Comments on: FPPC staff backs decreased disclosure https://calwatchdog.com/2015/03/15/fppc-staff-backs-decreased-disclosure/ Mon, 16 Mar 2015 17:22:50 +0000 hourly 1 By: Tom Hudson https://calwatchdog.com/2015/03/15/fppc-staff-backs-decreased-disclosure/#comment-112391 Mon, 16 Mar 2015 17:22:50 +0000 http://calwatchdog.com/?p=75144#comment-112391 The author of this article claims that the burden associated with filing “has been diminishing for two decades, thanks to technology.” This statement is objectively false. A volunteer group that raises money and writes even one single check is generally required to file Form 410, Form 496, Form 462, Form 460, and Form 465 and potentially others. Even with modern technology, these duplicative and redundant forms must still be filed ON PAPER with the Secretary of State’s Office and with a multitude of local filing officers, such as city clerks and county elections officials. The duplicative information on these forms must be typed over and over again manually. In addition, the volunteer group might need to file a host of federal disclosure forms and income tax forms, even though it is legally tax exempt. Many local cities and counties have additional forms to fill out and there is little standardization.

The only people who say that this process is not burdensome are the people who have never actually filled out the forms themselves (or the incumbent politicians who want to make life more difficult for their critics and challengers).

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