Calif. Lawmaker Says University's Silence About Palin Fundraising Speech Violates State Law

[Purveyor]

A California lawmaker said Wednesday that a state university is breaking the law by failing to disclose correspondence about an upcoming fundraiser appearance by Sarah Palin.

Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, filed a public records request with California State University, Stanislaus last week, requesting any documents related to the former Alaska governor's scheduled June 25 speech to mark the school's 50th anniversary.

The university's compliance officer, Gina Leguria, responded to Yee on Tuesday, saying there were no such documents.

Yee said he has evidence to the contrary. On Wednesday, he circulated a March 29 sent from a top university administrator to faculty and staff that he said should have been disclosed.

In the e-mail, Susana Gajic-Bruyea, vice president for university advancement, justifies the choice of Palin, who commands speaking fees as high as $100,000.

Gajic-Bruyea said the high-profile _ and controversial _ public figure would attract significant interest and boost attendance at the black-tie gala, whose tickets cost $500 each. She stressed that private donations would fund the event hosted by the nonprofit CSU Stanislaus Foundation.

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http://www.newser.com/article/d9euhfh01/calif-lawmaker-says-universitys-silence-about-palin-fundraising-speech-violates-state-law.html

[Paulie]

1. Tina Fey would be cheaper

And would do a better Palin

[LooseWilly]

2. Leland Yee double plus rocks...

He's a no compromise freedom of information advocate, and he's leaned on colleges to disclose public information before.

In fact, it looks like the California Senate might wind up with a committee specifically devoted to investigating and enforcing disclosures by public institutions in line with FOI requests, which Leland Yee is slated to chair. Public institution administrators are probably peeing themselves just thinking about it...

[Supersedeas]

3. Really, Bible Spice is a University attraction?