Fox 31 reported rumor of local tax funding for DNC, but not mayor's repeated denial

Summary: In a June 16 Good Day Colorado report on a possible shortfall in funding for the Democratic National Convention, KDVR Fox 31 reporter Melissa Mollet stated that there had been "some talk about Colorado taxpayers having to kick in for convention costs," adding that "we do not know" if such a move would be necessary. In fact, widespread reporting has noted Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper's denial that local tax funds would "subsidize" the convention.

Noting on the June 16 broadcast of KDVR Fox 31's Good Day Colorado that Denver's deadline to raise $40.6 million for the 2008 Democratic National Convention (DNC) had arrived, reporter Melissa Mollet stated that "about a month ago, there was some talk about Colorado taxpayers having to kick in for convention costs" and added, "At this point, we do not know if that's something that will have to happen." However, Fox 31's report omitted that on June 12 Mayor John Hickenlooper's office "reiterated that no local tax dollars would subsidize the Democratic National Convention," as The Denver Post reported on June 13.

From the June 16 broadcast of KDVR's Good Day Colorado:

SHAUL TURNER (co-anchor): Well, new this morning, cash for the DNC. Today is the fundraising deadline. The city of Denver needs $40.6 million dollars to finance the Democratic National Convention, and at last count they had just $25 million.

STEVE KELLEY (co-anchor): Fox 31's Melissa Mollet live at the Pepsi Center with more on the money, or lack thereof. Melissa?

MELISSA MOLLET (reporter): That's right, good morning. You know, a couple months ago, the city of Denver said "Yeah, we're about $15 million short." Today, we're gonna see exactly how much money they have raised since then. Now, the host committee is supposed to have $40 million in the bank by today. But of course, the sluggish economy has meant fewer donations to the DNC. Mayor John Hickenlooper has gone on 20 different fundraising trips since March. His office says the trips were added onto regular city business visits. So far, delegate parties have been scaled back, but the committee says other DNC activities will not be affected. You might remember back in 2004, Boston went through similar pains to raise cash. Of course, about a month ago, there was some talk about Colorado taxpayers having to kick in for convention costs. At this point, we do not know if that's something that will have to happen. But, once we get this total later today, perhaps even tomorrow or even later this week, we will know exactly how much taxpayers have to kick in, if anything at all. Back to you.

TURNER: OK, thanks a lot. Melissa Mollet, reporting live this morning.

Mollet failed to mention that, according to the Post, after Denver Auditor Dennis Gallagher "sent a letter to the mayor saying rumors have been circulating that Denver will have to subsidize the now under-funded convention," Hickenlooper's "chief of staff, Kelly Jean Brough, sent a reply to Gallagher saying convention money would come from a $50 million congressional appropriation for security and private fundraising."

An online version of the same Post article further reported Brough stating that Hickenlooper would treat the DNC "no differently than any other convention":

Brough told Gallagher the convention money could come from two places: a $50 million congressional appropriation for security and private fund-raising.

"Those fund-raising efforts are continuing in full force and will undoubtedly continue all the way up to the convention itself," Brough said.

Denver is $15 million behind on its goal to raise $40.6 million by June 16 for the convention that begins Aug. 25.

The host committee was $5 million short of a $28 million goal March 17.

In 2004 host city Boston relied on 11th-hour fund-raising, bringing in $12 million in the weeks before the convention.

Brough told Gallagher that "fund-raising intake always picks up in the final months before the event, with nominees assisting in the process. Now that there is a presumptive nominee, we have already begun conversations with the Obama campaign about potential fund-raising opportunities for the convention."

Further, a June 13 article in the Rocky Mountain News also reported Brough's statement in the letter to Gallagher that proceeds of a bond issue approved in 2007 would not be used for the convention:

Any rumors that some of the $550 million of bond money voters approved last fall will be used to host the convention are false, Brough wrote Gallagher. The bond money is "limited to the uses described to those voters prior to the election and cannot be used to finance the convention," the letter said.

In contrast to Fox 31's report, anchor Bertha Lynn on the June 16 broadcast of KMGH's 7News at 6 a.m. reported Brough's assurance that tax dollars would not subsidize the convention.

From the June 16 broadcast of KMGH's 7News at 6 a.m.:

LYNN: The Democratic National Convention Committee faces a major fundraising deadline today. The group hopes to have $40.6 million. It reported last month that it was about $15 million shy of that goal. The mayor's chief of staff says no tax money will be used to make up for any fundraising shortfall.

—C.K.