North Bay lawmakers accepted $31,000 in gifts last year

Golf outings, tickets to professional sporting events and international travel are among the thousands of dollars in gifts accepted by the North Bay’s state lawmakers in 2016.

The largesse, bestowed mostly by industry associations and policy groups, was disclosed last week in annual reports that put statewide gift-giving in the Capitol at about $581,000.

Combined, five Senate and Assembly members representing voters north of the Golden Gate received about $31,000 in meals, entertainment and lodging. Assemblyman Jim Wood, D-Healdsburg, led the group, accepting 30 gifts totaling $19,000, followed by Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-San Rafael, who also received 30 gifts worth about $5,200.

Several lawmakers said the free trips helped them learn more about issues. Critics, however, said the acceptance of such generosity erodes the public trust while increasing access for those who want something from the government.

“Generally, legislators have to be really, really careful about what they accept and how it looks,” said Brian Sobel, a political analyst and former Petaluma city councilman. “People look at it as politics as usual. It debases their view of officeholders.”

The offerings continued to pour in despite a 2014 bill that attempted to limit gifts to $200 and ban tickets to sports events and amusement parks.

It passed the Senate but was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Now, officials may take perks valued up to $460 and enjoy unrestricted travel expenses to attend workshops, participate in events or make speeches.

Often, the events are held in exotic places such as Hawaii and include expenses-paid entertainment such as golf. After a day of presentations, lawmakers are routinely wined and dined, often alongside lobbyists.

Wood, a dentist and chairman of the Assembly Health committee, was the local delegation’s most frequent flier. In December, he took a nearly $10,000 trip with other lawmakers to Germany and the Czech Republic.

It was paid for by the California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy, which receives funding from the oil industry, PG&E, car manufacturers and the construction trade.

He also accepted a $2,300 trip to New York City in September that was financed by the state dental foundation.

And he took hundreds of dollars in golf fees at Pebble Beach and Palm Springs, financed in part by state correctional officer and health insurance groups.

Wood did not return phone calls Friday seeking comment.

He wasn’t the only one to accept travel.

Levine, who is on the higher education committee, and Assemblywoman Cecelia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, who had about $2,500 in gifts, each accepted trips to La Jolla in December paid for by the California Charter Schools Association.

Levine, whose two-day trip was valued at $1,200, said he heard presentations on ways to improve education.

“When there are opportunities to learn more about issues, I am very glad to avail myself,” Levine said. “Business doesn’t only take place in Sacramento. I’ve traveled to Bakersfield to learn about issues facing our state. The most important thing is to report everything.”

He also accepted $380 in tickets to Universal Studios used by his family along with meals from trade associations and companies such as AT&T.

Aguiar-Curry, who is not on any education committees, called the La Jolla trip informative.

She toured San Diego schools by day and retreated to an upscale hotel at night. Her trip for two days was $1,100.

“I needed to be educated,” she said. “I have to vote for things and need to understand them.”

Other local lawmakers to receive gifts were state senators Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, who reported a value of about $1,200, and Bill Dodd, D-American Canyon, with about $4,500.

McGuire’s gifts included a ?$500 wood carving he received from Lake County supervisors for his relief work after the devastating Valley fire and a ?$300 honorary fire helmet from the South Lake County Fire Protection District board.

“I have a general policy of not accepting gifts,” McGuire said. “There were a couple of exceptions this year.”

Among Dodd’s gifts were $340 in tickets from Sonoma Raceway and a $279 dinner paid for by the California Cattleman’s Association.

Dodd did not return a call Friday seeking comment.

The financial disclosures covering 2016 were due March 1. The deadline for similar reporting by local government officials is April 1.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 707-568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. ?On Twitter @ppayne.