- Prop 3 Fundraising Outpaces Prop 4
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- Financial support for 10-1 council elections
- far outstrip dollars donated for 8-2-1 hybrid
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- by Ken Martin
- © The Austin Bulldog 2012
- Posted Monday, October 29, 2012 9:11pm
Austinites for Geographic Representation (AGR), proponents of Proposition 3’s 10-1 plan for electing council members, continues its lopsided advantage in fundraising compared with Austin Community for Change (AC4C), which is backing the 8-2-1 hybrid plan for electing council members.
Through the previous reporting period that ended September 29, AGR had raised a total of $69,793. That’s 15 times the $4,592 raised by AC4C.
Today’s reports indicated that AGR raised an additional $54,058, bringing its total to date to $123,851. AGR still has $13,856 left on hand for the sprint to the finish.
AC4C’s latest report indicates the 8-2-1 hybrid plan backers raised $14,600, bringing its total to date to $19,192. AC4C still had $1,227 on hand through today’s report.
AC4C treasurer Richard Jung, an attorney with Jung Ko PLLC, did not return two calls for comment.
 Peck YoungAGR’s volunteer political consultant, Peck Young, said of the fundraising, “I was hoping for a lot more, but we did okay. I would have liked to gotten us on television but TV’s too damned expensive.”
Young said close to 90 percent of the 150,000 door hangars the group bought have been distributed to residences all over town, and a paid crew will sweep through to complete areas that didn’t get covered.
The 50 large campaign signs have been put up and most of the yard signs have been distributed.
A mailer will be sent tomorrow to about 30,000 of the people who signed AGR’s petition to get the 10-1 plan on the ballot, Young said, and phone banks that have been up and running will continue right up to election day.
“We will have newspaper ads in all the small papers and weeklies all over town this week,” Young said. “We will be in The Daily Texan for the first time this week.”
Major campaign donors
AC4C's biggest donations came from Stratus Properties, $7,000; ABCABCO Inc. (Austin Cab Company) $2,000; Richard Jung $3,000 (a loan); the Linebarger Goggan law firm, $1,000; and Mary Sangar $1,000.
AGR’s top contributors include environmental activist Kirk Mitchell, $20,000 (a challenge grant that AGR matched); Home PAC Corporate, $15,000; Brandywine Partnership LP of Radnor, Pennsylvania (a real estate investment trust that manages commercial real estate in Austin and elsewhere) $5,000; Texas Association of Builders, $5,000; Texans for Accountable Government, $2.000; and MMK Holdings LP (Planet K), $1,000.
AGR also received donations of $500 apiece from David Albert, an adjunct associate professor with Austin Community College; transportation activist Roger Baker, and attorney Fred Lewis of Texans Together.
To access Austin Community for Change campaign finance reports, click on these links:
Austin Community for Change Campaign Finance Report Oct. 10, 2012
Austin Community for Change Campaign Finance Report Amendment Oct. 11, 2012
Austin Community for Change Campaign Finance Report Amendment Oct. 29, 2012
To access Austinites for Geographic Representation campaign reports, click on these links:
Austinites for Geographic Representation Campaign Finance Report of July 6, 2012
Austinites for Geographic Representation Campaign Finance Report Oct. 9, 2012
Austinites for Geographic Representation Campaign Finance Report Oct. 29, 2012
This report was made possible by contributions to The Austin Bulldog, which operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to provide investigative reporting in the public interest. You can help to sustain The Austin Bulldog’s coverage by making a tax-deductible contribution.
Related Bulldog coverage: This is The Austin Bulldog’s 36th article covering issues and activities pertaining to proposed changes to the Austin City Charter.
Proposition 3 Campaign Relies on Grass Roots: Austinites for Geographic Representation going door-to-door, running phone banks, and distributing info at polling places, October 21, 2012
Prop 3 Proponents Question Prop 4 Legality: Civil rights attorney and two minority groups say federal preclearance for 8-2-1 is unlikely, October 21, 2012
Poll Triggers Backlash from 10-1 Proponents: Proposition 3 advocates saying Prop 4 playing dirty with a misleading poll, Prop 4 denies the charge, October 17, 2012
Proposition 4 Campaign Reports Finances: Late report indicates $2685 raised in last three months but fails to provide details about campaign expenses, October 10, 2012
Proposition 3 Campaign Reports Finances: 10-1 campaign proponents raised more than $40,000, Proposition 4’s 8-2-1 advocates’ report not submitted, October 9, 2012
Proposition 3 Rally Draws 150-200 People: Crowd hears fiery speeches by proponents of the 10-1 systemfor electing council members, October 8, 2012
Attorney Bickerstaff Addresses Critics’ Concerns: His September 24 article drew numerous comments about the Proposition 3 Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, October 5, 2012
Feisty Debate Over Electing Council Members: One panelist argues for no change to the at-large system of City Council elections, October 4, 2012
Proposition 3 and 4 Proponents Rev Their Campaigns: Raising money, organizing troops, and pushing plans for geographic representation on Austin City Council, September 28, 2012
Redistricting Need Not Be a Quintessentially Political Process: Independent redistricting commissions for U.S. states and cities, September 24, 2012
Barrientos Lampoons Prop 4 With a Fable: Other proponents of alternative plans for geographic representation push their points, September 14, 2012
