"Gov. Brown's unnecessary fundraising is certainly legal — but a turnoff"

Great to talk to George Skelton of the Los Angeles Times for this piece.

"It's about access and influence," says Jessica Levinson, a Loyola Law School professor who specializes in political funding. "It strains common sense to believe that in giving they won't want something in return."

"It's pretty depressing," Levinson adds, "that this is the way we do business in every state capitol and city hall in America. Large donors call the tune and have enormous influence. Members of the public who can't give big donations don't play as large a role in representative democracy.

"It's very discouraging and dispiriting."