Voting & Democracy In the News

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger collected an estimated $800,000 at a corporate- and celebrity-attended fundraiser shortly after a legislative session in which he vetoed an armful of bills opposed by big business.

The private "celebrity roast" in Beverly Hills on Wednesday had all the hallmarks of Schwarzenegger style: Hollywood stars like David Spade, Jon Lovitz and Kelsey Grammar mixed with influential business leaders and state-government regulars.

Tickets started at $500, but the invitations promised extras such as VIP seating or photographs with Schwarzenegger for supporters who agreed to donate or raise larger sums.

At least 11 people signed on to donate or raise at least $50,000, including developer Rick Caruso; computer entrepreneur Beny Alagem; American Sterling Co. CEO Larry Dodge; former Univision chief Jerry Perenchio; and Paul Folino, chairman of computer-components maker Emulex Corp.

Under law, maximum donations from individuals or business to the governor's committee are limited to $22,300. If that limit has been reached, the invitation urged donors to "please call us for alternatives."

Schwarzenegger is barred from seeking a third term, but most of the money will help settle debts from his re-election last year. At the end of June, his campaign committee listed a balance of $42,700 and $1.5 million in obligations, government reports showed.

Other donations were channeled to an account the governor can use for expenses related to his office, which can range from staff travel to political advice. The donation limit to the so-called officeholder account is $20,000 annually.

Emily Rusch, a spokeswoman for the California Public Interest Research Group, a consumer group, said such fundraisers point to the shortfalls of a political system in which large donors with a stake in government business finance campaigns.

"This particular fundraiser is an example of the type of access some corporate lobbyists have," she said.

Schwarzenegger signed hundreds of bills this year but among those he vetoed were a dozen proposals opposed by the California Chamber of Commerce, the powerful voice of business in Sacramento and a steadfast ally of his administration.

Campaign spokeswoman Julie Soderlund said there was no connection between donations and the governor's judgments in Sacramento.

Schwarzenegger "makes policy decisions based on what he believes is in the best interest of the state," Soderlund said in an e-mail Thursday. "Those who contribute do so because they support the governor's vision for moving California forward."