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Senate Democrats cancel golf fundraiser
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SACRAMENTO  (AP) — The state Senate leader on Tuesday canceled a high-profile golfing fundraiser in the wake of criminal proceedings against three state senators.

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg said it would be inappropriate at this time to hold the Pro Tem Cup this weekend at Torrey Pines Golf Course, which is operated by the city of San Diego.

Ticket packages ranged from $15,000 to $65,000.

The Senate last week suspended Democratic Sens. Ronald Calderon of Montebello and Leland Yee of San Francisco, who face federal charges, and Sen. Rod Wright, who represents a Los Angeles-area district and was convicted earlier this year of voter fraud and perjury.

Yee was charged with accepting bribes and attempting to coordinate an international gun-running operation, while Calderon is charged with accepting $100,000 in bribes.

Until there’s wide support for public campaign financing, lawmakers will continue to raise funds, Steinberg said. The cancellation won’t prevent the California Democratic Party from defending its seats, he said.