Democrats facing a partisanship test in Shelley hearings

MercuryNews.com

KEVIN SHELLEY PROBE MUST BE AGGRESSIVE

Mercury News Editorial

The Kevin Shelley test for Democrats in the Legislature is very simple. They either hold aggressive hearings into whether the Democratic secretary of state improperly spent federal voter-outreach funds, or they reveal themselves as partisan apologists.

At the outset, it's looking a bit like the latter.

The initial hearing of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee has been rescheduled to coincide with the unveiling of the governor's budget, the busiest day of the year for a Sacramento press corps that will be otherwise occupied.

In addition, the committee's staffing level is looking a little thin for a major investigation.

The question is whether Shelley allowed money intended for non-partisan outreach to voters to be used for partisan political purposes.

Shelley's administration of the federal funds was raked over the coals by the state auditor. The audit found that ``insufficient planning and poor management practices'' plus ``disregard for proper controls and its poor oversight of staff and consultants led to questionable uses'' of the money.

In Washington, the Election Assistance Commission, which oversees the funds, is considering whether to conduct an audit of its own.

Democrats heading the legislative hearings say not to worry. The process is just beginning.

OK, we're not worried yet.

But we're watching, because this is not a drill, this is a test.