It seems hard to believe, but it’s starting to seem as if Arnold Schwarzenegger is about as scandal prone as the president. A month ago, it was a controversy surrounding Schwarzenegger’s decision to take millions from an industry to represent their interests and then vetoing a bill in order to help the same industry. Two weeks ago, it was a Schwarzenegger ally paying hush money to a woman who had an affair with the actor-turned-governor.
This week, we’ve learned that corporations and industry lobbyists are sidestepping campaign-finance laws by donating to Schwarzenegger through non-profit organizations.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is benefiting from millions of dollars raised by a network of tax-exempt groups without revealing that the money comes from major corporations with business before his office.
The groups are run by Schwarzenegger’s closest political allies, who also represent some of California’s biggest interest groups. Unlike the governor’s many campaign funds, the nonprofits are not required to disclose their contributors and can accept unlimited amounts.
One group controlled by a powerful corporate consultant pays the $6,000-a-month rent on a Sacramento hotel suite used by the governor, who is a multimillionaire. Others have funded media events and political rallies featuring Schwarzenegger and helped pay for his foreign travel. So far, five tax-exempt groups aiding Schwarzenegger have collected $3 million.
If memory serves, Schwarzenegger ran on a platform of ethics and reform. Voters needn’t worry about the role of wealthy donors, Schwarzenegger said, because he already had plenty of money.
And yet, here we are, watching corporate interests not only funneling money to Schwarzenegger through undisclosed donations, but also paying his rent for him.
I was going to say that Schwarzenegger’s approval rating should drop a little more in light of this, but the truth is, his current support can’t get much lower.