L.A. Special Interest bonanza

The L.A. Daily News reports:

Developers, banks, real-estate investors and insurance companies have contributed more than $2 million to bankroll a Nov. 7 ballot measure that would funnel $1 billion to affordable housing in Los Angeles.

More than 25 companies and individuals have donated $25,000 each to the Homes for L.A. Families campaign that backs Proposition H, according to the most recent disclosure statements through Sept. 30.

Since then, additional contributors to the campaign - one of the richest in city history - include former television mogul A. Jerrold Perenchio, who has donated $200,000, and Sylmar-based construction firm Tutor-Saliba, which has given $50,000.

The campaign also is still trying to raise an additional $1 million to buy more television advertisements to be broadcast in the remaining weeks before the Nov. 7 election.

If it reaches its goal, it would be the most expensive ballot-measure campaign in city history. And if the measure passes, development interests stand to gain hundreds of millions of dollars in government assistance to build low-income housing.

Some people really benefit from big government.