Pro-66 campaign surpasses $10 million in contributions
Written by Todd Engdahl on Oct 28th, 2013. | Copyright © EdNewsColorado.org
Bill and Melinda Gates, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and a charity founded by Steve Jobs’ widow are among major new donors to Colorado Commits to Kids, the campaign committee that’s pushing to pass Amendment 66.
The committee reported $2.5 million in donations during the last two weeks. The Monday filing with the Department of State was the last one required before the Nov. 5 election.Bloomberg Philanthropies gave $1.05 million while the Gates contributed $1 million of their own funds, not from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a major donor to education reform causes.
The Emerson Collective, a California charity founded by Jobs’ widow Laurene Powell Jobs, gave $100,000.
Earlier this year Bloomberg gave $350,000 to a committee that supported Democratic state Sens. John Morse of Colorado Springs and Angela Giron of Pueblo in recall elections that they both lost. Conservative commentators criticized that contribution, and Bloomberg’s A66 gift was prompting critical comments on Twitter Monday afternoon.
In a statement provided by Colorado Commits, Gov. John Hickenlooper said, ““Our deep thanks go to Bill and Melinda Gates, Mayor Bloomberg and all of our Colorado donors for supporting Amendment 66. It is a testament to the breadth and depth of our reforms that Colorado has attracted the attention of business leaders across the country.”
Colorado Commits reported spending $4.9 million during the Oct. 10-23 reporting period, $3.1 million of