A lesson for all Political Newbies

This is a funny lesson learned for someone entering politics- file your damn paperwork, on time! Check this out from the Charleston Gazette:

But the Democrat failed to file any of the other required reports on time. His pre-primary report, due by April 29 last year, was not filed until May 10. His post-primary election report, due by June 9, did not arrive until Aug. 30. And, his post-general election report that was due by Dec. 8 was not filed until Feb. 12.

Beakes said his office began the $25-a-day late fine in January 2006. The office has not gone back prior years on any group or candidate, he said.

Political action committees and candidates are supposed to file two financial reports prior to the May primary election and one afterward. They then do the same for the general election in November.

Having run for a less than important office of Delegate to the Democratic National Convention, I could have been this guy.

But this is not a bad move Secretary of State Betty Ireland's part. She is enforcing what the law says. She is also crakcing down on PACs, which should be a top priority:

Beakes said the staff is tired of people and PACs filing their campaign financial disclosures persistently late — leaving their opponents in the dark about their finances — and are now cracking down with fines.

There are 19 “out of roughly 1,500 PACs and candidates” that are “habitual late-filers,” Beakes said. The office has notified all of them they now owe fines.

“They’ve filed all their reports, but they’ve been severely late,” he said.

Well, efficacy in state office. Howabout it? Makes for a stronger candidacy for possible statewide office. Not questioning motives, just pointing it out...

Update: Here are some of the other people getting fined:

Derrick W. Love of Weston faces a fine of $1,200 for filing late, while Brian Louk of Morgantown must pay a fine of $375.

Leading the way for PACs is the state Democratic County Chairs Association, which now owes a $1,600 fine, and the Triple AAA 2002, a PAC headed by Helen Midkiff of Chapmanville. The latter group reportedly paid a number of people $50 to canvass door-to-door and take people to the polls in Logan County.

Other PACs and the fines levied against them include the Lincoln County Republican Executive Committee, $800; the Logan County Republican Executive Committee, $775; the Nicholas County and the Wayne County Republican executive committees, both $755; City of Charleston Democratic Executive Committee, $550; United School Service Employees Association, $475; Lincoln County Federation of Teachers, $250; Local Union 5958 of the United Mine Workers, $250; West Virginia Democratic Legislative Council, $250; the Housing Political Action Committee, $250; Marion County Democratic Executive Committee, $200; Equal Justice, $150; KIDSPAC, $150, and West Virginia Unity, $125.