Supreme Court Strikes Down Arizona Public Financing Matching Funds -- Arizona Free Enterprise v. Bennett (2011-06-27)

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Arizona Free Enterprise Clubs Freedom Club PAC v. Bennett that Arizonas publicly financed matching funds system was unconstitutional. The system, which gave additional public money to publicly financed candidates when privately financed opponents or independent groups outspent them, was struck down because it substantially burdens free speech of privately financed candidates without a compelling government interest. Chief Justice Roberts wrote for the majority; Justice Kagan dissented. The decision gutted triggered matching provisions in Arizona and other states public financing programs.