To: CVF-NEWS
From: Kim Alexander
Date: Monday, October 13, 1997
Re: Online disclosure - news stories, Guv's message, CVF's plans

Hi Folks:

This edition of CVF-NEWS features:

• a round-up of news coverage on SB 49;
• comments from Governor Wilson on SB 49;
• a preview of what's next for the California Voter Foundation.

* * NEWS COVERAGE ON SB 49 * *

Yesterday's San Francisco Examiner/Chronicle and San Jose Mercury News featured front-page stories on the new Internet disclosure law. The New York Times featured its Cybertimes story on the front page of its Web site as well. That story credits this very newsletter, CVF-NEWS, with having an impact on the development of online disclosure. CNET produced an online story and featured it on its main page as well; the Sacramento Bee ran a story in yesterday's paper on Page 4. Other stories were prepared by Newsbytes and Tech-Web News.

New stories are on the way -- KPBS radio in San Diego and KXPR in Sacramento are preparing stories for broadcast today. The Sacramento Bee and the San Jose Mercury News also have editorials in the works. We will collect and feature as many stories as possible on CVF's Digital Sunlight Web site, at www.digitalsunlight.org.

* * GOVERNOR PETE WILSON'S SIGNING MESSAGE * *

As CVF-NEWS subscribers know, we had no idea whether the Governor would sign or veto SB 49. The fact that both his Office of Planning and Research and his Department of Finance had been on record opposing the bill made it even more uncertain. Wilson did sign the bill in the end, and issued a news release announcing his signature on SB 49, which included the following comment:

"Voters now have more information about legislation, political currents and changes in government than ever before because of the Internet," Wilson said. "Allowing citizens to monitor the disclosure forms will lead to a more open process. The people will be able to see plainly who got what and who gave it to them. This is fundamentally democratic and I am pleased to sign this bill."

* * WHAT'S NEXT FOR CVF? * *

Many people have been asking what the California Voter Foundation will be doing next in the area of digital disclosure. The enactment of SB 49 is a major achievement; now comes implementation. CVF will be closely monitoring and participating in the development of California's standard filing format for electronic filing, which is essential to a successful program. We also plan to encourage all state and legislative candidates to participate in the Secretary of State's voluntary electronic filing program that will be operating during next year's General election. In addition, we are exploring the possibility of a web-based electronic filing program as an alternative to purchasing software. I will be sure to keep CVF-NEWS subscribers posted on these efforts as they develop.

In the immediate future -- I am traveling to Washington, D.C. this week for several meetings, including one with the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation's Political Coverage Project Advisory Council, to which I was recently appointed.

Thanks again to all for the kind words and support you have been sending my way!

-- Kim Alexander, Executive Director, California Voter Foundation
kimalex@netcom.com

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