The Committee Opposing Proposition 123 has filed a response to the campaign finance complaint filed by the Arizona Education Association. The complaint, filed last week with the offices of the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, alleged irregularities in reporting.
The Committee provided a detailed response on Thursday noting that it has followed the letter of the law, accounting for every penny in donations and expenditures and that all in kind donations were recorded at market rates.
The complaint, in part, states:
As of the time of this complaint, No on Prop 123 [sic] has not filed any report showing expenditures of $10,000 or more, or contributions of $10,000.00. Frankly, it is inconceivable that both thresholds have not been exceeded. That is apparent from the website, the hosting of the website, production of videos and Facebook page.
In response, the Committee reported that it has raised $8,546.25, in cash and in kind, and has a cash balance of $1,442.87. All in kind contributions have been reported at market rates.
Chairperson Morgan Abraham stated, “We take it as a compliment that a campaign with a $4 million budget finds it ‘inconceivable’ that determined volunteers with a budget of less than $10,000 can help expose Proposition 123 for what it is: a poison pill for the future of public education in this state. It appears that when your campaign has unlimited funds from billionaires, you forget what you can accomplish with determination and talented volunteers.”
Abraham continued, “Yes, as the complaint points out, our website is great. Our treasurer built and maintains it. We’ve spent $106.37 on it, and every penny was reported.”
“The complaint is without merit and is a waste of taxpayers’ money. We followed the law. The Committee Opposing Proposition 123 remains undeterred and will continue to spread the word about the dangers of Proposition 123,” concluded Abraham