FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2011
CONTACT:
Laurie Paredes (916) 319-2077
ASSEMBLYMEMBERS JONES AND MANSOOR AUTHOR BILL TO STOP UNION AND CORPORATE POLITICAL INFLUENCE
Bill seeks to shift political power back to the people of California
Sacramento – Assemblyman Brian Jones (Santee) and Assemblyman Allan Mansoor (Costa Mesa) have jointly authored legislation to sharply curb the influx of special interest money into California politics. AB 860 will prohibit direct political contributions by corporations and unions to political candidates.
“If we are truly interested in fixing what’s wrong with Sacramento, we have to shift the balance of power from the corporations and unions back to the citizens of the state. When such an enormous amount of money- over a billion dollars – has been spent by so few special interests, it’s time to put a stop to the cash machine,” said Jones from his office at the Capitol in Sacramento.
AB 860 will also prohibit direct political contributions by government contractors to politicians who approve their contracts, and will eliminate the ability for government employers to deduct from government worker paychecks money used for political purposes.
Current California law permits direct political contributions by corporations and unions to political candidates as well as direct political contributions by government contractors to politicians who approve their contracts. It also allows – through union dues – government employers to deduct from worker paychecks money which can be used to engage in political activity.
“This is a not an anti-union drill – rather, it is a unique opportunity to defend working Californians against all special interests. If a political candidate or organization needs financial contributions, then they should be direct and ask for them; they should not be acquiring them through an employer, whether government or corporate. When money is withheld from an employee’s paycheck and subsequently earmarked for political purposes, there is no question that it can create an environment that is ripe for corruption,” concluded Jones.
AB 860 has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Elections and Redistricting.
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Assemblyman Brian Jones, R-Santee, represents the 77th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Alpine, Borrego Springs, Bostonia, Casa de Oro – Mount Helix, Crest, El Cajon, Granite Hills, Harbison Canyon, Jamul, La Mesa, Lakeside, Ramona, Rancho San Diego, San Diego, San Diego Country Estates, Santee and Winter Gardens.