AB 919 is a critical step in the effort to protect shareholders and limit the influence of big money in politics. It requires corporations to consult their shareholders and give them an opportunity to opt out of having their money spent on elections and political activities.

If nothing else, this year's budget fiasco has created an outcry for governance reform. But rather than look to electoral gimmicks, we should instead support proven systems that work, like public financing of elections and ranked choice voting.

PG&E spent $46 million of its ratepayer dollars on Prop 16 to make sure our electric rates remain high, without asking the consent of its ratepayers.

...all but one of the donors to the ballot committee opposing Prop 15 comes from either a lobby firm, individual lobbyist, or a lobby employer – including BP's lobby firm, Political Solutions.

...the effect of broadcasters' refusal to provide under-funded campaigns free response time since the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine for ballot measures...has been to increase the amount of one-sided information voters receive before entering the voting booth.

Consumer activists expressed anger that the amendment was even drafted so late in the session. Richard Holober, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California, said "these kind of last-minute moves are for things that won't hold up if exposed to sunlight. It is not a good way to govern."

The case of San Mateo County's missing voter guides has been solved -- sort of. Some were apparently never sent, according to Secretary of State Debra Bowen, who heads the California agency that oversees elections.

Ignoring a deceptive $16 million campaign by Mercury Insurance Company, California voters rejected a ballot measure that would have amended 1988 insurance reform Proposition 103 to allow insurance companies to impose surcharges on motorists who were not previously insured or had a break in coverage for virtually any reason.

Senate Bill 797, a proposal to ban BPA - bisphenol A - in baby bottles and sippy cups that was supported by labor and environmental groups but opposed by the American Chemistry Council and a coalition of business groups. The bill died by two votes in the Senate.

The LAO's nonpartisan analysis released last week revealed that Proposition 26 would nullify the "Gas Tax Swap" approved by the legislature in March, and eliminate about one billion dollars annually in anticipated revenues from the general fund for schools and other programs.

The driving force behind the initiative is the oil industry, which has contributed more than $2.3 million to getting it passed. The biggest single contributor is San Antonio-based Valero Energy ($1.05 million, according to the latest state campaign disclosures), with San Antonio-based Tesoro Corp. in second place with $525,000.