Adams Steel, Irvine Co. and three others donate at least $110,000 for the January inaugural events.
The Orange County Register (California)
SACRAMENTO, CA — Orange County donors have contributed at least $110,000 to help pay for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s glitzy inauguration ceremonies.
The governor has raised at least $640,000 for a series of galas capped by his invitation-only swearing-in Jan. 5.
Among the top five “Gold Sponsors” that each gave at least $50,000 is Anaheim metal recycler Adams Steel.
Four other Orange County donors are among the “Silver Sponsors” that gave at least $15,000: The Irvine Co., Newport Beach-based Pacific Life Insurance Co., Seal Beach natural gas producer Clean Energy and retired media executive John Herklotz of Laguna Hills.
Schwarzenegger accepted several contributions from health insurers and construction companies, two industries with agendas in the Capitol next year.
The governor plans to make the affordability of health care his top priority in 2007, while he and lawmakers will decide how to spend the $42 billion in public works bonds approved by voters in November.
Carmen Balber, a consumer advocate with the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said donors are paying for access to the governor as he establishes his agenda for next year.
“This is simply another way for companies and associations who want special access to the governor to gain it,” Balber said. “The ‘Gold Sponsors’ gave more than they’re allowed to give the governor in any election year. They bought themselves additional access and influence that they wouldn’t otherwise have.”
Governor spokeswoman Julie Soderlund denied contributors are buying influence.
“The governor makes decisions based upon what he believes is in the best interests of the people of California,” she said. “Those who contribute do so because they believe in his vision.”
In all, 31 businesses and individuals have contributed to the inauguration, which will not be paid for by taxpayers.
The inaugural committee planning the festivities is not legally required to disclose its contributors because it is nonprofit, but like governors before him, Schwarzenegger is releasing their names.
Leading the committee is a long list of current and retired politicians from both major parties, including Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman of Irvine and Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido, a Democrat.
Roger Salazar, a spokesman for the California Democratic Party, said Schwarzenegger’s bipartisan list is more tradition than a special effort to reach out to the other party.
He added that Schwarzenegger “ran as a Democrat. We’re going to hold him to it.”
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Scripps-McClatchy Western Service contributed to this report.
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