The numbers are in for how much of the budget for Santa Clarans for Economic Progress, the group that’s lobbying for a new 49ers stadium, is supplied by the team itself, and the answer is pretty damn near all of it:
Of the almost $364,000 in cash or work time donated to Santa Clarans for Economic Progress — a group of business owners, former civic officials and others — all but $985 of it came from the team, the records show. The contribution total includes about $147,000 in staff time from at least five team employees working on the campaign.
The next biggest contributor to the effort was former City Councilwoman Lisa Gillmor with $200.
I think this officially redefines Santa Clarans for Economic Progress from a “49ers-funded group” to a “49ers front group.” Journalists, reset your stylebooks.
Learn more details at:
www.santaclaraplaysfair.org
Only 0.2% ($645) is from Santa Clarans.
They are trying to buy this election. Just like the Card Room tried to buy the election in 1992-1993, and the Giants tried to by the election in 1990. Neither of those times did Santa Clarans allow themselves to be bought.
I’d spend $364,000 if it meant I’d eventually receive taxpayer subsidies of $444 million.
Yes, SCT, democracy in action.
In a free country, I guess you can’t actually prevent people from paying to lobby in their own self interest. But you can certainly make them acknowledge their lack of impartiality – in print.
We do it to manufacturing companies and car salesmen all the time. We just haven’t gotten around to applying the same standard to the credit card industry or sports-extortion businesses yet.
Mr. Pardell hits the right note – of course you’ll spend 0.32 percent to steal the pot. That’s how Stadium Poker is played.
The “Astroturf” 49ers Stadium Group doesn’t even have a single Santa Clara resident on its Board or as any of its officers, either.
Please visit us for more details.
Regards,
Bill Bailey, Treasurer
Santa Clara Plays Fair
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Grassroots organizations are usually bottom up, and they are supposed to be for the people, and by the people. But NOT this group, they are a top to bottom down group, with money being supplied by the ownership of the 49ers. This is a Sham, just like this whole stadium debacle is.