Contacts: Becky Zoglman at 916-296-5271 (cell) or Claudia Briggs at 916-296-4087 (cell)
CTA Supports Cathleen Galgiani for SD 5
Sacramento, CA -- The California Teachers Association is calling on the Independent Expenditure group, Citizens for California Reform, to cease and desist using CTA’s logo in a deceptive political mail program attacking Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani of Stockton in her race against Assemblyman Bill Berryhill for the 5th Senate District.
"This brazen disregard for the truth must stop immediately," said CTA President Dean E. Vogel. "CTA strongly supports Assemblywoman Galgiani. Citizens for Campaign Reform must stop deliberately misleading voters by using the CTA logo in their deceptive mailer to create the false impression that teachers agree with the group’s view of Galgiani."
The mailer, which was sent to homes across San Joaquin and parts of Stanislaus counties, falsely claims that Galgiani enjoys a tax-free salary and free gasoline, while criticizing education funding cuts using the CTA insignia.
"Voters should look at who is behind this mailer and who is paying for it," said Vogel. "The mailer by Citizens for California Reform is paid for by big tobacco and oil companies and an anti-public education billionaire who do not hold the best interests of kids, teachers, and education at heart. Don’t be fooled."
CTA issued a formal cease and desist notice from its legal counsel to the group’s treasurer, Charles Bell last week. Citizens for Campaign Reform has spent more than $240,000 attacking Galgiani. Citizens for Campaign Reform is funded by Philip Morris USA, Chevron and billionaire Charles Munger Jr., who has also given more than $20 million to a group attacking Proposition 30, a ballot measure that would bring money to public education and would stop the state from cutting an additional $6 billion from our schools and colleges.
"Cathleen Galgiani has been the children’s champion in the California State Assembly and teachers support her candidacy for senate," concluded Vogel. "Assemblywoman Galgiani has voted repeatedly in favor of laws to protect kids and ensure they are given every opportunity to succeed."
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The 325,000-member CTA is affiliated with the 3.2 million-member National Education Association.