Don Perata
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Don Perata | |
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Member of the California State Senate
from the 9th district |
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| Preceded by | Barbara Lee |
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| Born | 1945 |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Saint Mary's College of California |
| Profession | Politician, Teacher |
Don Richard Perata (born April 30, 1945) is a California Democratic politician, who is the current President pro tempore of the California State Senate. He was elected to the post of President Pro Tempore in 2004. He will continue his Presidency until the end of the current 2007-2008 session. As President Pro Tem, Perata is considered the 2nd most powerful politician in California state politics.[1] Perata worked with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to gain passage of five infrastructure related bond measures in 2006. Prior to serving in the State Senate, Perata served in the California State Assembly and as a Supervisor of Alameda County. Perata has a daughter and a son.
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[edit] Life before politics
Born in Alameda, Perata was the son of immigrants. During his childhood, he helped his father deliver milk door-to-door. Perata graduated from Saint Joseph High School and earned his degree from Saint Mary's College of California. He taught English, History, and Civics from 1966 to 1981 in Alameda County schools. Some of his students went on to become police officers, staff members to local and state elected officials, school board members, teachers, musicians and members of the Governor’s Cabinet.
[edit] Local politics
Perata began his political career when he ran for Mayor of Alameda in 1975 but was narrowly defeated. In 1986 he was elected to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and was re-elected to a second term. As Supervisor, Perata worked to shut down problematic liquor stores, worked to make his community safer, and lobbied the state legislature for an assault weapons ban and funding for the mentally ill.
[edit] Elections
Perata's first attempt at state politics came in the 1994 democratic primary for controller. Perata was unsuccessful and captured only 27.27% of the vote. Afterwards, Perata served as a staff assistant for then Senate Pro Tem Bill Lockyer.
In 1996, Perata was elected as a California State Assemblyman for the Oakland, Alameda, and Piedmont district. In 1998, Perata ran for the State Senate for the 9th District which currently includes Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Dublin, El Sobrante, Emeryville, Livermore, Oakland, Piedmont, Richmond, and San Pablo. He became the California State Senate President Pro Tem in 2004.
Perata's run (and election) to the State Senate in 1998 was part of a series of five special elections that were held in the East Bay within less than 12 months, as Perata and other East Bay politicians vied for different political offices. For a detailed account of events, see Special election musical chairs.
[edit] Time in the legislature
Perata is a staunch advocate of gun control. In 1999, Perata successfully drove legislation that updated the California "assault weapons ban" by adding a ban of generically-described semi-automatic firearms. Perata had a concealed weapons permit he believed was necessary due to a high number of death threats presumably received from certain opponents of his firearms related legislative activity.[2] He later let the permit expire.[3]
Perata has been an advocate for the rights of the elderly, the mentally ill, and the disabled. He supported legislation to create a discount drug program and legislation to require HMO's to pay for mental health treatment. Perata supported legislation that secured $27 million annually for ovarian and prostate cancer and legislation that increase access to breast cancer screening for low-income women. He has authored legislation requiring California utilities companies to contract for cleaner energy sources and supported tougher penalties on oil refinery emissions.[4]
In early 2005, Perata introduced a bill to repair California's flagging infrastructure including highway improvements, housing reform and levee repairs. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger began to speak out in favor of improving state infrastructure after Schawarzenegger's November 2005 special election ballot initiatives were defeated. While Schwarzenegger's plan included fixing transportation problems, his infrastructure plan was drastically more costly and advocated more prisons and didn't address the housing problem. In a rare occurrence for Sacramento politicians, in early 2006 Perata and Schwarzenegger began to work together to piece together an infrastructure plan that both sides of the legislature could embrace. They were successful and five bond measures were approved by California voters on the November 2006 ballot. These measures are aimed at improving roads, mass transit, affordable housing, levee repair, and upgrading educational facilities.
