Democratic state senators to attend Torrey Pines golfing event

Democratic state senators were expected in La Jolla this weekend for a two-day golfing event sponsored by an association of cable TV companies that routinely lobbies the Legislature.

The 2010 Pro Tem Cup at famous Torrey Pines is being hosted by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, and the California Democratic Party, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The California Cable and Telecommunications Association and four member firms — Comcast Cable, Cox Communications, Charter Communications and Time Warner Cable — are giving $150,000 to the Democratic Party to help cover costs for the party fundraiser, according to The Times.

“It’s just a way that we go about supporting the party,” Carolyn McIntyre, president of the cable association, told the newspaper. “It’s part of our government affairs program.”

McIntyre’s group includes Internet providers seeking to derail SB 1361 by Sen. Ellen Corbett, D-San Leandro. The proposed legislation would bar social networking Web sites from displaying the home address and telephone number of registered users who are minors. It includes a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for violations.

Some child-protection advocates say the cable association aims to sway policy on the putting greens.

“It gives them influence,” Harriet Salarno, president of Crime Victims United of California, told The Times. “It’s a very sore subject for us. We do it the right way. We go to the Capitol to talk to legislators. ... We just want an equal playing field.”

McIntyre did not respond to questions about why the cable group is against the bill.