Measure affecting campaign spending by unions also qualifies.
An initiative seeking essentially to dismantle bilingual education hasqualified for a state vote in June, California election officials announcedTuesday, clearing the way for a campaign likely to generate national debate. Also securing a spot on the ballot was aninitiative that would require unions to obtain permission from membersto use their dues in political campaigns. Union leaders call the measure,backed by Gov. Pete Wilson, a significant threat to their political clout. If it passes, it could strip organized labor,a traditional Democratic ally, of millions of dollars in campaign money. Critics say the measure would be calamitousfor a school system already straining to serve 1.4 million students whoread, write or speak limited English.