January 31, 2008

Poizner targeted for retaliation?

State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner said he has been threatened by legislative leaders for leading the fight against a ballot initiative to alter term limits.

"In my case, this is just a complicated, difficult path for me," said Poizner, who has contributed $2.5 million of his personal fortune to fight Proposition 93 on Tuesday's ballot.

"It definitely causes great concern with regard to the threats I've received from legislative leaders about what they might do to my Department of Insurance because of my active involvement with the No on 93 campaign."

The Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger must approve the annual budget for Poizner's department.

Poizner, regarded as a potential GOP gubernatorial candidate for 2010, declined to elaborate on the threats.

"I'll just say there have been direct and indirect threats that have been delivered to me, crystal clear, about be careful of what the Legislature can and will do to you if you continue to push so hard on Proposition 93," he said.

Pressed to name names, Poizner declined.

"I'll just leave it at that. The threats have been delivered in a crystal clear way."

Poizner is a Republican while the Legislature's top bosses are Democrats -- Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez of Los Angeles, and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata of Oakland.

Steve Maviglio, Nunez's spokesman, dismissed Poizner's accusation as ridiculous.

"It's hogwash, complete hogwash," he said. "Most of his department's money is in special funds, anyhow, so you can't really even touch it."

Maviglio said contacts between the Assembly speaker and Poizner have been infrequent but cordial.

"The only thing that Steve Poizner should be threatened by is the continuation of his reputation as a political lightweight who runs losing campaigns," Maviglio said in a written statement.

Alicia Trost, Perata's spokeswoman, said she knew of no threats but wanted to check with him before commenting.

Perata could not be reached immediately, Trost said.

Posted by Jim Sanders on January 31, 2008 10:10 AM