Tensions Increase Between Measure 2 Interest Groups
Jamey Kirk
Story Created:
Aug 15, 2008 at 1:01 PM AKDT
Story Updated:
Aug 15, 2008 at 1:03 PM AKDT
Opposing Ballot Measure 2 groups have stepped up political action against one another. The state's political watchdog agency received accusations from both sides that each was guilty of wrongdoing in their campaigning practices.
Ballot Measure 2 pertains to Alaska's aerial predator control program.
The Public Offices Commission received a letter from McGrath resident Donne Fleagle which alleges that Alaskans for Wildlife only reported about $2,500 in campaign expenses. The letter also accuses the organization of failing to report expenditures for TV advertising in a 30-day report filed on July 28.
Later donations are expected to show up on an APOC report due August 19, said Nick Jans, a co-sponsor of Ballot Measure 2.
A complaint filed by the Alaska Wildlife Alliance with the APOC suggests that the state is illegally trying to influence the ballot's outcome. The alliance claims that in the last two weeks the state has twice distributed brochures through the state's largest newspaper touting the predatory control program.
Radio spots were also purchased by the state, claims the alliance. The spots in question were said to have run within the past 10 days. Alliance members have also accused the state of sending Board of Game members around the state to campaign against the initiative.
Unless funds have been appropriated by the Legislature to champion a specific ballot proposition, the state is barred from spending resources campaigning for or against any measure, so charges the alliance.
Alaska Fish and Game spokesman Tim Barry said the Legislature made an appropriation of $400,000 so that the Board of Game could educate and inform the public about the state's management program.
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