Greenlight Pinellas out-funding opposition by more than $600K

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The political committee behind a transit referendum in Pinellas County posted $13,429.25 in contributions during the last week of July.

More than $11,000 of that came from the Tampa Bay Partnership through in-kind administrative and accounting services.

The latest financial reports released Friday bring Friends of Greenlight to almost $650,000 in total monetary contributions and another $50,000 in in-kind.

The group spent $193,359.43 from July 26 to August 1.  The bulk of that, $92,500, was on direct mailers and consulting. Another $77,742 was spent on a television advertisement.

Meanwhile, No Tax for Tracks, the committee opposing the Greelight Pinellas transit plan, only brought in $710 during the last period. That brings its total fundraising to just under $40,000.

Janelle Irwin has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in the Tampa Bay area since 2003. She also hosts a weekly political talk show on WMNF Community radio. Janelle formerly served as the sole staff reporter for WMNF News and previously covered news for Patch.com and various local neighborhood newsletters. Her work has been featured in the New York Daily News, Free Speech Radio News and Florida Public Radio and she's been interviewed by radio stations across the nation for her coverage of the 2012 Republican National Convention. Janelle is a diehard news junkie who isn't afraid to take on big names in local politics including Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, the dirty business of trash and recycling in St. Pete and the ongoing Pier debacle. Her work as a reporter and radio host has earned her two WMNF awards including News Volunteer of the Year and Public Affairs Volunteer of the Year. Janelle is also the devoted mother to three brilliant and beautiful daughters who are a constant source of inspiration and occasional blogging fodder. To contact, email janelle@floridapolitics.com.