Weekend Local Politics Update

Mr. Rice, the Saldana campaign did in fact respond to these ridiculous charges at length, in a column by Chris Cadelago for the U-T on April 6th http://bit.ly/HIx6c2 The campaign explains that no taxpayer dollars were used for the trips, that they have been in the public record for years, and that all the trips were in the interest of learning about economic development and policy. The two bills that the Peters' campaign refers to are bills that were supported by groups such as the African-American Business Council, California Consumers Association, California Labor Federation, the Utility Reform Network, UCAN, the Western Center for Law and Poverty and the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation - hardly groups that support corporate special interests. The "pay to play" charge is a lame attempt by the Peters' campaign to blow smoke in an effort to distract attention from the near two-month long call from the Saldana campaign to release his taxes. If the Peters' campaign really cared about transparency, they would be worrying about the tons of dirty Peters' laundry that needs airing instead of dodging questions and refusing to accept responsibility.
— April 16, 2012 3:28 p.m.