Lea este artículo en español aquí.
Measure A, the initiative that would change the way land use decisions are made in San Benito County, is one of the crucial items on the Nov. 5 ballot. BenitoLink reviewed the funding statements that the “Yes” and “No” sides filed with the county’s Election Department. Since both campaigns can still collect more contributions, the figures may change.
Here are five facts about the funding of the Measure A campaigns.
- The “No” campaign raised significantly more money.
As of Oct. 30, the No on A campaign, run by Neighbors to Preserve San Benito, has received close to $100,000 more than the Yes campaign, run by Campaign to Protect San Benito. In total, the No campaign reports receiving around $266,000, while the Yes campaign has received around $167,000.
Most of the “No” money comes from Realtors, as well as construction and housing companies, which could be deeply affected if Measure A passes. The initiative would, according to its text, amend the San Benito County General Plan “to require voter approval before redesignating agricultural, rural, or rangelands, and remove commercial regional designation from four Highway 101 nodes.” This, according to the measure’s opponents, will drastically hinder any future commercial development projects in the county.
“We have received funding from people who believe this measure is affecting the entire business community in San Benito County,” California Transportation commissioner and “No” campaign leader Bob Tiffany told BenitoLink.
No on A’s biggest donor is the California Association of Realtors Issues Mobilization, a political action committee that finances campaigns and lobbies on initiatives on behalf of the California Association of Realtors. The association has given the campaign more than 60% of the money it has raised ($163,000). No on A has also been supported by Bristol SB LLC—the company behind the proposed Strada Verde Innovation Park—and Graniterock, as well as Build Jobs, a Bay Area organization that supports pro-housing candidates and issues.
2. Campaign to Protect San Benito has nearly doubled its funds since its previous initiative failed.
In 2022, San Benito County residents voted on Measure Q, an initiative that also aimed to change how land use decisions were made in the county. The Yes on Q campaign was able to raise around $85,000. This year, Measure A’s promoters have nearly doubled that funding.
The campaign was able to achieve this with donations from environmental associations and individuals outside of the county. Save Mount Diablo, a conservation organization based in Walnut Creek, donated $40,000 and gave the campaign more than $30,000 in mail and social media ads.
Other big donors were Santa Cruz-based Patty Quillin, a film producer, philanthropist, and the wife of Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, with $49,000; Charles Knowles, co-founder of the San Francisco-based Wildlife Conservation Network, with $49,000; and Shepard Harris, a retired San Francisco-based financial advisor, with $10,000.
3. Most of the money on both sides comes from outside the county.
The vast majority of the funding both for and against Measure A comes from outside San Benito County. In both campaigns, more than 90% of the contributions were made by organizations and individuals who don’t live in the county.
The “Yes” campaign was mainly backed by environmental organizations and philanthropists.
Tiffany told BenitoLink that, although most of his group’s contributions come from outside the county, it was “requested” by locals.
4. The “No” campaign misfiled its contributions and is on track to exceed its 2022 funding.
As reported this week by BenitoLink, the “No” campaign misfiled a significant portion of its contributions. The campaign and the county told BenitoLink it was an “honest mistake.” Tiffany also said Dave Bauer, one of the campaign’s treasurers, went back to the county’s Elections Department and filed the reports correctly.
The “No” campaign also received more money than it did during the Measure Q battle in 2022. By the end of October 2022, the campaign had reported $202,000; as of Oct. 30, 2024, they have reported $266,000. By the end of the 2022 election season, No on Q had received around $537,000.
“We have raised a bit more support from unions, Realtors, and people concerned about the measure’s impacts,” said Tiffany.
5. The “Yes” campaign received fewer contributions from locals.
As of Oct. 30, Yes on A had received contributions of less than $1,500, from 26 people who reported living in San Benito County. They add up to around $9,600. The “No” campaign has five local contributors who donated around $14,000.
“Yes” has also received more funding from people who donated less than $100. In total, “Yes” has received around $1,800, while “No” has received $495.
We need your help. Support local, nonprofit news! BenitoLink is a nonprofit news website that reports on San Benito County. Our team is committed to this community and providing essential, accurate information to our fellow residents. Producing local news is expensive, and community support keeps the news flowing. Please consider supporting BenitoLink, San Benito County’s public service nonprofit news.
The post 5 facts about Measure A campaign funding appeared first on BenitoLink.