A chat with Adam Silver, Chair of the California FPPC

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Adam Silver was appointed Chair of the Fair Political Practices Commission in March 2024. The FPPC was created in 1974 when California voters approved Proposition 9, The Political Reform Act, in the wake of the Watergate scandal. Five decades later, the FFPC is plenty busy. Silver joined us to talk about the Commission’s work, the challenges posed by Cryptocurrencies and his path to the Chairmanship. Plus, a full slate of options for Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics.

1:17 Leah O’Tarrow

2:09 SB41

3:48 Adam Silver

6:00 AI and emerging technologies

8:44 “If the FPPC is prosecuting everybody then that honestly is going to undermine the public trust”

10:37 2025 Legislation, AB953

16:53 A brief history of the FPPC

18:20 is it really legal for lawmakers to receive campaign donations in their offices?

21:56 Origin story

24:00 Capital Fellows Program

25:49 Biggest regulatory challenge?

32:34 #WWCA