Bundgaard and Cummiskey hope to corral the momentum of the campaign finance battle that Arizona Sen. John McCain and Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold are waging this week in Washington. The Arizona version takes aim at the lobbyists' lack of disclosure. The Senate Finance Committee on Monday will hear the bill, which was attached to House Bill 2169. The aspect that tackles an incumbent's surplus is the most controversial among elected officials. State senators and House members can use money in their campaign coffers as a launching pad for a higher statewide office.
State law prohibits the money from being used to launch a bid for federal post.
Candidates could use leftover money if they run for re-election. Cummiskey said the idea for the bill originated with some old guard lobbyists, who are tired of the political fund-raising marathons. Some veteran lobbyists, such as Charlie Stevens, applaud the senators' efforts. Of course, you can still contribute to a candidate because that is freedom of speech.