Don Perata
From Ballotpedia
Don Perata (born April 30, 1945) is a California Democratic politician, who was the President pro tempore of the California State Senate in 2007-2008. He was elected to the post of President Pro Tempore in 2004.
Perata is one of two main sponsors of California Proposition 93 (2008), a ballot initiative that was on the February 5, 2008 ballot in California. If Proposition 93 had passed, it would have altered the provisions of California Proposition 140 (1990) so that current legislative incumbents, including Perata, would have been able to stay in office longer. Since Proposition 93 was rejected by the voters, Perata had 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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