Clean Elections Commission delays vote on ‘dark money’ rule revisions
The Citizens Clean Elections Commission will hold off for two months on approving a proposed anti-dark money rule so the public can consider changes that strips out what many opponents viewed as its most onerous provision.
Recipes for sausage-making
Former Clean Elections Commissioner Louis Hoffman responded to the Arizona Chamber of Commerce's suggested revisions to the commission's proposed "political committee" rule with some changes of his own.
CCEC broadening effort to shine a light on ‘dark money’
A proposed rule change at the Clean Elections Commission that was initially aimed at cracking down on “convenience corporations” that form to spend dark money in elections may undergo a significant change thanks to the recommendations of former Commissioner Louis Hoffman.
Clean Elections fines group $96K over anti-Smith ads
The Citizens Clean Elections Commission voted to impose a $96,000 fine against the Legacy Foundation Action Fund over ads it ran criticizing then-Mesa Mayor Scott Smith after deciding that they should have been reported as campaign commercials for the governor’s race.
Clean Elections enforcement unchanged by new law
Now that SB1344 has taken effect, I write to announce that the Clean Elections Commission will continue its mission without change.
Lawmakers ask state Supreme Court to reinstate new contribution limits
Senate President Andy Biggs and House Speaker Andy Tobin asked the Arizona Supreme Court to lift an injunction against new campaign contributionlimits passed by the Legislature.
High court won’t weigh in on new campaign limits
The Arizona Supreme Court declined to accept a case challenging the state’s new campaign contribution limits.
In a Tuesday afternoon order, Justice Robert Brutinel wrote that the court would not accept a petition for special action filed by opponents of HB2593, who hoped to bypass the lower courts and go straight to the Supreme Court. Brutinel did not elaborate on the high court’s rea[...]
Clean Elections chooses Collins as new executive director
Thomas Collins, the attorney who has provided legal advice to the Citizens Clean Elections Commission for the past two and a half years, will take over the agency as its new executive director.
Lawsuit says new contribution limits give more power to special interests
Opponents of a bill that dramatically raises the state’s campaign contribution limits are asking the Arizona Supreme Court to strike it down before it goes into effect in two months, arguing that the measure violates the Voter Protection Act.
Opponents say higher contribution limits violate Clean Elections, Voter Protection Act
A provision in the 1998 ballot measure that created Arizona’s Clean Elections system may hold the key to whether the state’s new campaign contribution limits will go into effect for 2014.
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.
Capitol Quotes 11/6
"Their majorities haven't helped them." - Rep. David Schapira, a Democrat from Tempe, speaking Nov. 4 about the need for Republican leaders to negotiate a budget fix with Democrats.