Measure B Opposition: Questionable Contributions by Luxury Home Developer
FPPC Investigating Dark Money Funneled to Measure B Opposition
SAN DIEGO, Oct. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating the source of funds for groups associated with the No on Measure B campaign for not appropriately disclosing their campaign contributions.
In a report by inewsource, several of the committees that are funding the opposition campaign are being investigated for refusing to disclose the original contributor.
The Pardee family owns hundreds of acres of land in the immediate area and over 120 acres adjoining the Measure B Project and has contributed at least $40,000 directly to the No on B committee.
In addition to the Pardee's direct involvement, two nonprofits, Save our Forests and Ranchlands (SOFAR) and California Local Energy –Advancing Renewables (CLEAR), have become actively involved in the opposition campaign after receiving contributions they refuse to disclose as required by law. The inewsource investigation points to $110,000 in Dark Money (Campaign contributions that are not disclosed as required by law).
Measure B San Diego would move forward plans for a pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use village north of Escondido designed to provide apartments, condos, townhomes, and smaller homes that are affordable to middle income families. This new village would be surrounded by vineyards and agriculture, with all amenities built and paid for by the developer, all within a ten-minute walk so residents can live, work, learn and play without relying on cars.
As for the Pardee's, among their many property holdings in San Diego County, the family currently owns property bordering Lilac Hills Ranch. It is a project before the County of San Diego requesting a General Plan amendment and upzone. The Pardee's are seeking the same type of approvals they oppose for Lilac Hills Ranch. The only difference is they want to keep building large estates for the wealthy rather than smaller homes for middle income families.
As to the FPPC investigation, Jim Pardee was quoted, "that while I'm 'certainly not an expert' on FPPC disclosure requirements, I made sure all reports were filed appropriately," but campaign experts disagreed.
Gavin Baker, manager at the advocacy group California Common Cause out of Sacramento disagreed. "If you have a filing obligation — which they would, having qualified as a major donor — then you have to file (a Major Donor report) when you make the contribution of (at least) a thousand dollars within 90 days of an election to a political committee," Baker said.
The Major Donor report would be required to disclose all other contributions for political purposes including "In-Kind" contributions for paid professionals working on behalf of the campaign as has been the case with the Pardee's lawyer.
Measure B San Diego will be on the November 8th ballot to approve a General Plan amendment in northern San Diego County to provide more housing affordable to middle income families. Supporters argue that it would help alleviate the region's severe housing crisis. For more information on Measure B San Diego click here: https://yesforbetter.org/
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SOURCE Measure B San Diego
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