This post comes to us via the Arizona Advocacy Network. We are excited to begin passing along information to our LD20 activists that will help keep you informed!
Phoenix, Ariz—Sen. Steve Gallardo responded to the effort by Senators Steve Pierce and Scott Bundgaard to pass SCR 1025, a deceptive ballot referendum that could result in voters unwittingly repealing Clean Elections. The measure does not mention Clean Elections.
“SCR 1025 is completely dishonest,” said Sen. Steve Gallardo. “Backers of this measure are afraid to debate Clean Elections on its merits because they know voters overwhelmingly support the popular program. Instead they are hoping to deceive voters into killing the Clean Elections by defunding it and that’s shameful.”
“If they want to repeal Clean Elections, why not be honest about it? Voters have made it clear they are sick and tired of sneaky and deceptive ballot measures. These
legislators keep proving they are out-of-touch with voters.”
SCR 1025 would effectively end Clean Elections in Arizona by constitutionally barring the use of “public funds” for candidate campaigns. In order to achieve this, the amendment slated for the 2012 ballot redefines “public funds” to include the ten percent surcharge on lawbreakers that comprises the Citizens Clean Elections Fund. When voters passed Clean Elections they provided a funding mechanism separate from the general fund. The Clean Elections Fund regularly contributes excess money to the general fund, so passage would result in more cuts to the general fund.
Linda Brown
Executive Director
Arizona Advocacy Network
602-297-2500 (office)
602-297-3600 (fax)
1616 E Indian School Road, Suite 340
Phoenix, AZ 85016
www.azadvocacy.org
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)