The single most dangerous measure on the state ballot this November is Proposition 32. Backers of the so-called “Stop Special Interest Money Now Act” claim it is a “simple, fair, and balanced solution” to the problem of big money in Sacramento.
The truth is, it does the opposite. While shutting public employees out of elections, the measure re-writes the rules in favor of big corporations and the super-wealthy, giving them special exemptions to spend unlimited amounts of money in elections.
Meanwhile it targets and limits the voices of working families to speak on issues like maintaining public services, stopping foreclosures and closing tax loopholes that favor the wealthiest.
Trudy Shafer of the League of Women Voters pointed out that Prop. 32 “is not what it seems and will hurt everyday Californians.” Derek Cressman of California Common Cause says that the measure exempts a “whole host of companies and major political donors.”
The measureexempts secretive Super PACs,which canraise unlimited amounts of moneyfrom Wall Street investment firms, hedge funds, insurance companies, and billionaires. Meanwhile, it prohibits union members from making voluntary contributions (collected via payroll deduction) to candidates. While the initiative blocks corporations from using payroll deduction for political spending, very few corporations use payroll deductions, so the provision will not apply to most businesses.
More than 100 Local 21 members have already signed commitment cards to volunteer one evening or one weekend afternoon, contacting friendly voters to educate them about the measure. Join us by contacting Political and Policy Director, Rachel Richman. Read moreabout Proposition 32, and visit our website for a list of endorsements to date.
