Governor Schwarzenegger had very good reason to veto SB 1369. First, it will have a devastating impact on small charities and those in greatest need. A veto would have also reaffirmed the Governor's promise to ensure fair and transparent government by rejecting bills that are not properly vetted by the appropriate legislative committees. The consequence of signing a bill drafted behind closed doors and not before the public is always the same -- the wealthy and political connected prevail and the people of California do not.
Doug Bergman, president and chief executive officer of United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Sacramento said it best, "With the signing of SB 1369, countless charities will no longer be able to support children with disabilities, the blind, veterans and so many others dependent on non-profit organizations. SB 1369 is a special interest bill that was never properly vetted by the State Legislature. According to leading experts, by opening the Internet up for online gaming, the bill could lead to the greatest expansion of gambling in history and threatens the financial security of the California State Lottery. Sadly, the interests of the powerful prevailed over the countless charities that serve communities throughout California,"
Be assured that while passage of SB 1369 is a setback for California charities, by working together we can restore the funding desperately needed to serve those in greatest need.
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