Update#2 12/18/08: Democracy for New Mexico's coverage...Update: See the Journal's coverage.
From FBIHOP
The Center for Civic Policy (CCP) and the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) are suing Secretary of State Mary Herrera over two letters sent to the organizations ordering them to register as political action committees.
The nonprofits announced the suits this evening in a press release.
"We're concerned that if the Secretary of State is allowed to arbitrarily order nonprofits to register as political committees, without explanation, it will muzzle the important civic engagement work of our sector," Matt Brix, Policy Director for the Center for Civic Policy, said int he statement.
"While we didn't want to file suit against the state, we were left with no choice. Nonprofit organizations have a responsibility to inform the public about the votes of elected officials and the source of their contributions. Furthermore, the public has a right to know what elected officials are doing in their name."
The federal court suit will be a big case -- pitting the new, more progressive organizations against the older, more traditionalist politicians and policy makers who have ruled for years.
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