The fight to repeal the state's greenhouse gas law is getting some big out of state attention -- particularly for those who don't want to tell where the money is coming from. Take, for example, this new $500,000 contribution from Missouri.
"Adam Smith's invisible hand has found its way into California politics.
"Last week, a nonprofit group called the Adam Smith Foundation, based in Jefferson City, Missouri, gave $498,000 to the campaign to repeal California's greenhouse gas law. That's quite a contribution, considering the group's entire revenues for the last two years were just $30,000 per year.
"What's more curious is how the donation fits in with the group's stated mission. According to documents filed with the Internal Revenue Service, the Adam Smith Foundation describes itself as "an advocacy organization committed to promoting conservative principles and individual liberties in Missouri. The Adam Smith Foundation was created to defend judicial reform, government accountability, education reform, tax and spending reform and protecting private property.
"So how did the fight to repeal AB 32 get on the foundation's radar? And who gave money to the foundation to give to the campaign in California? Unfortunately, federal records don't show us that. The phone number on their federal forms has been disconnected, and an e-mail sent through the group's Web site Monday was not returned."
Just curious: Is clean money and laundered money the same thing?
Moving on...
El Presidente was in Los Angeles Monday night to raise some cash for Sen. Barbara Boxer. The LA Times reports, "Obama mixed support for Boxer with a defense of his own leadership, arguing that while there would be "some hard days ahead" for the nation, signs of progress abound: the economy is expanding, businesses have begun hiring and tax revenue is edging up.
"The Los Angeles events were the latest in a rapidly
accelerating
fundraising schedule for the president, who has been
travelling across
the nation to help vulnerable Democrats such as Gov.
Deval Patrick of
Massachusetts and Republican-turned-Democratic Sen. Arlen Specter of
Pennsylvania."
Jerry Brown may not have the campaign resources to keep up with his Republican challengers, but he has found a way to let his day job echo his campaign pitch. Take Monday, for example. "
"While Jerry Brown the candidate for governor is honing a campaign message that is critical of Wall St., Jerry Brown the attorney general is using his official perch to go after what he views as bad actors in the corporate world.
"At a Los Angeles news conference today, Brown announced he would file suit against Moody's Investors Service, one of the nation's largest bond-rating firms, for avoiding a subpoena in an ongoing investigation into the firm. Brown's office has accused Moody's and other ratings agencies of giving high ratings to investments backed by unstable mortgages on the eve of the collapse of the nation's housing market.
"Campbell has supported state tax increases in the past, but has said he never supported any effort to raise federal income taxes."
"All of the candidates have to make that decision for themselves,'' said Campbell, a former Silicon Valley congressman who is running neck-and-neck with Fiorina in the polls.
Representatives of the Fiorina and DeVore campaigns said late Monday that the candidates were open to the idea of releasing tax returns but made no specific promises.
Amy Thoma, Fiorina's press secretary, said Fiorina and her husband plan to release their 2009 returns "at a minimum,'' but it probably won't be until after the June 8 primary election because they have filed a tax extension this year.
As a state panel contemplates the salaries of California lawmakers this week, the Sacramento Bee reports some members on the panel have not disclosed much about their income.
"Members of the California commission that regulates state legislators' salaries have a spotty record when it comes to filing their own mandatory economic interest statements. Those who serve on the Citizens Compensation Commission, a seven-member panel, are appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and must file statements within 30 days of assuming their positions and by April 1 every year afterward.
"The Bee found that several of them – one position is vacant right now – have failed to file statements with the Fair Political Practices Commission in a timely fashion or haven't filed them at all."
Man ruled and machine drooled Monday, as Joe Nedney, a placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers, beat Ziggy the battle robot in a field-goal kicking competition at Kezar Stadium.
And finally, it looks like the hopes of the San Francisco 49ers having a robot as their field goal kicker have been dashed. "
"The lighthearted contest, a stunt to highlight the three-day RoboGames competition that opens Friday at the San Mateo County Fairgrounds, ended when Nedney easily kicked a football 45 yards while his mechanical adversary twice failed to clear the goalposts at that distance.
"It definitely legitimizes my position," said Nedney, a Bay Area native who once played college ball at San Jose State University. "I feel pretty good about myself right now."
Ziggy immediately challenged Nedney to a game of chess, double-or-nothing.