 Sponsors re-file petition with new provision to close soft money loophole September 05, 2003
The Attorney General's office noted technical difficulties with the original petitions. Rather than fight this decision in court, the sponsors decided to re-file both petitions. "We decided to see this not as a problem but as an opportunity to improve the initiatives," said Representative Croft. The campaign finance reform initiative was originally filed on the 6th of August. Six days later later, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued its decision in Jacobus v. State of Alaska, upholding Alaska's law limiting soft money contributions to political parties. The newly filed initiative reflects this decision. Unlimited soft money contributions allow the richest individuals or corporations to dominate the political parties. "We are happy to close this much abused loophole," said Rep. Guttenberg, "this is a landmark decision, and an important reform for the people of Alaska." The sponsors also made technical changes to the initiative requiring a special election rather than an appointment to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy to address the overlaping of various special election provisions and to fully repeal the old law on appointments. "As long as the Lt. Governor's
office continues to be expeditious about approving the initiative
application, I am confident we can get the requisite signatures
in the time allowed." said Representative Harry Crawford.
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