Two ballot questions cost promoters $2.5 mil — so far

Two ballot questions cost promoters $2.5 mil — so far
  • Sumo

The two main county referendums on the Nov. 4 ballot — the FIU expansionmoney and the courthouse bond tax — have cost advocates a combined $2.5 million so far.

Campaign consultants and TV and radio stations are raking it in.

Friends of Higher Education, which is pushing the yes vote on the question of whether or not FIU can expand on land to the south currently used by the Dade County Youth Fair, has spent almost $1.4 million as of Oct. 17 in their effort. (Disclaimer: Political Cortadito got $2,000 in advertising fees for the little banners you see, maybe even on this page, and that is for the hundreds of thousands of eyes, because Ladra is still suspect of the timing of this question and voted against it. She also thinks ad prices have to go up, judging by how much is spent in other advertising).

Building Blocks For Justice, which is pushing the $393-million courthouse bond without a clear plan or even looking at other alternatives than building a 625,000-square-foot building, has spent just over $1.1 million.

Read related story: Courthouse bond ‘blank check’ is an injustice to voters

By the time the election is over next week, Ladra suspects the two PACs would have spent at least $3 million. Maybe more.

Why is there so much interest in these initiatives, so much that some law firms and developers have contributed tens of thousands?

Well, it’s business. An investment, of sorts.

Both measures, if approved, would lead to big construction projects. FIUFIU’s expansion has been estimated at $900 million worth of student housing, academic buildings and support structures that would be built. No wonder the Latin Builders Association endorsed the measure last week.

Among the big donors to the FIU Friends PAC: Munilla Construction gave $25,000. But Moss & Associates gave $30,000 so Pedro or Jorge better pony up another $5K, you know, to be even. Nah, they would both have to up the ante to match the $50,000 given by Coastal Construction Group and the 420 Lincoln Road Associates (real estate).

Miguel “Mike” Fernandez, a healthcare billionaire who resigned as Gov. Rick Scott’s campaign finance co-chairman in April over what he saw as insensitivity to Hispanics, gave $100,000 to the effort, as did Coral Gables doctor Alberto Tano, a neonatal and perinatal specialist.

But that largest injection is $600K from the FIU Foundation. Individual members also gave. Car mogul Mario Murgado donated $25,000. Actor and FIU grad Danny Pino (Ladra loves him in Cold Case but he’s good in Law and Order, too) gave $2,500.

There’s more. Please press this “continue reading” button to “turn the page.”

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5 Responses to "Two ballot questions cost promoters $2.5 mil — so far"

  1. The $393 Mil proposed courthouse bond will, if it passes, cost the taxpayers over $1 Billion with annual payments starting at $25+ Million. Guess who gets the money? HOK? All Aboard Florida?
    Jorge Lopez? Francoise Illias? Latin Builders Assoc? Usual Suspects? Si.
    Smart voters are voting no, but how many smart voters are there?

  2. Come on, Ladra, please, the possible FIU expansion won’t lead to a tax??? Who exactly is going to be the benevolent soul to donate the new land? And, who exactly is going to pull with their pro-bono U-Hauls to help the Youth Fair move? You, me, and all your readers are going to pay dearly for this expansion.

  3. The ballot langauge for the court house says “potential” tax increase. Regardless of what the issue is, how can anyone vote for something that may or may not have a tax increase?

    POTENTIAL????

    This referendum is going to prove that when Dade County voters vote….they truly know what they are voting for, and should not be doubted when their voices speak.

  4. People deserve the type of government they choose. A 17% voter turnout on a good day decides all of the important issues that are placed on our ballots. Politicians and their campaign managers know this and they erode the process with absentee ballot fraud and every other trick on the book. If 90% of the voters read up on the issues and was well informed before they voted, these PACs would not exist. At the end of the day these bond referendums have to be paid by the citizens while those listed here get richer on our tax dollars.

  5. Courthouse saleslady, AKA Judge, just announced on 880 am that the construction cost estimate came in at $616 per sq ft. That is twice what the private sector would pay. Just Vote No.
    No on #169.

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