Molly Munger pulling her ad hitting Jerry Brown proposal
Wealthy attorney Molly Munger is phasing out her ad critical of Gov. Jerry Brown's tax initiative.
Munger formed a committee earlier this month to point out flaws in Brown's Proposition 30, which would raise $6 billion in taxes on wealthy earners and sales to help the state budget and schools.
She launched a 30-second ad last week that called Brown's campaign misleading and depicted politicians taking money from a schoolhouse.
The statewide ad, backed by nearly $5 million in new donations from Munger, sent chills through education groups and labor unions supporting Brown's initiative. Many leaders called on Munger to drop her ad, including state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, who is supporting both measures.
"We made our point, and now we're moving on," said Proposition 38 spokesman Nathan Ballard. "This isn't the No on 30 campaign. It's the Yes on 38 campaign. We listened to our allies, and we will continue to listen to our allies."
Munger's own Proposition 38 would generate $10 billion annually by hiking income taxes on all but low-income earners, most going to K-12 schools and early childhood programs but also assisting the state budget.
CAMPAIGN WATCH
The California House races drawing the most paid advertising from outside groups, says the Federal Election Commission, are the east Sacramento County race between Republican Rep. Dan Lungren and Democratic challenger Ami Bera ($6.1 million) and the Modesto-area contest between Republican Rep. Jeff Denham and Democratic opponent Jose Hernandez ($5.2 million).
WORTH REPEATING
"These things are not necessarily bad for the unions. It's an opportunity to mobilize the base. It's a chance for them to articulate the value of organized labor."
MICHAEL HEANEY, University of Michigan assistant professor of organizational studies and political science, on the impact of laws, such as Proposition 32, that would prevent teachers' unions from collecting dues via payroll deductions
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