May 19, 2012
Stanton A. Glantz, PhD
Thousands of previously secret tobacco industry documents reveal links between Big Tobacco and No on 29 endorsers
The tobacco companies are working assiduously to make it look like there is a genuine grassroots opposition to California Proposition 29. We have over 802 million pages of previously secret tobacco industry documents in the UCSF Legacy Tobacco Documents Library. My colleague Kate Swartz did quick searches on many of the organizations whose names appear on No on 29 materials. While we did not have time to screen all these documents but it is clear that there are thousands of documents linking these groups (often financially) to Big Tobacco. They are hardly independent voices.
By the way, just because we did not find documents for some of the organizations does not mean that there are no financial or other ties. The most recent of the industry documents are several years old. In addition, we only searched on the organization names without doing more sophisticated digging.
Click on the links to peruse the documents and see what you think.
Stars indicate appearance of organization in Prop 29 Mailers (mailer specified)
NATIONAL AND STATEWIDE ORGANIZATIONS
- *Americans for Prosperity
- * Listed (#5 spot) on CA GOP Party’s “Vote NO on 29” mailer (5/16/12)
- Previous name: Citizens for a Sound Eeconomy
- Citizens for a sound economy 2110: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic?fd=0&q=%22Citizens+for+a+sound+economy%22&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
- ***Americans for Tax Reform
- 1202 documents
- * Listed (#6 spot) on CA GOP Party’s “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- * Logo (#7 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- * Logo (#7 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic;jsessionid=CCDED3B0BEB2133FC691BE9FDFD0F095.tobacco03?fd=0&q=%22Americans+for+Tax+Reform%22
- American Wholesale Marketers Association
- Asian Business Coalition
- **California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce
- 0
- * Logo (#9 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- * Logo (#11 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- **California Distributors Association
- 536
- * Logo (#17 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- * Logo (#15 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic?fd=0&q=%22California+Distributors+Association%22&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
- California Grocers Association
- California Licensed Beverage Association
- **California Retailers Association
- 468
- * Logo (#14 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- * Logo (#17 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic?fd=0&q=%22California+Retailers+Association%22&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
- **California Black Chamber of Commerce
- 97
- * Logo (#7 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- * Logo (#8 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic?fd=0&q=%22California+Black+Chamber+of+Commerce%22&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
- ***California Chamber of Commerce
- 1046
- * Listed (#4 spot) on CA GOP Party’s “Vote NO on 29” mailer recieved 5/16/12
- * Logo (#1 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- * Logo (#16 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic?fd=0&q=%22California+Chamber+of+Commerce%22&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
- ***California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations
- 0
- * Listed (#11 spot) on CA GOP Party’s “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- * Logo (#2 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- * Logo (#11 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- **California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
- 203 (and 291 without the S in chambers)
- * Logo (#2 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- * Logo (#14 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic?fd=0&q=%22California+Hispanic+Chambers+of+Commerce%22&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
- No S: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic?fd=0&q=%22California+Hispanic+Chamber+of+Commerce%22&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
- California Independent Oil Marketers Association
- California Manufacturers & Technology Association
- *California Taxpayer Protection Committee
- * Listed (#8 spot) on CA GOP Party’s “Vote NO on 29” mailer recieved 5/16/12
- 0
- ***California Taxpayers Association
- 532
- * Listed (#3 spot) on CA GOP Party’s “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- * Logo (#4 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- * Logo (#10 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic;jsessionid=112083DB9AAAC4FBFE7AF552992A43AE.tobacco03?fd=0&q=%22California+Taxpayers+Association%22+or+CalTax&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
- California Republican Party
- 337 (This is just scratching the surface; "California and 'Republican Party'" yields 3,356 documents.)
