Earlier this week we wrote about a committee hearing concerning a noxious bill. Later, a reader asked why we didn’t oppose the bill during the hearing. The answer tells you a lot about when and how to offer resistance in Sacramento.
The bill is sponsored by the chairman of the committee, which consists of five members, four of whom have close ties to the bill’s beneficiaries. Hence, the bill was predestined to pass out of committee. Offering resistance at that time would have been both futile and counter-productive while listening to testimony provided us with valuable intelligence for use later in the session. Similarly, earlier this year we chose to quietly observe AB 1400 (the single-payer bill) in committee before successfully leading opposition on the floor. There is a right time and place to resist. There’s also a right way to resist, usually by speaking softly so long as you have power. That’s why we bundle $3 million of direct donations every year.
Resistance to professional special interests must be professional. That’s why we spend another $2.8 million per year on Sacramento staff, contract lobbyists and other professionals.
