As California faces a looming cash crunch, state lawmakers are making sure one treasury won't run dry – their campaign accounts.

With a state budget agreement now 43 days late, lawmakers have scheduled more than 80 fundraisers this month. Add in check-collecting soirees sponsored by legislative candidates, political action committees and the governor, and the total swells past 100.

The August fundraising push – an annual dance among legislators, lobbyists and deep-pocketed special interests – coincides with the final stretch of the legislative calendar.

It is a time when lawmakers cast decisive votes on hundreds of bills that affect the very interests handing over the checks.

This year, lawmakers also are grappling with the state budget – for the fiscal year that began July 1 – which has a $15.2 billion deficit.

Watchdog groups say the pairing of intense lawmaking and fundraising makes for "particularly egregious" timing.

"It's not the only reason people distrust the Legislature, but its one of the reasons," said Derek Cressman, a spokesman for California Common Cause, which advocates for taxpayer-funded campaigns. "It deepens this cycle of cynicism."

Assemblywoman Nicole Parra, D-Hanford, who has hosted end-of-session fundraisers in years past, though not 2008, sympathizes with those concerns.

"It's happening while bills are all moving," Parra said. "And despite the fact that we're all professional and you never talk about legislation … it's just too close – not illegal, just too close for comfort."

Parra is termed out of the Assembly and does not face election in November.

Dan Weitzman, a prominent Democratic fundraiser, said the timing is simply a matter of convenience.

"People are here. People are focused," said Weitzman, whose clients include Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and incoming Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg.

This year's fundraising calendar is particularly condensed.

Lawmakers returned from their summer recess – taken despite not passing a budget – on Aug. 4. Meanwhile, Democrats are hoping to high-tail it out of town in time for the party's national convention in Denver, which begins Aug. 25.

The flurry of fundraising comes to a head today and Wednesday – with 37 receptions across town.

Political givers can dine and donate from 8 a.m. through 8:30 p.m. tonight. Donors can watch a River Cats game, sample pinot noir at Mulvaney's Building & Loan or enjoy "cool drinks and smooth jazz" at the downtown Sheraton.

Most fundraisers are within walking distance of the Capitol. The audience is chiefly lobbyists, whose fax machines overflow with such invitations. Each event tends to cost at least $1,000.

Hobnobbing at a full menu of today's events – 15 of which occur simultaneously this evening – would run a political donor nearly $24,000.

Most lawmakers insist they can't stand the whole process.

"I hate it," said Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, who is holding a wine-tasting reception tonight.

He represents a swing seat along the Central Coast, though Democrats failed to field a challenger this year. An independent candidate is trying to qualify for the ballot.

Few incumbents face serious election challenges in the fall, as most districts heavily favor either Democrats or Republicans. Yet more than three-quarters of them will host an event this month anyway.

Many will take those contributions and dole them out themselves, currying favor with candidates and colleagues alike.

"We all try to pitch in and help elect more Democrats," said Assemblyman Dave Jones, D-Sacramento, who has a breakfast fundraiser today at Pyramid Alehouse.

Though Jones faces token GOP opposition in November, he had more than $720,000 in campaign cash at the end of June.

In a term-limited Capitol – where service is capped at six years in the Assembly and eight in the Senate – strong fundraising is one way lawmakers try to make a splash.

"It is a competitive marketplace," said Jackson Gualco, an long-time Sacramento lobbyist. "People have obligations to the caucus, to the leadership, to themselves, and they are also being driven by ambition."

Of course, large war chests often help nudge competition back to the sidelines of a campaign.

"I'm already gearing up for 2010," said Sen. Ellen Corbett, D-San Leandro, who has a fundraiser at Pyramid this evening. "I want to make sure nobody runs against me."

Call Shane Goldmacher, Bee Capitol Bureau, (916) 326-5544.