Financial support for 10-1 council elections far outstrip dollars donated for 8-2-1 hybrid
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.
AGR’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.
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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
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
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
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
Petition Launch Imminent to Force Election for Geographic Representation in City Elections, March 7, 2011
