Taxpayers for Ethical Pension Investment
Taxpayers for Ethical Pension Investment
Taxpayers for Ethical Pension Investment (TEPI) is a grassroots coalition of California taxpayers, active citizens, and legal watchdogs. We were formed in 2022 after SB 1328 – a divestment bill to end all ties with foreign governments interfering in our elections – died in committee. Why did it die? How did it die? Who killed it and for what purpose? Our elected officials, like the ones here who fought for SB 1328, must continue to act fearlessly against governments like UAE to protect our vote. Those who oppose them must be unseated. TEPI exists to make sure that happens. Nothing is more important than the integrity of our elections.
Expose illicit UAE lobbying, stop UAE election interference, and hold public officials and institutions accountable for UAE oversight. We demand full transparency and an immediate investigation into UAE political and economic influence in California. No country that has been convicted multiple times of illegal election interference should have any role in our state’s finances or politics.
1. Stopping UAE Election Interference
Foreign actors are pouring millions into illicit campaigns to manipulate vulnerable California candidates and sway our local elections. We support urgent federal and state legislative efforts to slam the door on foreign election interference. It is not enough to talk a good game. Our politicians must play a strong hand.
2. Exposing Illicit UAE Lobbying Schemes
UAE interests have repeatedly bought backdoor access to our political system through illicit lobbying campaigns and multi-million-dollar conduit contribution schemes. While some of these corrupt actors have already been caught and convicted, the threat remains active. Tracking these legal, financial, and political shadow operations is a massive undertaking that takes public awareness and support. We keep up the pressure so foreign cash can no longer manipulate Californian or American policy.
3. Investigating UAE Fiscal and Political Involvement
TEPI believes the UAE has billions invested in our pension funds through shadow companies and front organizations. Californians will never allow countries like the UAE to undermine our democracy. We stand firmly with elected officials trying to stop them from compromising the integrity of our elections, influencing our legislative process and profiting from our pension funds.
Increasing voter turnout:
We actively raise awareness and mobilize less likely voters to defend the ballot box of candidates the UAE is attacking.
Monitoring cyber campaigns:
We track and expose malicious UAE cyber campaigns aimed at vulnerable local candidates.
Organizing the grassroots:
We mobilize student groups and democratic organizations statewide to build a unified defense network.
Our elections belong to the people of California—not foreign regimes. Your support keeps our watchdogs on the ground, our digital defense active, and our student coalitions growing.