CalWatchdog Morning Read – July 21

• FBI data collection program exposed
• FPPC would require suspected lobbyists to prove who pays them
• Brown backpedals on construction pay
• Democratic Lt. Gov. is having a blast at Republican convention
• The man behind Prop. 53

Good morning, so close to Friday!

After years of operating under the radar, the cover has been pulled back on an FBI program, centered around Southern California, to amass iris scan information in a federal database.

CalWatchdog has more.

In other news: 

• The FPPC will consider a measure that would “allow state regulators to require suspected lobbyists to provide evidence showing whether they’re being paid to influence government officials,” reports The San Jose Mercury News/AP.
• “Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration now says it will consider requiring homebuilders to pay construction workers at rates equivalent to union wages as part of its effort to streamline housing development across California,” writes the Los Angeles Times.
• Why is Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom is having such a great time at the Republican National Convention? The answer? It’s easy to pick fights to rally supporters back in CA. The Sacramento Bee has more.  
• Who is Dean “Dino” Cortopassi, 78, the man behind Prop. 53, which would require voter approval of any public works project funded by at least $2 billion of revenue bonds? Capitol Weekly has more.

Legislature:

• Gone ’til August

Gov. Brown:

• No public events announced

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