For Immediate Release Date: October 28, 2011 Contact: Sam Wercinski, 602-228-4497
Court’s favorable ruling believed to be too narrow.
Clean Elections on solid constitutional ground.
Phoenix, AZ – After discussing the court’s favorable ruling with their attorneys, plaintiff Arizona Advocacy Network Foundation believed that the Arizona Supreme Court might issue an even broader ruling if given a chance to hear their arguments.
The case is known nationally as Arizona Advocacy Network Foundation vs Bennett. The plaintiffs challenged several aspects of the unconstitutional repeal measure, winning on one of their arguments. Paul Eckstein, a partner at Perkins Coie, who represented the plaintiffs, stated, “We are pleased with Judge Fink's ruling invalidating S.C.R. 1025 under the separate amendment rule, based on the fact that the measure would have seized Tucson's taxpayer funds for the state's coffers. We continue to believe that repealing Clean Elections at the state level and gutting charter cities' home-rule authority over the conduct of local elections creates an independent and significant separate amendment rule problem. That may be a fight for another day and as it stands, this anti-Clean Elections measure will not be on the ballot in November 2012."
Speaking for Arizona Advocacy Network Foundation, Sam Wercinski added that “This may be the real reason why the losing side on this unconstitutional effort won’t appeal the decision to the Arizona Supreme Court. We could get a much broader decision.”
Clean Elections continues to have strong support among likely 2012 voters with a 77% approval rating after being provided a factual explanation of the program and how it works. Capitol insiders say that the unconstitutional repeal measure was going nowhere in the State House until corporate interests weighed in and began arm-twisting. A new repeal measure will likely meet resistance among lawmakers, some of whom feel bruised by voting for a measure they were told was constitutional and would hold up in court. Supporters want to work with legislators to improve Clean Elections as an anti-corruption tool during the 2012 legislative session.
“Clean Elections was passed by voters in 1998 because they recognized the corrupting nature of Big Money, just as we saw in AZSCAM and this year surrounding the Fiesta Bowl scandal. Legislators now have an opportunity to strengthen a law passed by voters and still supported by voters,” Wercinski concluded.
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For Immediate Release Date: October 26, 2011 Contact: Sam Wercinski, 602-228-4497
Voters Win…Big Money loses.
Phoenix, AZ - Today the court agreed with the Arizona Advocacy Network Foundation and declared unconstitutional an effort to repeal Arizona’s popular 1998 anti-corruption law known as Clean Elections. The unconstitutional measure, pushed by state and national big money interests was put on the 2012 ballot by the legislature in May after much arm twisting.
“The legislature overreached again with this unconstitutional measure and trying to deceptively take money from Tucson residents is an abuse of power. I’m glad the court stopped their attempt to logroll voters,” said Tucson voter Carol West.
Speaking for the lead plaintiff, the Arizona Advocacy Network Foundation, Sam Wercinski stated “Voters won today against big-money-self-interests. In 1998 after the AZSCAM scandal, the public recognized the corrupting influence of big money in elections and policy making. That’s why voters passed Clean Elections and continue to support it today, with a 77% approval rating.”
Governor Brewer, Terry Goddard, Secretary of State Bennett, all corporation commissioners and one third of the state legislature qualified as Clean Election candidates in 2010. This summer, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of Clean Elections as a tool to fight the corrupting influence of money in politics.
Many believe Clean Elections has helped to advance Arizona’s renewable energy standards and our state’s growing solar manufacturing industry by protecting corporation commissioners against lobbying attacks from utility and coal interests. Wercinski highlights that all three declared 2012 candidates for corporation commission are currently trying to qualify under the Clean Elections system.
“As the Fiesta Bowl political corruption scandal continues to unravel, Arizona legislators have an opportunity to strengthen Clean Elections and government for the People, not corporations. We’re here to help them achieve this,” added Sam Wercinski.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Linda Brown
6/ 27 /2011 602-622-6641
Corporate Supreme Court decides big money deserves loudest voice in elections
Clean Elections backers seek to amend matching funds provision
Phoenix, AZ—Today the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the constitutionality of Arizona’s Citizens Clean Elections Act but sided with big money interests by declaring triggered matching funds unconstitutional. Arizona voters passed the Act in 1998. At issue was whether candidates participating in the Clean Elections program would continue receiving limited triggered matching funds when they were outspent by opponents funded by private, lobbyist and corporate money.
