ASUA spending cap raised

ASUA President Gilbert Davidson said the limit on how much money can be spent for campaign expenses during ASUA elections has not increased since he began his career with ASUA in 1995. Last year, the spending cap for presidential candidates was $300.

"We always wanted to make it (campaigning) as affordable as possible," he said. "I am not against the increase though. It's not a very large change."

Elections Commissioner Marcos Hernandez originally proposed a $50 increase.

He said the extra campaign allowance may cut down on unsavory campaign practices.

"I don't want people pulling sneaky tricks just because of a stupid expense limit," Hernandez said.

Some senators and officers, however, objected to the increase on the principle of fair play.

"I don't think you're protecting the integrity of the campaign in any way by allowing people with more money to benefit," said Sen. Mary Peterson.

"We don't know the personal stories of everyone on this campus and I don't want to knock anyone out of the running," said Administrative Vice President Tara Taylor.

The proposed increase was amended to $25 before the Senate unanimously passed the revised elections code.

The new elections code bans off campus campaigning.

"It's hard for the commission to keep track of everything that goes on off campus," Hernandez said.

The new code also states that all information submitted by a candidate to the elections commission will become open record.

"I think we've streamlined some things - it enables the commissioner to make decisions that will benefit the candidates," Davidson said.

This year, primary ASUA elections will be on Feb. 24 and 25, and general elections on March 3 and 4.

Sen. Francisco Aguilar chaired last night's meeting in place of Executive Vice President Casey Cuny, who has been sick with an unknown stomach ailment, Davidson said.

Cuny was hospitalized Tuesday and was at home recuperating yesterday, Davidson said.

"I know he's been relaxing and trying to get better," said Mary Brandenberger, Cuny's chief of staff.

Ex-officio Sen. Brian Seastone, a university police commander, was out of town and as a result did not attend the meeting.