SACRAMENTO — The powerful Service Employees International Union has opened its checkbook heading into next month's election on budget-related propositions, dropping $1 million into campaigns this week. But the organization hedged its bets, backing one measure while opposing another.
SEIU's state council put $500,000 into the campaign against Proposition 1A, the measure on the May 19 ballot that would adopt a spending cap, establish a rainy day fund and extend recent tax hikes for up to two additional years. The union, which represents 700,000 workers across the state, considers the spending cap a potential threat to government programs that employ its members.
