Freshman Assemblyman Brian Maienschein (R, AD-77) appears to have quickly adopted the ways of Sacramento, at least according to a story in today’s Sacramento Bee.
He got the Assembly gig, he got campaign contributions, and he got the girl, too! I am impressed.
He’s only been in office about six months, has collected $10,000 in campaign contributions from the California Medical Association (CMA), is dating the CMA employee whose job is to lobby state legislators (is she an over achiever?), and he therefore isn’t required to disclose gifts or meals when with her. Oh yeah, AND he’s authored AB1000, a bill VERY dear to the CMA. Oh, and did I mention the girlfriend is a lobbyist for the CMA?
It’s always gratifying to see a local guy get comfortable in a new setting.
This from the Bee article: “The association is a force in Capitol politics. It gave $1.7 million in campaign contributions last year, including $5,900 to Maienschein.This year, it has given him $4,100. Ginno is one of eight in-house lobbyists for the group who work on dozens of bills on behalf of the state’s doctors.”
Comments 6
What a shock. First he claimed he didn’t understand the legalities of his pension votes. Now claims he doesn’t see the problem with dating and voting for his girlfriend’s legislation?
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I spent $450 on a plane ticket to discuss his bills, AB 1000 and 1003 with him. After the first 5 minutes of our meeting, the gentleman I had presumed was his chief of staff introduced himself as the lead lobbyist for CMA. Who invited him to our private meeting? Certainly not me. That situation seemed like a very rude and ‘rookie’ move to me, but there was never an apology. That was my one of my first indications he has severe conflicts of interest with CMA. The bill he is now authoring is a conflict of interest in and of itself as it legalizes physician ‘kickbacks’ to physical therapy clinics they want to own, which is currently illegal in CA and runs up millions per year in fraudulent and substandard healthcare services. President Obama recommended banning this practice nationwide in April 2013 (along with Medicare and the Simpson-Bowles Deficit Commission). Considering Maienschein’s record on pensions in SD and healthcare, it could be argued that Obama is more fiscally prudent than he is. Or maybe Maienschein’s legislative judgment has just been impaired by his new friend? That’s an issue that even good medicine can’t fix!
I dunno if this relationship is a good or bad thing, but wouldn’t she have to date 40 more to get anything through?
Michael, maybe the CMA has 40 such “lobbyists.” Wouldn’t be the first time this strategy was employed!
So much to say, so little time….no conflicts here folks, just keep moving on….
Well said, sir.
The CMA must be learning from SDG&E and their “dripping” lobbyists:
http://www.wcvarones.com/2009/09/heidi-dejong-barsuglia-highly-paid.html