Mungers spend millions on anti-Sacramento initiatives

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The Munger family may have its political differences, but one thing is clear: Neither Republican Charles Munger nor his independent sister, Molly, seem to think very highly of Sacramento.

Molly Munger is the Pasadena attorney backing Proposition 38, an income tax increase that would raise money for schools. Brother Charles, who has also been active in initiative campaigns, just gave $4 million to the Small Business Action Committee, a conservative group that is opposed to Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax hike, Proposition 30, while supporting two other measures on the November ballot – Proposition 31, which would make changes to the state’s budget process and Proposition 32, a business-backed proposal that would curb the political activities of labor unions and corporations.

Unlike Brown’s tax plan, Molly Munger’s initiative would direct much of the money it raises directly to local schools, bypassing the state government. An anti-Sacramento message has been a key part of Munger’s $25 million effort to draw distinctions between her plan and Proposition 30.

Meanwhile, brother Charles is spending his money on a group that is opposed to Proposition 30, which would grow state government coffers, curb legislative budget powers and the influence of political groups in Sacramento.

The four campaigns are part of an emerging anti-Sacramento narrative that is amassing millions for the coming weeks of the campaign, and that Brown will have to help counteract as he asks state voters to trust him and the Legislature with more of their tax dollars.

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Jerry Brown’s tax can pass, but not with rivals on ballot ...

--Anthony York in Sacramento