Sen. Glazer Calls on Political Watchdog to Levy Maximum Possible Fine on BART

Orinda, CA – State Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Orinda) is calling on the Fair Political Practices Commission to levy the maximum possible fine against BART for its illegal use of public funds for political purposes.

The FPPC has found that BART violated state law by using public funds to campaign in favor of Measure RR, a $3.5 billion bond measure on the November 2016 ballot, but the commission staff has proposed an administrative penalty of only $7,500 to punish BART for failing to properly disclose its illegal spending.

Sen. Glazer will call on the commission to set aside that recommendation and levy the maximum possible fine in order to send a message to BART and other public agencies that they must refrain from such improper, and illegal, uses of public funds.

Glazer will hold a press conference on Wednesday at 9:30 at the Orinda BART Station to share more information.

The maximum fine is around $33,000.

Editors Notes:

To view the full 13-page ruling which resulted in a $7,500 fine, you may visit the FPPC Website which highlights how BART utilized

3. In the Matter of San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART); FPPC No. 16/19959. Staff: Commission Counsel Ruth Yang and Special Investigator Garrett Micheels. The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is a public transportation system that serves the San Francisco Bay Area. BART was represented by BART General Counsel Matthew Burrows. BART used YouTube videos, social media posts, and text messages to promote Measure RR, which authorized BART to issue $3.5 billion in general obligation bonds, causing them to qualify as an independent expenditure committee. BART failed to timely file two late independent expenditure reports in the 90-day period preceding the November 8, 2016 General Election, in violation of Government Code Section 84204 (1 count); failed to timely file a semi-annual campaign statement for the period covering July 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, in violation of Government Code Section 84200, subdivision (b) (1 count); and failed to include a proper disclosure statement in its electronic media advertisements, in violation of Government Code Section 84506, subdivision (a) (1 count). Total Proposed Penalty: $7,500.