Supporters of Clean Elections were quick to criticize the decision saying Arizona Clean Elections does not chill thevoices of privately-financed opponents or outside groups, it simply protects the speech rights of ordinary citizens who can’t make big campaign contributions. In her dissent, Justice Elena Kagan wrote of the plaintiffs “So they are making a novel argument: that Arizona violated their First Amendment rights by disbursing funds to other speakers even though they could have received (but chose to spurn) the same financial assistance. Some people might call that chutzpah.”
“Voters want elected officials to be accountable to them, not wealthy donors,” said Linda Brown, executive director of the Arizona Advocacy Network Foundation. “Unfortunately this Court favors the money over the many. They are pushing our country, and more importantly our democracy, down a dangerous path.”
Clean Elections remains very popular in Arizona with more than 77 percent of likely 2012 voters saying they support the program (Lake Research poll, April 2011.) “Voters value Clean Elections because it frees candidates from being beholden to big money special interests,” added Brown. “That’s how government of, by and for the people should work.”
Brown said the Arizona Advocacy Network will be asking the legislature to amend the law so that Clean candidates can receive matching funds based on the amount of money they are able to raise from small donors within their districts. The small donor model is based on the Fair Elections Now Act, a proposal currently making its way through Congress.
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For Immediate Release Contact: Arizona Advocacy Network 602-297-2500
Date: May 6, 2011
Clean Elections Repeal Measure Clearly Unconstitutional
Legislature & Big Money attempt to confuse voters
Phoenix, AZ—Today a diverse group of Arizona voters and taxpayers challenged the constitutionality of a ballot measure pushed by the legislature and big money interests to repeal the Citizens Clean Elections Act passed by popular vote in 1998.
The legislature appears to have intentionally used confusing language designed to deceive voters. Like many recent actions by the legislature, the measure impinges on local control by forcing the city of Tucson to shut down their 25-year campaign finance system and turn over local funds for state government use.
“Opponents and special interests know the only way they can attack Clean Elections is with lies and unconstitutional efforts like this,” said Mike Valder, a plaintiff in the lawsuit and longtime advocate of stronger anti-corruption laws.
The citizens are challenging the legality of SCR 1025, a referendum passed in the final chaotic days of the legislative session. It would effectively kill Arizona’s Clean Elections program, overwhelmingly approved by voters in 1998, after another money corruption scandal erupted in Arizona’s legislature.
Prior to passage of the legislation, the Arizona Advocacy Network worked to educate legislators on Clean Elections’ popularity with voters. It released a poll with Public Campaign that showed broad and diverse support for Clean Elections in the state.
• Opponents of Clean Elections aren’t interested in debating the merits of the law, or discussing additional anti-corruption improvements. The reason is clear: Voters overwhelmingly support the program, with 79% of Arizonans backing the law.
• The dishonest language used in the ballot measure is nothing new. Opponents have attempted to kill the popular program by confusing voters since the anti-corruption law was passed in 1998.
“Clean Elections supports government of, by and for the People Arizona. In every poll since passage by voters in 1998, Arizonans overwhelmingly support the Clean Elections Act and vehemently oppose its repeal,” said Sam Wercinski of the Arizona Advocacy Network.
Full poll results are available online at http://www.publicampaign.org/polls/arizona2011.
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Arizona Advocacy Network
1616 E. Indian School, #340 Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-297-2500 (Phone) 602-297-3600 (Fax)
For Immediate Release Contact: Linda Brown
Date: April 18, 2011 Phone: 602-622-6641
Arizona Senate Passes Gift for Special Interests
Senate Sends Clean Elections Repeal Measure to Ballot
Phoenix, Ariz.—Just hours after a new poll was released showing broad opposition to efforts to repeal Clean Elections, the Arizona House passed SCR 1025, a measure that will put a repeal of Clean Elections on the ballot in November 2012.
