Yee says that he can no longer trust the claim by the lobbying firm California Strategies that it is working to pass AB 1991 on behalf of the citizens of Half Moon Bay.
"There's a principle of not serving two masters," Yee said. "Was this bailout bill developed for the benefit of Half Moon Bay or for the benefit of the developer?"
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"Here the City Council was hoping to do the most for the city, and it turns out the firm they hired was in bed with someone else," Yee said. "What in the world was the City Council thinking?"
When he was called for comment Thursday, bill sponsor Rep. Gene Mullin said he hadn't heard the news that California Strategies was also being paid by the developer. The assemblyman said that he had no idea whether that would have any impact on the legislation.
"They don't have to convince me. The lobbying they do is with other members," Mullin said. "I don't think I've seen anyone from California Strategies in the last six weeks."
California Strategies was officially hired by the city three months ago to help advocate for AB 1991, the legislation that would allow developer Charles Keenan to construct 129 homes on the Beachwood tract along Highway 1.
Keenan confirmed on Wednesday that he has been paying $20,000 a month to California Strategies, half the cost of hiring the firm. Keenan said that he did not seek any control over the lobbying effort, leaving that to the city.
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