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Governmental Relations
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What is ACSA PAC?
The PAC (Political Action Committee) is a vehicle for school administrators to pool their political resources and make contributions in support of a common political agenda.
Where does the money come from and how much is there?
Where does the ACSA PAC money go?
What makes the decisions on how to spend the money?
The PAC (Political Action Committee) is a vehicle for school administrators to pool their political resources and make contributions in support of a common political agenda.
Where does the money come from and how much is there?
- Dues: In 1989 the Representative Assembly decided to reduce region rebates from 16 percent to 15 percent of member dues. That one-percent, with matching funds from ACSA, is directed into the PAC. Those sources provided approximately $179,000 in 2006.
- Member contributions: In February 2007 the ACSA Board of Directors voted to raise membership dues to cover a new professional liability insurance policy of $1 million per member and to raise additional resources for PAC. With an increase in dues, PAC will now raise about $1 million per year combined from all sources. This includes the approximately 5,000 members who contribute monthly to PAC with additional resources voluntarily. Most of these members contribute an additional $78.00 per year.
Where does the ACSA PAC money go?
- In 2010 ACSA supported Proposition 14 the open primary measure on the June 2010 ballot. In 2008, ACSA supported Proposition 11, the redistricting initiative that changed the way that legislative districts are drawn for the state Assembly and Senate. No PAC resources were used in support of this measure however.
- In 2008 ACSA PAC contributed $80,000 to the media and communications campaign around the state education budget. We worked along with other statewide organizations in the Education Coalition on this effort.
- In 2008 we endorsed 47 Assembly and Senate candidates and contributed $200,000 to candidate campaigns.
- In 2010 ACSA PAC formed an Independent Expenditure committee to help support the efforts of Larry Aceves, candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction in the 2010 elections. This effort is completely independent from Larry’s campaign and decisions are made by a subcommittee of ACSA’s board of directors.
- In 2006 ACSA PAC supported the school facilities bond by contributing $200,000 to the passage of Proposition 1D on the November 2006 ballot. In addition, we supported endorsed legislative candidates and endorsed statewide candidates with PAC funds.
- In 2005, ACSA PAC focused on opposing the Governor’s budget proposal through our LOGIC – Local Outreach Grassroots Inspired Campaign – campaign and our coordinated work with The Education Coalition. In addition, ACSA opposed several of the Governor’s initiatives for a special election ballot including Proposition 76 and his budget balancing proposal which would eliminate Proposition 98. ACSA PAC contributed over $1 million to the defeat of this measure.
- During 2004, ACSA contributed heavily to the Proposition 55 school bond campaign which provides $12.3 billion to K-12 and higher education facilities. In addition, ACSA PAC contributed to the Open Primary Initiative for the November 2004 ballot and to many legislative candidates.
- During 2002, ACSA contributed heavily to the Proposition 47 campaign. We contributed to the successful $13 billion school construction bond, as well as, too many statewide and legislative candidates.
- In 2000, the main issue for ACSA members was defeating Proposition 38, the school voucher initiative.
- 1999, ACSA primarily focused on Proposition 26, the majority vote initiative, which was narrowly defeated in the March 2000 election.
- ACSA’s main concern in 1997-98 was Proposition 223, the so-called 95/5 Initiative, and most of our PAC money went into the campaign to defeat the initiative. By the end of 1998, ACSA contributed nearly $1.2 million to the campaign.
- In 1996, most PAC funds were used in the campaigns for pro-public education legislators and candidates for the Legislature. ACSA also contributed $40,000 to the successful campaign for Proposition 203, the school bond measure on the March primary ballot.
What makes the decisions on how to spend the money?
- The ACSA Board of Directors adopts positions on the major issues like ballot measure and determines the level of financial support (if any) ACSA may provide.
- ACSA’s Legislative Committee determines legislative priorities, in accordance with the legislative platform adopted by the Delegate Assembly.
- The Board of Directors allocates PAC resources in support of the overall political agenda, with input from staff.
