State lawmakers wrapped up the 2016 legislative session Saturday with what some critics say is a last-minute poke at voters.
Over the objections of several Democrats, the House voted 31-25 to give final approval to HB 2296. The main provision would curb the ability of both the Secretary of State’s Office and the Citizens Clean Elections Commission to demand that certain “social welfare” groups disclose information on their donors.
If all that sounds familiar, it should: The same provisions were in SB 1516 signed into law earlier this year by Gov. Doug Ducey. But the wording of that bill means it cannot take effect until sometime later this summer.
HB 2296 would become law no earlier. But in a bit of legislative sleight of hand, it contains language making it effective, retroactively, later this month.
Rep. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, said the aim was simply to have the provisions in place for this year’s elections.
But Rep. Ken Clark, D-Phoenix, said he sees something more sinister in the measure which is now on the desk of Gov. Doug Ducey.
Clark is spearheading a petition drive to put the provisions of SB 1516 on the ballot in November. If voters reject what lawmakers have done, that legislation self-destructs.
Read more:
http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2016/05/09/legislature-passes-measure-to-undermine-dark-money-referendum/
