School Initiative Leads in Funding

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s initiative to fund after-school and early morning programs leads the money race for all statewide November ballot measures, having received $3.6 million so far, with the actor kicking in $1 million, mid-year campaign finance reports show.

The measure, Proposition 49, is widely viewed as a way for Schwarzenegger to establish his policy credentials and to provide a prelude to his eventually seeking public office.

The initiative would earmark as much as $550 million a year for after- and before-school programs for elementary and junior high school students.

A. Jerold Perenchio, chairman of the Spanish-language Univision network, also donated $1 million to the measure, according to campaign finance reports filed with the secretary of state. The measure, which is backed by the California Teachers Assn., has no organized opposition.

Californians will vote on seven statewide propositions Nov. 5, including four placed on the ballot by Gov. Gray Davis and the Legislature. None has stirred widespread controversy. But, as often happens with California’s direct democracy, wealthy individuals and initiative promoters are turning to voters in attempts to implement their visions.

Social activist and entrepreneur Robert McKay has poured $1.13 million into his initiative, Proposition 52, which would permit people to register to vote on election day. The measure would eliminate the registration deadline of 15 days before an election.

A group opposing the measure, Citizens and Law Enforcement Against Voter Fraud, has registered with the secretary of state, but has not reported any campaign activity.

The Planning and Conservation League, which has promoted several ballot measures in the past, is pushing Proposition 51 to spend tax money on a variety of transportation and environmental projects. Backers have raised $2.18 million this year, and had $159,000 in the bank, according to a mid-year filing. Opponents, including the League of Women Voters, have not raised any money yet.

The other ballot measures are:

* Proposition 46, a bond issue to provide $2.1 billion to build and refurbish low-income housing and expand shelters for the homeless, has raised $70,000, with the California Building Assn. giving half that sum. The measure has no organized opposition.

* Proposition 47, a $13-billion public school and college construction bond issue, raised $945,000 through June 30. Various builders and public employee and teachers unions are backing the measure.

* Proposition 50, which would authorize $3.44 billion in general obligation bonds to build various water-related programs, has raised $1.54 million, much of it from developers and conservation groups.

* Proposition 48, to consolidate courts, reported no money raised.