Los Angeles Times (2/4/05): Gov.'s Tie to Fund Drive Questioned

[Jack Rabbit]

From the Los Angeles Times
Dated Friday February 4

Gov.`s Tie to Fund Drive Questioned
Schwarzenegger aides deny that he runs a committee accepting unlimited donations. If he did, state law would restrict contributions.
By Peter Nicholas and Robert Salladay, Times Staff Writers

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is becoming entwined in the campaign fundraising efforts of a group that under state law is required to remain independent of him.

As he travels the state to build support for an agenda that would reshape California government, the governor is sharing the stage with leaders of a fundraising committee that has been formed to support his proposals.

State campaign laws dictate that if such committees are under the control of politicians, then the size of the donations the committees can accept must be restricted. The committee, Citizens to Save California, is accepting donations without limits.

On Thursday, Schwarzenegger and a top aide, legislative secretary Richard Costigan, laid out the governor's agenda to invited guests at a private luncheon at the Regency Club in Los Angeles. Another speaker was Allan Zaremberg, president of the California Chamber of Commerce and co-chairman of the fundraising committee, who was invited by the governor's campaign finance team.

Read more.

This is something for us to watch.

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. kick

[realFedUp]

2. How can Citizens to Save California be a nonprofit group?

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/corporate/nw/nw004810.php3

snip-
A nonprofit group called Citizens to Save California is being formed to help raise money to push a multi-pronged agenda, said Joel Fox, a political consultant with close ties to Schwarzenegger.

and who is in this group?

[yurbud]

3. Since GOP forced Shelley to resign, will Arnold?

sounds like a comparable case. But of course the question answers itself.

[hvn_nbr_2]

6. We should be demanding the same thing

everywhere, in every venue, to every newspaper, everywhere. And we should be demanding an equivalent law enforcement investigation too. Arnie should need a fundraising group for his defense just as Shelley does.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

4. Arnold should resign and go back to Austria then!

If Shelley is out then Arnie should go too!

[lilimaj]

5. CRIMES OF THE RIGHT

The reason that Arnold and his conservative buddies went after Shelly was because he pulled out the e-voting machines after Arnold's so call election. They want to make sure the machines are back on-line for the next governor's election. By the way, have you wondered why Arnold refuses to publicly share his tax return? Read CRIMES OF THE RIGHT by author HOPE NEWMAN. Arnold and Bush have the same underground donors...

[Patrick Henry]

7. He should resign.

He's less worthy of staying than Shelley.

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Los Angeles Times (2/8): Gov. Battles Rising Criticism on Multiple Fronts

From the Los Angeles Times
Dated Tuesday February 8

Gov. Battles Rising Criticism on Multiple Fronts
By Robert Salladay, Times Staff Writer

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is working to reverse declining public opinion over his handling of California schools, while facing mounting complaints about his planned government overhaul . . . .

A campaign finance group filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission accusing Schwarzenegger of violating state regulations by raising money in unlimited amounts for a ballot committee that is supposed to be independent of the governor.

At issue is whether a new committee, Citizens to Save California, run by Schwarzenegger's allies, should have to abide by strict campaign finance rules. If Schwarzenegger is actively controlling the group, state rules require the committee to restrict donations to $22,300 or less.

"We think he is basically playing a little game of footsy here to get around that regulation and he's wrong," said Derek Cressman, director of a campaign finance group that monitors federal and state politicians, therestofus.org.

Citizens to Save California issued a statement Monday saying it was an independent committee even though it "may support ballot measures that are also supported by Gov. Schwarzenegger as part of his reform package."