SDCTA Guidelines of Inappropriate Use of Public Funds for Advocacy
The California Supreme Court ruled in Vargas v. City of Salinas that, "the determination of the propriety or impropriety of the expenditure depends upon a careful consideration of such factors as the style, tenor and timing of the publication". Recognizing that interpretation of "style and tenor" of communication is subjective, SDCTA will continue to monitor communication materials issued by government agencies leading up to elections. This document serves as a non-comprehensive guide for what SDCTA considers inappropriate use of public funds for advocacy for or against a ballot measure: