Watchdog Group Sues For Details About Prop. 30 Opponents
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - California officials have filed a lawsuit in hopes of revealing who is behind $11 million in out-of-state contributions to defeat Proposition 30, the tax increase proposal backed by California Governor Jerry Brown.
According to a San Francisco Chronicle report, the Fair Political Practices Commission filed the lawsuit Thursday in Sacramento Superior Court to force the the conservative Arizona-based Americans for Responsible Leadership to release records related to the funding.
The group seeks to defeat the tax increase proposal and supports Proposition 32 – a ban on payroll tax deductions which would potentially limit the political influence of unions.
Nonprofit organizations that do not give money for specific political purpose do not have to reveal their backers, but a watchdog croup has filed a complaint alleging that Americans for Responsible leadership has essentially earmarked funds for these two propositions by making the donation to the Small Business Action Committee, which is running ads against Prop 30 and for Prop 32.
The $11 million donation is believed likely the largest anonymous political donation in state history, according to the Bay Area New Group.
A judge has set a hearing date for Tuesday.
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