News Releases

For Immediate Release:  Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Contact:  Kim Alexander or Will Barrett, 916-441-2494 or kimalex@calvoter.org

Voters Can Follow the Money, Prepare for Super Tuesday at www.calvoter.org

California Ballot Proposition Campaigns Raise $133 Million

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 29  -- Supporters and opponents of the seven propositions on California's Feb. 5 ballot have raised over $133 million through mid-January, according to the California Voter Foundation (CVF), a nonprofit organization that is tracking proposition fundraising through its nonpartisan voter education web site.

"California voters face a number of complicated propositions this election," said Kim Alexander, CVF President. "Following the money is a great shortcut that helps voters get to the bottom line and find out which interest groups are supporting and opposing each measure."

Four referenda aiming to repeal tribal gaming compacts - propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97 - account for more than 80 percent of all the money raised. Supporters of those propositions have raised $82.7 million and include the four Indian tribes whose compacts are on the ballot. The top supporter, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians, has donated $32.4 million. The "no" side has raised $27.8 million, with its top donors, the United Auburn Indian Community of the Auburn Rancheria and the Pala Band of Mission Indians, contributing $9 million each.

On Proposition 93, which would amend California's term limit law, proponents have raised $11.8 million, with the California Teachers Association the top donor, at $2 million. Opponents have raised $5.7 million, less than half as much as supporters. The California Correctional Peace Officers Association is the leading contributor against Prop. 93, donating $2 million.

Proposition 92, which would change the state's way of calculating community college funding, has seen a combined $5.3 million raised. The supporters of Prop. 92 have raised nearly $3 million, with more than $800,000 contributed by the California Federation of Teachers. The "no" side's top donor is the California Teachers Association, which has donated nearly $1.8 million of the $2.3 million total raised. No funds have been raised for or against Proposition 91, which deals with gas sales taxes.

CVF's web site (http://www.calvoter.org/covg) lists the top five donors for and against each proposition, information on all of the Presidential candidates appearing on California's ballot, contact information for the 58 county election offices, and county-by-county voting equipment information.

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This page was first published on January 29, 2008 | Last updated on January 30, 2008
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