Monday, November 5, 2012

Questions Abound About the Major Spenders Behind Propositions 30 and 32


I think it's great that the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is demanding full disclosure for shadowy Americans for Responsible Leadership (ARL).  Let's hope that the FPPC also receives a full disclosure of ALL of the transactions behind the top two spenders in California politics.  California's top two political spenders disclose a portion of their campaign activities.  Other portions fall into "independent expenditures."

QUESTION:  Who are the two biggest spenders in California politics?

According to the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), the top two spenders in California politics are ...

1. California Teachers Association (CTA)
2. Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

Both are public-sector employee unions.  Employees are paid using taxpayer dollars.  As a union-only state, California's public-sector employee unions enjoy special protections not available to regular taxpayers.




REPORT:  California Fair Political Practices Commission
"Big Money Talks: The 15 Special Interests that Spent $1 Billion to Shape California Government" (March 2010)
http://www.fppc.ca.gov/reports/Report31110.pdf

QUESTION:  Who were the top two spenders on independent expenditure (IE) groups in California politics between 2000-20012?

1. California Teachers Association (CTA)
2. Service Employees International Union (SEIU)



REPORT: California Common Sense
"Independent Expenditures: The New Money in California Politics"
http://cacs.org/images/dynamic/articleAttachments/21.pdf

QUESTION:  Who are the two biggest spenders supporting Proposition 30 tax hikes on all Californians?

According to publicly available campaign disclosures as of 11/4/2012:
http://votersedge.org/california/ballot-measures/2012/november/prop-30/funding

1. California Teachers Association:  $11.7 MILLION
2. Service Employees International Union (SEIU):  $11.4 MILLION


Despite the $11 million contribution from shadowy Americans for Responsible Leadership (ARL), the public sector unions STILL enjoy a major spending advantage.  The unions enjoyed an overwhelming advantage until the donation form ARL and California's Charles Munger in early October.  Be careful not to double-count ARL's and Munger's spending as it goes both to defeating Proposition 30 and to support Proposition 32.

The third largest spender behind Proposition 30 is the California Democratic Party, who receives large contributions from--as you might expect--the California Teachers Association and the Service Employees International Union.

QUESTION:  Who are the two biggest spenders against Proposition 32, which seeks to limit undue influence from corporations and unions in California politics?

According to publicly available campaign disclosures as of 11/4/2012:
http://votersedge.org/california/ballot-measures/2012/november/prop-32/funding

1. California Teachers Association:  $21.2 MILLION
2. Service Employees International Union (SEIU):  $13.6 MILLION

Despite the $11 million contribution from shadowy Americans for Responsible Leadership (ARL), the public sector unions STILL enjoy a major spending advantage.  The unions enjoyed an overwhelming advantage until the donation form ARL and California's Charles Munger in early October.   Be careful not to double-count ARL's and Munger's spending as it goes both to defeating Proposition 30 and to support Proposition 32.

QUESTION:  Who appointed to the leadership of the California Fair Political Practices Commission?

Governor Jerry Brown.

"SacBee: Jerry Brown assumes uncommon influence over FPPC"
http://inlandpolitics.com/blog/2011/07/21/sacbee-jerry-brown-assumes-uncommon-influence-over-fppc/


QUESTION:  Who is the main proponent of Proposition 30?

Governor Jerry Brown.

QUESTION:  Which top political spender in California politics and major spender for Proposition 30 and against Proposition 32 held a private town hall meeting with Governor Jerry Brown on April 20, 2012?

SEIU Local 1000 (Service Employees International Union)



While ARL deserves to be investigated, the Governor and his cronies not blameless either.  Unfortunately, due to who runs Sacramento, both officially and unofficially, I doubt a FULL investigation of all parties will ever happen.

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