Proposition 3 Advocates Falsely Accuse RECA: Group alleges ‘rumor’ of $100,000 pledge by Real Estate Council to defeat Proposition 3, but RECA says not so, September 12, 2012
No-Change Option Surfaces in Ballot Debate: Former Council Member Bob Binder opposes both options on the ballot for geographic representation, September 11, 2012
The Election Wars Have Begun: Interest in how council members elected running high, as face-off debates abound, September 9, 2012
Your Guide to Proposed City Charter Amendments: What’s on the ballot, what it will cost taxpayers, and details provided in the ordinances for each proposition, August 30, 2012
Loud Rally Follows Final Council Vote for 8-2-1: AGR’s Cries Foul Over Work Session Vote for Hybrid; Mayor Leffingwell Said Votes Driven by Ballot Deadline, August 7, 2012
Council Backers of 8-2-1 Plan Accused of Self-Interest: But Facts Don’t Seem to Substantiate Such a Claim, as Related Actions May Bar Most Incumbents From Reelection, August 6, 2012
8-2-1 Near Certain to Go on Ballot: City Council Votes on Second Reading to Put Competition Election Plan on Ballot, July 31, 2012
10-1 Plan Qualifies for November Ballot: Consultant Estimates That 22,435 Signatures Are Valid; Austinites for Geographic Representation Readies for Battle, July 26, 2012
Petition Completed for 10-1 Council Districts: Austinites for Geographic Representation Claims 33,000 Signatures, of Which About 22,800 Are Considered Valid, July 16, 2012
Council Puts 10-1 Election Plan on November Ballot: Votes 5-2 on Three Readings to Adopt Petition Language, Votes 4-2 on First Reading to Also Put 8-2-1 on Ballot, June 29, 2012
Citizens Group to Make Final Petition Push: Austinites for Geographic Representation Claims to Have 17,000 Signatures, and Shoots for 13,000 More, June 4, 2012
City Council Tackles Charter Amendments: Redistricting Expert, Charter Revision Committee Members, and Grass-roots Group Critical of Task Force Plan, April 26, 2012
Council District Backers Want Quick Ballot Decision: Big Press Conference, Big Pressure Promised, to Get Council Decision Before Council Elections, March 8, 2012
Hard Fought, Heartfelt Charter Decision: Charter Revision Committee Votes 8-7 to Back 10-1 Plan for Council Elections, February 3, 2012
New Restrictions Proposed for Lobbyist Fundraising: Lobbyists Can Only Give Candidates $25 But Can Collect Unlimited Contributions For Them, January 22, 2012
Committee Debates How to Elect Council: Charter Revision Committee Divided Over Pure Districts vs. Hybrid System, January 9, 2012
Thirteen Charter Changes and Counting: Charter Revision Committee’s Next Job: Tackle Plan for Geographic Representation, December 14, 2011
Council Confirms November 2012 Election Date for Charter Amendments: Resolution Ensures Citizens Initiative Won’t Force May 2012 Charter Election, November 3, 2011
Coalition Launching Petition Drive to Get on the Ballot for May 2012 Election, October 18, 2011
Broad Community Interest Focusing on How Mayor and Council Members Elected, October 4, 2011
Coalition Nearing Petition Launch for Grass-roots Council District Plan, August 24, 2011
Maps Prove Select Few Govern Austin: Forty Years of Election History Expose Extent of Disparity, August 4, 2011
City Council to Consider Proposal to Create Geographic Representation: Election Dates, Term Lengths, Redistricting and Other Charter Changes in Council Resolution, April 27, 2011
Petition Launch Imminent to Force Election for Geographic Representation in City Elections, March 7, 2011 |
Comments
Will Prop 4 get an infusion of "late train" money these last 8 days? Folks, you won't know where it's coming from as it's not reported until January.
If you want Prop 3 to pass, please get out and talk to voters. If you need help, call Prop 3 headquarters at 692-7644 or 657-2089.
Thanks to Ken for ongoing coverage of this important step for all of Austin -- equal geographic representation and the first independent redistricting commission in the state of Texas. Boy howdy do we need both reforms!
Please note that Richard Suttle does not list Stratus Properties as one of his 47 current lobbying clients.
Suttle’s list of clients is on the city clerk's website at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/cityclerk/lobbyist/detail_clients.cfm?start=1&id=186
As for "late train” money, that's a sword that cuts both ways and Prop 4 proponents are no doubt concerned about AGR getting some of that as well.
"He is afforded 24-hour/day access to department heads, the City Manager, the Mayor and Councilmembers. We, the People, are not." http://www.austinpost.org/austin-news/formula-one-whom
Homebuilders PAC
Tx Assn of Builders
'Liberty for All' tea party PAC
Libertarian Party
Travis County Republican Party
Texans for Accountable Govt (TAG)- Ron Paul types
These forces believe they can manipulate drawing district lines to control decisions in a manner adverse to environmental,n eighborhood, and progressive interests. They want to dilute the center city voice.
And, yes we work with everybody.
And yes, the League of Women Voters endorsed, which you never mention either.
But, then again, you're all about confusing people so they vote against their self interest.
Let the neighborhoods run the show and the people draw the lines.
Yes on 3, No on 4!
We have ads in the Chronicle, Oak Hill Gazette, Daily Texan, NOKOA, The Villager, several Hispanic papers, the Oak Hill Gazette and ads all over Facebook, allowing us to reach over 200,000 Austinites very inexpensively.
We also have placed 130,000 door hangers across the city.
Hope that helps.
Linda Curtis, Austinites for Geographic Representation (TrustAustin.org), 657-2089
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