- http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic?fd=0&q=%22California+Republican+Party%22&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
- ***Council for Citizens Against Government Waste
- 47
- * Logo featured for quote on front of mailer received 5/1.12
- * Logo (#6 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- * Logo (#6 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic?fd=0&q=%22Council+for+Citizens+Against+Government+Waste%22&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
- Freedom Works
- Hispanic Leadership Fund
- 0
- ***Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
- 113
- * Logo (#14 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- * Logo (#16 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- * Listed (#2 spot) on the California GOP Party’s “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic?fd=0&q=%22Howard+Jarvis+Taxpayers+Association%22&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
- Latin American & Caribbean Business Chamber of Commerce
- 0
- Latino Times
- 6
- * Logo (#13 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- * Logo (#13 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic?fd=0&q=%22Latino+Times%22&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
- *National Taxpayers Union
- 1089
- * Listed (#7 spot) on CA GOP Party’s “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic?fd=0&q=%22National+Taxpayers+Union%22&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
- **Neighborhood Market Association
- 1
- * Logo (#12 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- * Logo (#12 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic?fd=0&q=%22Neighborhood+Market+Association%22&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
- Petroleum Marketers Association of America
- ***Small Business Action Committee (SBAC)
- 0, SBAC: Results but for different subjects (838)
- * Listed (#9 spot) on CA GOP Party’s “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- * Logo (#3 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- * Logo (#3 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- ***Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council)
- 0; acronym 0
- * Listed (#10 spot) on CA GOP Party’s “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- * Logo (#4 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- * Logo (#10 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- Tavern Owners Unified for Fairness (Touff)
- **The Latino Coalition
- 7
- * Logo (#18 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- * Logo (#18 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic?fd=0&q=%22The+Latino+Coalition%22&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
- Waste Watchers Inc
- **60 Plus Association
- 22
- * Logo (#1 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- * Logo (#9 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic?fd=0&q=%2260+Plus+Association%22&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
- 7-Eleven Franchise Association-Bakersfield (Variations of "7 Eleven" yields 265, 566 documents)
- 0
- Anaheim Police Association
- 0
- Antelope Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs
- * Logo (#5 spot) on the “Vote NO on 29” mailer received 5/15/12
- * Logo (#5 spot) on the “Vote NO on Prop 29” mailer received 5/16/12
- 57:http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic?fd=0&q=%22Association+for+os+Angeles+Deputy+Sheriffs%22&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
- "Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs" 110: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/action/search/basic?fd=0&q=%22Los+Angeles+Deputy+Sheriffs%22&df=er&c=at&c=ba&c=bw&c=ca&c=ct&c=da&c=ll&c=lm&c=mg&c=mm&c=pm&c=py&c=re&c=rj&c=ti&c=ub&c=us
- Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs
- 0
- Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce
- Brea Chamber of Commerce
- Central Coast Taxpayers Association
- 0
- Central Solano Citizen/Taxpayer Group
- 0
- Citrus Heights Regional Chamber
- 0
- Contra Costa County Taxpayers Association
- Costa Mesa Police Officer’s Association
- 0
- Cypress Police Officers’ Association
- 0
- Fullerton Association of Concerned Taxpayers
- 0
- Fullerton Chamber of Commerce
- Fullerton Police Officers’ Association PAC
- 0
- Greater Corona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce
- 0
- Inland Empire Taxpayers Association
- 0
- Irvine Police Association PAC
- 0
- Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Kern County Taxpayers Association
- Laguna Beach Police Employee’s Association
- 0
- La Habra Police Association PAC
- 0
- La Palma Police Association
- League of Placer County Taxpayers
- Los Alamitos Police Officers Association
- 0
- Los Angeles Metro Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- 0
- Los Angeles Police Protective League
- Montclair Chamber of Commerce
- 0
- Motherlode Taxpayers Association
- 0
- Nicaraguan American Chamber of Commerce of Northern California
- 0
- North Orange County Legislative Alliance
- 0
- Ontario Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- 0
- Orange County Coalition of Police & Sheriffs (aka OC Cops)
- Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Orange County Taxpayers Association
- Placentia Police Officers’ Association
- 0
- Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- 0
- Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Santa Barbara Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- San Benito County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
- 0
- San Diego Tax Fighters
- 0
- San Joaquin County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- 0
- Santa Ana Police Officers Association (PAC)
- 0
- Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce
- 0
- Ventura County Taxpayers Association
Comments
SBAC
got $500K from Philip Morris, according to:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2010/08/business-gro...
This is different from the California Republican Party
It is interesting that the tobacco companies are so invested in stopping Governor Brown's effort to raise taxes on the wealthy and sales taxes on everyone, since none of these items are tobacco taxes.
Maybe they are worried that if Brown breaks the "no taxes no way" barrier, he will want more tobacco tax increases.
Also, maybe it will make him decide to give back the $26,000 contribution Philip Morris gave him a few weeks ago, too.
Where are the Dems?
It would be nice if the State and National Democratic Parties kicked in a million for YES on 29 to match their Republican counterparts. Also why Doesn't Sen. Feinstein cut a commercial supporting Prop. 29? She is the most revered figure in modern Calif. politics. She has integrity and people think she is a strong leader. What a waste that she won't put that good will to work for a noble cause -Kurt
The Republicans appear to have been laundering tobacco money
There have been press reports that tobacco companies have been giving "donations" to the Republicans so they could turn around and support the No campaign.
It's no secret that those
It's no secret that those "contributing" would like "special consideration" but there are no guarantees. That's why these giant corporations contribute to almost everyone. What the hell. It can't hurt, and if we contribute to everyone we may hit a winner or two. Don't think that just because Philip Morris doesn't get their way thios time that they will pass on trying to buy more influence in the future. If only thhktqtat were true.
Speak up, Senator Feinstein
With big money at stake for cancer research by lightening the "deep pockets" at Phillip Morris USA and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, whose strategic teams are working overtime to prevent Prop. 29 from passing, it's time for Senator Feinstein to earn her paycheck as well. Step up, Feinstein, inform the public of the beneficial facts contained in Prop. 29 and why these big tobacco companies are spending over $40 million to defeat it!
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