Outside Money in Local Elections

Angelenos hopefully know there’s an election next week. Seven city council seats and three school board seats are up for grabs, and a couple of charter amendments are on the ballot that would move election day to line up with state and national timelines -- a move intended to increase voter turnout. Last time, the rate was just 23 percent of registered voters. Special interests, on the other hand, are clamoring to get involved in the election. From a billboard company to an apparel manufacturer, firefighters and labor groups, money is flowing into these campaigns. What do all these outside parties want?