What the Measure J ballot question should say:

"Do you agree to: 1) accept a $67 million dollar loss to the General Fund, 2) dedicate $114 million dollars of tax and utility money towards the 49ers’ football stadium, with the city projected to get back approximately half of the amount spent, 3) extend the 49ers’ land lease on the training center where they pay the city 1% of what other businesses pay, 4) agree to let the 49ers decide whether or not to sublease the stadium to the Oakland Raiders, and to decide how much they pay for stadium operations and maintenance costs?"

What the Measure J ballot question actually says:

"Shall the City of Santa Clara adopt Ordinance 17.20 leasing City property for a professional football stadium and other events; no use of City General or Enterprise funds for construction; no new taxes for residents for stadium; Redevelopment Agency funds capped for construction; private party pays all construction cost overruns; no city/agency obligation for stadium operating/maintenance; private party payment of projected fair market rent; and additional funds for senior/youth/library/recreation to City's General fund?"

Why did they purposefully write a ballot question that doesn't disclose the costs? Because when Santa Clarans are asked if they want to use public money to build a new stadium for the SF 49ers, the majority of Santa Clarans say 'no'.  On the day the Term Sheet was signed, KPIX released a survey by Survey USA that said 62% of Santa Clarans oppose using public funds for a stadium.

On the ballot pamphlet, Santa Clara voters will see a Measure J ballot question, city attorney's summary, and a ballot measure - none of which disclose how much the stadium will cost the taxpayers of Santa Clara.

City Council members Will Kennedy and Jamie McLeod said that "the ballot language reads like an advertisement, promoting the benefits and barely mentioning the costs."  (SJ Mercury News, April 7, 2010).

How did that happen?  Here's how.