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Campaign committees owe Arizona taxpayers $200K, state officials say

Alia Beard Rau, The Republic | azcentral.com Published 9:00 a.m. MT Sept. 2, 2017 | Updated 12:35 p.m. MT Sept. 2, 2017

The more than $200,000 in fees piling up from dozens of Arizona campaign committees that failed to file their required quarterly campaign-finance reports could cover a pretty nice raise for some teachers.

But that's only if Attorney General Mark Brnovich can get the groups — which span the political spectrum — to pay up.

Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan this week referred 30 committees to the Attorney General's Office for investigation over unpaid fees.

Investigation and legal action would likely take a while. But any revenue recouped would go directly into the state's general fund, which pays for everything from teacher salaries to prisons.

And in the midst of a battle over how to pay Arizona teachers more, every dollar counts.

The groups run the gamut. Some were created by individuals and never raised any money. Others are campaign funding arms for advocacy or professional groups. Others are connected to Arizona political-party groups.

As of Thursday, each of the 30 groups owed the state $950 for being 47 days late filing their second-quarter finance report. The cost grows daily.

Many of the groups owe thousands of dollars more for also being delinquent with prior quarterly reports, some more than a year late.

Here's what the state says the 30 groups owe in fees, according to an analysis of state records by The Arizona Republic:

HOW Arizona I-15-2016, $18,475

Arizona Taxpayers Against Corruption, $17,755.

Securing the Arizona Border Act With I-07-2014, $17,375

Arizonans for Public Safety, $17,375

Improving the Medical Marijuana Program, $17,375

Citizens for a ConstitutionL America, $16,925

Grand Canyon State Fund,$16,475

AZ Psychological Association PAC, $15,125

United White Mountain Firefighters, $15,125

Committee for Colorado River Schools/Community Event Center, $15,125

Arizona Democratic Latino Caucus, $4,175

Mohave County Republican Central Committee, $4,175

United Sun Cities Firefighters, Fire-PAC, $4,175

Nogales Police Officers Political Committee, $4,175

House Majority PAC, $4,175

Senate Majority PAC, $4,175

RAD Final 2, $4,175

RAD Final 3, $4,175

Our Voice, Our Choice, $3,200

Arizona Freedom Coalition, $2,930

Arizona Center for Social Justice, $2,295

Arizonans for Integrity in Education, $1,200

RAD Final 1, $1,090

Northern Arizona Success, $980

Save Our Students in Favor of I-13-2016, $980

National Association of Industrial and Office Properties AZPAC, $950

EVTPP-PAC, $950

National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies PAC, $950

No For-Profit Jails, $950