Paid Ballot Arguments Make Voter Guide Look Like PhonebookPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Aug. 20‚ 2008San Franciscans who get their November voter guide and complain that it looks like a phonebook may want to blame PG&E. The power company paid for most of the 30 ballot arguments against Prop H (the Clean Energy Act) in what appears to be a blatant Astroturf campaign. But the handbook also has 36 paid ballot arguments for Prop A (SF General Hospital Bond) – which has a more diverse coalition. Prop B (Housing Charter Amendment) will be another Battle Royale – with housing and environmental groups on one side, and landlords on the other. The same can be said about Prop M – which deals with tenant harassment. Two of the tax measures have few opponents, but downtown real estate interests are opposing Prop N (Transfer Tax) – as all three taxes enjoy broad support. Three other propositions (L, S and I) have support from the Mayor’s allies, but progressives didn’t pay for ballot arguments against them. Prop K (the prostitution) generated lots of paid ballot arguments with unusual alliances – but opponents are a more diverse coalition. And Prop V (Support JROTC) likewise will be fiercely contested, while the remaining ten local measures should be rather quiet. |