CA: Under fire in California, Nunez gets feted in Washington (1 of 9 "Public Officials of the Year")

ap on Daily Comet ^ | 11/7/07 | Erica Werner - ap

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, facing criticism over his fundraising practices and international travel, escaped to friendlier terrain Wednesday to accept an award from Governing magazine.

The Los Angeles Democrat was named one of nine "Public Officials of the Year" and was accepting the honor at a dinner at Washington, D.C.'s Willard Hotel, just blocks from the White House.

Other honorees included Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton, Washington state Gov. Christine Gregoire and Houston Mayor Bill White.

The magazine cited Nunez's bipartisanship in working toward passage of last year's package of public works bonds - $37.3 billion for roads, levees, schools and housing - as well as landmark legislation to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Nunez "doesn't think compromise is a dirty word" the magazine said.

Because Democrats control both houses of the California Legislature, they typically need to compromise with minority Republicans only on spending and tax issues, which require a two-thirds vote. Nunez has worked closely with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, however, a Republican whose views are generally more moderate than those of most GOP lawmakers.

The award comes just as Nunez's reputation has taken a beating at home after media scrutiny of his lavish expenditures of campaign money on overseas trips and living arrangements in a penthouse apartment in downtown Los Angeles with his chief fundraiser.

The latest hit came last Friday when the Los Angeles Times reported on Nunez's use of a charity to accept donations for events that boosted him politically.

Meanwhile, the legislative achievements of 2006 are fading as 2007 is proving a less productive year in Sacramento. Lawmakers so far have failed to reach agreements on the major initiatives they had promised - redistricting reform, water policy and health care.

In a telephone interview Wednesday before accepting the award, Nunez called 2006 a "Pulitzer Prize year" for the California Legislature that raised the bar for what lawmakers could do.

"This year obviously has been a lot more difficult. The state finances have not allowed us to do such bold initiatives, but the effort to bring California once again to the global spotlight is just a couple steps away," Nunez said.

He cited a compromise Democratic health reform plan introduced this week that would mandate coverage for all Californians, a requirement that is a key component of Schwarzenegger's health care proposal.

Nunez also defended his use of the charity by saying it sent money to good causes and helped poor communities.

"The good news is nobody's been criticizing me for mismanaging taxpayer dollars or abusing taxpayer dollars in any way shape or form," he said.

[NormsRevenge]

Nunez “doesn’t think compromise is a dirty word” the magazine said.

Because Democrats control both houses of the California Legislature, they typically need to compromise with minority Republicans only on spending and tax issues, which require a two-thirds vote. Nunez has worked closely with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, however, a Republican whose views are generally more moderate than those of most GOP lawmakers.

[Fido969]

I hate “governing” magazine. The implication is we need to be “governed” - or restrained.

It’s GOVERNMENT that need to be restrained - not the public.

[calcowgirl]

Nunez “doesn’t think compromise is a dirty word” the magazine said.

When you've got a Republican Governor offering to borrow $40 Billion dollars and promoting Global Warming regulation, is there really much to "compromise" on? What a joke.