Some interesting tid bits:
Mormons such as the Pattersons have emerged as the leading financial contributors to the controversial Nov. 4 ballot measure. Church members have donated about 40 percent of the $22.8 million raised to pass the initiative since July, according to Frank Schubert, campaign manager for ProtectMarriage.com, the primary backer of the "yes" campaign.
That seems pretty amazing. While there are a lot of LDS in CA they are still a small group. I would have though more would come from conservative EVs. My guess is money is coming from LDS out of CA as well.
Other religious groups have contributed, including a Catholic fraternal service organization – the Knights of Columbus – which donated more than $1 million. But no group has given more than the Mormons.
Again this is amazing to me. I expected LDS to give a lot on this but thought others would out pace them.
Their financial dominance is getting their opponents' attention and raising concerns about the role of churches in state policymaking.
While the church has encouraged they have not given. Individual members are doing the giving. However, the Church is striving to influence legislation through use of its facilities. This seems to push the tax exempt issue some.
"I think anyone would be troubled by any one religion exerting that kind of financial influence in a decision about what our constitution is going to say," said Kate Kendell, executive director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights and a member of the executive committee of No on Prop 8.
"The amount of money the Mormon church is giving is alarming and sobering," she said. "This is a wake-up call."
The Mormon Church did not give the money.
Kendell said there are a number of people of faith who oppose the ban and who are working to defeat Prop. 8. "There is not one monolithic view on this, but surely this is a case where we're being massively outspent," Kendell said.
Opponents have raised about $17 million since July, according to Kendell.
Interesting. I wonder what the out come will be.