The state's campaign watchdog will oppose any bills that create more work for its staff unless they get paid.
The Fair Political Practices Commission approved a resolution last week saying it would oppose "any legislative measure, introduced during the remainder of the 2007-08 legislative session, that expands the duties or responsibilities of the commission or requires additional commission resources to implement, unless the measure includes an appropriation adequate to carry out its provisions."
Like every other agency, the commission is facing a 10 percent budget cut. The commission's staff of 78 operates on an $8.1 million budget and is responsible for regulating campaign spending, conflicts of interest, and gifts given to public officials and candidates.
There are currently a half dozen bills in the Legislature, ranging from gifts from lobbyists to reporting bribes. It's unclear whether the commission will oppose any of those bills, including one that it is sponsoring.
"We're doing everything we can with what we have," said spokesman Roman Porter. "We think it’s the most responsible position to ensure that the requirements we have are met."
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