Originally posted 03/28/07
If you are a business in Long Beach get ready to duck and cover because I predict there will be a lot of pro-union/anti-business legislation going through our City Council in the coming months. There is a harmonic convergence occurring in Long Beach for Unions.
First, while the 6th District race is not yet decided the union employee candidate, Al Austin has secured endorsements from twelve unions already, plus pro-union politicians. While endorsements do not win campaigns, endorsements from groups like this mean dollars and dollars give big advantages to campaigns. If elected Austin replaces pro-union Councilwoman Laura Richardson who pushed through the Labor “Peace” agreement and then fled for Sacramento.
Second, with Betty Karnette being termed out of the 54th District State Assembly seat 7th District Councilwoman Tonya Uranga has declared for the seat, briefly 4th District Councilman Patrick O’Donnell was in the race but recently pulled out. Uranga has yet to see pro-union legislation she does not support, and with the prospect of big bucks from unions throughout the state for her Assembly race it does not take much thought to predict some pro-union proposals from her between now and the election to prove she is worthy of the support.
Third, there is a rumor, as yet unfounded but very plausible, that 1st District Councilwoman Bonnie Lowenthal may relocate few blocks for eligibility and run for the 54th seat as well—another pro-union voice. Should this happen can we anticipate an “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better” spat between Uranga and the senior Lowenthal regarding pro-union measures at City Council?
Long Beach has become a campaign finance dumping ground for unions out of Los Angeles and the rest of the state. Look at the money to candidates for our last round of City Council and School Board elections from organizations outside of Long Beach, it is growing exponentially every year. One reason is the Long Beach City Council has proven itself as a stepping stone to Sacramento: Richardson, Lowenthal, and Oropeza all made the leap to Sacramento where very favorable legislation can be, and is, written for labor unions. So it makes sense for the unions to contribute heavily to ensure “their” candidates make the Long Beach City Council—it is an investment in their futures. To prove they are worthy of the endorsements and funds, council members are not shy about passing measures like the “big-box grocery ban” and the “labor peace agreement” that are blatantly anti-business and pro-union.
As I said, duck and cover and get ready for more.