California Common Cause Says No To Paycheck Initiative

Media Contact:

May 11, 2012

Phillip Ung 916-520-4070

California Common Cause says No to Paycheck Initiative: Good government group finds imbalance in November ballot measure

The Board of California Common Cause voted to oppose the November ballot measure titled “Prohibits Political Contributions by Payroll Deductions. Prohibitions on Contributions to Candidates”. Also known as the “Stop Special Interests Money Now Act.” The Board released the following statement:

“The overwhelming influence of special interest money in politics that drowns out the priorities and voices of the people of California is a serious problem. This initiative includes some approaches that we agree with – a ban on direct contributions from corporate and union treasuries and a ban on government contractor donations. Unfortunately, it also effectively bans the current practice of payroll deductions, thus eliminating a major funding source of labor unions, while leaving ample room for indirect political spending by corporations from their corporate treasuries. This initiative would result in significant undue advantages for one set of interests over another that we believe will do more harm to California’s democracy than good, and we urge voters to vote ‘No.'”

Please contact Phillip Ung at pung@commoncause.org or (916) 520-4070 for any media inquiries regarding this announcement.

California Common Cause is a non-partisan, non-profit that strives to strengthen our democracy by empowering our members, supporters and the general public to take action on critical policy issues.