Publicize Lobbyists’ Money to City Council
I appreciate “Window on City Council,” your Jan. 28 editorial concerning L.A. City Council ethics and the pervasive influence of lobbyist money. Your fantasy of self-policing by flashing numbers on a screen that report the campaign contributions before the council votes is just, well, fantasy.
You could make it a reality. The Times could accept the responsibility to report contributions and influence of all kinds in your newspaper during deliberations and after each vote. More citizens would be informed of this corrupting influence if you would just do it. Few citizens attend L.A. City Council meetings. Many read The Times.
The Times could do a chart describing the issues before the City Council, and beside each member’s name you could show the campaign contributions by special-interest groups. Self-exposure never works. Public exposure is your responsibility. We have a right to know.
Paul Schrade
Los Angeles
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