Top Lobbying Firm Took in $4.1 Million in Fiscal 1989-90

The highest-paid state Capitol lawyer-lobbyist firm during fiscal 1989-90 was SRJ Jackson/Barish & Associates, with receipts of $4.1 million, according to Secretary of State March Fong Eu’s office.

Headed by veteran lobbyist Clay Jackson, the firm is employed by a variety of clients, including breweries, insurance companies, lottery equipment firms and irrigation districts.

Second highest paid was Advocation Inc., led by Donald K. BrOwn, who spells his name with a capital O to prevent his being confused with other people named Brown. His firm reported collecting $3.86 million.

No. 3 was Carpenter & Associates, owned and operated by Dennis Carpenter, a former Republican state senator from Newport Beach, with $3.83 million.

Nielsen, Merksamer, Hodgson, Parrienello & Mueller were next at $3 million. Steve Merksamer is a one-time chief of staff to former GOP Gov. George Deukmejian. No. 5 was Nossman, Gunther, Knox & Elliott at $2.95 million. John Knox is a former Democratic Assembly Speaker pro tem. Then came George R. Steffes Inc., with $2.94 million. Steffes served as legislative secretary to former Republican Gov. Ronald Reagan.

GOVERNOR

* Will deliver the keynote address at an Israel Independence Day celebration in Los Angeles tonight.

* Will meet with legislative leadership on Thursday to discuss what to do about the $12.6-billion state revenue shortfall.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

* Iraq-Kuwait Crisis: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 48-0 vote a resolution (AJR 32) by Assemblywoman Carol Bentley (R-El Cajon) asking President Bush to seek compensation from United Nations funds for income lost by U.S. military families during the personnel call-up during the Persian Gulf War.

Committee Action

* Recycling: The Natural Resources Committee approved a bill (AB 750) by Assemblyman Burt Margolin (D-Los Angeles) to add empty liquor, wine and drinking water containers to the state’s recycling program to help curb highway litter. The program presently provides minimum redemption payments of 2 1/2 cents for each beer or soft drink container recycled. An 8-4 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

SENATE

Floor Action

* Gubernatorial Appointment: Confirmed on a 31-0 vote former Gov. George Deukmejian’s appointment of Rageshree Ramachandran, 15, of Sacramento as a student member of the State Board of Education. Ramachandran was the 1988 national spelling bee champion.

Committee Action

* Helmets: The Transportation Committee approved a bill (AB 7) by Assemblyman Richard Floyd (D-Carson) to require motorcycle riders to wear helmets to help prevent deaths and injuries. An 8-1 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

* Hate Crimes: The Appropriations Committee approved a bill (SB 98) by Sen. Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) to increase criminal and civil penalties for hate crimes committed against people because of their race, religion or sexual orientation. A 12-0 vote sent the bill to the Senate floor.

Miscellaneous

*Traffic Fatalities: The Highway Patrol reported that 5,173 people lost their lives in California traffic fatalities last year, 208 fewer than in 1989. “This is the lowest traffic fatality total since 1985,” said CHP Commissioner Maury Hannigan. “The 3.9% drop is the largest percentage decline in fatalities in 10 years.” Hannigan attributed the lower death total to an aggressive automobile safety belt campaign and tougher drunk driving laws.

Capital Fact

More than 300,000 new drivers got their licenses in California in 1990, bringing the statewide total to almost 20 million licensed drivers, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.