Private Funds Reportedly Paying for Governor's Public Appearances
September 29, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times reports that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is tapping a tax-exempt group he set up in 2004, to help pay for splashy bill-signing photo ops as he runs for re-election. That saves taxpayers' money on official functions that do double duty as re-election campaign appearances. However, the Times reports there's no accountability. Money donated to the Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth is not covered by campaign-contribution limits or financial-disclosure requirements. Major donors include the Southern California Edison Company, the San Francisco-based Pacific Gas and Electric Company and other corporations with business before the state.