Pete Wilson: Difference between revisions

 

Despite this, in a leaked Philip Morris memo, the company's chief executive, Hamish Maxwell, said, "You will be pleased to know that Pete is still 'pro-tobacco.'" His move to revoke Proposition 99, a $114 million dollar voter-approved bill to tax cigarette companies to research and educate on the effects of tobacco, as well as shut down a highly effective anti-tobacco ad with footage of tobacco executives testifying to Congress that nicotine was not addictive (which also a prompted defamation lawsuit against it), was claimed to be illegal and caused multiple lawsuits, and was criticized as being influenced by the tobacco lobby. While he claimed to take no funding personally in response to allegations of being pro-tobacco, he collected over $100,000 from a New York fund-raising dinner organized by Phillip Morris. While Phillip Morris didn't directly fund his campaign, they were major funders of the California Republican Party which he led. The leaked memo was in response to worries over Wilson's rejection of direct campaign donations. Maxwell claimed to have been told by Wilson over a phone call that this was to "protect Hamish and himself," assuring that it was not due to a lack of support. </ref><ref>{{cite

 

In late 1993, Wilson traveled to Asia to endorse Californian goods and investment opportunities abroad.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://articles.latimes.com/1993-10-14/news/mn-45512_1_pete-wilson|title=A Traveling Salesman With a New Pitch|first=George|last=Skeleton|date=October 14, 1993|work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> Wilson's six-day tour was also marked by his insistence on creating export-oriented jobs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/12/01/UPI-Spotlight-California-Governor-Pete-Wilson-leaves-Japan-after-trade-talks/2978754722000/|title=UPI Spotlight California Governor Pete Wilson leaves Japan after trade talks|date=December 1, 1993|publisher=UPI}}</ref>