-
- Screwing
the public 101
Unions sock a
lot of secret cash into state elections
OLYMPIA (Wednesday
5-24-00)---The Evergreen
Freedom Foundation says unions can sock
money into the coffers of campaigns and candidates,
and never account for a dime.
Unions do an end run around the law because the
Public Disclosure Commissioner and Democrat Atty. Gen.
Christine Gregoire allow them to use general dues
rather than registering as a political action
committee (PAC).
"Can the PDC tell you how much unions gave in
the 1998 election? Not if unions do not report," says
EFF Investigator Jamie Lund. "And why should unions
tell all when the PDC and Attorney General allow them
to use general dues rather than registering as a PAC?"
Lund asked.
Lund said union cash for candidates and causes
is serious business affecting every Washington
resident. It's a lot of dough.
"When I talk about union spending on elections,
I'm not talking about the cost of a few photocopies of
a handout made on a union photocopier," Lund said.
"Some unions are making direct contributions in
excess of the entire budget of minor parties or
regional parties that must report every nickel. Our
study shows more than $430,000 was contributed by a
handful of unions that don't report a dime of it,"
Lund said.
Outraged, EFF's Lund has filed complaints about
the ongoing fiasco that greatly helps big government
democrats and their left-wing causes.
"Ten of the complaints I filed last week focus
on over $220,000 worth of direct contributions that
have never been reported by the unions that gave
them," Lund told the Yakima Valley News.
According to Lund, the law is supposed to
prevent special interest groups from having such a
huge effect on state elections in Washington.
"According to current law, any major donor
giving more than $11,500 to state office-seekers or
ballot measures is required to file just one report
--called the C-7--three months after the election.
This is hardly a rigorous requirement. It barely
serves the public interest of full disclosure of
election influence.
"Yet even one simple report is too much to ask
of some unions," Lund says.
His investigatons reveal the State Council of
Fire Fighters gave more than $75,000 in 97-98, but
filed no record of the cash that changed hands.
Ditto with the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers national office, which gave $16,000
to issue campaigns in 1998.
No C-7 forms were forthcoming from either union.
The hefty cash infusions often helps democrats to
slither into office and pass laws designed to further
obfuscate state politics for the average voter.
Lund says the following union locals of the
Laborers International Union of North America gave
hefty handouts including:
- LIUNA local 242 $29,350
- LIUNA local 292 $18,373
- LIUNA local 614 $15,500
- LIUNA local 276 $14,600
- LIUNA local 1239 $13,550
- LIUNA local 901 $13,400
- LIUNA local 791 $12,875
Officials of these locals filed no records for
giving a collective total of $117,648.
The Service Employees International Union
headquarters gave $15,000 to initiative campaigns in
1998. No C-7 was filed.
"Concealing election influence amounting to
$220,000 should be of concern to political observers,"
Lund said. "And remember, these are only the direct
contributions, not the easily concealed grassroots
influence."
