Big Money Talks

California’s Billion Dollar Club

15 Special Interests that Spent $1 Billion to shape California Government

This report, “Big Money Talks” examines California’s Top 15 spending special interest groups over the last 10 years.  Their combined expenditures totaled more than $1 Billion.  Of the (15) fifteen identified groups, (6) six are corporations, (3) three are Indian tribes, (2) two are public employee labor unions and (4) four are business associations. 

The (15) fifteen that spent $1 Billion to influence California voters and public officials:

1.       California Teachers Association-$211,849,298

2.       California State Council Service Employees-$107,467,272

3.       Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America-$104,912,997

4.       Morongo Band of Mission Indians-$83,600,438

5.       Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians-$69,298,909

6.       Pacific Gas & Electric Company-$69,240,759

7.       Chevron Corporation-$66,257,132

8.       AT&T, Inc.-$59,619,677

9.       Phillip Morris, USA-$15,756,360

10.    Aqua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians-$49,078,448

11.    Southern California Edison-$43,412,031

12.    California Hospital Association-$43,281,456

13.    California Chamber of Commerce-$39,065,861

14.    Western States Petroleum Association-$35,214,325

15.    Aera Energy, LLC-$34,671,163

16.    Grand Total of $1,067,726,126

How these groups spent more than $1 Billion between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2009:

·         BALLOT MEASURES (state and local) = nearly $660 Million (more than $125 Million by Indian tribes in gaming ballot measures)

·         CANDIDATES (state and local)  = more than $80 Million (two top spenders in this category are the 2 state public employee unions)

·         POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES (Democrats and Republicans) = more than $30 Million

·         LOBBYING California State Legislature and other state governmental agencies = more than $250 Million

Who are the next 10 in line?

1.       California Association of Realtors-$33,329,943

2.       California Correctional Peace Officers Association-$32,452,083

3.       California School Employees Association-$31,861,749

4.       San Manuel Band of Indians-$29,747,811

5.       Rentals American Inc.-$29,213,942

6.       Pala Band of Mission Indians-$24,021,356

7.       United Auburn Indian Committee-$24,019,877

8.       California Medical Association-$23,064,218

9.       Anthem Blue Cross-$21,993,466

10.    Consumer Attorneys of California-$21,294,921

The above referenced report and its title was prepared as a research project by the California Fair Political Practices Commission in March of 2010.  Information received from and prepared by: Joseph W. Brady, Inc dba The Bradco