PHOENIX β The organizer of a bid to quash a new state law easing rules on anonymous "dark money'' donations in political races has folded his tent.
Rep. Ken Clark, D-Phoenix, said today he will not be able to get the required 75,321 valid signatures by the Aug. 5 deadline. The result is that SB 1516 will take effect as scheduled the following day.
State Rep. Ken Clark, D-Phoenix.
But Clark, who led the unsuccessful fight against the bill when it was approved along largely party lines earlier this year, said he is not giving up. He said the next step is to build a coalition to come up with new statutes designed to ensure that voters know the true source of money behind political campaigns and commercials.
Clark, however, could have an uphill fight.
The chances of the Republican-controlled Legislature requiring more disclosure are virtually nil.
It was Secretary of State Michele Reagan, also a Republican, whose staff crafted what's in SB 1516. And any moves to force more disclosure will get a fight from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry which has argued that laws compelling groups involved in political campaigns to identify their donors would chill First Amendment rights.
And a separate petition drive to enact new rules on anonymous donations faltered earlier this year.
