Public Comment

Big Money Interests Back
Berkeley's Measure L

David Fielder, Dean Metzger, Alex Sharenko, Former Berkeley City Councilmembers Laurie Capitelli and Carla Woodworth
Sunday November 06, 2022 - 12:49:00 PM

As of November 1, 2022, the Yes on L committee has reported raising over $350,000.

While our coalition has been outraised 10-1, we have approximately ten times as many donors as the Yes campaign.

The coverage of campaign money has been accurate but not highlighted the politically problematic donations solicited by the Yes committee. These donations:


  • The Yes on L committee accepted $3,000 from the Northern California Chapter of the National Association of Electrical Contractors on October 19, 2022 according to state records. On the same day, this group contributed $1,000 to right-wing, anti-choice State Assembly candidate Juan Alanis.
  • The Yes on L committee accepted $15,000 from 2274 Shattuck QOZB, LLC on October 5, 2022. This entity is controlled by locally prominent developer Patrick Kennedy. As Berkeleyside pointed out, Kennedy has several projects in various stages of approval before the City Council.
  • The Yes on L committee accepted $9,750 from Martin Marietta on October 21, 2022. Martin Marietta is the corporate parent of Berkeley Asphalt. The Berkeley Asphalt facility is highly contentious and has generated significant opposition in West Berkeley.
  • The Yes on L committee accepted $10,000 from Sutter Health on November 2, 2022. Sutter Health has announced its intent to close Alta Bates hospital.
The money disparity in this campaign has helped to highlight the grassroots nature of our effort. Yes on L has now accepted an additional $25,000.