California bill limits spending by local government groups

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A California lawmaker wants to limit how local government associations can spend taxpayer money.

A bill by Democratic Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia targets groups that lobby on behalf of and hold educational seminars for local governments. Her bill introduced Tuesday prohibits the associations from using public money for anything other than lobbying and educational seminars.

It specifically targets the California Contract Cities Association, which represents cities mostly in Southern California that contract for police, fire and other services. The Associated Press has reported the group’s annual spring educational seminar features a golf tournament, tickets for alcoholic beverages and bottles of wine for participants.

The bill would also apply to the League of California Cities and the Independent Cities Association. Spokespeople from all three groups did not immediately comment.