Lawmaker seeks probe of Sarah Palin's planned appearance at California university

A California lawmaker is calling for the state attorney general to investigate the circumstances surrounding Sarah Palin's upcoming appearance at a state university.

Palin is scheduled to appear at Cal State Stanislaus' 50th anniversary gala on June 25 -- a fundraiser that has stoked controversy.

State Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) on Wednesday accused Cal State Stanislaus officials of violating the public trust by failing to disclose documents about the event. He has asked Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown to investigate.

Yee and the nonprofit group Californians Aware filed public-records requests with the university last week, seeking documents relating to Palin’s appearance, particularly how much she is being paid. 

A campus official said there were no such documents, but Yee’s office acquired a March 29 e-mail about the Palin appearance sent by a university vice president, which Yee said should have been disclosed. 

The university responded Wednesday that it did not provide the e-mail because it was circulated to faculty and staff and the public-records request excluded documents prepared for public release.

-- Carla Rivera

Photo: Sarah Palin. Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Alvy Singer]

Nothing worse than one of THEM (someone who doesn't toe the liberal agenda line) speaking to our youth.

[POPS]

This is ridiculous. I think Palin is an idiot, but doesn't this legislator have something better to do then, as well as the AG of California.

[Richard Lefcourt]

California's lawmakers have been hiding a one-half trillion dollar pension fund obligation they can't pay. But Sen. Yee wants to do what he can to stifle any voice of concern (read: Sarah Palin) over how badly his state's finances are handled from reaching the ears of its young, impressionable voters. It's really important to keep them ignorant and under Democrat control and fight the spread of conservatism.

[Yoga2010]

Whenever I read something like this I wonder how much pettier can California lawmakers get and yet they always seem to lower the bar further.

[us warrior]

Thank you, Cal State Stanislaus for respecting freedom of speech and diversity of opinion. A good percentage of US citizens do not believe the liberal press' smearing of Ms Palin. Many people know of her acheivements while in public office, which the leftist press ignors, and would like to hear her opinions. Liberals in Government like Leland Yee (by the way, is he a gay activist?) must be open minded to alternative ideas and be dedicated to providing equal time for speakers whom they may not agree with. That is the difference between freedom and oppression.

[Fed Up]

My understanding is she was being paid through private donations, so what's the issue?

[Schigolch]

Sounds like an attempt at censorship.

[Christi]

You have GOT TO BE KIDDING !!! California needs to worry about their own financial house a state that cannot even pay their bills ! Leave Sarah alone! What are you SO AFRAID of ? Seems to me here in Illinois this is worse that than Political Pot calling the Kettle Black ! Oh I said black is that allowed in your State ? It was NOT A RACIST remark but I'm SURE someone will say that it is ! FED UP DEMOCRAT who turned Tea Party !

[mikeopinion]

This epidermises the uselessness of lawmakers with nothing to do except to cause others trouble .what a waste of humanity ,politicians ,lawmakers all of the gov agencies are a failure and have become a power corrupt mafia.

[Diana]

Considering that the CSU system is cutting enrollment, courses, and student services due to lack of funds, I, too, would like to know how much is being spent on invited speakers. The same kind of concerns were brought up last year when Michelle Obama spoke at UC Merced's graduation. In both cases, we taxpayers are entitled to know if our money is going to speaking fees or to students.

[KB]

Why are people always looking for a conspiracy when there isn't one? This is NOT about keeping Palin from speaking, it IS about finding out how much the CSU campus is spending of YOUR public tax dollars to hire her. Why have a non-disclosure clause regarding that? And yes, uncovering this IS part of our elected officials' jobs.

[dogwalking]

I certainly hope that no taxpayers money is going to Ms. Palin. But if the attendees want to pay her fine. I trust the listeners to see what they wish if her. But again, no tax dollars to an obviously political partisan.

[Blue Eyes]

This speech is being made at a $500-a-plate fundraiser. Probably won't be many students attending at that price.

[Just say it]

It's a simple question...how much are they paying her? Those are student and taxpayer dollars. As a conservative, I like to know those things. Seems like the yahoo branch of the Republican party doesn't care, so long as Sexy Sarah gets to speak.

[moe]

Our state education system does not have money. I really hope the university is not planning to pay this greedy woman. I don't have any issue with her speaking to students- it's good that they hear opposing points of view, but don't pay Palin.

[kuruc]

yee is a flaming left wing chinese mole, the future of amerika.has this mole ever heard of freedom of speach?

[Sam Lyon]

God forbid that we invite a conservative to speak at a university event. We can have cop killers, bombers, all sorts of radical activists addressing and teaching at our universities, but never should the halls of academia be visited by a person who believes in individual responsibility and personal initiative.

Probably he is most upset that the lunatic left almost didn't have enough notification to organize a confrontation that will require cancellation of the speaking engagement.

Must be some racists in the administration at Cal State Stanislaus. Who else would invite a white female conservative to speak in a public forum?

[Jim Q. Citizen]

After Yee and cohorts have run California into the ground financially he gets his panties in a bunch over a former presidential candidate speaking at a state university. So Palin isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer- a lot of Americans like her and Yee should consider just doing the right thing for a change- like his job.

[anonymous]

I think that the issue should be - is this public university (mostly funded by the public) paying Sarah Palin? If so, how much? Given the financial situation of the California State University system - why are they paying ANYONE to speak when they are cutting classes and raising tuition costs.
From my personal point of view - especially someone who is so divisive as Sarah Palin.

[Brad]

scared Demmies?

[Frank S]

Oh no! Please don't come to California, stay in your stinking state.

[Virgil]

When the liberals do anything, it is A-Okay. They don't care that California
is on the brink of bankruptcy yet, this politician seeks to grandstand. If Mr. Yee is really serious, he should be addressing California's budget problems. Certainly, using his time and effort on trying to stop Palin from speaking speaks of arrogance and he should be voted out for his sheer arrogance! If politicians want to serve their constituents----they would be working to earn their pay which Mr. Yee isn't. Enough of this petty partisan BS! Voters will be more than happy to send the likes of Mr. Yee packing soon enough come November 2010!

[johredcorvette]

As usual, if there are politicians (the school officials are included as politicians since they are paid by the taxpayers and compaign for reelection) involed, you can bet it is going to cost the tax payers!

[Dennis]

I don't support her either because of the amounts of money that she's asking for are outrageous and unprecidented but it proves the point that she is a subversive and needs to be watched after but then Obama is violating and breaking laws himself, I mean a nuclear treaty that is exactly the opposite of what it portends to be. We have enough nuclear material to obliterate the world several times over. $10,000 for a picture of her and Michelle Bachman that I can get free on Photoshop? Repubs and John McCain are whackjobs.

[Sharon]

Why are Sarahs fans all so nasty!! I am a conservative and my three kids can't afford college since tuition has been increased so much. With limited funds, we have NO business paying ANYONE $100,000 to speak.?

Why do all of you stoop to calling this fine congressman names and making homophobic racial slurs. You are an embarrassment to our movement. Some of you can't even spell or use proper grammar. If you valued education and had children trying to get an education you might also not agree with paying a single speaker this much money.

Why can't you see the truth about Sarah Palin. She's about the money. She did not have great accomplishments in Alaska. Don't you read. The narrowness of her followers is frightening. You sound like a cult.