In the start of what could be a frightening trend for California's political class, the California Retailers Association today made a startling announcement: As part of the industry's efforts to cut costs, it is suspending all contributions from its political action committee.

"Given the difficult economic environment all retailers are looking to cut expenses and preserve cash," said association president Bill Dombrowski in a press release. "Political contributions are one of the expense areas being reduced, if not eliminated, and this action recognizes that reality."

The Retailers Association represents major California retailers such as department stores, convenience stores and supermarkets. Its members have more than 9,000 stores in California and account for more than $100 billion in sales annually.

During the last election cycle, the association contributed a total of more than $100,000 to a variety of both Democratic and Republican legislative candidates and in support of the ballot measure that would have altered legislative term limits.