Howard Rich

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Howard Rich is a libertarian political activist and real estate developer in New York City, USA.

Rich's political activity is focused on financing ballot initiatives in numerous states. Issues include restrictions on regulatory taking and eminent domain, term limits for judges and legislators, and state spending limits modeled after Colorado's Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

Rich holds (or has held) leadership positions with the following organizations: Americans for Limited Government, the Cato Institute, SocialSecurityChoice.org, and U.S. Term Limits.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

Rich has financed numerous initiatives since 1992.

2006 has been called a "breakout year" for Rich's financial involvement in states' initiative processes; Rich spent over $15 million to back measures in 14 states in 2006.[2][3] Of the 35 measures he backed, only one passed.[4]

[edit] Controversy

Rich is not known to seek out public attention,[5] but he has received it nonetheless.

Initiative petitions backed by Rich have run afoul of state law in Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. In five cases, state courts or elections officials have disqualified or modified initiatives or declared thousands of signatures invalid due to fraudulent signature-gathering techniques or constitutional problems.[6]

State officials and other interested parties in various states have taken notice of the influence of out-of-state money into the ballot initiative process, and are working to protect systems originally designed for a more populist purpose.[7][8]

In 2006, Governors Ted Kulongoski (of Oregon) and Brian Schweitzer (of Montana) challenged Rich to debate legislation he had backed in each of their states, but Rich did not accept.[9][10]

[edit] References

  1. ^ StealthPacs.org | Selected Affiliations of Howard Rich
  2. ^ Hogan, Dave and Betsy Hammond. "N.Y. cash colors Oregon ballot", The Oregonian, August 5, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-26. 
  3. ^ HowieRichExposed.com, citing Wall Street Journal article, below.
  4. ^ Howie Rich from New York City
  5. ^ Cooper, Christopher. "How Mr. Rich Spreads The Republican Word", The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved on 2006-12-21. 
  6. ^ Dennison, Mike. "Election 2006 / Initiative ruling stands", Missoulian, October 27, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-26. 
  7. ^ Florio, Gwen. "State officials push overhaul of initiative process", Great Falls Tribune, December 19, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-26. 
  8. ^ Hogan, Dave and Betsy Hammond. "N.Y. cash colors Oregon ballot", The Oregonian, August 5, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-26. 
  9. ^ Dennison, Mike. "Governor wants CI-97 debate", Billings Gazette, September 9, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-21. 
  10. ^ Editorial. "Spotlighting Rich", Eugene Register-Guard, August 31, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-29. 

[edit] External links

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