Columns and Editorials

Columns, Editorials & Endorsements

Endorsements: See the dozens of organizations that oppose Prop 32 - No on 32 Campaign

10/31/12 - The No On 32 campaign represents more than two million teachers, firefighters, police officers, nurses, school employees, and workers in the manufacturing, retail, construction, health care and other industries. Our members are every-day Californians - workers, parents, and community leaders who support adequate school funding, fair wages and benefits, workplace safety, smaller class size in our schools, better health care for children and senior citizens, and safe communities with sufficient police and fire protection.

Op-Ed: Vote No on Prop. 32, It's Not What It Seems - Voice of San Diego

10/15/12 - Proposition 32 on November’s ballot claims to be about campaign finance reform, but it’s really a gross deception financed by wealthy corporate special interests. The rich and powerful donors behind this scheme want to weaken the political voices of working people and the middle class so they can write their own rules.

Editorial: Vote NO on Prop 32 - Stockton Record

10/15/12 - This ballot measure claims to cut the ties between special interest money and elections by prohibiting payroll deductions by unions and corporations for political purposes. It sounds good until your realize that corporations almost never use payroll deductions to collect money to pour into elections.

Endorsement: No on Proposition 32 - It purports to take aim at all special interests in politics but in reality targets unions - LA Times

10/3/12 - Proposition 32 claims to be a reform measure, a good-government proposal to rid state and local elections of the special-interest money that increasingly dominates in political races around the country. But it isn't. In reality, Proposition 32 is a deceptive measure that would disproportionately weaken some special interests while leaving others essentially unaffected. Those who have seen its list of backers will not be surprised to learn that it would have a devastating effect on labor unions' political fundraising efforts and only a trivial impact on corporate spending. Voters should reject it.

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Endorsement: Proposition 32 power play deserves a 'NO' vote - Sacramento Bee

9/24/12 - Californians are being asked to diminish unions' power by restricting their ability to raise campaign money. Initiative promoters are trying to mislead voters by claiming to offer campaign finance reform. But just as they did in 1998 and 2005, voters should reject the deception by voting down Prop 32, a transparent power grab that purports to "stop special interest money." Prop 32 would ban unions and corporations from using automatic paycheck deductions to raise money for political purposes. That might sound reasonable, except that it's loaded.

Editorial: No on Prop. 32 Opinion: It isn't what it claims to be - Vacaville Reporter

9/20/12 - Supporters of Proposition 32 promise "political reform" but, in reality, this initiative was designed by billionaire businessmen and corporate special interests to help themselves and harm their opponents.

Editorial: Proposition 32 is deceptive and should be rejected - Contra Costa Times

9/19/12 - If Proposition 32 did what supporters claim -- limit all special-interest money from corrupting the political system -- we would race to endorse it. It doesn't. It is a deceptive sham that would magnify the influence of wealthy interests while shutting out those with competing views.

Column: A stealth attack seeks to drain labor money - Sacramento Bee

9/19/12 - A campaign ad airing statewide portrays crooked politicians and shady lobbyists meeting in garages and stairwells, seemingly at the California Capitol. If you didn't know better, you'd think good government types were promoting political reform. But this being California initiative politics, the funders are not wearing white hats. The money is real, $4.08 million so far, but the contributors are anonymous, the sort who increasingly dominate American politics.

Column: Prop. 32 is a cynical attempt to tip balance in favor of the wealthy - Contra Costa Times

9/17/12 - For the third time in 14 years (Proposition 226 in 1998 and Proposition 75 in 2005), there have been attempts by conservative forces in California to curtail and stifle the voices of working people. In what has to be considered an oxymoron, wealthy individuals and conservative political action committees have joined forces in advocating for Proposition 32, "The Stop Special Interest Money Now Act" on the November ballot.

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Editorial: Prop. 32 an unbalanced 'reform' plan - San Francisco Chronicle

9/16/12 - Proposition 32 purports to be an even-handed attempt to reduce the influence of special interests in California. It is anything but balanced. The most telling way to assess the motive and the effect of this initiative is to follow the money.

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Editorial: Mercury News editorial: Deceptive Prop. 32 would worsen campaign finance mess - San Jose Mercury News

9/2/12 - If Proposition 32 did what supporters claim -- limit all special interest money from corrupting the political system -- we would heartily endorse it. It doesn't. It is a deceptive sham that would magnify the influence of wealthy interests while shutting out many middle-class voters. Vote no on Proposition 32.

Editorial: Proposition 32 on the Nov. 6 state ballot isn't what it appears to be - Ventura County Star

8/30/12 - "Fraud" and "sham" are strong words, but they come to mind when talking about this initiative. For that reason, The Star recommends a "no" vote on Proposition 32.