Ever wonder why government is in such bad shape? It is because government officials are ALLOWED to lie in statements or reports to the Legislature and the public.
Yes, it is a misdemeanor for them to lie in reports or statements to the legislature. Yet, even though many complaints are noted, not a single public official has ever been charged in California.
Moorpark Assemblywoman Audra Strickland presented AB 1135 in 2007, the Truth in Government Act.
From the legislative analysis:
This bill:
1. Stipulates that every written report required to be submitted to the Legislature, a Member of the Legislature, or any state legislative or executive body by any state agency or department must include a signed statement by the head of that agency or department declaring that the factual contents of the report are true, accurate, and complete to the best of his/her knowledge.
2. Declares that the provisions of this bill apply to the head of every state agency or department, including but not limited to, elected state officials, and any state official whose duties are prescribed by the California Constitution.
3. Provides that with respect to the Franchise Tax Board, the signed statement shall be made by the board's executive officer and with respect to the Board of Equalization the signed statement shall be made by the executive director.
4. Provides that any person who declares as true any material matter that he/she knows to be false shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $20,000. Also, provides that the civil penalties shall be exclusively assessed and recovered in a civil action brought by the Attorney General.
5. Defines "written report" and stipulates that the declaration in the signed statement as to the truth, accuracy, and completeness of the contents of the written report shall not apply to any forecasts, predictions, recommendations, or opinions contained in the report.
Imagine, having to force government employees to tell the truth. Well, as we all know, that is what it will take.
I have been told that some believe the Governor has vetoed this bill because he is afraid he could not get anyone to work for government in a position where they would be forced to always tell the truth. This reminds me of the Jim Carrey movie, "Liar", where he got into trouble because he had to tell the truth every time. It was VERY uncomfortable.
But real life is not the movies. Government is not a storyline When you have folks lying to get budgets, lying about failed programs, lying about corruption and abuse of office, we need to make these folks uncomfortable.
The Governor had this to say in his veto message (10/13/07):
"Finally, this bill would create an inconsistent system in which some of the information submitted by the Administration is subject to declarations of truth while all other information used in the legislature's deliberative process is not."
In other words, since they are allowed to lie in some circumstances, government employees should be allowed to lie in all circumstances. Now you know why you should not have any trust in government, even the Governor knows that State Employees are lying.
By the way, Strickland's AB 1135 passed almost unanimously in both the Assembly and Senate.
It is hard for the media to fully cover all the work of our elected officials. But, I thought you should know that Strickland believes government employees should tell the truth or suffer the consequences.
What do you think, should government employees always tell us the truth?
Too bad it doesn't require Assembly candidates like Strickland to tell the truth.
I think we'd all just settle for a bill to make you tell the truth, Steve.
Can't tell the truth Frank doesn't know any better. After all, it's because of him that his wife will end her career at the local Junior High.
Frank,
Sorry your wife didn't get the Ventura County position she was in no way qualified for. May I suggest either the fast food or house cleaning industries.
Hey Mike
Hows it feel to be a dirty 50 something who trolls around on political blogs to throw jabs at people's wifes? I mean I dont know you personally but by the way you talk I can only guess you're as gross as the person I laid out above..
Since you brought up fast food, may I suggest you lay off the burgers, VC star blogs and lose some weight? Tell me when you can see your feet again!
gopblondie,
His name is Steve, Steve Frank not Mike. You also forgot about the dead squirrel on his head. Ask Steve Frank how it feels having road kill on his head.