Too Much Heat Near the Kitchen
The sea bass, the beef and the ravioli were ready for the chefs at the Sacramento Capitol Club Wednesday night. But something had gummed up the works. Even state legislators, it seems, can have a Maalox moment when they are expected to handle a check, a fork and a vote within too short a time.
Both the GOP and the Democratic leaderships had planned big fund-raisers that night. Republican leaders had issued a special written invitation for the Capitol Club bash to insurance lobbyists: $7,500 for a table of five to help “in large part, determine the future course of the state Assembly.”
The Democrats were only slightly less immodest with the lobbyists: $5,000 for a table.
One problem that voters concerned about influence ought to note: The Republican-controlled Assembly has already passed an earthquake insurance bill, which critics say favors insurers over consumers. But the Democratic-controlled Senate had not yet acted. As a result the Republicans were raked over the proverbial coals by consumer advocates and postponed their Wednesday night fest.
The Democrats took relatively little heat. But everyone involved now has a better sense of the thin line between lobbying and legislating.
Meanwhile, maybe the Capitol Club can offer a special tonight on three-day-old sea bass.
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