Don Perata and Province of Pistoia: Difference between pages

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{{Infobox_ProvinceIT |
{{Infobox State Representative
|name =Don Perata
fullname = Province of Pistoia|
|image name =Perata-New-session.gif
name = Pistoia |
region = [[Toscana]] |
|state_senate =California
|district =[[California's 9th senate district|9th]]
capital = [[Pistoia]] |
|term_start =1998
commune = 22 |
|term_end =
area = 965|
population_as_of = (2004) |
|preceded =[[Barbara Lee]]
|succeeded =[[Incumbent]]
population = 268.503 |
populationdensity = 278 |
|office2 =[[President pro tempore]] of the [[California State Senate]]
|term_start2 =2004
vehicle = PT|
|term_end2 =
postal_code = 51100|
telephone_prefix = 0573|
|preceded2 =[[John L. Burton]]
|succeeded2 =[[Incumbent]]
ISTAT = 047|
president = Gianfranco Venturi |
|nationality =[[United States|American]]
map = [[Image:Pistoia posizione.png|150px|]] |
|date of birth =[[1945]]
coatofarms = [[Image:Provincia di Pistoia-Stemma.png|120px]] |
|place of birth =
|date of death =
|place of death =
|spouse =
|profession =[[Politician]], [[Teacher]]
|alma_mater =[[Saint Mary's College of California]]
|religion =
|party=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
}}
}}


The '''Province of Pistoia''' (It. ''Provincia di Pistoia'') is a [[Provinces of Italy|province]] in the [[Tuscany]] region of [[Italy]]. Its capital is the city of [[Pistoia]]. It has an area of 965 km², and a total population of 268,503 (2001). There are 22 ''communes'' in the province (source: Italian institute of statistics ''Istat'', see [http://www.upinet.it/indicatore.asp?id_statistiche=6 this link]).
'''Don Richard Perata''' (born [[April 30]], [[1945]]) is a [[California]] [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] [[politics|politician]], who is the current President [[pro tempore]] of the [[California State Senate]]. He was elected to the post of President Pro Tempore in 2004. He will continue his Presidency until the end of the current 2007-2008 session. As President Pro Tem, Perata is considered the 2nd most powerful politician in California state politics.<ref>[http://www.sfbayjv.org/news_summaries/2006/march/Perata_now_in_drivers_seat_on_infrastructure.html Perata now in driver's seat on infrastructure Democrat already talking about next phase of project]</ref> Perata worked with Governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] to gain passage of five infrastructure related bond measures in 2006. Prior to serving in the State Senate, Perata served in the [[California State Assembly]] and as a Supervisor of [[Alameda County]]. Perata has a daughter and a son.


==External links==
==Life before politics==
Born in [[Alameda, California|Alameda]], Perata was the son of immigrants. During his childhood, he helped his father deliver milk door-to-door.
Perata graduated from Saint Joseph High School and earned his degree from [[Saint Mary's College of California]]. He taught [[English language|English]], [[History]], and [[Civics]] from [[1966]] to [[1981]] in [[Alameda County, California|Alameda County]] schools. Some of his students went on to become police officers, staff members to local and state elected officials, school board members, teachers, musicians and members of the Governor’s Cabinet.


* [http://www.provincia.pistoia.it Province homepage (in Italian)]
==Local politics==
{{Refimprove|date=September 2007}}
Perata began his political career when he ran for Mayor of [[Alameda, California|Alameda]] in 1975 but was narrowly defeated. In 1986 he was elected to the [[Alameda County]] Board of Supervisors and was re-elected to a second term. As Supervisor, Perata worked to shut down problematic liquor stores, worked to make his community safer, and lobbied the state legislature for an [[assault weapons ban]] and funding for the mentally ill.


