Arizona Capitol Times

New Contribution Limits Could Be Game-Changer for Arizona Campaigns

Campaign cash may come pouring into some of Arizona's top races next year thanks to a new law allowing candidates to raise far more money. HB2593 raises the state's campaign contribution limits, which are among the lowest in the country, to match the federal limits of $2,500 for both the primary and general election cycles. A provision in the Clean Elections Act that reduces contribution limits by 20 percent means candidates can now collect up to $4,000 from one contributor.

Opponents Say Higher Contribution Limits Violate Arizona' S 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. Opponents of HB2593, which dramatically raises Arizona's campaign contribution limits and eliminates the aggregate on how much individuals can contribute during an election cycle, are threatening to sue. They argue that the bill violates Clean Elections and the Voter Protection Act, which strictly limits the...

Lobbyists Expect Pressure to Give More to Arizona Politicians

So-called hell week, the annual spate of fundraisers before the start of the legislative session, may get more hellish for lobbyists because of new campaign finance rules that allow contributors to give far more money. Under HB2593, individuals can now give up to $4,000 to legislative candidates instead of the old limit of $440. The bill also eliminates the aggregate cap on the amount of money individuals can give, which had been set at $6,390 for the 2014 campaign cycle.

Arizona Business, Religious, Law Enforcement Leaders Endorse Immigration Proposal

A group of business, religious and law enforcement leaders on April 17 endorsed the broad outlines of a comprehensive and nuanced proposal by eight U.S. senators, including Arizona's John McCain and Jeff Flake, to fix the nation's woeful immigration system. The proposal calls for beefing up the U.S.-Mexico border, providing lawful status to the millions who are in the country illegally with a path to eventual citizenship, and overhauling the country's visa system.

Heroes and Traitors: Medicaid Debate Forces Arizona Lawmakers to Take Sides On Budget

When discussing the progress made in budget negotiations so far this year, Senate President Andy Biggs reminded the Arizona Capitol Times that patience is a virtue. It's a message Biggs and House Speaker Andy Tobin have taken to heart this Legislative session as lawmakers try to reach a budget agreement with the Governor's Office while debating Gov. Jan Brewer's proposal to expand Medicaid to cover people earning up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level.