California League of Conservation Voters Opposes Governor’s Special Election

Oakland—The California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) has taken an opposing position on two of the ballot measures supported by Governor Schwarzenegger that will appear on the November Special Election Ballot. CLCV has specifically come out against propositions designed to place a cap on state spending and limit the use of union dues for electoral organizing activities.

“Holding a special election this November is a reckless and unnecessary waste of taxpayer money,” stated Susan Smartt, executive director of the California League of Conservation Voters. “There is virtually no public support for this election in the fall. 70 million dollars is a lot of money we should be spending on protecting the health of our children and communities, not bankrolling an election supported by the big businesses that write checks to the Governor,” asserted Smartt.

The so-called ‘Live Within our Means’ initiative (Proposition 76) would impose a new state spending limit, giving the Governor broad authority to cut spending if revenues fall below forecasted levels. “Programs to fund environmental protection are dependent on money from the state’s special funds. This is another end run by polluting industry to gut the environmental enforcement that protects our health and our neighborhoods,” said Rico Mastrodonato, Northern California Director of CLCV.

CLCV is also opposing the so-called ‘Paycheck Protection Initiative,’ (Proposition 75) which would severely limit the ability of public employees to participate in election activity through their unions. “Union workers support pro-environmental candidates on election day because workers are often the very first people to encounter pollution-related health problems from exposures in the workplace,” said Smartt. “Polluters already have an unfair advantage in the political process with oil and chemical industries using their deep-pockets to fund anti-environmental candidates. Approving this initiative will make the disparity much worse,” said Smartt.

The special election was announced by the Governor today and will be held on November 8th, 2005.