Only $8,224 Raised by Measure M Foes

Opponents of Measure M, a proposed half-cent sales tax increase for transportation improvements in Orange County, are running a frugal campaign financed by small donations and loans from its leaders, according to financial disclosure statements filed Thursday.

The “No New Taxes--No on M” forces reported raising $8,224.

The pro-Measure M forces had not filed their latest financial disclosure statement as of late Thursday, but they earlier had reported raising $800,000, mostly from major developers and business leaders. Before the Nov. 7 election, Citizens for Yes on M were expected to raise well over $1 million for radio commercials, mailers and printed advertisements in what so far has been a low-key campaign.

“It is a David (versus) Goliath situation,” said Russell Burkett, a leading opponent of the ballot measure. “This issue will not be won or lost with dollars. At one point, we discussed not raising any money and winning for nothing.”

Under Measure M, the county’s sales tax would increase from 6% to 6.5%, raising a projected $3.1 billion over 20 years to pay a portion of a far-reaching, $11.6-billion program to speed traffic with wider freeways, more car-pool lanes and more streamlined streets, plus exclusive bus lanes and commuter rail service. The tax increase would cost the average county consumer about $50 to $75 a year.

No New Taxes--No On M reported spending $5,298.41 between Jan. 1 and Oct. 21 for mailers to 25,000 homes in Orange County. The statement showed that the group raised $4,460 in monetary contributions, $3,000 in loans, and $749 in non-monetary contributions.

Of the total monetary contributions, $2,560 came in donations less than $100.

Burkett loaned No New Taxes--No On M $1,000 and a group called Gridlock from Newport Beach loaned the opposition forces $2,000. The largest expenditure was $2,143 for postage for the mailers.

Campaign disclosure reports had to be postmarked by Thursday to meet the filing deadline under state law. Dana W. Reed, treasurer of Citizens for Yes on M, said late Thursday that his group’s reports were being completed and would meet the deadline.