DON'T TALK, PROP 36 BACKERS TELL JONES: FORGO DRUG MEETING, GOP OFFICIAL
URGED

Backers of the drug decriminalization ballot measure on the November ballot
sought Wednesday to pressure Secretary of State Bill Jones not to speak at a
conference their opponents are staging next month.

Yes on 36 forces suggested that the nonprofit organization financing the
Oct. 3-4 conference in Long Beach may be violating state campaign finance
laws by paying for the conference.

Under state and federal tax laws, nonprofit organizations are barred from
political activity.

Opponents countered that the conference is an "educational" and not a
political event. And a spokesman for Jones said he plans to speak at the
conference unless the Fair Political Practices Commission tells him it's a
problem.

Proposition 36 would divert from prison or jail and mandate treatment for
virtually all drug users arrested and convicted on possession charges, even
of harder substances such as heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine.

The October conference, titled "Summit for a Drug Free California: Exposing
the Flaws of Proposition 36," is being sponsored by the St. Petersburg,
Fla.-based Drug Free America Foundation. It will feature panel discussions
on the initiative, including one instructing opponents in the art of media
relations.

Former national drug czar William Bennett had been scheduled as the keynote
speaker, but an organizer said Wednesday that the former Republican
presidential Cabinet member will not be able to attend.

Dave Fratello, spokesman for the Yes on 36 campaign, told reporters outside
Jones' office Wednesday that it is "highly irregular and probably improper"
for tax-exempt groups to "intervene" in political campaigns.

"This campaign event, if allowed to go forward unchallenged, could open the
floodgates and allow millions of dollars in nonprofit money to flow into
political campaigns in California every year," Fratello said.

Fratello formally asked the FPPC to investigate Drug Free America's
financing of the conference. He also asked Jones to take a look "to see if
their financing of this event meets his own personal smell test for clean
campaign financing."

In the meantime, Fratello suggested that Jones avoid the Long Beach
discussion. Jones is scheduled to speak at the conference on how Proposition
36 might impact the state's three-strikes law, which he authored.

"We are not challenging anyone's right to speak out on Proposition 36 or to
spend money legally to get their message out," Fratello said. "But we do
believe Bill Jones can understand this issue and be true to his principles
and just say no to this conference."

Jones' spokesman, Alfie Charles, cited a legal opinion issued by No on 36
attorney Ben Davidian, the former executive director of the FPPC, that
nothing appears to be improper about Drug Free America's financing of the
conference.

Calling the conference "an educational thing," No on 36 spokeswoman Jean
Munoz said the supporters of the measure "are afraid of California voters
being educated about this issue."

Robert W. Harris Jim Gonzalez & Associates Legislative Advocacy / Political
Strategy 1121 "L" Street, Suite 908 Sacramento, CA 95814 PHONE 916.449.6191
FAX 916.449.6199 Digital 916.718.6711 email R1obert@aol.com

please see: http://www.drugreform.org