Posted on 05/15/2005 4:50:34 PM PDT by calcowgirl
SACRAMENTO — In his State of the State address in January, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signaled that he would revise California's signature environmental protection law, which builders have long complained is cumbersome and restrictive.
In the run-up to that speech and in the months since, developers and other businesses that have chafed under the California Environmental Quality Act's regulations have donated millions of dollars to support the governor's political agenda.
In the last two weeks alone, committees supporting Schwarzenegger's political causes took in a total of $225,000 from three business groups that want to see CEQA changed . . .
All three co-signed a letter to Schwarzenegger on April 28, recommending "modifications" in the environmental law and casting it as a hindrance to economic development and home ownership.
(snip)
Environmentalists contend [CEQA] has proved an invaluable tool, allowing them to defeat plans for toxic waste incinerators near residential areas. It has also reduced emissions of hazardous diesel exhaust and given people a say in what is built in their neighborhoods, according to environmental advocates.
"It's one of the most important environmental laws and good-government laws in the state," said Karen Douglas, acting executive director of the Planning and Conservation League. "Ordinary people get information about projects that are proposed, a chance to comment and a voice in their future."
Business groups counter that the law can be a hindrance to economic growth. Many developers complain that it creates unnecessary delays for construction projects and drives up housing costs.
They want changes that would streamline the permit process and cut costs associated with lawsuits arising from CEQA. They also want to find ways of preventing anti-development and NIMBY interests from having undue influence over the fate of construction projects.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Since announcing he was running for governor, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has collected more than $13.5 million in campaign donations from mortgage lenders, home builders, real estate companies and construction-related firms. Some of the large donors:
• Roland & Dawn Arnall and Ameriquest: $1,296,400 (mortgage)
• Alex Spanos, family and employees: $1,094,700 (developer)
• William Lyon and family: $742,000 (developer)
• Larry Doyle and American Sterling Corp.: $671,200 (mortgage)
• Robin Arkely and Security National Servicing Corp.: $521,200 (mortgage)
• David Murdock/Castle & Cooke: $423,100 (developer)
• Hadi Makarechian and Capitol Pacific Holdings: $289,149 (developer)
• Eli Broad & KB Home: $280,387 (developer)
• Donald Bren, family and Irvine Co.: $207,400 (developer)
• Cendant Corp.: $171,100 (developer)
• California Building Industry Assn.: $150,000 (developer)
• John Moores and family: $137,300 (developer)
Developers See Opportunity at Gov.'s Table
I bet they do..
I especially liked how he danced around the question, "You have said that bigger builders are smarter about buying land. What do you mean by that?"
I'm glad I missed it.
Smarter about buying land? ROFL.
He will make billions with the Enabler in office.
More pay to play, of sorts.
Summary Information - Citizens To Save California, A Coalition Of Business & Taxpayer Organizations To Reform California Government And Politics (ID# 1273022) Current Status ACTIVE Last Report Date This Session 05/02/2005 Reporting Period 01/01/2005 - 03/31/2005 Contributions From This Period $8,272,329.57 Total Contributions 01/01/2005 - 03/31/2005 $8,272,329.57 Expenditures From This Period $6,471,712.22 Total Expenditures 1/1/2005 - 03/31/2005 $6,471,712.22 Ending Cash $2,075,607.25
A who's who of corporate donors.
Cal-Access - Contributions Received by Citizens to Save California
|
NAME OF CONTRIBUTOR |
EMPLOYER |
OCCUPATION |
|
AMOUNT |
|
A. Jerrold Perenchio |
Chartwell Partners, Llc |
Businessman |
|
$1,500,000.00 |
|
William A. Robinson |
None |
Retired |
|
$1,000,000.00 |
|
John A. Gunn |
Dodge & Cox |
President & CEO |
|
$500,000.00 |
|
Security National Servicing Corporation |
|
|
|
$250,000.00 |
|
The Irvine Company |
|
|
|
$250,000.00 |
|
William Lyon Homes, Inc. |
|
|
|
$250,000.00 |
|
The New Majority Pac |
|
|
|
$250,000.00 |
|
Paul F. Folino |
Emulex Corporation |
Chairman & CEO |
|
$250,000.00 |
|
Carl H. Lindner |
American Financial Group |
Chairman Of The Board |
|
$200,000.00 |
|
Capital Pacific Holdings, Inc. [Hadi Makarechian] |
|
|
|
$150,000.00 |
|
LKD Trust |
American Sterling Corporation |
Lawrence K. Doyle, Found. Chmn/CEO |
|
$130,000.00 |
|
American Sterling Corporation |
|
|
|
$120,000.00 |
|
Target Corporation |
|
|
|
$100,000.00 |
|
Henry Segerstrom Trust |
C.J. Segerstrom & Sons |
Henry Segerstrom/Partner |
|
$100,000.00 |
|
Ameriquest Capital Corporation |
|
|
|
$100,000.00 |
|
California Retailers Association Issues Cte. |
|
|
|
$100,000.00 |
|
David Wilson |
Toyota Of Orange |
Auto Dealer |
|
$100,000.00 |
|
Fletcher Jones Motorcars |
|
|
|
$100,000.00 |
|
Fletcher Jones Management Group |
|
|
|
$100,000.00 |
|
R.J. Brandes |
Bellgravia Capital |
CEO |
|
$100,000.00 |
|
The New Majority Pac |
|
|
|
$95,000.00 |
|
Michael K. Hayde |
Western National Group |
President |
|
$50,000.00 |
|
William Wilson III |
William Wilson III Mgmt Co. |
Executive |
|
$50,000.00 |
|
Douglas E. Barnhart, Inc. |
|
|
|
$50,000.00 |
|
California Assoc. Of Health Underwriters Pac |
|
|
|
$50,000.00 |
|
S.R. Bray Corporation/Dba Power Plus! |
|
|
|
$50,000.00 |
|
Bruce Taylor |
Taylor Farms California |
Chairman & CEO |
|
$50,000.00 |
|
T. Gary Rogers |
Dryers Grand Ice Cream |
CEO & Chairman |
|
$50,000.00 |
|
Fariborz Maseeh |
Picoco, LLC |
Founder & Managing Principal |
|
$50,000.00 |
|
Fletcher Jones, Jr. |
Fletcher Jones Mgmt Group |
President |
|
$50,000.00 |
|
Roger Hobbs |
The R.C. Hobbs Company |
Property Management |
|
$50,000.00 |
|
Ann D. Reed |
None |
Retired |
|
$50,000.00 |
|
William C. Edwards |
Bryan & Edwards |
Venture Capitalist |
|
$50,000.00 |
|
Malin Burnham |
Burnham Real Estate |
Chairman |
|
$50,000.00 |
|
Headlands Reserve, LLC |
|
|
|
$44,600.00 |
|
KB Home |
|
|
|
$30,000.00 |
But... but... but... KBHome was last on the list!!! $30,K to an independent expenditure committee??? Where's the beef???
He already gave at the office (to Arnold's election campaign).
This is only money going into "Citizens to Save California".
There are so many different funds established it would make the successful money launderer proud!
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