{{Tuscany}}
==Elections==
{{Province of Pistoia|nocat=yes}}
Perata's first attempt at state politics came in the 1994 democratic primary for controller. Perata was unsuccessful and captured only 27.27% of the vote. Afterwards, Perata served as a staff assistant for then Senate Pro Tem [[Bill Lockyer]].


{{coord missing|Italy}}
In 1996, Perata was elected as a [[California State Assembly]]man for the Oakland, Alameda, and Piedmont district. In 1998, Perata ran for the State Senate for the 9th District which currently includes [[Alameda, California|Alameda]], [[Albany, California|Albany]], [[Berkeley, California|Berkeley]], [[Castro Valley, California|Castro Valley]], [[Dublin, California|Dublin]], [[Emeryville, California|El Sobrante]], [[Emeryville, California|Emeryville]], [[Livermore, California|Livermore]], [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], [[Piedmont, California|Piedmont]], [[Richmond, California|Richmond]], and [[San Pablo, California|San Pablo]]. He became the California State Senate President Pro Tem in [[2004]].


[[Category:Provinces of Italy|Pistoia]]
Perata's run (and election) to the State Senate in [[1998]] was part of a series of five special elections that were held in the East Bay within less than 12 months, as Perata and other East Bay politicians vied for different political offices. For a detailed account of events, see [[Special election musical chairs]].
[[Category:Provinces of Tuscany|Pistoia]]

[[Category:Province of Pistoia| ]]
==Time in the legislature==
Perata is a staunch advocate of gun control. In 1999, Perata successfully drove legislation that updated the California "assault weapons ban" by adding a ban of generically-described [[semi-automatic firearm]]s. Perata had a concealed weapons permit he believed was necessary due to a high number of death threats presumably received from certain opponents of his firearms related legislative activity.<ref>[http://www.equalccw.com/donperata.gif Weapon Permit]</ref> He later let the permit expire.<ref name="Jack"/>

Perata has been an advocate for the rights of the elderly, the mentally ill, and the disabled. He supported legislation to create a discount drug program and legislation to require HMO's to pay for mental health treatment. Perata supported legislation that secured $27 million annually for ovarian and prostate cancer and legislation that increase access to breast cancer screening for low-income women. He has authored legislation requiring California utilities companies to contract for cleaner energy sources and supported tougher penalties on oil refinery emissions.<ref>[http://voteusout.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B74EF1F40-33B9-4B52-AAC0-27CBD787E743%7 Vote us out of Iraq]</ref>

In early 2005, Perata introduced a bill to repair California's flagging infrastructure including highway improvements, housing reform and levee repairs. Governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] began to speak out in favor of improving state infrastructure after Schawarzenegger's November 2005 special election ballot initiatives were defeated. While Schwarzenegger's plan included fixing transportation problems, his infrastructure plan was drastically more costly and advocated more prisons and didn't address the housing problem. In a rare occurrence for Sacramento politicians, in early 2006 Perata and Schwarzenegger began to work together to piece together an infrastructure plan that both sides of the legislature could embrace. They were successful and five bond measures were approved by California voters on the November 2006 ballot. These measures are aimed at improving roads, mass transit, affordable housing, levee repair, and upgrading educational facilities.

In July 2007, during state budget negotiations, Perata order the Senate to remain in session for 19 hours in an attempt to reach an agreement on the budget. California requires two-thirds of both legislative houses and the governor's signature to pass a budget. Perata needed two Republican votes in the State Senate to pass the budget and the lock down aimed to get those two Republican votes. The California State Senate Republicans presented a revised budget that aimed to reduce state spending and included tax credits to some Fortune 500 corporations, cuts to transportation and welfare, and eliminating cost-of-living pay raises to the blind, elderly, and disabled.<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-budget25jul25,1,676069.story GOP budget plan would slash welfare: Proposal to go before the full Senate would cut $1 billion more than the Assembly version and removee aid from thousands of families] by Halper, Evan & Jordan Rau. [[The Los Angeles Times]] July 25, 2007. Accessed July 29, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2007/07/post_43.html The Inside Story: Perata in His Own Words on the California Budget Process and Results]</ref> The state budget had already gained the 2/3 majority in the California Assembly and the support of Governor Schwarzenegger. Perata and the Senate Democrats rejected the Senate Republican budget proposal and the Republicans held out for weeks into August, preventing many state legislators from returning home for their summer recess, before the budget was passed. Perata retaliated against [[Republican Party (US)|Republican]] [[Jeff Denham]] for not voting for the budget by stripping Denham of committee assignments and contributing to the recall effort against Denham.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/11/BA0TT9QOF.DTL Perata retaliates against Republican who helped hold up budget]</ref>

