Fundraiser's timing questioned { Mark Leno D-SF }

Sacramento Bee ^ | 5/31/7 | Jim Sanders

[SmithL]

S.F. lawmaker holds event a day before panel he chairs will deal with billions in spending.

Assemblyman Mark Leno sparked ethical questions Wednesday by holding a $1,000-per-person fundraising event just one day before the committee he chairs decides the fate of more than 600 bills totaling $8 billion in spending.

"To be honest with you, it just doesn't pass the smell test," said Hector Barajas, California Republican Party spokesman.

Carmen Balber, of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the group is pushing legislation in Leno's committee to slow health insurance rate hikes.

"You have to raise the question: Is health-insurer money that goes into that fundraiser going to influence whether or not that bill (survives)?" Balber asked.

Leno dismissed the controversy as much ado about nothing. The three-term San Francisco assemblyman, who plans to challenge fellow Democrat Carole Migden for her Senate seat next year, said Wednesday's fundraiser will not influence actions he takes today.

"I would suggest my reputation speaks for itself -- I don't think anyone sees me as that kind of a legislator," said Leno, who has co-authored legislation to replace the current system of political fundraising with publicly funded campaigns.

At Leno's meet-and-greet, a handful of lobbyists and a small cadre of Democratic staffers sipped beverages and munched on cheese, crackers, grapes, chicken skewers, spinach snacks and pastry puffs in a small conference room of the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel.

Tickets were priced at $3,600 for "sponsors," $2,000 for "friends," and $1,000 for others.

Lobbyist Jack Gualco, president of the Gualco Group Inc., said he did not feel pressured to attend and was representing wine grape growers who had no bills before Leno's committee.

"My experience with Mark is that he's entirely above board, beyond reproach," Gualco said.

...The panel, dominated by Democrats, will reveal its decisions today

[SmithL]

- Assemblyman Mark Leno, the head of the powerful Appropriations Committee, denied the fundraiser would influence his decisions on legislation.

[SmithL]

Corruption is a San Francisco value.

[Holicheese]

“I would suggest my reputation speaks for itself”

As soon as someone says that, they are guilty as charged!

[DPMD]

Doesn’t pass the smell test? Mr. Barajas needs to understand that the Democrats are in charge and it doesn’t matter what he thinks about anything they do. This is a terrific opportunity for all to see the veracity of the saying about power corrupting.