The First Amendment protects everyone. Journalists, whistleblowers, and ordinary citizens all have the right to investigate and report on publicly funded programs. That right should not come with a $10,000 fine and the threat of jail time.

California's AB 2624 would impose steep criminal penalties for publishing certain information about service providers. Supporters say it protects privacy. But the bill is written broadly enough to punish anyone trying to hold government-funded programs accountable, including citizen journalists and whistleblowers.

Conservatives have always believed in limited government, fiscal accountability and free speech. Those values do not stop at the California border. When a law makes it a crime to investigate how public money is being spent, that is a problem regardless of which party introduced it.

Protecting privacy is a worthy goal. But laws should be written narrowly enough that they cannot be used as a weapon against journalists and concerned citizens. AB 2624 does not meet that standard.

We are calling on the California State Assembly to reject this bill and protect the rights of every Californian to speak freely and investigate their government without fear of criminal punishment.

Sign this petition and tell California: the First Amendment is not up for debate.