One particular initiative that will have a prominent position in the upcoming election battles is a proposal to curb the political power of unions. Opposing sides are already preparing by filling their war chests. Unions are looking to defeat the initiative because employee payroll deductions would not be able to fund political action committees. While corporations would also be affected by the initiative, unions in particular would be impacted because they rely on payroll deductions to fund campaigns. In addition, labor groups and corporations would no longer be able to directly contribute to a candidate. The competing campaigns are expected to engage in a multimillion-dollar battle.

The Bee reports on some of the funding that has flooded to the pro-side of the equation:

“Stop Special Interest Money Now has recieved $460,000 in donations since Jan. 1 to support the measure, according to California Secretary of State filings (embedded after the jump). Of that, $200,000 came from Californians Against Special Interests. That group, in turn, is backed with money from Charles T. Munger Jr. and others. Munger is a son of Charles Munger, the billionaire vice-chairman of Berkshire Hathaway.”

Coverage on some of the money that has been raised so far can be seen here and here. Expect a contentious campaign fight over this initiative.