California taxpayers, it’s time to wake up! Have you ever wondered how many people depend on government employment, government contracts, government benefits and taxpayer-funded programs? More importantly, have you wondered how much political influence comes with that money?
California has approximately 2.49 million union members and 1.8 million state and local government employees. Add roughly 245,000 federal employees, and government employment exceeds two million. Public school teachers, administrators and other education employees are included in these figures.
Many government employees belong to unions, so these numbers overlap. Nevertheless, they reveal the enormous financial relationship between California’s government and its workforce.
Now follow the political money.
Historical records for just three California unions — the California Teachers Association, SEIU Local 1000 and the Peace Officers Research Association of California — identify approximately $62.3 million in partisan spending benefiting Democrats, compared with $3.35 million benefiting Republicans. That’s nearly 95 percent for Democrats and 5 percent for Republicans! And those are only three organizations, not California’s entire labor movement.
Ask yourself this: When unions contribute millions to elect politicians, and those politicians subsequently negotiate public salaries, pensions and benefits, who represents the taxpayers sitting across the negotiating table?
Now consider government assistance.
California’s Medi-Cal program serves more than 14 million people. Annual spending approaches $200 billion, including federal and state funds. CalFresh food assistance distributes approximately $13 billion annually. Add billions more for welfare, subsidized housing, in-home care and other assistance programs. Nobody should deny necessary assistance to children, disabled residents, struggling families or senior citizens.
But what about able-bodied adults who could work? Are our politicians encouraging employment and independence, or expanding programs without adequately measuring results?
And who pays for all this? The farmer struggling with fuel and equipment costs. The small-business owner meeting payroll. The retired homeowner watching property taxes, insurance and utility bills increase. The working family trying to survive in California.
Meanwhile, California remains under Democratic control, and organized political interests continue financing campaigns.
I call this system “Pay for the Vote.”
I’m not suggesting that every government employee, union member or assistance recipient votes Democratic. But when politicians promise more government spending while receiving substantial financial support from organizations affected by those decisions, taxpayers deserve answers.
California needs independent scrutiny of political contributions, government contracts, public pensions and assistance programs.
Government spending must produce measurable results. Assistance should encourage independence whenever possible, and politicians must be accountable for every dollar they authorize.
California cannot measure its success by how many people depend on government. It should measure success by how many people can prosper without depending on it.
Wake up, California!
Follow the money. Question the political influence. Remember who pays the bills.