Thursday, October 25, 2012

Labor denounces $11 Million Donation from Right-Wing Group

The state's Fair Political Practices Commission is asking an Arizona nonprofit to disclose the donors behind an $11 million contribution to a California PAC. Americans for Responsible Leadership made the record contribution to a group that is fighting a state measure that would increase taxes to fund public education. It's also pushing a ballot measure to curb union influence. The group says its donors had no way of knowing the California organization would use the money to finance proposition battles. It says it has a First Amendment right not to publicize its donors' names. Labor groups say it's laundering election money and Californians have a right to know who's behind the donation. Pacifica KPFK’s Ernesto Arce files this report from Los Angeles.