The two main county referendums on the Nov. 4 ballot — the FIU expansion
and the courthouse bond tax — have cost advocates a combined $2.5 million so far.
Campaign consultants and TV and radio stations are raking it in.
Friends of Higher Education, which is pushing the yes vote on the question of whether or not FIU can expand on land to the south currently used by the Dade County Youth Fair, has spent almost $1.4 million as of Oct. 17 in their effort. (Disclaimer: Political Cortadito got $2,000 in advertising fees for the little banners you see, maybe even on this page, and that is for the hundreds of thousands of eyes, because Ladra is still suspect of the timing of this question and voted against it. She also thinks ad prices have to go up, judging by how much is spent in other advertising).
Building Blocks For Justice, which is pushing the $393-million courthouse bond without a clear plan or even looking at other alternatives than building a 625,000-square-foot building, has spent just over $1.1 million.
Read related story: Courthouse bond ‘blank check’ is an injustice to voters
By the time the election is over next week, Ladra suspects the two PACs would have spent at least $3 million. Maybe more.
Why is there so much interest in these initiatives, so much that some law firms and developers have contributed tens of thousands?
Well, it’s business. An investment, of sorts.
Both measures, if approved, would lead to big construction projects. 
FIU’s expansion has been estimated at $900 million worth of student housing, academic buildings and support structures that would be built. No wonder the Latin Builders Association endorsed the measure last week.
Among the big donors to the FIU Friends PAC: Munilla Construction gave $25,000. But Moss & Associates gave $30,000 so Pedro or Jorge better pony up another $5K, you know, to be even. Nah, they would both have to up the ante to match the $50,000 given by Coastal Construction Group and the 420 Lincoln Road Associates (real estate).
Miguel “Mike” Fernandez, a healthcare billionaire who resigned as Gov. Rick Scott’s campaign finance co-chairman in April over what he saw as insensitivity to Hispanics, gave $100,000 to the effort, as did Coral Gables doctor Alberto Tano, a neonatal and perinatal specialist.
But that largest injection is $600K from the FIU Foundation. Individual members also gave. Car mogul Mario Murgado donated $25,000. Actor and FIU grad Danny Pino (Ladra loves him in Cold Case but he’s good in Law and Order, too) gave $2,500.
There’s more. Please press this “continue reading” button to “turn the page.”
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Two ballot questions cost promoters $2.5 mil — so far added by Ladra on
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