Pipe fitters' gift swells [CA-Davis] war chest, Recent ban on plastic is what union wanted

SF Chronicle ^ | 5-14-02 | Greg Lucas, Carla Marinucci

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Gov. Gray Davis picked up a $260,000 contribution during the weekend from a trade union that won a key ruling this month in its fight to keep plastic water pipe from replacing copper pipe in homes.

The governor's weekend fund-raising activities -- punctuated by lengthy conference calls with his staff about the state's potential $22 billion budget shortfall -- also included a Monterey County golfing event that netted Davis more than $400,000.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Davis to reveal how he'll hack to balance budget
Shortfall could soar to as much as $22 billion -San Francisco Chronicle
Greg Lucas, Lynda Gledhill
Sacramento -- After shockingly low state tax receipts in April, Gov. Gray Davis today will reveal his plan for erasing a cash gap estimated to be as high as $22 billion. Unlike in years of good budget news, the governor and his aides have kept ...

[the]

Davis spokesman Roger Salazar said the governor -- like it or not -- has to raise funds to get his message out in California.

His Message:

I will gladly pay you tomorrow for a campaign contribution today.

[philman_36]

"Those of us who know Gray, and I've known him well for 15 years, know he works day and night," Read said.
The question though is what is he working towards? If good things, then BZ. If CYA, well, that's another story.

[Sam Cree]

"The union opposes using plastic pipe in homes because it is cheaper and easier to install than traditional copper pipe. California is one of only two states that do not allow plastic pipe in homes."

So the union wanted this ruling simply as a way to put handymen or do it yourselfers out of business. I've heard plumbers complain that pvc makes it too easy for people who are not plumbers to fix pipes.

It's really nothing more than price fixing, which is one of the hallmarks of socialism.

[Ross Amann]

Hard to believe they forbid plastic pipes anywhere in the US. I thought California was supposed to "lead" the nation; now I find out it is only "copper"ing it.

[eureka!]

I heard about this some months ago on Hugh Hewitt or some other CA talker. Amazing. Nice to see the Chronicle is still pumping these out.

Ernest & others-definitely pingable...

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks for the ping!

It would be nice that Davis is working so hard if his efforts weren't so damn costly!

[daviddennis]

Davis has to learn that State revenues don't increase in proportion to his campaign war chest.

How the heck is he going to control the budget if he keeps on handing out 25% pay increases?

D

[RGF]

I recently filled up my father-in-law's propane barbeque tank in Palm Springs. It was filled but I was told it wouldn't be long before I couldn't.

You see we have a new standard for the valve here in California. You must have a triangular knob, not a round one. Supposedly this new valve has some safety feature. I suggested at dinner that I am so cynical that I believe some tank or valve manufacturer paid off, err, contributed to Davis and his pals to change the law and outlaw all existing tanks. That couldn't be...could it?

[Rebelbase]

Plumbers love it when Joe Homeowner tries to fix the plumbing himself. When I screwed mine up the plumber who came out told me that 1/4 of his business was fixing homeowner's plumbing "repairs".

[ElkGroveDan]

[Gophack]

Davis is SHAMELESS! He is corrupt and doesn't care about anything. He flitters around from crisis to crisis without a care in the world except raising campaign cash. He needs to be in PRISON, not in public office!

Dump Davis!

[Gophack]

Oh, that picture is GREAT!

[abigkahuna]

Its a Federalrequirement effective 4/1/02. Its not so much the shape of the spigot, but that it shows the propane bottle has an over-fill protection device. Such a device prevents te tank from filling more than 80% to allow for expasion of gases. Its a safety issue. Not related to California at all

[rockfish59]

the dirty coppers!

[ElkGroveDan]

Behind the scenes at a Davis fundraiser

Governor Davis meets with a Sacramento lobbyist

(found this one at Bressler.org)

[Gophack]

Hee hee hee hee hee!

[Impeach98]

That Davis knows no limits in what he will do to raise campaign cash LOL! I love it!

[RGF]

I appreciate the response. They did say it was a safety issue but I was not aware of any gigantic problems in this area. Sounds kind of like the "gas tank filling" must pass along warning of last week.

It still would not suprise me if this is some brilliant idea to get us all to replace our tanks. Wouldn't it be simpler and cheaper to have some sensor on the dispenser which could read back pressure and automatically shut off?