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Funny Financing
The City of Madison Common Council recently concluded that big money was not a major influence in local elections. Recent developments suggest otherwise.
Many of the Candidates that are endorsed by the BTA are being targeted by business interests for defeat. For instance:
In District 5, Robbie Webber's opponent has received at least 75% of his money from interests outside the district.
In District 12, Satya Rhodes-Conway's opponent has raised 40% of his money from conduits - despite a pledge to shun so-called "special interests."
Worse, in District 18, Jon Becker's opponent has received 88% of his financing from outside interests while Jon has only received 14% of his money from outside the district.
More on district 18:
http://www.jonbecker.org/money_trail.htm
In all cases, the bulk of the outside money comes to candidates from so-called conduit groups. Theses groups are not regulated like PAC money is.
The documentation can be found here:
Brenda Konkel provides a nice summary:
http://brendakonkel.blogspot.com/2007/03/campaign-finance-reports-take-1.html
Lisa Subeck also has done some great work researching this:
http://westmadisonprogressive.blogspot.com/index.html
Realtors:
http://www.cityofmadison.com/clerk/CampFin/2007/DirectGiver1.pdf
http://www.cityofmadison.com/clerk/CampFin/2007/DirectGiver2.pdf
Chamber of Commerce:
http://www.cityofmadison.com/clerk/CampFin/2007/GMCC1.pdf
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