Posted on 05/09/2006 9:37:56 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
Sacramento -- Real estate developers, general contractors and farmers made sizable contributions to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in recent weeks as legislative leaders and the administration finalized a landmark $37 billion bond package for rebuilding public works projects statewide.
The governor has raised a total of $5.1 million in the last seven weeks, much of it -- $1 million -- coming from builders and other businesses with potential interests in the infrastructure bonds approved last week for the November ballot.
Builders traditionally support Republican candidates and have given generously to Schwarzenegger in the past, but the recent surge of contributions from the industry may be a preview of what the governor can expect from the same group through November.
"I think most of us think of the governor as a pro-business and pro-infrastructure candidate -- more so than in the past," said Tom Holsman, CEO of the Associated General Contractors of California, which contributed $10,000 to Schwarzenegger's campaign in April.
"He recognizes that California needs a strong and solid infrastructure to be competitive, and he's shown a lot of leadership on the issue," Holsman said.
After raising and spending a record $55 million last year on the special election, Schwarzenegger has had to start almost from scratch this year for his re-election. During the first 3 1/2 months of this year, the governor reported contributions of $5.1 million, expenses of $2.3 million and debts of $864,000.
In the weeks since, he has matched that amount of contributions but still has a long way to go toward the $60 million he has set as a goal for the campaign.
The next full accounting of his campaign finances is not due until the end of this month.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Don't forget all the past contributions -- The BigBangBond is the return on 'investment'
It's PayDay!!!!
Follow the money.
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