The Arnold Machine Set for Spin Cycle

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May 27, 2005 - 12:10 PM

The Arnold Machine Set for Spin Cycle

by David Fink and Jerry Flanagan

Since the beginning of his administration Arnold has filled his staff with big industry lobbyists and executives, but everyone knows that for any relationship to work there has to be some give and take. According to yesterday's Roundup the Gov's Deputy Chief of Staff, Cassandra Pye, is leaving the Administration to work for one of the pharmaceutical industry's leading PR firms, APCO Worldwide. Pye's announcement comes on the heels of Deputy Communications Director Denise Davis' own recent transfer to APCO.

The PR company just received $25K from the drug industry to push an initiative that mimics Arnold's drug plan, SB 19, which has been criticized as a sham and was recently killed by the Senate Health Committee. The industry has collected enough signatures for the initiative to appear on the next ballot and is awaiting verification by the Secretary of State.

Last year the Gov vetoed four bills that would have provided relief to skyrocketing drug costs. Arnold has taken over $370,000 from the drug industry.

The revolving door between Arnold's team and big business continues in perpetual motion. Having staffed his team with industry executives Arnold is now staffing the industry team to push his agenda.

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