Candidates for Colorado’s 2012 primary election must begin filing bi-weekly campaign finance reports on Jan. 30 under a rule issued by Secretary of State Scott Gessler today.
The rule comes on the heels of a dispute between state lawmakers and Gessler over whether he had the authority to change the campaign finance reporting schedule, and when candidates would be required to start filing.
Gessler altered the filing deadlines earlier this year, after the General Assembly moved up the primary date from August to June. Under the rules Gessler adopted, bi-weekly reporting wouldn’t start until September 2012. Instead, reports would be filed either quarterly or monthly.
The legislature’s legal services committee voted earlier this month not to include the rule in the annual list of rules approved by the General Assembly, saying Gessler had overstepped. Typically, that would have mean the rule would expire May 15, or sooner if an earlier legislative vote occurred.
But in a move Gessler said was out of respect for lawmakers’ opinions, Gessler offered to repeal the rule immediately, making the first bi-weekly report due Jan. 2.
Lawmakers — including some of Gessler’s fellow Republicans — called the proposal vindictive and said it smacked of retribution. They argued Gessler should give the General Assembly time to pass a law when it reconvenes next month.
A statement issued with today’s rule said Gessler agreed the issue should be taken up by the General Assembly, and that he is hopeful lawmakers will do so.
According to the new rule, candidates are not required to file retroactive reports covering July through December 2011, though the language in the rule says bi-weekly reporting should have started in July.
Sara Burnett: 303-954-1661 or sburnett@denverpost.com
