A few years ago, with the help of seven members of the GOP, the Assembly passed Cap and Trade—a billion loss to families and business via the selling/buying of phony credits for something that does not exist. One of those who voted for taxing you an added one billion dollars a year was Heath Flora. Recently, the California Republican Party voted on a Platform—Flora supported a Democrat Lite Platform, acceptable to the California Democrat Party. With a 78% vote against the Democrats, a GOP Platform win—Flora supported the Democrat Lite Platform.
How serious is he? Just look at his Capitol office, paid for by you.
“The Globe is in possession of a photo of a pool table in Assemblyman Heath Flora’s office, in place of a conference table, taken by a Capitol source inside Flora’s office.
Big deal, it’s a pool table. Right? We are told there is also a a dart board. (Gasp. Does CalOSHA know?)
However, while this might be expected from a juvenile member of the Legislature, Assemblyman Heath Flora (R-Ripon) isn’t just any member of the Assembly – he’s the number #2 in leadership to Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), and the policy leader for the Republican Caucus.
We know that there are many stressful days in the Capitol, and letting off steam occasionally is necessary.
But for politicians who are constantly concerned about optics (i.e. perceptions), the fraternity/pub atmosphere in an Assembly leader’s office is not a good look.
Now you know why the GOP is irrelevant in Sacramento. The only thing missing from his office is a keg of beer.
Assembly Frat Office and Fundraising Party Scheme
Kentucky Derby trips for ‘fundraising?’
By Katy Grimes, , California Globe, 4/3/24 https://californiaglobe.com/fr/assembly-frat-office-and-fundraising-party-scheme/
It seems that every few years in the California Legislature, a group of legislative “frat boys” find themselves in hot water. It’s not unique to California – who can possibly erase the imprinted images of U.S. Senators Ted Kennedy and Chris Dodd and their famous “waitress sandwich” incident(s), detailed in a 1990 article in GQ magazine.
While the Kennedy/Dodd incident is particularly egregious, offensive, and constituted assault, any frat boy atmosphere in a legislative body undermines professionalism and can turn toxic quickly.
The Globe is in possession of a photo of a pool table in Assemblyman Heath Flora’s office, in place of a conference table, taken by a Capitol source inside Flora’s office.
Big deal, it’s a pool table. Right? We are told there is also a a dart board. (Gasp. Does CalOSHA know?)
However, while this might be expected from a juvenile member of the Legislature, Assemblyman Heath Flora (R-Ripon) isn’t just any member of the Assembly – he’s the number #2 in leadership to Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), and the policy leader for the Republican Caucus.
We know that there are many stressful days in the Capitol, and letting off steam occasionally is necessary.
But for politicians who are constantly concerned about optics (i.e. perceptions), the fraternity/pub atmosphere in an Assembly leader’s office is not a good look.
Flora also recently voted “Yes” to pass AB 610, the $20 per hour fast food minimum wage exemptions bill, while Republican Leader Gallagher voted “No” on AB 610. Since when does a Republican floor leader – the number 2 guy – vote against the number 1 guy? Flora also did not vote against a Medi-Cal tax bill (his second questionable vote in one legislative session).
But those are just perplexing, questionable issues. “Flora the Explorer” as the Assemblyman is known, has a penchant for the ponies – as in Kentucky Derby ponies. Assemblyman Flora started a ballot initiative committee, which appears to raise money for the sole purpose of taking lobbyist friends to the Kentucky Derby – at least the last two years of his mandatory reporting indicates this.
Assemblyman Flora’s mandatory FPPC Form 460’s reporting “Recipient Committee Campaign Statement,” show Flora raising money for a ballot initiative, but spending the funds on trips to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
In 2023, “Assemblyman Heath Flora for Safer Communities, a controlled Ballot Measure Committee,” accepted $70,000 in contributions, and spent $65,572.53 on travel, lodging, meals, tickets and beverages, for a “fundraising event” in Kentucky. (see full document below)
The contributions for 2023 to “Assemblyman Heath Flora for Safer Communities, a controlled Ballot Measure Committee,” were $35,000 from Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America California Initiative Fund, and $35,000 from California Correctional Peace Officers Association Truth in American Government Fund (ccpoa Tag Fund).
In 2022, “Assemblyman Heath Flora for Safer Communities, a controlled Ballot Measure Committee,” spent $41,634.47 on travel, lodging, meals, tickets and beverages, for a “fundraising event.” (see full document below)
This is the summary:
Schedule G shows the $30,000 that went to Churchill Downs for “5/5 to 5/8/22 Tickets, Meals and Beverages for fundraising event.”
In 2022, “Assemblyman Heath Flora for Safer Communities, a controlled Ballot Measure Committee,” received $25,000 from Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America California Initiative Fund, and $5,000 from Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians Temecula.
Kara Bogetti was provided $30,000 for “5/5 to 5/8/22 Tickets, Meals and Beverages for fundraising event.”
Vu Guesthouse in Louisville, KY, received $11,024.37. Vu Guesthouse in Louisville, KY is “specialty lodging”: “A stylish boutique hotel set in a converted tobacco warehouse near downtown Louisville. Unique throughout; trendy rooms are moody and romantic with dark hues, dramatic bed heads, and heavy drapes. An atmospheric cocktail bar is a lively spot. An adult-only stay, ideal for city exploring,” according to the Hotel Guru.
Has this committee ever made a legitimate expenditure – other than travel, meals, lodging and events? It appears to be a giant slush fund operating under the guise of “fundraising” for Assemblyman Flora and his lobbyist friends.
The Frat boy Pub office pool table and dart board is questionable judgment – but the “fundraising” trips (for a ballot initiative) to the Kentucky Derby appear rather dubious. It’s insulting and offensive to voters when elected lawmakers take annual travel junkets to foreign lands during spring break. But if a lawmaker is raising funds for a “ballot initiative” that ends up being a travel and entertainment junket, voters must ask why, and for what purpose.
