Ross Johnson – A Steady Hand To Head A Troubled Agency
I want to build on Jon’s post below about my former Senate colleague, Ross Johnson, being tapped by the governor to be the Chairman of the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).
Without a doubt, this is the single best appointment Governor Schwarzenegger could have made to head this troubled agency. Ross was a brilliant legislator. Highly regarded by both Democrat and Republican members. He’ll forget more about the minutia of campaign finance reform than most of us will ever learn in our careers. During his legislative tenure he always demanded accountability from the FPPC and was instrumental in many good solid reforms.
Ross’ appointment could not have come at a more opportune time. In the past six years (at least) the FPPC has run amok – ignoring significant violations and pursuing completely frivolous cases. Their decisions appeared all too political motivated. A terrible thing for an agency that is supposed to be non-partisan.
And then there was the outrageous statement from the outgoing chair last year that unless the legislature gave them more money, they would drop… Read More