Schwarzenegger hits fundraisers while calling out members of the state legislature

SACRAMENTO - In the same week that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger noticeably turned up the volume on his criticism of the state legislature for not approving a budget - now 2-1/2 months overdue - he was away from his capitol desk three times for fundraising events.

In a short but stinging report in Thursday's Sacramento Bee, Schwarzenegger attended three fundraisers, two in Sacramento and one in the Bay Area.

The governor's excursions preceded Thursday's press conference where he ripped state lawmakers for taking their per diem allowances, taking vacation and, in the case of a few, attending the national political conventions.

A spokeswoman for the governor said the cash raised during the events will go to supporting Schwarzenegger's legislative and ballot initiative agendas. She also pointed out that the governor intentionally chose to stay home during this week's GOP convention in St. Paul, Minn.

Read The Bee's entire story here.