SEIU gives $1 million to proposition campaigns
The powerful Service Employees International Union has opened its checkbook heading into next month’s election on budget-related propositions, dropping $1 million into campaigns this week. But the organization hedged its bets, backing one measure while opposing another.
SEIU’s state council put $500,000 into the campaign against Proposition 1A, the measure on the May 19 ballot that would adopt a spending cap, establish a rainy day fund and extend recent tax hikes for up to two additional years. The union, which represents 700,000 workers across the state, considers the spending cap a potential threat to government programs that employ its members.
The labor group also donated $500,000 in support of Proposition 1C, a lottery measure that would authorize $5 billion in borrowing against future profits to help balance the state budget.
Without that borrowing, state officials say, programs staffed largely by SEIU members could be slashed.
Backers of 1A expressed disappointment.
If it and the other measures don’t pass, said campaign spokeswoman Julie Soderlund, “it’s likely the hard-working members of SEIU will be among those hurt the most.”
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