Non-partisan "good-government" groups call Proposition 32 deceptive
Two major non-partisan political organizations are saying that Proposition 32 will make an already unbalanced political system much worse.The League of Women Voters of California, and Common Cause have joined the opposition to an initiative that promises to eliminate special-interest money in politics.
"Prop. 32 is not what it seems, and it will hurt everyday Californians," said Trudy Schafer, a Senior Director at the League of Women Voters of California.
The initiative would ban corporations and labor unions from directly contributing to candidates - but excludes limited liability companies and business trusts from the ban - and does nothing to prevent wealthy business executives from writing big checks to politicians.
At the same time, labor unions would be banned from collecting political contributions by payroll deduction.
Today, corporations outspend labor unions by a ratio of 15-1. "Sacramento already has too much special-interest influence, and the money spent on political campaigns has caused all of us to mistrust the campaign finance system," said Derek Cressman of Common Cause. He says that the proponents of Prop. 32 "are trying to use our anger and mistrust to change the rules for their own benefit."
For more information:
League of Women Voters of California: ca.lwv.org/
Common Cause/California: commoncause.org/ca/
Today, corporations outspend labor unions by a ratio of 15-1. "Sacramento already has too much special-interest influence, and the money spent on political campaigns has caused all of us to mistrust the campaign finance system," said Derek Cressman of Common Cause. He says that the proponents of Prop. 32 "are trying to use our anger and mistrust to change the rules for their own benefit."
For more information:
League of Women Voters of California: ca.lwv.org/
Common Cause/California: commoncause.org/ca/