January 05, 2010 6:37 PM

By JENNIFER MUIR
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

A former state senator is asking Orange County supervisors to regulate local lobbyists –and themselves – by adopting sweeping reform measures aimed at adding transparency to the political process here.

“It’s been disconcerting that we are one of the few remaining counties that allows our county government to operate in secrecy,” Dunn said. “I’m not going to suggest there’s been anything unsavory happening in the county. For me, this is about trying to wrestle with the utter lack of faith that the average citizen has in government.”

Orange County’s neighbors in Los Angeles and San Diego, along with others across the state and the California Secretary of State, require lobbyists to register and follow other regulations.

Dunn says his proposal for Orange County is similar to those already in practice elsewhere, requiring lobbyists to register annually and describe their business interests, clients, the amount they’re paid and any campaign donations or gifts they give. But unlike other counties, he’s proposing that registration fees – and not tax dollars — should cover the cost of carrying out the rules.

The proposal also would require elected officials to publicly disclose discussions with lobbyists aimed at influencing county business. For example, if county supervisors were considering a construction contract, the supervisors would be required to report any interactions with paid advocates related to that contract in time to be included in a public agenda report. Or, if they were unable to report the interaction in time, supervisors would have to verbally disclose the discussions before they vote to award the contract.

Dunn, who in November left his post as CEO for the California Medical Association and has recently opened a law firm in Orange County, says he’s proposing reform to help combat the public’s poor perception of government.

Supervisors have until 4 p.m. Thursday to put the issue on next week’s meeting agenda. Initial reaction is mixed.

Supervisor Chris Norby says the proposal would add “a lot of paperwork and bureaucracy” related to information that is already subject to public disclosure, such as campaign contributions and their calendars. He fears such reforms would discourage the public from meeting with supervisors – an important part of the public process.

“I don’t favor regulation of free speech,” Norby said. “Anyone is free to come to me and talk to me about what they want.”

Supervisor John Moorlach says he’s open to hearing more about the idea, but that he hasn’t “sensed a real abuse,” or that any “monkey business” is going on. Aides for Supervisor Pat Bates and Bill Campbell said they are just beginning to review the proposal, and Bates also has asked county counsel to weigh in. Chairwoman-elect Janet Nguyen didn’t return a call for comment.

Government reform advocate Shirley Grindle said lobbyists have long exerted unfair influence in Orange County, and for decades she fought for changes to a county procurement policy she says gave firms with lobbyists an unfair advantage. While that policy was changed in 1998, Grindle is happy to hear that more change could be on the horizon.

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