“Just like the big corporate tax breaks in the budget, wealthy special interests in Phoenix won again,” said Linda Brown, executive director of the Arizona Advocacy Network. “It’s obscene that these lawmakers, just weeks after being ensnared in the Fiesta Bowl scandal, would push to give powerful corporate interests even more power in the state house.”
New polling released today by the Arizona Advocacy Network and Public Campaign showed broad support for the Clean Elections system, are oppose to repeal, and that politicians that support ending Clean Elections may pay a price at the ballot box. Forty-five percent of Independent voters would be less likely to support a candidate that favors repeal of Clean Elections. Republicans (47% would be less likely to support a candidate) and Democrats (64%) agree. (The full poll is available at www.publicampaign.org/polls/arizona2011.)
Quietly on Wednesday and Thursday, the House and Senate passed S.B. 1167, legislation that will make legal challenges to unconstitutional referenda far more difficult. The measure includes an emergency provision requiring immediate enactment upon the governor’s signature so that it will apply to the Clean Elections repeal.
“Not only are lawmakers going against the wishes of voters by pushing to end Clean Elections without debate, but they also think their ballot proposals should not be subject to the same standards and scrutiny as citizens’ initiatives,” said Brown. “The arrogance of these folks is immeasurable.”
Other key points from today’s polling:
- Voters overwhelmingly support Clean Elections—by a five to one margin, or 77% to 14%. That support is strong among Democrats (80%), Republicans (74%), and Independents (79%)
- Nearly two-thirds (66%) of Arizona voters oppose repealing Clean Elections.
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Linda Brown
Executive Director
Arizona Advocacy Network
602-297-2500 (office)
602-297-3600 (fax)
602-622-6641 (cell)
1616 E. Indian School Road, Suite 340
Phoenix, AZ 85016
www.azadvocacy.org
For Immediate Release Contact: Linda Brown 602-622-6641
Date: April 7, 2011
Legislators aim to decrease accountability to voters
Clean Elections defunder would force all candidates to be accountable to donors
Phoenix, AZ—Today the House Committee on the Whole will consider SCR 1025, a back-door attempt to dupe voters into killing Arizona’s popular Clean Elections program. The measure, backed by big-money special interests, sailed through the Senate before the Fiesta Bowl scandal broke.
Now, with the scandal still unfolding, the House is considering eliminating one of the checks voters placed on candidates in the wake of the AZScam scandal of the 90s.
“Tone deaf doesn’t begin to describe this legislature. Speaker Adams has now been caught in the Fiesta Bowl scandal,” said Linda Brown, executive director of watchdog group Arizona Advocacy Network. “He sets the tone and the legislative agenda. He should be doing whatever it takes to restore integrity and voter confidence in their legislature. Instead he’s pushing through another bill backed by the very same interests that hand out free tickets and junkets. He sat in the Bidwell’s skybox at the Cardinals games, and the Bidwells are determined to end Clean Elections. These in-your-face pay-to-play deals have to stop.”
SCR 1025 would kill Clean Elections without mentioning the program. The referendum would also put an end to Tucson’s 25-year old clean money program for city races.
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For Immediate Release Contact: Linda Brown 602-297-2500
Date: April 5, 2011
Legislators off to another lobbyist-sponsored frolic
Phoenix, AZ--Just days after the still-unfolding Fiesta Bowl scandal ensnared dozens of state lawmakers, many of these same officials will hit the diamond tonight at an event usually paid for by some of the state’s most powerful lobbyists. It is the annual Arizona Senate versus House softball game at the Salt River Project’s private PERA Club in Tempe.
“Getting mixed up with another lobbyist-fueled sporting event a week after the Fiesta Bowl scandal broke shows these legislators are completely tone deaf. Instead of spending their time hobnobbing with lobbyists, they should be working to address our state’s serious challenges,” said Linda Brown, executive director of Arizona Advocacy Network. “It’s hard to imagine legislators participating in a softball game organized by the people being kicked off AHCCCS, or the parents who will soon be scrambling to find affordable child care. It’s probably a lot more fun to hang out with those who got what they wanted from this legislative session—the powerful lobbyists who secured big tax breaks for their big-money clients.”
