Brace for the deluge: Special interests are spending millions to get the California legislators they want

By Ben Christopher, Cal Matters

Highlights:

With primary elections coming up in California, deep-pocketed interest groups, including the fossil fuel industry, are pumping money into campaigns to secure a say in state lawmaking.

• California’s primary is happening earlier than usual and many residents are casting their ballots early
• Independent expenditure committees are allowed to spend as much money as they can raise and have spent $12.5 million on this upcoming election
• Oil and gas producers, realtors and car dealers are responsible for nearly half of all outside spending
• The Coalition to Restore California’s Middle Class and the Restore California’s Middle-Class Coalition are the California Independent Petroleum Association’s two major committees and have spent over $3.7 million on state legislative races

The Climate Center advocates for key legislation to rapidly decarbonize California. Click here to see which bills we are supporting.

Read More: https://calmatters.org/blogs/california-election-2020/2020/02/california-legislative-campaigns-outside-spending-soars-oil-realtors-car-dealers

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Nina Turner

Nina is a graduate of the Energy Management and Design program at Sonoma State University. She has experience in non-profits that specialize in sustainability and volunteerism. Nina is currently the Energy Program Coordinator and produces the bi-weekly Clean Power Exchange newsletter.

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