WRA Lawsuit on Campaign Finance Law Changes
To: REALTOR® Leaders
From: Bill
Malkasian, WRA President
Date: July
26, 2002
On Friday, July 26th, the WRA will join a
diverse coalition of organizations and individuals filing a
lawsuit in federal court challenging the constitutionality of
the campaign finance law changes contained in the new state
budget bill. The
WRA will be the lead plaintiff in the suit.
The new law requires numerous restrictions
on political speech, political contributions, issue advocacy
communications and state reporting requirements.
As our complaint clearly demonstrates, these new
restrictions violate our First Amendment rights of free speech
and association.
Pre-reporting and other restrictions on
political speech are unconstitutional – period.
Whether this speech is made by individuals, organizations
or political action committees, the government should not, and
cannot, silence political speech.
We have every confidence the courts will agree with us.
It’s important that we educate our
members, the public and the press that these provisions are not
campaign finance “reform,” but rather a very blatant and
transparent attempt by the government to silence its critics.
This will not stand.
This legal challenge will come as no
surprise to lawmakers and government officials, as we have
repeatedly warned legislators and campaign “reform” groups
that these provisions have been found unconstitutional in other
jurisdictions. These
warning came despite our investment of considerable time and
sincere effort in countless positive changes to the state’s
campaign finance laws that would have, in our judgment, been
found constitutional.
The WRA has invested tremendous financial
and human resources to become an effective political and
legislative voice for our members, their customers and clients,
homeowners and property owners.
Political action and involvement is not only the
prerequisite for a strong and effective organization, but also
for a healthy and thriving Democracy.
For these efforts we should be proud, and for these
rights we should fight.
We ask for your support and your help in
spreading the word to all REALTORS® that we are undertaking
this important fight and why.
Should you have any questions or comments, please contact
Michael Theo at mtheo@wra.org
or Joe Murray at jmurray@wra.org.
Thank you.
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