s Commis n io ct le E n a le C s en Citiz Bulletin Volume 3, Quarter 1 sion February 2006 Message from the Chair Welcome to the 2006 first quarter edition of the Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin. It is hard to believe, but another election cycle is upon us which means $5 qualifying contributions, signatures and so much more. As the 2006 election cycle gears up I want to take this opportunity to make everyone aware that the Commissioners and staff are here to help. If there are questions, please never hesitate to contact the office and ask. One of the Commission’s goals in 2006 is to increase voter education during the upcoming election cycle. To do this we have approved taping and playing the up coming legislative and statewide debates on our website (www.azcleanelections.gov) as well as hosting almost 30 public candidate and treasurer workshops. The workshops are mandatory for all participating candidates, but they are a great opportunity to ask questions and to get a better understanding of the law. I would encourage anyone that has questions to attend. Inside the Bulletin Recent News 2 Workshops 3 Directors Corner 4 Information 5 I would like to take a moment to thank Commissioner Kathleen Detrick for her service to the Commission and to the residents of Arizona. Commissioner Detrick’s appointment expired at the end of January. Her dedication to Clean Elections and to all of Arizona is unsurpassed. I know I speak for all of the Commissioners when I wish her the very best in her future endeavors. There is no doubt that she will be missed. The Commission looks forward to the upcoming election season and wishes all candidates the very best of luck. Marcia Busching Chair State of Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission This Bulletin is intended to be an informational tool used to update parties regarding the Commissions’ projects and developments. If you have further questions, feel free to call the Commission directly and speak with any staff member at 1-602-364-3477 or toll free at 1-877-631-8891. As a state agency, we are here to serve you. Contact Information: 1616 W. Adams, Suite 110 Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 364-3477 (602) 364-3487, fax 1-877-631-8891, toll free www.azcleanelections.gov Page 2 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin February 2006 The Act and the Commission The Citizens Clean Elections Act (Act) is a campaign finance reform measure that was initiated by Arizona citizens and passed by voters in 1998. The Act creates a new campaign financing system that provides full public funding to qualified candidates who agree to abide by the Act and Commission rules. The 2005-2006 election cycle is the fourth election season in which candidates could run a political campaign under the Act. Governed by the laws of the State of Arizona, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission (Commission) has been created to implement and enforce campaign finance laws and to promote voter education through candidate debates and a Candidate Statement Pamphlet. The Act allows the Commission to provide procedures for the inspection of a candidate’s bank account, campaign finance reports and financial records relating to the candidate’s campaign. To qualify for funding, the voluntary “participating candidates” must adhere to spending and contribution limits and gather $5 qualifying contributions from district constituents who are registered voters. Participating candidates are required to attend debates. New Additions The Citizens Clean Elections Commission welcomed Mike Becker on November 7th as the new voter education manager. He replaces Autumn Southard who left the post in October 2005. Becker will primarily serve as the Commission’s public information officer to the public, media and elected officials, as well as implement and manage the Commission’s annual education program outreaching to Arizona citizens about the Clean Elections Act. Additionally, Becker is responsible for organizing the Commission’s legislative and statewide candidate debates, as well as managing all marketing, public relations and advertising programs. “Mike brings a breadth of knowledge and experience to the Commission staff and we are very pleased to add such a skilled and experienced individual to our team,” said Todd Lang, executive director of the Commission. “We look forward to working with Mike to implement his fresh ideas, and continue to increase Clean Elections awareness and education among Arizona citizens.” Before joining the Commission, Becker served as chief of staff for Maricopa County Supervisor Don Stapley for four years, acting as the chief liaison to state, local and federal elected officials, as well as coordinating all community events and media related activities. Additionally, Becker brings first-hand experience in statewide politics and elections after serving as finance director for the Arizona Republican Party. Becker’s experience also includes executive assistant work with Congressman John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) and former Congressman Bill Paxon (R-New York). Mike received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. Please visit the Citizens Clean Elections Commission website at www.azcleanelections.gov to view the latest Commission news. You may also access publications such as the Act, Rules & Policies Manual. While you are visiting the Commission website, please take a moment to sign up to receive e-mail newsletters at www.azcleanelections.gov/linkto.asp?linkId=47. If you have questions, feel free to contact Voter Education Manager, Mike Becker, at (602) 364-3477, extension 210. Page 3 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin February 2006 *Topic of the Quarter* Mandatory Participating Candidate & Treasurer Workshops R2-20-104(D) - “If certified as a participating candidate, the candidate shall...Attend at least one candidate training class sponsored by the Commission, and cause the candidate’s campaign