By Ben Giles | Arizona Capitol Times
A new opinion issued by Attorney General Mark Brnovich more clearly outlines how public and elected officials may exercise their free speech rights without improperly using public money to influence elections.
Brnovich withdrew the initial opinion in May after critics said it was far too expansive and licensed public officials to spread “government propaganda.”
The opinion, issued in request from Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery and Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk, “provides an analytical framework to assist public officials in their efforts to balance their First Amendment rights with the public’s right against compelled subsidy of speech.’’