Here are a few questions we think lawmakers should be asked about this event:
1). Who’s paying for it? Which lobbyists are coughing up the funds for food and drink?
2.) Are any of the lobbyists related to the Fiesta Bowl scandal?
3.) Serious ethical and criminal violations could come from the Fiesta Bowl report. Is having another sporting event, hosted by lobbyists, really what lawmakers want their constituents to see?
Brown added, “I am sure this event is as open to the voting public as the legislative session has been.”
The game is at the PERA Club, a private country club for the employees and families of the Salt River Project located at 1 Continental Drive in Tempe, Arizona.
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For Immediate Release Contact: Linda Brown
Date: November 3, 2010 Phone: 602-622-6641
Arizona Clean Elections Remains Popular, Support is Strong
New Legislature Must Work to Fix the System
Phoenix, AZ—Last night’s election results show that the Arizona Clean Elections system is strong, popular, and the next legislature must work together to make sure it will be in place in 2012, according to the Arizona Advocacy Network.
“Amid a host of legal issues and turmoil surrounding Clean Elections, 84 of 197 statewide and legislative candidates participated in the system this year,” said Linda Brown, executive director of Arizona Advocacy Network. “These candidates, along with the people of Arizona, understand the importance of Clean Elections in our state.”
According to preliminary analysis with some races still too close to call, Clean Elections candidates have won six of nine statewide seats and 32 of 91 legislative races this year.
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court threw the Arizona Clean Election system into turmoil when, halfway through an election, blocked the release of trigger funds that candidate rely on to stay afloat against privately financed candidates. Many members survived, but not without the help of outside independent expenditures working to replace the trigger funds.
“Voters in Arizona approved Clean Elections over a decade ago because they wanted elected officials to be accountable to the people—and not big donors or special interests,” said Brown. “The next legislature must work together to ensure candidates and voters continue to have a strong and viable alternative to pay-to-play campaign financing for years to come.”
To make sure the popular system remains viable, and lives up to its goals, the legislature must address the legal issues and push for a system that relies on matching funds based on a candidate’s own fundraising—similar to the federal Fair Elections Now Act currently before Congress.
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Arizona Advocacy Network Foundation
1616 E. Indian School, #340 Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-297-2500 (Phone) 602-297-3600 (Fax)
For Immediate Release Contact: Linda Brown
Date: September 21, 2010 Phone: 602-622-6641
Ballot Measure Guide Helps Voters Make Informed Choices
Arizona Advocacy Network Foundation Publishes “Propositioning Arizona”
PHOENIX—The Arizona Advocacy Network Foundation (AzANF) has published a comprehensive guide to measures on the 2010 ballot and they are taking it on the road. “Propositioning Arizona: A Review of 2010 Statewide Ballot Measures” is a non-partisan guide designed to give voters the information they need to make informed decisions by providing them with a description of and background for each measure, supporting and opposing arguments, lists of supporters and opponents and perhaps most telling, lists of the amounts of money various individuals and organizations have donated to support or oppose each measure. As they did in 2004, 2006 and 2008 AzANF is also offering presentations on the measures to groups all over the state.
With ten measures on the ballot, those that enter the voting booth without having educated themselves on each measure will face a daunting task. “Some of the ad campaigns for this year’s ballot measures are terribly deceptive,” said Linda Brown, executive director of the Arizona Advocacy Network Foundation. “If you vote based on a slogan or advertisement you risk voting in favor of a policy you really oppose. We want voters to understand each measure so that they can cast votes that are congruent with their values.”
Groups interested in having AzANF deliver a presentation on the measures should call the Arizona Advocacy Network Foundation office at 602-297-2500 or email them at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Anyone attending a presentation will receive a copy of the eight-page guide. Voters may also download a PDF version at www.azanfoundation.org.
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