treasurer to attend at least one candidate training class, during the election cycle. If the candidate or the treasurer is unable to attend a training class, the candidate or treasurer shall: a. Notify the Commission that the candidate or treasurer is unable to attend a training class. The Commission will then send that person the Commission training materials; and The candidate or treasurer shall sign and send to the Commission a statement certifying that he or she has received and reviewed the Commission training materials.” Dates, Locations and Times for the 2006 Participating Candidate Workshops: February 8, 2006 January 11, 2006 6:00pm - 8:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room CCEC Conference Room ***February 15, 2006*** January 18, 2006 6:00pm - 8:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm March 8, 2006 6:00pm - 8:00pm NAU duBois Center/Bldg. U of64 A Memorial Student UnAgassiz Rm ion, Tubac Rm CCEC Conference Room February 8, 2006 March 15, 2006 6:00pm-8:00pm 6:00pm - 8:00pm CCEC Conference Room Mohave CC February 15, 2006 NAU duBois Center/Bldg 64 Agassiz Rm Dates, Locations and Times for the 2006 Treasurer Workshops: March 8, 2006 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room February 22, 2006 6:00pm - 8:00pm CCEC Conference Room 6:00pm-8:00pm 6:00pm - 8:00pm March 22, 2006 6:00pm - 8:00pm January 25, 2006 ***March 29, 2006*** February 1, 2006 Flagstaff 1616 W. Adams 1616 W. Adams Phoenix Phoenix Mohave CC Kingman NAU duBois Center/Bldg. 64 Flagstaff Agassiz Rm CCEC Conference Room 1616 W. Adams 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room 6:00pm - 8:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm UofA Memorial Un-University 1303 University Blvd. U of A Memorial StudentStudent Un- 303 Blvd. Tucson ion, Tubac Rm 4th Floor ion, Tubac Rm February 22, 2006 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room *** This Workshop is both a Participating Candidate AND Treasurer workshop*** March 1, 2006 Tucson 1616 W. Adams Phoenix 1616 W. Adams Kingman Phoenix 6:00pm-8:00pm March 15, 2006 March 1, 2006 1616W. W.Adams Adams Phoenix 1616 Phoenix Flagstaff 303 University Blvd. 6:00pm-8:00pm To sign up for a Candidate Workshop, please go to: NAU duBois Center /Bldg 64 Aggasiz Rm 1616 W Adams Phoenix 1616 W Adams Phoenix Flagstaff http://www.azcleanelections.gov/linkto.asp?linkId=222 March 22, 2006 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room 1616 W Adams Phoenix To sign up for a Treasurer Workshop, please go to: March 29, 2006 6:00pm-8:00pm 303 University Blvd. Tucson U of A Memorial Student Un- ion, Tubac Rm http://www.azcleanelections.gov/linkto.asp?linkId=223 Page 4 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin February 2006 Director’s Corner As a nation we are governed by the rule of law, therefore we all must abide by the rules and when necessary face the repercussions that arise from breaking these rules. This becomes evident when it comes to our elected officials and our form of government. Since the founding of our republic, the fundamental notion that this nation and its government were “created by the people, for the people and of the people” has been held in the highest regard. But in recent decades problems have grown larger. To some, money replaced the need for contact with voters. Fundraisers replaced neighborhood walks. As a result, in 1998 the citizens of Arizona attempted to do something about that by enacting the Citizens Clean Elections Act. When the People of Arizona enacted the Citizens Clean Elections Commission, they made a strong statement about the status of our Democracy. The Act is a reaffirmation by Arizonans that we want our government to work as it was intended from the start. Our legislators should be beholden to the voters, not to powerful lobbyists or “special interests.” As we have moved through the years there is no question that we have experienced our ups and downs. But we continue to move forward. We learn from our mistakes of the past so that we may have a brighter future. The latest ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court upheld the Commission’s decision to enforce rules that required Mr. David Smith to leave office. This ruling required Mr. Smith to keep his promise to the Commission and to the voters — that he would abide by the rules when he takes public funding. I believe that the Commission is moving in the right direction, but there is still plenty of work to be done from educating the candidates and voters to reassessing and improving the rules and policies that make up the Clean Elections law. But this is not something that the Commission can do on its own; we need your help. We need your input and ideas so that everyday, every month and every year we can continue to make Clean Elections in to what the people envisioned when it was passed in 1998. We look forward to your input. ns Citizens Clean Electio Commission Bulletin Volume 3, Quarter 1 February 2006 1616 W. Adams, Suite 110 Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 364-3477 Thank you very much for tak ing the time to read our first quarte r Bulletin! The Bulletin is published onc e a quarter and is posted on the Commis sion’s website. (602) 364-3487, fax 1-877-631-8891, toll free www.azcleanelections.gov Visit us on the Web! www.azcleanelections.gov 2006 First Quarter Commission Meeting Schedule Citizens Clean Elections Commission Upcoming Meetings Commissioners Marcia Busching, Chair Ermila Jolley Gary Scaramazzo Commission meetings are held in the Citizens Clean Elections Commission conference room at 1616 W. Adams in Phoenix. Please contact the Commission or check the Commission website, www.azcleanelections.gov to confirm meeting dates and times. The Commission meeting minutes and agendas are available free of charge on the Commission website. Additionally, past minutes and agendas are posted on the website. March 3/2/06 Thursday, 9:30am 3/30/06 Thursday, 9:30am Please refer to www.azcleanelections.gov for agendas & additional documents