Calif. judge ends cash limit for campaigns

Bakersfield Californian ^ | 3/25/05 | Tom Chorneau - AP

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - A judge cleared the way for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to raise unlimited cash to promote his agenda to voters, ruling Friday that the state's political watchdog improperly limited donations for ballot measures.

The ruling overturned a regulation that would have restricted Schwarzenegger's efforts to raise $50 million for a package of constitutional amendments he wants to put before voters in the fall.

Schwarzenegger and political allies sued the Fair Political Practices Commission earlier this month to overturn the limits on contributions to ballot measure committees controlled by a candidate. Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne Chang agreed that the rule conflicted with the constitutional right to participate in the political process.

The judge noted that the rule applied only to ballot measure committees controlled by candidates and not other ballot committees. That, she said, forced candidates to either give up their interest in the ballot measure or accept a fund-raising disadvantage to opponents who can accept unlimited donations.

The FPPC was frustrated with the judge's decision but had not decided whether to appeal, Chairwoman Liane Randolph said.

Attorneys representing Schwarzenegger and his ballot committee, California Recovery Team, did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Schwarzenegger and his allies are circulating petitions to qualify ballot measures that would increase the time it takes for teachers to earn tenure, privatize public pensions and change the way congressional and legislative districts are drawn.

[NormsRevenge]

Judge Chang is a Davis appointee.

[Alia]

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