Organized labor has lined up behind legislation purporting to promote government contract transparency. It’s a sham.
The bill actually aims to keep the public in the dark about public-employee negotiations, ensuring taxpayers never learn the costs of collective bargaining agreements until they’re done deals.
Deceptively labeled the “Civic Reporting Openness in Negotiations Efficiency Act,” SB 331, by state Sen. Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia, would also penalize cities, counties and special districts that require responsible analysis of their salary and benefit expenses.
“To punish local government for disclosing labor costs is an amazingly cynical statement on the role of the people in democracy,” said attorney Jon Holtzman, an employment law and labor relations expert who represents cities.
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