by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

Everybody knows that big political contributions gets you face time with politicians to be able to lobby them on one issue or another. It is rare to see it so freely and specifically discussed with the LAT. For the first time, Arnold was forced to name the donors funding his lavish trips around the world. He has been funneling them through a 501c3, which provides a tax break for the donors and most of the time they do not need to be disclosed. But Arnold actually went and solicited donations at a dinner, thus they had to be made public.

The LAT talked with the donors.

Barry Cinnamon, founder and chief executive officer of Akeena Solar, said he attended the dinner and gave $5,000 for a variety of reasons, but chiefly because he wanted the opportunity to talk to Schwarzenegger about a renewable energy bill pending in Congress. Also, he said, the fundraiser was not far from his San Francisco home and involved "a nice dinner to go to with my girlfriend."

He said the protocol foundation "sounded like something worthwhile."

"Somebody's got to pay for those trips," said Cinnamon, "and I think what he does in terms of spreading the California message is absolutely terrific."

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[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Maybe we are finally doing something about global warming: theHouse of Representatives has passed a major energy bill, by a 235-181vote, that would increase vehicle fuel economy standards by 40% to35 miles per gallon, reports the LA Times. But the bill faces a tougherbattle in the Senate, and is strongly opposed by the BushAdministration, which is concerned about measures that would repeal $13billion in tax breaks for oil companies, and require utilities togenerate more power from alternative energy sources. Should it pass, itwould mark the first time fuel economy standards have been raised since1975.

Economic analysts are making dismal predictions about the California economy in the next year, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Tighter creditand falling home sales will contribute to slow growth and an elevatedunemployment rate. The state budget deficit is also expected to widen,and decreased public spending is in turn expected to slow down therecovery.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Rosemary Shahan,
President
Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety

Will California lead the way to curbing global warming and making the US less dependent on foreign oil? Or will we be held hostage by the dinosaurs in Detroit and Big Oil and Coal? A historic showdown is imminent in Congress. The time to make your voice heard is NOW.

For the first time in a decade, the U.S. Senate has voted to improve motor vehicle fuel economy, saving consumers at the pump and also reducing harmful pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. But the House is closely divided, with the auto, coal, and oil industries attempting to derail the momentum from the Senate victory. This is a critical moment for the environment, consumers, and the nation.

The burning question: Will enough lawmakers from California vote AYE for H.R. 1506, the Fuel Economy Reform Act of 2007, to offset the NO votes from members of states dominated by the auto, coal, and oil interests? H.R. 1506 will raise fuel economy 10 miles per gallon over the next 10 years, to 35 mpg, and 4% every year afterward. These gains in fuel economy are achievable and long overdue. Any added costs for the vehicles will be offset by savings at the pump. Oh, and did we mention that we also help save the planet?