Conservative Cops Turn Against Gov. Schwarzennegger
Jim Kouri, CPP
September 21, 2005
Governor Arnold Schwarzennegger -- already facing a tough reelection in California -- may find it even tougher thanks to several police organizations who represent thousands of California officers. The latest problem police associations and unions have with the Governator is his support for a ballot initiative, Proposition 75.
Prop 75, a November ballot measure, would require public employee unions to get members' written permission to spend their dues on political campaigns. Although sources within the ranks of police agencies throughout claim most cops are Republicans and conservatives, the union leadership tends to support Democrat and liberal candidates and liberal issues which means most of their contributions of cash and assistance go to the Democrats.
One source told this writer that he's a Schwarzennegger supporter, but his union leaders support Democrat opponents and detractors because they are concerned with issues related to pay and benefits for their membership. They're also aware that Proposition 75 will hurt public employee unions since it is sure to decrease their political clout and denigrate their endorsements.
"The union leaders are worried. What good are their endorsements if the rank-and-file members support the otherside?" says one police organization executive.
Besides endorsements, there are millions of dollars in campaign contributions for the Democrat Party -- viewed as labor-friendly -- and for individual candidates at stake should Californians vote for Prop 75.
Organizations such as the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the Association of Orange County Sheriff's Deputies, and the local chapter of largest police union in the US, the Fraternal Order of Police are mobilizing their resources to battle passage of the proposition. In fact the FOP's president sent out a letter to the organization's membership urging them to vote NO on Prop 75.
Roger Mayberry, president of the California Lodge of the FOP, said, "The proponents of Proposition 75 are antigovernment crusaders and big business special interests who want to silence [police officers'] voices! In states where similar measures to Prop 75 have passed, union PAC's (Political Action Committees) are 1/20th of their former levels."
Mayberry claims, "Every major law enforcement union, teachers, nurses, firefighters, as well as every major public employee and trade union are against Proposition 75" The national FOP endorsed President Bush for reelection in 2004 based on his tough stance against terrorism.
Among the initiative's proponents are a business coalition aligned with Schwarzennegger, tax-cut crusaders and the state Republican Party, which complains unions contribute disproportionately to Democrats in spite of the overwhelming majority of law enforcement identifying themselves as either Republican or conservative.
The GOP's stance enrages badge-wearing Republicans like one police sergeant, who wished to maintain anonymity. The decorated sergeant believes that Republicans should support police officers and compensate them for the good of the public.
"How can you attract the best cops to join or stay on the force if they cannot use their political clout to offer attractive wage and benefits programs."
One police officer see Proposition 75 as an attack on cops and a Republican consultant sees that as a danger. "Cops view an attack on their union as an attack on the law enforcement community. How do Republicans separate the two?"
Prop 75, a November ballot measure, would require public employee unions to get members' written permission to spend their dues on political campaigns. Although sources within the ranks of police agencies throughout claim most cops are Republicans and conservatives, the union leadership tends to support Democrat and liberal candidates and liberal issues which means most of their contributions of cash and assistance go to the Democrats.
One source told this writer that he's a Schwarzennegger supporter, but his union leaders support Democrat opponents and detractors because they are concerned with issues related to pay and benefits for their membership. They're also aware that Proposition 75 will hurt public employee unions since it is sure to decrease their political clout and denigrate their endorsements.
"The union leaders are worried. What good are their endorsements if the rank-and-file members support the otherside?" says one police organization executive.
Besides endorsements, there are millions of dollars in campaign contributions for the Democrat Party -- viewed as labor-friendly -- and for individual candidates at stake should Californians vote for Prop 75.
Organizations such as the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the Association of Orange County Sheriff's Deputies, and the local chapter of largest police union in the US, the Fraternal Order of Police are mobilizing their resources to battle passage of the proposition. In fact the FOP's president sent out a letter to the organization's membership urging them to vote NO on Prop 75.
Roger Mayberry, president of the California Lodge of the FOP, said, "The proponents of Proposition 75 are antigovernment crusaders and big business special interests who want to silence [police officers'] voices! In states where similar measures to Prop 75 have passed, union PAC's (Political Action Committees) are 1/20th of their former levels."
Mayberry claims, "Every major law enforcement union, teachers, nurses, firefighters, as well as every major public employee and trade union are against Proposition 75" The national FOP endorsed President Bush for reelection in 2004 based on his tough stance against terrorism.
Among the initiative's proponents are a business coalition aligned with Schwarzennegger, tax-cut crusaders and the state Republican Party, which complains unions contribute disproportionately to Democrats in spite of the overwhelming majority of law enforcement identifying themselves as either Republican or conservative.
The GOP's stance enrages badge-wearing Republicans like one police sergeant, who wished to maintain anonymity. The decorated sergeant believes that Republicans should support police officers and compensate them for the good of the public.
"How can you attract the best cops to join or stay on the force if they cannot use their political clout to offer attractive wage and benefits programs."
One police officer see Proposition 75 as an attack on cops and a Republican consultant sees that as a danger. "Cops view an attack on their union as an attack on the law enforcement community. How do Republicans separate the two?"
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