In July 2007, during state budget negotiations, Perata order the Senate to remain in session for 19 hours in an attempt to reach an agreement on the budget. California requires two-thirds of both legislative houses and the governor's signature to pass a budget. Perata needed two Republican votes in the State Senate to pass the budget and the lock down aimed to get those two Republican votes. The California State Senate Republicans presented a revised budget that aimed to reduce state spending and included tax credits to some Fortune 500 corporations, cuts to transportation and welfare, and eliminating cost-of-living pay raises to the blind, elderly, and disabled.[5][6] The state budget had already gained the 2/3 majority in the California Assembly and the support of Governor Schwarzenegger. Perata and the Senate Democrats rejected the Senate Republican budget proposal and the Republicans held out for weeks into August, preventing many state legislators from returning home for their summer recess, before the budget was passed. Perata retaliated against [[Republican Party (US)]Republican]] Jeff Denham for not voting for the budget by stripping Denham of committee assignments and contributing to the recall effort against Denham.[7]
In December 2007, Perata was car jacked of his State-owned Dodge Charger at gunpoint in Oakland.[3] Police believed that Perata was targeted due to his car having 22 inch DUB style rims on his car, which led one cop to question "We're talking about the suspect's car or the senator's car?"[8] His car was found in Richmond the next day.[9]
[edit] Controversy
In 2004, the FBI began a probe of his business relationships.[10][11][12][13] These investigations have never produced an arrest or an indictment though it is on going.[14]
In 2006, Perata accepted money from Indian tribes while sponsoring a bill to expand Indian gaming [1]. 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."[15]
In May 2007, the East Bay Express, an alternative weekly in the 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.[16] 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.[17][18]
[edit] Future
The term limit reform measure, Proposition 93 did not pass in February 2008, and Perata will be termed out of the State Senate in 2008. The proposition would have allowed Perata to serve one more term in the State Senate. Perata was a major target for criticism by the opposition to Proposition 93.[19] One television ad included the following line: "Don Perata, whose home was raided by the FBI in the ongoing corruption probe."[14]
Perata has filed a "statement of intention" to run for the California Board of Equalization in 2010.[20]
[edit] References
- ^ Perata now in driver's seat on infrastructure Democrat already talking about next phase of project
- ^ Weapon Permit
- ^ a b Sen. Perata unharmed in carjacking
- ^ Vote us out of Iraq
- ^ GOP budget plan would slash welfare: Proposal to go before the full Senate would cut $1 billion more than the Assembly version and removee aid from thousands of families by Halper, Evan & Jordan Rau. The Los Angeles Times July 25, 2007. Accessed July 29, 2007.
- ^ The Inside Story: Perata in His Own Words on the California Budget Process and Results
- ^ Perata retaliates against Republican who helped hold up budget
- ^ Ganked CA Senator's dubbed-out Charger on eBay by Alex Nunez Autoblog.com retrieved February 22, 2008
- ^ Perata's carjacked vehicle found in Richmond
- ^ FBI probes lobbyist ties to Perata Inquiry of Oakland insider said to explore whether she steered payments to senator
- ^ FBI probes lobbyist ties to Perata Inquiry of Oakland insider said to explore whether she steered payments to senator
- ^ 'Road to Nowhere: The FBI probes links between state Senator Don Perata and a $40 million roadway project designed to enrich Alameda developer Ron Cowan East Bay Express, March 1, 2006.
- ^ Tribune nets 15 press club awards Sources credibility of East Bay Express.
- ^ a b Fact Check: Ballot Proposition 93 KNBC Channel 4. January 24, 2008.
- ^ State Senate leader calls some in area 'crackers'
- ^ Some call anti-war plan a ploy
- ^ Living Large How state Senator Don Perata uses campaign cash to finance his lavish lifestyle. First of two parts.
- ^ Term-limit supporters seek probe of Perata
- ^ Prop. 93 on Feb. 5 ballot has two faces
- ^ Laundering Money With Don Perata
[edit] Articles
- Perata is Oakland's Hope by Clint Reilly.
[edit] External Links
- Don Perata's website
- Don Perata Political History
- Yes on infrastructure propositions
- Metro Investment Report Perata interview
[edit] Offices held
| Preceded by Barbara Lee |
California State Senator 9th district 1998–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by Barbara Lee |
California State Assemblymember 16th district 1996–1998 |
Succeeded by Audie Bock |
| Preceded by John L. Burton |
California State Senate Pro Tem 2004–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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