Critics blast it as a tax increase in a recession and a job killer that “feeds the beast” in Sacramento. Nonetheless, Proposition 1A on the May 19 ballot is supported by an A-list of OC business leaders who see it differently. The OC Business Council endorses the measure. The well-heeled GOP donor group New Majority has contributed $160,000 to its passage. Henry T. Segerstrom Properties has donated $500,000. Western National Group CEO Michael Hayde and mortgage broker Glenn Stearns, both NM members, have given $200,000 and $50,000, respectively, to Gov. Schwarzenegger’s California Dream Team, which in turn is helping to fund the pro-1A campaign. Millions more from corporations and business leaders around the state are being donated to 1A, the linchpin of six propositions that address the state budget mess. The prop is backed by the governor and Democratic legislative leaders; it is opposed by most Republican pols, as well as GOP gubernatorial hopefuls Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman and former GOP Gov. Pete Wilson. The business argument for 1A: It’s better for business than any likely alternative from Sacramento and it imposes some spending restraints. OC’s more conservative business group the Lincoln Club opposes all of the props but to this point has spent only $25,000 against them. Opponents say that despite a huge fundraising advantage for the “pro” side, public polls show that 1A is behind. Still a “Defeat 1A” effort is being coordinated by OC political consultant Eric Beach of Frontline Strategies and Media, who says radio ads and mailers are launching … Notably mum on 1A, at least so far, is Irvine Company chief and New Majority godfather Donald Bren. Tony Russo, until recently an Irvine Co. spokesman and still on retainer as a lobbyist, is working for 1A’s passage, while longtime Bren spokesman Larry Thomas, now retired, is advising his son-in-law Beach on the “anti” side …
The New Majority hosts Newt Gingrich on Wednesday …
Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton keynotes the World Affairs Council’s annual gala May 28 …
John Hall, CEO of Santa Ana-based electric guitar maker Rickenbacker, doesn’t just sell guitars, the cat can play ’em, too. Hall, who moonlights with singer-songwriter Kenny Howes as the rock band Hautewerk, has sold three songs from their CD “Stop Start Again” to MTV Games for use in the video game “Rock Band.” That puts Hautewerk in such famous company as The Who, Grateful Dead and Pearl Jam …
Watch for Kobe Bryant at Pelican Hill. The Lakers’ star and Newport Coaster has taken up golf, writes ESPN’s Rick Reilly, who spent a day riding shotgun in Bryant’s Ferrari …
Author Mitch Albom (“Tuesdays With Morrie”) headlines Jeff and Nancy Stack’s annual Natalie’s Wish fundraiser Friday at the Balboa Bay Club. Go to www.natalieswish.org …
UCI Merage Biz Dean Andy Policano has started the “Economic Good News” blog. As the name suggests, it finds positive economic indicators behind the negative headlines.
