Nonprofit Developers Oppose Campaign Donation Ban

Supervisor Mark Farrell’s attempt to regulate money in politics may backfire, as nonprofit developers are lining up to oppose what they say is "an ill-conceived piece of legislation that would prevent them from spending public funds on political campaigns."

The controversy indicates a political miscalculation by Farrell who boldly introduced the bill as exposing “dark money” in campaigns, but underestimated the resistance he would encounter from virtually every major affordable-housing developer in the city.

Farrell agreed to continue the bill at the Board of Supervisors meeting as it became apparent he lacked the votes to get it passed, despite the fact that the moderates—with whom Farrell identifies—have a majority. The bill will go before the board again on Mar. 21 for another vote.

“Affordable-housing dollars should be used to build affordable housing. Period. It should not go toward private political campaigns,” Farrell said. “I will always be adamant public dollars should in no way be used for political purposes. That is the core of this legislation and a principle I will always stand behind.”