interested Parties
FROM: Kim Alexander, California Voter Foundation
DATE: May 8, 1996
RE: Electronic FilingDear Friends:
I am looking for guidance and advice on an important public policy issue, and I am hoping you can take the time to give it some consideration. An issue has arisen in connection to AB 2546/Speier, a bill that would mandate electronic filing of political disclosure records. It is this: The bill would mandate electronic filing for all candidates who raise $50,000 or more in a calendar year (the threshold was originally $30,000 but it got raised in the first committee). Currently, candidates are given paper forms to use when submitting their disclosure records. It would seem that the Secretary of State should then make electronic forms (i.e. software) available to candidates so they can comply with the electronic filing laws.
Trouble is, some members of the Legislature think the last thing the Secretary of State, or any other agency should do is "get into the software industry". Furthermore, these lawmakers are concerned that if the Secretary of State made free filing software available to candidates, then the private vendors who currently sell software will suffer the consequences.
I think there is an important public policy issue here, one that needs careful consideration: As we move into the electronic age, more and more transactions with the government will go digital. Should the government provide filers (taxpayers, candidates, corporations, etc.) with the software required to file? And if so, who should bear the cost of that software development, upgrading, and the technical assistance that will be required?
Or, should we rely on the private sector to produce software (or maybe even shareware?) to help the public comply with the electronic filing laws?
I think most of us agree that the private sector can develop software better than the government. But I am concerned about what kind of precedent we will set with AB 2546 if we do not include provisions that require the Secretary of State to make free software available to filers. On the other hand, that very provision may kill the bill.
Any thoughts and opinions (especially carefully considered ones!) are greatly appreciated. I would like to share the "public sentiment" with the people involved in this bill, so if you would prefer to keep your opinions private please indicate so on your message.
Thanks,
Kim Alexander, Executive Director, California Voter Foundation
cvf@netcom.com
916/325-2120
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