An ABC15 analysis of state campaign finance data has found that at least 24 Arizona politicians took lobbying dollars from a political action committee, propped up by loan companies that would benefit from a bill in the state Legislature.
Senate Bill 1316, a bill that would raise short-term loan interest rates by more than 200 percent, has already passed two House committees.
Financial Freedom PAC, based in Phoenix, contributed $19,750 to elected officials, including Gov. Doug Ducey, between November 2015 and December 2015.
The PAC itself received more than $27,000 in funding from largely out-of-state donors, including $5,000 from Checksmart Financial LLC, which has several Valley locations. Scottsdale-based Checkmate Founder Linda Sonder also contributed $4,000.
Take a look at the charts below to see a detailed breakdown of where money came from and where it went. (For a fullscreen view, click here)
Here's the complete list:
Jim Norton, managing partner at Axiom Public Affairs, is the treasurer of the PAC. Axiom appears to represent the Arizona Financial Choice Association, which is made of up loan companies in Arizona and 34 other states.
Axiom has put out several pro-bill press releases on behalf of the Arizona Financial Choice Association.
SB 1316 passed by 6-3 vote in a House committee last month. Three of those six 'yes' votes came from lawmakers, Weninger, Ugenti-Rita and Mesnard, who received funds from the Financial Freedom PAC.
The bill awaits a full vote in the House. Norton could not be reached for comment Monday.
Take a look at the charts below to see a detailed breakdown of where money came from and where it went. (For a fullscreen view, click here)
