Dodge letter (spare)

Citing the League of Women Voters and a bi-paritsan and two-chamber letter issued on March 3, 2003 from US Representatives Bob Ney (R) and Steny Hoyer (D) as well as US Senators Mitch McConell (R) and Chris Dodd (D), Blackwell stated
"In preparation for today's Controlling Board hearingon the approval and release of funds for new voting systems in compliance with the Help America Vote Act of 2002, I wanted to prvide you with the latest information pertaining to voter-verified paper receipts. The clear concern of the sponsers is that ongoing debates over this issue will delay the timely implementation of HAVA... Now is the time to move forward. "Thus Blackwell urged that the Board drop its paper-trail requirement, so as to accomplish a timely implementation of HAVA 2002. Any further delay on the parts of the State Assembly and Controlling Board would hinder implementation of HAVA 2002. As a further note, this letter also reveals a power-play, for Dodge had received appointment to the Controlling Board Chair by Taft, a long-time budget foe and 1998 Republican Governor- nominee oppopnent of Blackwell's. The Senate Majority leader Doug White had also supported Dodge in her decision to act carefully before dispersing the HAVA funds.

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