Friday, March 25, 2011

U.S. Supreme Court on Monday to Hear First Amendment Challenge to Arizona Campaign Finance Law ‘Matching Funds’ Provision

“Arizona Free Enterprise Club’s Freedom Club PAC v. Bennett”

SEIU, Obama Administration, Public Citizen and Rep. Alan Grayson (Ret.) filed briefs opposing AZ Free Enterprise Club’s free speech position in case
Phoenix, AZThe U.S. Supreme Court on Monday March 28 will hold oral arguments in an important first amendment case that implicates public campaign financing schemes in jurisdictions across the country.  Arizona Free Enterprise Club’s Freedom Club PAC v. Bennett concerns the “matching funds” provision in Arizona’s “Clean Elections” law.

“Arizona’s matching funds provision burdens the exercise of political speech that is at the core of what the first amendment to the Constitution protects,” said Steve Voeller, president of the Free Enterprise Club (“AZFEC”). “The matching funds provision has forced the Club’s PAC to reconsider its support of candidates because we know our participation will result in additional government funds for those candidates’ publicly-funded opponents.  We look forward to making our case before the Supreme Court.”
The Court has consolidated two Arizona cases for Monday’s 10 a.m. argument. The Obama Administration, SEIU, Public Citizen and Rep. Alan Grayson (Ret.) have all filed amicus briefs against the AZFEC’s free speech position.

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