In December 2007, Perata was car jacked of his State-owned [[Dodge Charger (LX)|Dodge Charger]] at gunpoint in Oakland.<ref name="Jack">[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/30/BANLU6QS3.DTL Sen. Perata unharmed in carjacking]</ref> Police believed that Perata was targeted due to his car having 22 inch [[Dub (wheel)|DUB style]] rims on his car, which led one cop to question "We're talking about the suspect's car or the senator's car?"<ref name= "Ganked">[http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/22/ganked-ca-senators-dubbed-out-charger-on-ebay/ Ganked CA Senator's dubbed-out Charger on eBay] by Alex Nunez '''Autoblog.com''' retrieved February 22, 2008</ref> His car was found in Richmond the next day.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/30/BAOSU71JB.DTL&tsp=1 Perata's carjacked vehicle found in Richmond]</ref>

==Controversy==
In 2004, the [[FBI]] began a probe of his business relationships.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/11/19/MNGSB9UAM01.DTL FBI probes lobbyist ties to Perata Inquiry of Oakland insider said to explore whether she steered payments to senator]</ref><ref>[http://www.eastbayexpress.com/Issues/2006-03-01/news/feature.html 'Road to Nowhere: The FBI probes links between state Senator Don Perata and a $40 million roadway project designed to enrich Alameda developer Ron Cowan] East Bay Express, March 1, 2006.</ref><ref>[http://www.insidebayarea.com/timesstar/ci_6394352 Tribune nets 15 press club awards] Sources credibility of East Bay Express.</ref> No arrests or indictments have occurred yet, thought the investigation is incomplete and ongoing.<ref name="ad"/>

In 2006, Perata accepted money from Indian tribes while sponsoring a bill to expand Indian gaming [http://www.capitolweekly.net/news/article.html?article_id=1115]. Perata also drew criticism when he called those who opposed giving illegal immigrants drivers licenses and a guest worker program with a path to [[citizen]]ship "[[Cracker (pejorative)| crackers]]."<ref>[http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20060804-9999-7m4perata.html State Senate leader calls some in area 'crackers' ]</ref>

In May 2007, the East Bay Express, an [[alternative media|alternative]] weekly in the [[Bay Area]], published a two-part investigation of Perata. Among other things, the articles argued that Perata has manipulated [[Liberalism|liberal]] causes, such as antiwar sentiment, for his own personal and political gains.<ref>[http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/150415.html Some call anti-war plan a ploy]</ref> Perata's sponsored an antiwar ballot resolution in order to raise money for his [[Political action committee|PAC]]s. It also alleges that he has used campaign donations to support an [[indulgent]] lifestyle and detailed other possible areas of corruption.<ref>[http://www.eastbayexpress.com/2007-05-23/news/living-large/ Living Large How state Senator Don Perata uses campaign cash to finance his lavish lifestyle. First of two parts.]</ref><ref>[http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/248000.html Term-limit supporters seek probe of Perata]</ref>

