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Health & Fitness

Blog | What Developers Are Trying to Buy

See how developer-backed PACS have influenced Santa Monica City Council decisions.

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”  George Santana

Let’s take a look back and see how developer’s investments in Santa Monica city council elections have paid off and what they have at stake in this election.

Santa Monicans for Quality Government 2010

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In 2010 Santa Monicans for Quality Government , a new developer PAC, raised and spent $94,000 to keep Gleam Davis, Pam O’Connor, Terry O’Day and Bob Holbrook in office.  This was their dream slate because none of them had ever turned down developer's projects.   Developers won and many of their projects have been approved as shown in the accompanying table.

Santa Monicans United for a Responsible Future 2012

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Santa Monicans United for a Responsible Future PAC.is the latest incarnation of developer’s largess.   So far, they have raised almost $400,000 to elect a pro development slate.  How much spent on each candidate tells us HOW the developers think the candidates WILL VOTE ON THEIR PROJECTS.  So far, the PAC has spent over $60,000 on incumbent Gleam Davis and over $45,000 on incumbent Terry O’Day.   The PAC spent over $60,000 on Shari Davis, who champions schools but lacks a record or experience with development, airport, and other “quality of life” issues. Lastly, only $27,000 has been spent on Ted Winterer, a candidate who has campaigned against hyper development and won’t accept developer contributions to his election committee. Why are they backing Winterer at all? Many think his inclusion is a way to make the PAC seem to be supporting a range of candidates.

Tracking Contributions and Council Decisions

There are 25 Development Agreements (DAs) now in the pipeline from many of the same developers who have spent big money in our local elections since 2010 to elect "their" council-members.  The question is, will all of their projects and associated DAs be approved?

 

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