The state senator who introduced legislation that promoted the ability of Native American tribes to take land from Williamson Act contracts for housing and cultural centers received $12,000 in donations from the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians toward his bid for Lt. Governor last year.

Dean Florez, D-Shafter, is running for the Lt. Governor’s job, which comes up for election in 2010.

He is currently a state senator in the Central Valley. He began raising money in 2007 and has pulled together $700,000 so far, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle.

The local tribe, which holds its gaming compact under the name Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians, made two donations of $6,000 each to the “Dean Florez for Lieutenant Governor Campaign” in October 2008, according to records available on the California Secretary of State’s elections contribution database.

The Florez bill to change the way property is taken out of Williamson Act contract, S.B. 170, stalled in committee in Sacramento last week.

The state Senate’s Local Government Committee reacted negatively to the proposed bill, which was sponsored by the local tribe, with one Republican senator calling it a bid for more land by the Chumash.

Florez has refused to return phone calls from the Santa Ynez Valley Journal about his reasons for sponsoring the bill.

A notation on his Web site declares that if a person from outside of his district submits a question or comment, they should not expect a reply.

Florez backed off promoting the bill after the majority of senators on the government committee said they would not vote for it. He said he would rework the legislation and bring it forward again at some time in the future.

A call to his office asking for more details about that, and whether or not the campaign donations influenced the legislation, was not returned.

In calendar year 2008, the tribe made $206,300 in campaign donations to politicians around the state.

Locally, the tribe gave $25,000 to the “Yes on Measure A” campaign to improve county roads; $3,600 to state Sen. Tony Strickland; $2,000 to state Sen. Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria (he received $5,000 in 2007).

State Assemblyman Pedro Nava of Santa Barbara received $5,300 in 2007 and 2008. Carpinteria City Councilman Joe Armendariz and Lompoc Mayor Dick Dewees also received contributions of $1,000 each in 2008.

As of March 31 this year, the local tribe has made $25,100 in campaign donations, which include: Janet Wolf for Supervisor (2nd District, Santa Barbara County), $500; Taxpayers for Hollingsworth for Assembly 2012, $1,000; Pedro Nava for Attorney General, $1,000; John A. Perez for Assembly 2010, $1,000; Jeff Gorrell for Assembly 2010, $2,000; Friends of James Ramos, $2,500; Abel Maldonado Office Holder, $3,200; Friends of Anthony Portantino 2010, $3,900; People for Better Government, $10,000