Party favors

Today is the Governor’s inauguration party that is getting dubbed a “star-studded” event by most of the press. The event is going to cost about $1.4 million, and all of the money was raised by an inaugural committee—which isn’t subject to legal limits.

This is another opportunity for those large contributors to remind the governor that they’ve invested in him, and they expect a return on that investment. My friend Julia blogged about this topic and reminded us that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and “Californians will pay the price for Arnold’s need to party.”

From the Los Angeles Times:

Critics of the event say donors are less interested in funding a good party than being in the good graces of the governor when they need a favor.

“These donors aren’t stupid,” said Derek Cressman, an analyst with the Sacramento-based Poplar Institute, a nonprofit organization that studies the role of money in politics. “They are shrewd businesspeople who give money for sound business reasons. They give because they feel it will improve their bottom line by getting them access and goodwill with the governor’s office…. I think it’s inappropriate.

And the Orange County Register did a good job of picking through the Governor’s contributions to find all of the big donors in O.C. that have contributed to Arnold’s campaign. The contributions with an (i) next to them are contributions made to the governor’s inaugural committee.

Adams Steel, scrap-metal recycler, Anaheim, $22,300, $50,000(i)

Western Growers Association, farming-industry group, Irvine, $44,560, $15,000(i)

Pacific Life, insurance company, Newport Beach, $40,000, $15,000(i)

American Realty Capital Advisors, development financier, Laguna Hills, $44,600

Larry Bridges, Newport Coast, $44,600

Deborah Bridges, Newport Coast, $44,600

Capital Pacific Holdings, land-development company, Newport Beach, $44,600

David Conant, president, Conant Auto Group of car dealerships, Newport Beach, $44,600

Dana Capital Group, mortgage lender, Irvine, $44,600

Del Taco, restaurant chain, Lake Forest, $44,600

Kristina Dodge, movie producer, American Sterling investments, Monarch Beach, $44,600

Fletcher Jones Motorcars, car dealer, Newport Beach, $44,600

Paul Folino, chairman, New Majority Orange County Chapter, and CEO, Emulex Corp., Coto de Caza, $44,600

Daranne Folino, wife of Paul, Coto de Caza, $44,600

Gemini Industries, Irvine, $44,600

Michael Hayde, CEO, Western National Group, land management, Newport Beach, $44,600

Lynnette Hayde, wife of Michael, Newport Beach, $44,600

Steve Hemstreet, owner, West American Rubber Co., Orange, $44,600

Dorothy Kennedy, husband, Donald, is chairman emeritus of business information provider First American Corp., Santa Ana, $44,600

Donald Kennedy D & D Kennedy Revocable Trust, Santa Ana, $44,600

Lincoln Club of Orange County, Republican group, Rancho Santa Margarita, $44,600

William Lyon, CEO, developer William Lyon Homes, Coto de Caza, $44,600

Willa Dean Lyon, wife of William, $44,600

Makar Management,Newport Beach, $44,600

Orco Block Co., concrete block producer, Stanton, $44,600

Rancho Mission Viejo, developer, San Juan Capistrano, $44,600

Duane Roberts, chairman and CEO, Entrepreneurial Corporate Group, investment firm, Newport Beach, $44,600

Kelly Roberts, wife of Duane, Newport Beach, $44,600

Henry Samueli, chairman, semiconductor manufacturer Broadcom Corp., Newport Beach, $44,600

Susan Samueli, wife of Henry, Newport Beach, $44,600

John Sorensen, CEO, health care business-service provider North America Health Care Inc., Dana Point, $44,600

David Wilson, president, David Wilson Auto Group of car dealerships, Orange, $44,600

Core Realty Holdings, real estate investor, Newport Beach, $42,300

Clean Energy, natural gas provider, Seal Beach, $20,000, $15,000(i)

Patricia Edwards, executive, Edwards Theater chain in Orange County, Newport Beach, $35,000

LKD Trust, trust for Larry and Kristina Dodge (same as above), Foothill Ranch, $34,600

Steve Bray, president, Power Plus Utility, Orange, $33,300

Residential Contractors Association, trade group of residential subcontractors, Tustin, $15,000, $15,000(i)

John Herklotz, retired media company executive, Laguna Hills, $5,000, $15,000(i)

The Irvine Co., landowner, Newport Beach, $1,000, $15,000(i)

I also see that Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein, Nancy Pelosi and Fabian Nunez are all co-chairpersons of the inauguration. And Willie Brown is going to be the master of ceremonies. Not a typical Republican event, I guess.

Also from the Register:

Governor’s gatherings

It’s party time in the capital today as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is inaugurated for a second term. In contrast to the low-key affair he held after the 2003 recall, the Terminator this time is hosting a star-studded celebration at a cost of more than $1.3 million.

Swearing-in ceremony:11 a.m., Memorial Auditorium, downtown Sacramento. The more than 3,000-seat hall will be at capacity with invitation-only guests – supporters, campaign contributors, elected officials and other notables. José Feliciano will perform the national anthem; Tony Award winner Jennifer Holliday will sing “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.”

Bipartisan reception: Immediately after swearing-in, Capitol Rotunda. A reception for the state Legislature and constitutional officers (lieutenant governor, insurance commissioner, etc.), regardless of party.

Lunch: After reception, west steps, Capitol. Lunch, under a tent, will be served to members of the Legislature, constitutional officers and donors who helped pay for the festivities.

Black-tie gala:8 p.m., Sacramento Convention Center. Tickets: $500. The venue will be at capacity with more than 2,000 people expected to attend. Again, the event is invitation-only. Songwriter Paul Anka will perform a special rendition of “My Way” with original lyrics written as a tribute to Schwarzenegger. Grammy Award-winner Donna Summer will sing a full set of her greatest hits, including “Hot Stuff” and “She Works Hard for the Money.”

[Julia’s Blog ‘Ruck Pad’]
[The Los Angeles Times]
[The Orange County Register]