Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has signed legislation opponents say will make it tougher to get citizen initiatives on the ballot, but Republican supporters say will reduce fraud in signature gathering.
The Republican governor signed House Bill 2404 Thursday evening, just hours after the House gave final approval to the proposal.
The measure outlaws paying petition circulators per signature and also makes it easier to sue to keep a qualified initiative off the ballot. The proposal was the top priority of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry and came after voters approved a minimum wage increase in November.
Democrats say Republicans are just trying to make it harder for citizens to pass their own laws. Republicans countered that they want to cut down on fraudulent signatures.
Ducey called it a "common-sense reform."
