political committees

SD-03: Fun Times with Prop 34

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

noe valley library openingLast week, Senator Carole Migden sued the FPPC, alleging that Proposition 34 was unconstitutional. Interestingly, in 2000, when in the Assembly, Migden voted in favor of placing the proposition on the ballot.

Why the dramatic shift in positions? Well, as Randy Shaw pointed out last week, Migden has over $1 million that is in question in this case. Unless Prop 34 is somehow struck down, she cannot use that money.  And that's the bulk of her cash on hand. SmartVoter has more information about Prop 34 here. But, here's a quick recap of what it did:

   * Limits individual campaign contributions per election: state legislature, $3,000; statewide elective office, $5,000 (small contributor committees may double these limits); governor, $20,000. Limits contributions to political parties/political committees for purpose of making contributions for support or defeat of candidates.

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Schwarzenegger adds another trophy to his collection - “Most prolific campaign fundraiser in California history”

by Kim Stevens [courtesy of Party Line]


From Brian Brokaw:

While most Californians were busy this week stuffing their Thanksgiving turkeys, the Associated Press reported that the special interests who’ve been stuffing Governor Schwarzenegger’s campaign accounts since 2003 have earned Schwarzenegger a new and troubling title: “most prolific campaign fundraiser in California history.”

Associated Press: “Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has become the most prolific campaign fundraiser in California history, taking in more than $125 million for his various political committees, according to an Associated Press review of fundraising records. In doing so, he has surpassed Gray Davis, the governor he ousted four years ago in a recall election that focused in large part on Davis' seemingly incessant fundraising. Schwarzenegger's political committees have taken in $125.8 million since he jumped into the gubernatorial recall campaign in August 2003. Davis took longer -- seven years -- to raise $120 million for two gubernatorial campaigns and to fight the recall effort against him.”

Of course, we all know that the Governor only makes policy decisions based on what he thinks is good for the people, the state, yada yada. But $125 million – that’s a serious chunk of change.

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Schwarzenegger Adds Another Trophy to his Collection -- "Most Prolific Campaign Fundraiser in California History"

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

While most Californians were busy this week stuffing their Thanksgiving turkeys, the Associated Press reported that the special interests who’ve been stuffing Governor Schwarzenegger’s campaign accounts since 2003 have earned Schwarzenegger a new and troubling title: "most prolific campaign fundraiser in California history."
 
Associated Press: "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has become the most prolific campaign fundraiser in California history, taking in more than $125 million for his various political committees, according to an Associated Press review of fundraising records. In doing so, he has surpassed Gray Davis, the governor he ousted four years ago in a recall election that focused in large part on Davis' seemingly incessant fundraising. Schwarzenegger's political committees have taken in $125.8 million since he jumped into the gubernatorial recall campaign in August 2003. Davis took longer -- seven years -- to raise $120 million for two gubernatorial campaigns and to fight the recall effort against him."
 
Of course, we all know that the Governor only makes policy decisions based on what he thinks is good for the people, the state, yada yada. But $125 million -- that’s a serious chunk of change.

There's more...

Schwarzenegger Accepts $100,000 from Chevron as Californians Get Hit with Record Gasoline Prices: Citizen Petition Calls for Spe

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

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By Frank D. Russo

The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR) has just unloaded on Governor Schwarzenegger for accepting a $100,000 donation from Chevron Corporation just as gasoline prices were hitting a new all-time record in California. They are calling for the Governor to return both the new donation and the rest of the $665,000 he and his political committees have taken from Chevron. Calls to return campaign contributions are usually like playing a baseball game under protest. Where there has been egregious action it usually makes the point, but it is exceedingly rare that contributions are returned.

The donation, posted on the state’s campaign disclosure web site today, was made May 1, a few days after Chevron reported another first-quarter profit record. Chevron is the West's largest refiner and has been raking in disproportionate profits on California gasoline prices that are 45 cents to 50 cents higher than in the rest of the nation.

The Foundation is not alone. Today, the San Jose Mercury News has an article questioning the Governor's fundraising that is raising the eyebrows of many good government groups.

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