State’s use of nonprofits to pay for junkets receives more coverage

There has been more coverage in the San Francisco Chronicle on Corporations links to “non-profits” that are being used to pay for junkets for Schwarzenegger administration officials and members of the State Legislature:

Some of the same corporate interests that dominate the Capitol through high-priced lobbyists and campaign donations also bankroll nonprofit organizations that in turn spend tens of thousands of dollars a year entertaining state lawmakers and administration officials far from home — gifts that otherwise would exceed state limits.

Since 2002, the largesse has included a weekend at a fashionable beachfront golf resort south of Rio de Janeiro for 14 state officials, including Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles, and the governor’s chief of staff, Susan Kennedy.

There was also a luncheon cruise on New Zealand’s Hauraki Gulf for two state senators and three Assembly members; dinner at Harry’s Bar in Rome for Núñez and another lawmaker; and golf at the renowned Kapalua Resort on Maui — a treat enjoyed by state Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Salinas, and Bill Leonard, a member of the state Board of Equalization.

The trips, which typically involved study groups and conferences, are sponsored by organizations such as the Pacific Policy Research Foundation, the American Legislative Exchange Council and the California Foundation on the Environment and Economy.

According to a Chronicle investigation, each of these organizations receives substantial funding from major corporations such as ChevronTexaco, Sempra Energy, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and Altria Corp. (the lobbying arm of Altria Group, which owns Philip Morris tobacco).

We’re disappointed, but no longer shocked to learn about these shenanigans. In truth, if our elected leaders were doing a decent job we wouldn’t begrudge them an occasional junket. In the area of international trade and economic development, however, they are not doing a good job- they are doing a terrible job.

None of the basics for an effective economic development program are in place in California. After more than three years, they haven’t formed any cohesive business development strategy or policies, there is no administrative infrastructure and few effective public services. The few remaining small business programs are listless and bureaucratic. The junkets are the fun part- but they haven’t earned it by doing any of the hard work to justify their little romps.

Another huge question that always seems to go unanswered is what happens to the information that was collected on these trips? Do they even bother to collect it in an organized and professional manner? The Schwarzenegger administration is virtually closed to public input in these areas- presumably unless you are one of the Corporations funding their junkets and other pay offs, so shouldn’t we at least be allowed to see what they came up with?