Deficit reduction begins at home, Repugs.....

[marmar]

Report shows deficit in federal Calif. GOP account
By KEVIN FREKING Associated Press Writer

Posted: 07/22/2010 04:52:52 PM PDT
Updated: 07/22/2010 06:10:17 PM PDT


WASHINGTON—A $366,000 deficit within a federal account could put a damper on the California Republican Party's goal of registering large numbers of new voters before the Nov. 2 election.

Political parties essentially have two banks accounts when it comes to funding their operations—one federal, one state. When a federal election draws near, only the federal account can be used for such activities as registering voters and encouraging them to get to the polls.

"All voter registration activity within 120 days of a federal election has to be paid for out of this federal account that they're reporting," said Paul Ryan, program director with The Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan organization that tracks election law.

The Nov. 2 election is less than 120 days away and includes races for each of California's 53 House seats and the Senate race between incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer and Republican challenger Carly Fiorina. State GOP officials said they are not concerned about the amount of money that will be available for their voter-registration efforts.

"The figures that you're looking at are just a snapshot. We're constantly raising money and spending money," said Mark Standriff, a spokesman for the California Republican Party. "Those figures become obsolete the minute you put them on paper." .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_15580098?nclick_check=1