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14 years after Citizens United, Arizona leads the way, but our democracy demands more
I support constitutional reform through the For Our Freedom Amendment. The Amendment will allow states and Congress to set reasonable limits on campaign spending, restore checks and balances, and finally end the pay-to-play political system we are living through. Simply stated: It will put ‘we the people’ first.
Supporters of ‘dark money’ spending abandon ‘conservative’ principles
As a Republican former Arizona governor, a Democratic former Arizona attorney general, and an independent Arizona businessman, we were proud to represent the broad political spectrum to stop anonymous political spending in our state. Voters in November approved Proposition 211 or the “Voters’ Right to Know Act," however opponents of the measure aren’t giving up.
Who’s got the juice? Some of the biggest power brokers of 2014 election are unknown
Determining the most influential people of 2014 becomes far more difficult when so many of them are anonymous. Such was the case in Arizona, where a predominant feature of the election cycle was “dark money,” the anonymous campaign spending that has proliferated in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Citizens United ruling in 2010.
New contribution limits could be game-changer for campaigns
Campaign cash may come pouring into some of Arizona’s top races next year thanks to a new law allowing candidates to raise far more money.
Critics say the bill will flood campaigns with more money and influence-buying, and that it may be the final nail in the coffin of Arizona’s voter-approved Clean Elections system.
Bennett sought legislation to deal with AG issues
As the FBI ramped up its investigation into Tom Horne last year, Secretary of State Ken Bennett scrambled to get legislation passed that would allow him to bypass the Attorney General’s Office and seek outside legal counsel.
Bill seeks disclosures of campaign spending
State officials in Arizona are seeking tougher disclosure requirements for businesses and unions that make independent expenditures for or against candidates.
McCain raps high court’s campaign finance ruling
Sen. John McCain says the Supreme Court ruling that led to formation of super PACs was "one of the worst decisions I have ever seen."
Campaign finance maneuvers drawing state scrutiny
The difficulty of persuading groups to comply with campaign finance reporting laws stems from a more aggressive interpretation of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that gave corporations and labor unions the same speech rights as individuals.
Loophole enables groups to conceal sources of electioneering money
The elections last month exposed what appears to be a gaping hole in Arizona’s campaign finance laws: The inability of elections officials to force groups to register as political committees or report their spending.
Secretary of State: Pearce recall mailer is deceptive
State elections officials have asked the Attorney General’s Office to investigate an unknown group after it sent out a campaign mailer they believe is deceptive.
U.S. Supreme Court strikes down matching funds
Arizona’s system of public campaign financing has been dealt a major, although expected, blow by the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled today that the matching funds provision of the Clean Elections Act is unconstitutional.
Clean Elections: A fair shake?
Arizona’s Clean Elections system has had a polarizing effect on Arizona politics since becoming law in 1998. Supporters claim it eliminates the influence of special-interest money in elections, while opponents say the system is unfair and dampens free speech.
