Palin's secret CSU (Cal state university) speaking fee sparks outcry

[Liberal_in_LA]

Sarah Palin is expected to raise nearly $200,000 for an appearance on a California State University campus in June. But the school foundation hosting the $500-a-plate event won't say what they are paying her, or even how much the party will cost - and that has angered a San Francisco lawmaker who is using the opportunity to push his bill for greater transparency by public university foundations.

"The CSU should immediately disclose how much money is being diverted from students to pay Sarah Palin's exorbitant speaking fees," said state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, who has been trying to pass a law that would extend the California Public Records Act to those foundations.

"At a time when students are struggling to afford an education at CSU, I would hope that spending potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars on a guest speaker for a black-tie gala would be low on the priority list," Yee said in a statement issued Monday.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/30/MN321CMU9A.DTL#ixzz0jj5vzRVD

[Cha]

1. That's all anybody needs

is palin's brand of hate.

[KingFlorez]

2. This state is broke and this freak is trying to rob us

Her entire career is stealing from the people. I certainly hope the CSU system has the sense to block this, we don't need further holes in our budget.

[Liberal_in_LA]

5. They think they'll profit from her speech, make more than her cost

[glinda]

6. It is all about Republicans funneling money to Republicans.

[lpbk2713]

3. This is wrong on SO many levels.

The outrage here burns me up.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Why is the CSU paying her to come?

Look folks I have no issues with these guys and gals given a place to speak. I mean Kahane back in the day came to San Diego State (and boy he did run the local PD some as the security needed was spectacular), but one thing is to let them speak... yes that is part of what academic institutions have to do. Quite another it is to pay these people (on both sides, there I said it) exorbitant amounts.

A small speaking fee is standard. I ran a College Student Organization, so yes I am familiar with that. But hundreds of thousands? She's nuts, and chiefly CSU is nuts.