Unlimited Money in Schwarzenegger Plan OK'd

[Eugene]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5218856,00.html

Unlimited Money in Schwarzenegger Plan OK'd


Thursday August 18, 2005 7:01 PM

By ERICA WERNER

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Federal Election Commission voted Thursday to
let members of Congress raise unlimited "soft money" donations to
fight Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's redistricting plan in California.

The 6-0 decision came in response to a request from Reps. Howard
Berman, D-Calif., and John Doolittle, R-Calif., both of whom oppose
the redistricting initiative.

The decision will allow federal officeholders to raise unlimited sums
from unions, corporations and other donors to support or oppose any
measure on the ballot of the Nov. 8 special election called by
Schwarzenegger.

<snip>

Under California law, Schwarzenegger can raise unlimited sums for his
campaign committee to promote the initiative. Berman and Doolittle
argued that it would be unreasonable for federal law to prevent them
from doing the same on the other side.

"Any other ruling would have been manifestly unfair,'' Berman said
after the vote. ``Whatever you think of redistricting, whatever you
think of politicians, I don't know how an objective person wouldn't
come to the conclusion that when you have two sides of a proposition,
both sides should be governed by the same rules."

more...

[maxrandb]

1. Great, Isn't It? May the Richest Bastard Win!

I weep for my country.

[roguevalley]

2. recall him. now.

[habitual]

3. please update me

last i heard, the redistricting initiative was removed from the ballot of the special election?? i prolly missed something?

[Cleita]

4. That's what I heard, that Arnold had lost on that initiative.

:shrug:

[bemildred]

5. It was restored by the California Supreme Court,

And thus is likely to stay there.

[Demeter]

6. Wonder how much THAT ruling cost?

I'm am such a cynic, I am ashamed of myself!

[DeepModem Mom]

7. LAT: FEC Allows Unlimited Fundraising Against Calif. Redistricting Plan

FEC Allows Unlimited Fundraising Against Calif. Redistricting Plan
By Nancy Vogel and Michael Finnegan, Times Staff Writers


In a decision that could feed the political spending frenzy for the November election, the Federal Election Commission today ruled that members of Congress are free to spend without limit on California ballot measures.

The decision involved a proposed ballot measure that would change how boundaries of legislative districts are drawn, but could open spending floodgates on other ballot proposals on topics as diverse as teenage abortions and political spending by unions.

The commission ruled unanimously that federal law limiting contributions to congressmen to $5,000 does not apply to November's special state election because the balloting is entirely a state affair, with no federal candidates involved....

***

Today's ruling clears the way for a bipartisan group of congressmen, led by Berman and John Doolittle (R-Rocklin), to spend millions opposing the redistricting measure Schwarzenegger supports, Proposition 77.

Proposition 77 would take away the Legislature's authority to draw district boundaries and give the power to a panel of retired judges....


http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/cal/la-me-redistrict19aug19,0,3702545.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[aquart]

8. Gonna get a little bloody in CA?

[Megahurtz]

9. Ah Yes, the Old Legal Bribe Trick. n/t