Posted on 03/07/2004 5:52:48 AM PST by Theodore R.
Senator Zaffirini shrugs off political opponent’s claims
By Tricia Cortez Times staff writer
Raymond Bruni has accused his opponent, state Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo), of being “controlled by special interest groups” and of “abandoning the middle class and working families.” He pointed to campaign contribution reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission, which show Zaffirini has raised $249,680 from July through the end of February, in which approximately one-third has come from PAC, or political action committee, money.
Bruni has also questioned the communications workshops she has given to public entities in Laredo, in which her firm, Zaffirini Communications, has collected at least $56,250 since 2000.
For example, the city of Laredo paid her $23,000 for two seminars; Webb County paid her $16,000 for two and Texas A&M International University paid her $17,250 for one.
Reached by phone Friday, Zaffirini said she “would rather focus” on Bruni’s bankruptcy and his arrest in Zapata County,” for allegedly threatening to kill his brother, Webb County Judge Louis H. Bruni, and others.
Zaffirini’s husband, Carlos, a local attorney, represented Louis against Raymond in a bitter family legal suit that left Raymond bankrupt. A district judge issued an $800,000 judgment in favor of Louis, who was also given a piece of land that he then sold for $1.2 million.
“My husband represented Louie and that’s what this grudge match is all about. (Raymond) has been quoted time and time again that he knows he can’t win this race, and that this is just a grudge match. All he has done since the beginning of the campaign is fling mud,” Zaffirini said.
“Raymond Bruni is a pathetic, tragic figure. He seems to be straight out of Shakespeare and reminds of Shakespeare’s beautiful words, that he is a ‘tempest in a teapot,’ full of sound and fury signifying nothing,” she added.
She then responded to potential concerns about collecting thousands of dollars from local governmental entities for her workshops on customer service and professional skills, such as workplace etiquette and proper dress.
“He has raised questions but I don’t think anyone has taken them seriously,” Zaffirini said, noting that Webb County Commissioner Judith Gutierrez approached the Texas Ethics Commission to find out the legalities of holding these workshops for governmental entities that Zaffirini represents.
“They are perfectly legal and proper,” Zaffirini said.
Since her take-home pay as a state senator is only $100, (gross pay is $600 per month), Zaffirini, who has a doctorate degree in communication, said she has to make a living.
“All members of the legislation who did not marry great wealth or inherit great wealth, like Raymond, have to work for a living,” she said.
“He doesn’t understand what it is to have to work for a living. He had all the privileges of wealth and chose not to go to school and get a degree. I have supported myself since I was 17 and earned three degrees while married,” Zaffirini added.
Bruni, however, noted that after serving eight years in the Texas Senate, legislators can earn $100,000 per year in retirement funds, including medical expenses.
“It’s frightening,” he said.
He also continued to question the ethics of Zaffirini holding seminars for governmental entities she represents.
Bruni contends the city has refused to furnish him with Requests for Proposal, bids, contract and information as to who authorized Zaffirini’s seminars, either Mayor Betty Flores or City Manager Larry Dovalina.
City Spokesperson Xochitl Mora, however, said the city has verbally replied to Bruni and informed him that there is no competitive bidding process for projects under $25,000.
“That’s for any project. Those projects don’t need city council approval, just departmental approval,” Mora said, noting that in this case it would have been the city manager.
“The state Senate is a group of powerful elite that do not want anyone in their private club. They don’t want change, they don’t want reform and they will do anything to keep regular citizens out of that chamber,” Bruni said.
(Staff writer Tricia Cortez can be reached at 728-2568 or tricia@lmtonline.com.)
03/07/04
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