Who Cut The Cheese?

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Jun 28, 2004 - 11:25 AM

Who Cut The Cheese?

by Carmen Balber

On Friday, the state's Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) took a big step toward limiting the corrosive influence of money on politicians when it approved a landmark regulation to extend candidate contribution limits to include donations to ballot measure committees those candidates control.

Last week, Governor Schwarzenegger's campaign lawyers argued against the move, which will limit the amount of money Governor Schwarzenegger can solicit to his web of committees -- limiting donations to $21,200 in all cases, a significant drop from the $250,000 Arnold has taken in at once from individual contributors.

Did the Governor find the ruling "fantastic?" Not this time. The Sacramento Bee reports that Schwarzenegger attorney Chuck Bell said of the decision: "When you look at a piece of Swiss cheese, it does have holes in it." Without a qualm, Team Arnold is looking for the loophole to allow the Gov's unlimited fundraising to continue before the ink on the regulation is even dry.

It appears that Schwarzenegger is using the wrong end of his broom. Far from sweeping out the special interests, Arnold is poking holes in campaign finance law instead.

ArnoldWatch is a project of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization. FTCR does not endorse or oppose candidates.