|
Schwarzenegger bans staff from taking freebies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Written by asap
|
|
Tuesday, 31 October 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
 Freebies have been terminated in the governor's office.
Aides to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger can no longer accept gifts from people doing business with the state under new office rules aimed at minimizing any appearance of conflicts of interest.
The policy, reported Tuesday by the Los Angeles Times, is stricter than state law and represents an about-face for the governor, who in past years has taken a permissive approach to freebies.
 State lobbying reports show Schwarzenegger aides had accepted free tickets to Disneyland, Rolling Stones concerts and sporting events, among other things, in the past year.
Chief of staff Susan Kennedy wrote to aides in August that by taking such gifts, even if allowed under the law, staff members could create a public perception that they have been compromised.
"When in doubt ... pay for the item yourself," Kennedy wrote.
___
AWWW, REALLY?
The policy has some loopholes.
Kennedy is scheduled to go to South America next month for a 12-day trip with other state officials sponsored by the California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy, a tax-exempt group financed partly by energy companies and other businesses that lobby in Sacramento. Mendelsohn said the trip doesn't violate the gift policy because Kennedy will deliver a speech as the governor's representative.
| Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. |
|
|  | "Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only truth." | |
|  | We're not that bright, even though in our own little world, we're geniuses. We like 80s hair bands and one-hit wonders, but among us we have respectable tastes, too. Metallica, Iron Maiden, U2. Pursuit of all things trivial is a lifestyle, not just a game. We like some sports, love other sports, and can find something to say about anything. We watch TV and movies and we've read a book or two, even a few classics (Yes, Classic Comics count!)
We call it insight, you call it what you will. | |
|  | Felix Wong is an outdoor enthusiast living in Fort Collins. A mechanical engineer by day, he is especially passionate about bicycling, running, and backpacking. | |
|  | Hola Amigos! I'm Sandra. I like to believe that people are 70 percent good and 30 percent dumb. I'm stickin to that story. Reading this blog might make you want to be good, but probably just dumb. | |
|  | Donovan Henderson is editor of NEXTnc. | |
|  | Here at Nextnc we have some characters. Get a sneak peak behind the curtain and find out what amusing antics our staffers get themselves into on a weekly basis. | |
|  | What is up FoCo?
I am a recent college graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead. After recieving my B.A. in English and Mass Communications this past August I moved down to Colorado.
I enjoy long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and heavy metal. My hobbies include reading and writing, music, movies, and getting drunk. Some of my favorite contemporary authors include Bret Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Kurt Vonnegut. My top movies are anything directed by Kubrick. I enjoy listening to anything that rocks.
Right now I am just trying to get to know Colorado and FoCo better. Mostly in order to find the best drink specials on each day that ends in Y. So if you know where I can get a cheap drunk on, let me know!
--Drew | |
|  | Life's little morsels of inspiration, observation and encouragement seen through the eyes of the Nextnc reporter.
| |
|  | Ms. Giles currently lives in Colorado where she stars in her own private reality show. She writes aphoristic accounts of her life, taken completely out of context, and embellished with characters and situations disguised to resemble something close to interesting. | |
|  | over and out | |
| | My name is Michelle Turley and I'm 28 years old. I live in Severance with my hubbie, Brandon. We have 2 dogs and a cat. We enjoy camping, four-wheeling, and just being in the mountains. I like to cook, clean (go figure), flea market, and play poker. I have so much to say about poker... | |
|
|
