OPINION — An interesting approach was taken by Councilperson Larrabee on Feb. 16 when she challenged the voting rights of councilpersons based upon campaign contributions. Her “point of order” was aimed at the Town Attorney, who clarified that campaign contributions did not require recusal by an elected person from voting on an agenda issue.
Lucky, I guess, because that would have put the likes of Mayor Friedel and Councilman Watts in a pickle, as they both got campaign contributions from the Scottsdale Area Realtors Association. Even Larrabee herself got a campaign contribution from Realtors of Arizona. That could be a real problem in matters of zoning, licensing, development agreements, you name it.
And what about Senator Kavanagh, who has not shied away from accepting campaign contributions from organizations like private prisons, (one of his favorite causes) with a state contract, let alone many other interested organizations, including lobbyists, all supporting his candidacy?
