NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday October 1, 2007

Bee should tell Arizonans who is bankrolling his Congressional effort

The Arizona Democratic Party sent a letter to Senate President Tim Bee today urging him to reveal his financial backers on Oct. 15, along with all the other candidates running for federal office.

“At every turn, Bee has hidden behind his exploratory committee to avoid public scrutiny,” said Emily Bittner, communications director for the Arizona Democratic Party. “We expect more of the same with Bee’s fundraising efforts, but we believe that it is his ethical obligation to tell voters who is paying for his committee.”

In his capacity as Senate president, Bee will be able to influence important legislation at the Capitol this session. State legislators cannot raise campaign money from lobbyists during the session, which will begin in January.

On his campaign Web site, Bee is soliciting donations for up to $2,300, the full amount allowed under federal law.

“Bee needs to at least be upfront with all Arizona voters about who his financial backers are before the Legislature starts considering bills, even if he’s not going to be upfront about his intentions to run,” Bittner said. “Full and prompt disclosure from our elected officials is the only way our government can work the way it’s supposed to.”

Two newspapers in Bee’s district have called on him to make a decision in editorials that called on him to “quit wavering.”

“If Bee refuses to follow the suggestions of the Arizona Daily Star and the Green Valley News to make up his mind, at least he can be open about his contributors,” Bittner said.

A copy of the letter can be found here.