CVF-NEWS

CVF follows the money on California propositions

January 11, 2008

Hi Folks,

This election season, the California Voter Foundation is tracking the total amounts raised to support and oppose the seven propositions on the statewide February 5th ballot, as well as the top five donors for and against each measure.

You'll find the latest figures in our California Online Voter Guide, at http://www.calvoter.org/covg.

Here's an overview:

At the close of the last reporting period on December 31, 2007, $71.8 million has been raised to support and oppose the seven statewide propositions. Nearly $60 million of that is from the campaigns for and against Propositions 94, 95, 96, 97, all of which deal with tribal casinos.

With over 80 percent of all funds going toward the four tribal casino measures, it is not surprising that the biggest overall players in the Presidential Primary proposition cycle are California tribes campaigning for and against these measures. Here are the overall top five donors to date:

1. The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians has donated $20.3 million to support propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97;

2. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has donated $10.6 million to support support propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97;

3. The Morongo Band of Mission Indians has donated $10.5 million to support propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97;

4. The United Auburn Indian Community has donated $5 million to oppose propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97; and

5. The Pala Band of Mission Indians has donated $3 million to oppose propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97.

Proposition 93, which would change California's legislative term limits, has seen some large donations in support and opposition as well. The "yes" side has raised $6.7 million to date, with the California Teachers Association as the top supporter, contributing $1 million. The "no" side has raised $1.7 million, with most of that - $1.5 million - coming from U.S. Term Limits, Inc. Supporters of Proposition 92, which seeks to change community college funding rules, have raised $2.8 million, with the California Federation of Teachers as the top donor, at $668,000. Opponents have raised $806,000, with most of that coming from the California Teachers Association, which has contributed $791,000.

So far no money has been spent to support or oppose Prop. 91, which deals with gas sales taxes (and whose proponents say is no longer needed due to the passage of Prop. 1A in November 2006).

Much more information about the propositions, the candidates for President, and the voting process in California is available at CVF's nonpartisan California Online Voter Guide, at http://www.calvoter.org/covg.

Now is a good time to start thinking about hosting an Election House Party for your friends and family - if you'd like to learn more, visit CVF's "How to Host An Election House Party" page at http://www.calvoter.org/issues/votereng/parties/index.html .

We are continuously working to update our guide to help Californians prepare to vote in the state's February 5th Presidential Primary and hope you will visit often!

 

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This page was first published on January 11, 2008 | Last updated on January 14, 2008
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