Don Perata
From Ballotpedia
Don Perata (born April 30, 1945) is a California Democratic politician, who is the current President pro tempore of the California State Senate. He was elected to the post of President Pro Tempore in 2004. He will continue his Presidency until the end of the current 2007-2008 session.
Perata is one of two main sponsors of California Proposition 93 (2008), a ballot initiative that will appear on the February 5, 2008 ballot in California. If Proposition 93 passes, the provisions of California Proposition 140 (1990) will be changed so that current legislative incumbents, including Perata, will be able to stay in office. If Proposition 93 is rejected by the voters, Perata will have to leave office after the November 2008 elections.
Controversy
In 2004, the FBI began a probe of Perata's business relationships.[1]. These investigations have not produced an arrest or an indictment, but are still in motion.[2]
In 2006, Perata accepted money from Indian tribes while sponsoring a bill to expand Indian gaming.[3] Perata also drew criticism when he called those who opposed giving illegal immigrants drivers licenses and a guest worker program with a path to citizenship "crackers".[4]
In May 2007, the East Bay Express, an alternative weekly in the San Francisco Bay Area, published a two-part investigation of Perata. Among other things, the articles argued that Perata has manipulated liberal causes, such as antiwar sentiment, for his own personal and political gains.[5] Perata's sponsored an antiwar ballot resolution in order to raise money for his PACs. It also alleges that he has used campaign donations to support an indulgent lifestyle and detailed other possible areas of corruption.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ FBI probes lobbyist ties to Perata: Inquiry of Oakland insider said to explore whether she steered payments to senator San Francisco Chronicle, November 19, 2004
- ↑ Probe of Perata quiet but very much alive Los Angeles Times, November 4, 2007
- ↑ Capitol Weekly
- ↑ Perata labels foes of illegal immigration Copley News Service, August 4, 2006
- ↑ Sacramento Bee
- ↑ Lifestyles of the rich and elected.
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