Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry blasts proposal for special session to increase public funding for political campaigns

PHOENIX - Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry President and CEO Glenn Hamer today said the Chamber vehemently opposes today's Citizens Clean Elections Commission resolution calling for the Legislature to enter into a special session to increase taxpayer funding for candidates who choose to run under the state's public campaign financing scheme.

"The only thing the Legislature should be doing in a special session on this topic is passing legislation to bar the use of public funds for political campaigns," Hamer said.  "In the face of a crumbling state budget, to increase politicians' welfare under this cockamamie scheme would be unseemly."  

In a poll conducted by the Chamber in November, over 65% over respondents said they would oppose a proposal to increase the amount of taxpayer money politicians could receive for their campaign.

 
Next year, there may be a proposal to INCREASE the amount of taxpayer money politicians can receive for their political campaigns under the Clean Elections System.  Would you say you are strongly in favor, somewhat in favor, somewhat opposed, or strongly opposed to such a measure?  If you have no opinion, just say so.

Strongly in favor                           9      9.75%

Somewhat in favor                      75   12.40%

Somewhat Oppose                   120    19.83%

Strongly Oppose                       274    45.29%

No Opinion                                   76    2.56%

Refused                                          1    0.17%

TOTAL                                         605 100.00%

"With all due respect to the commissioners, I'd stay out of the political consulting business," Hamer said.  "If legislators were to vote to increase their take of taxpayer dollars to run their campaigns, then they'd be doing so at their own peril, as our poll makes clear."

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