The third time is shaping up to be the charm for Sen. Leland Yee's push to bring more transparency to the state's public universities.
The University of California and California State University systems have dropped their opposition to the San Francisco Democrat's bill, Senate Bill 8, which would require university associations and foundations at the state's universities and community colleges to comply with the California Public Records Act.
Yee introduced similar legislation in 2009 and 2010, but former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed both bills because he said they didn't do enough to protect the privacy of donors to the groups.
Yee announced Wednesday that he's struck a deal with the universities on amended language that would automatically grant all donors anonymity. The right to have their name protected from public disclosure would be lost, however, under these circumstances:
- The donor receives something in exchange for the donation worth more than $2,500, such as access to a luxury box during a football game.
- The donor receives a no-bid contract from the school within five years of the donation.
- The donor attempts to influence curriculum or university operations.
Nonprofit groups attached to the campuses have repeatedly shielded financial records and contracts during the past decade. The most notable incident came when one of the foundations at CSU Stanislaus refused to turn over the speaking contract given to former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for an event there. A judge eventually forced the contract's disclosure. The CSU system says its universities have more than 80 nonprofit arms.
"Finally, we will have true sunshine and accountability of the administration of billions of dollars within UC and CSU," Yee said in a statement. "I commend the universities for seeing the light and allowing us to strike this deal."
Yee spokesman Adam Keigwin said he expects the bill will gain approval from both parties in the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown, who as attorney general last year audited the operations of the nonprofits.
"Our holdup has always been with the governor," Keigwin said. "We're pretty certain it will get signed into law."
PHOTO CREDIT: Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, jokes with Sen. Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana, in February 2009. Brian Baer / Sacramento Bee file.
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