Who Is Scaring Californians Away From Signing Petitions For Ballot Initiatives?

Let’s start with this screenshot of a new website launched by a yet-unidentified group that is calling itself “Californians Against Identity Theft.” Apparently, the sole purpose of this group is to scare Californians away from signing petitions to put ballot measures on California’s November 2011 and 2012 ballots.

According to Capitol Alert, whoever is behind the scary site (and a radio ad) doesn’t appear to want to be identified and their motives are questionable.

The group does not appear to have any ties to legitimate organizations dedicated to protecting consumers from identity theft. A spokeswoman for the San Diego-based Identity Theft Resource Center disputed the premise of the ad.

[snip]

Derek Cressman of government watchdog group Common Cause said he was “hard pressed” think of a situation where signing an initiative petition led to identity theft. He said the ad sounded like an attempt to “provoke a fear” to discourage people from signing petitions.
“If they really wanted people to take their warning seriously, they’d have more credibility by revealing their own identities,” he said.

So, what petitions are being signed for which ballot measures?

In San Francisco, there are two competing pension reform initiatives, one is backed by government unions.

In addition, there are a large number of other initiatives cleared for signature gathering that, if enough signatures are gathered, would be placed on the November 2012 ballot.

A few will meet near-certain union opposition, including one that certain groups would consider anti-illegal immigrant, as it:

Requires state and local agencies to check immigration status of applicants for public benefits, including certain children. Requires agencies to report applicants whose immigration status is unverified to federal immigration authorities, including parents requesting benefits for legal resident children. Denies CalWORKS benefits for certain children with unverified immigration status. Requires state and local law enforcement to comply with direction from federal immigration authorities for holding and transferring undocumented immigrants arrested. Requires commitment for law enforcement agencies to perform federal immigration functions. Bars policies against enforcement of federal immigration laws.

And there’s this one that…

Restricts union political fundraising by prohibiting use of payroll-deducted funds for political purposes. Same use restriction would apply to payroll deductions, if any, by corporations or government contractors. Permits voluntary employee contributions to employer or union committees if authorized yearly, in writing. Prohibits unions and corporations from contributing directly or indirectly to candidates and candidate-controlled committees.

As well as this one that…

Amends state Constitution to eliminate employees’ option to designate union representation by proving majority support to their employer. Would require formal secret ballot election for any designation of labor representation. Restates existing Constitutional guarantee of vote by secret ballot in elections for public office and upon an initiative or referendum. Adds that secret ballot is a fundamental right.

And this one too…

Sets retirement age at 62 for persons who are or will be public employees. Limits pensions to 60 percent of employee’s highest average base wage for three consecutive years. Requires employees match public agency pension contribution. Mandates public employees work fulltime for five consecutive years to receive pension. Provides public agency full discretion to modify pensions, and prevents pension changes through contract or collective bargaining.

While whoever is behind trying to keep Californians from signing petitions for ballot measures remains a mystery, it’s clear that unions are likely opposed to the ballot measures described above.

Coincidentally, though a spokesman says the SEIU is not involved with the radio ad, the purple behemoth is sending out its ~~thugs~~ personnel to “persuade” Californians not to sign petitions.

SEIU California is dispatching its own representatives to the streets to persuade voters not to sign petitions. The union has sent members a toll-free number to report canvassers circulating petitions for the measure, urging them to dial in “if you see someone trying to fool voters in your community into signing away our rights.”

SEIU California spokesman Christopher Calhoun said the union’s effort is intended to “make sure folks get a chance to hear our side of the story” before signing the petitions.

There is the remote possibility that the SEIU is not behind the scare tactic. Of course, it could also be any number of other left-wing ~~unions~~ groups.

We’ll just have to wait and see.

________________

“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.” Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776

Cross-posted.