Monday, January 16, 2006

'Bring New Orleans Back' Commissioner's Campaign Contributions:
94% Went to Republicans

"The mission of the Bring New Orleans Back Commission is to work with the mayor to create a master plan by the end of the year that rebuilds New Orleans culturally, socially, economically, and uniquely for every citizen." They recently unveiled their plan which is controversial and has been met with criticism as has the role of commissioner Joseph Canizaro. Joseph Canizaro is a real estate developer who has made large contributions to Bush. (See previous post here)
I was curious not only of Canizaro's campaign contributions but the BNOBC as a whole as they hold great power in NOLA at present. First some background on the composition of the Commmission.

There are 17 members of the Bring New Orleans Back Commission (BNOBC). As race has been an issue in NOLA half of the members are black and half are white with one Hispanic. For bios of each member go here. In brief there are 2 attorneys, 1 community activist, an archbishop, a 9th Ward minister, a jazz musician, one Councilmember, the President of Tulane University and 9 major businessmen.

Researching the Federal Elections Commission data base I found the following based on the compilation of the many individual contributions from 1997-2005 :

Summary:
Total Campaign Contributions of the Bring New Orleans Back Commissioners:

8 contributors:
3 African Americans contributed $12,400 or less than 1% of the total. A minimum of 80% of that 1% went to Democrats.*

5 Caucasions gave $1,265,864 or 99% of the total. A minimum of 95% of that went to Republicans.**

Total of All Contributions............................$1,278,264
Total Percentage of all contributions
that went to Republicans.................................94%


Details are Below:

I found no campaign contributions listed for the following.....
Kim Boyls.................Attorney
Cesar R. Burgos.......Attorney
Barbara Major.........Community Activist
Archbishop Alfred Clifton Hughes
Fred Luter...............9th Ward Minister
Wynton Marsalis
Oliver Thomas.........Councilmember
Scott S. Cowen.........President Tulane
Anthony Patton.......African American businessman
...................................................
That leaves 8 of the businessmen all of whom made campaign contributions.

3 of the 8 businessmen are African American. They gave $10,000 to Democrats with one donating $2400 to a PAC that supported Democrats and Republicans. Below are the details.....

African American businessman, Alden McDonald gave $9000 to Democrats including the following:
William Jefferson............$7500 from 1997-2004
John Neely Kennedy......$1000
Marjorie McKeithen.........$500

African American businessman, Daniel Packer gave the following to Democrats:
Mary Landrieu........$250 contribution and -$250 (an apparent disbursement)
* $2400 to ENPAC which gave to Democrats and Republicans.To err on the side of caution however I counted them as Democrat donations even though most of the money went to Republicans.

African American businessman, David White gave $1000 to Democrat Stephanie Tubbs-Jones.

Total campaign contributions for the 3:
To Dems:........................$10,000
To Rep: .......................0-$2400 depending on amount of PAC contribution went to Republicans, though again $2400 was counted as a Dem contribution in the totals.
..................................................
The remaining 5 business men are all white and gave predominately to Republicans.
** The exception would be some Louisiana Democrats and PAC donations that in some cases supported just a few Democrats. To err on the side of caution however I counted them as Democrat donations even though most of the money went to Republicans.

1. Joseph Canizaro and wife...............
Soft Money: All to Republicans..........................$868,264
Joint fundraising: All to Republicans...................$39,000
Contributions to PACs........................................$141,500
.....$11,500 to Dems. and $9500 to a PACs that gave to a few Dems
Total of $1,048,764 with 98% going to Republicans.
..................................................

2.Donald Bollinger Jr. and wife..........
Soft Money to RNC Rep Natl State Elec Comm.......$33,950
Contributions to Political Committees.................$118,500
..... $9,485 went to Dem PACs and $12000 went to PACs that gave predominantly to Rep but some Dems
Joint Fundraising Committees................................$4250
Of this $1000 went to Dem. Max Cleland
Total of $156,700 with 86% going exclusively to Republicans
..................................................

3. Gary Solomon..........
To Republicans...........................................$25,000
To Louisiana Dem. Mary Landrieu.................$1500
To Joint fundraising Committees:
Landrieu .........................................................$500
Loiusiana Senate 02 which had
some contributions to Dems.........................$5000
Dem Senate Campaign Committee..................$4500
Total of $36,500 with 68% going to Republicans
..................................................

4. James Reiss Jr..........
To Republicans......................................................$8300
To Louisiana Dem. William Jefferson......................$6600
To Louisiana Dem. John Neely Kennedy ................$2500
Total of $17,400 with 48% going to Republicans
..................................................

5. Mel LeGarde and wife.......
To George Bush........................................................$4000
To RNC.......................................................................$500
To Charmaine Caccioppi Dem (Louisiana House).......$1000
PAC which supported primarily Rep .........................$1000
Total of $6500 with 69% going exclusively to Republicans
..................................................

Again the Summary:
Total Campaign Contributions of the Bring New Orleans Back Commissioners:
8 contributors
Total......................................................$1,278,264
Percentage to Republicans.............................94%

NOLA residents are very concerned about passage of the Baker Bill that would provide funds to pay residents for their flood-ravaged property and the issue of gaining Cat 5 hurricane levee protection. They believe both are essential to rebuilding NOLA. However George Bush has refused to commit support to either. And it is no secret the sway that business leaders and members of the commission have on Bush or he on them. Canizaro has even downplayed the necessity of the Baker bill. Given all of that and the above information I think it is right to question if the BNOBC will represent the best interests of the people of NOLA...... or George Bush and big business.

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