preserving the quality of life in Olney, Maryland

Campaign Finance Information

Background

Maryland State campaign contribution law limits personal and business contributions to $4,000 per candidate and $10,000 in total for each election cycle. Despite the spirit of the law, there is a loophole in the letter of the law.

Multiple corporations, controlled by the same business interests, can EACH give up to $10,000 per election cycle; and by creating a number of separate companies, separate LLCs or separate Real Estate Investment Trusts or partnerships, many business interests in Montgomery County manage to contribute far more than $10,000 to political candidates of their choice.

For example, paving firm F.O. Day contributed more than $143,000 to candidates despite the campaign-limit law. Totah/Blumberg interests contributed more than $132,000 to friendly candidates. An expanded list of such contributors with "multiple pockets" can be seen on the "Campaign Contributions" page of the NeighborsPAC website at www.neighborspac.org.

A Developer's Goal is To Control Campaigns

A presentation was made by a local land use consultant at the 2004 International Builders Show in Las Vegas on January 19, 2004.  Check out the bottom slide on page 10 -- under 'Things you and your local HBAs [Home Builders Associations] must do,' point number three is 'Control Elections.'  Page 12 elaborates on how to control elections through fundraising (donations to candidates who are pro-growth) and working the polls.  The presentation includes site plans for one of Pulte/Del Webb's concepts for the Freeman property (which was denied), and for Wyndcrest (adjacent to Sherwood HS and completely built) and Bancroft in Ashton (last phase is currently being completed).  Neighbors For a Better Montgomery has extensively studied campaign contributions in Montgomery County.