==Future==
The term limit reform measure, [[California Proposition 93 (2008)|Proposition 93]] did not pass in [[February 2008]], and Perata will be termed out of the State Senate in 2008. The proposition would have allowed Perata to serve one more term in the State Senate. Perata was a major target for criticism by the opposition to Proposition 93.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/22/MNTPUGJ4S.DTL Prop. 93 on Feb. 5 ballot has two faces]</ref> One television ad included the following line: "Don Perata, whose home was raided by the FBI in the ongoing corruption probe."<ref name="ad">[http://www.knbc.com/politics/15129239/detail.html Fact Check: Ballot Proposition 93] KNBC Channel 4. January 24, 2008.</ref>

Perata has filed a "statement of intention" to run for the [[California Board of Equalization]] in 2010.<ref>[http://www.eastbayexpress.com/2006-08-09/news/laundering-money-with-don-perata/ Laundering Money With Don Perata]</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Articles==
*[http://www.clintreilly.com/?p=153 Perata is Oakland's Hope] by Clint Reilly.

==External links==
*[http://dist09.casen.govoffice.com/ Don Perata's website]
*[http://www.joincalifornia.com/candidate/5388 Don Perata Political History]
*[http://www.plan4ourfuture.org/ Yes on infrastructure propositions]
*[http://www.metroinvestmentreport.com/mir/?module=displaystory&story_id=318&format=html Metro Investment Report Perata interview]


{{Tuscany-geo-stub}}
==Offices held==
{{start box}}
{{succession box | before = [[Barbara Lee]] |title=[[California State Senate|California State Senator]]<br>'''9th district | years = '''[[1998]]–present | after = Incumbent }}
{{succession box | before = [[Barbara Lee]] |title=[[California State Assembly]]member<br>'''16th district | years = '''[[1996]]–[[1998]]| after = [[Audie Bock]] }}
{{succession box | before = [[John L. Burton]] |title=[[California State Senate Pro Tem|President Pro Tempore of the California Senate]]| years = [[2004]]–present| after = Incumbent }}
{{end box}}
{{Members of the California State Senate}}
{{Current statewide political officials of California}}


[[ar:مقاطعة بستويا]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Perata, Don}}
[[ca:Província de Pistoia]]
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[cs:Provincie Pistoia]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[co:Pruvincia di Pistoia]]
[[Category:Italian-American politicians]]
[[de:Provinz Pistoia]]
[[Category:California politicians]]
[[et:Pistoia provints]]
[[Category:California State Senators]]
[[es:Provincia de Pistoia]]
[[Category:California Democrats]]
[[eo:Provinco Pistoia]]
[[Category:Members of the California State Assembly]]
[[fr:Province de Pistoia]]
[[Category:People from Alameda County, California]]
[[id:Provinsi Pistoia]]
[[it:Provincia di Pistoia]]
[[he:פיסטויה (נפה)]]
[[jv:Provinsi Pistoia]]
[[lad:Provinsia de Pistoia]]
[[la:Pistoria (provincia)]]
[[nl:Pistoia (provincie)]]
[[ja:ピストイア県]]
[[no:Provinsen Pistoia]]
[[nn:Provinsen Pistoia]]
[[oc:Província de Pistoia]]
[[pms:Provincia ëd Pistòja]]
[[pl:Prowincja Pistoia]]
[[pt:Pistoia (província)]]
[[ro:Provincia Pistoia]]
[[ru:Пистойя (провинция)]]
[[scn:Pruvincia di Pistoia]]
[[simple:Province of Pistoia]]
[[fi:Pistoian maakunta]]
[[sv:Pistoia (provins)]]
[[tl:Pistoia]]
[[vi:Pistoia (tỉnh)]]
[[vec:Provincia de Pistoja]]
[[zh:皮斯托亞省]]

Revision as of 11:12, 11 October 2008

Template:Infobox ProvinceIT

The Province of Pistoia (It. Provincia di Pistoia) is a province in the Tuscany region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Pistoia. It has an area of 965 km², and a total population of 268,503 (2001). There are 22 communes in the province (source: Italian institute of statistics Istat, see this link).

External links

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