A reader inquired about Citizens for Responsive Government, a political committee that reportedly has been sending out campaign mailers in support of Democratic candidates in several districts.

A quick check at the Campaign Spending Commission web site quickly turned up the group’s organization report. Officers listed are Calvin Azama, chairperson, and Brian Takeshita, treasurer.

Azama and Takeshita both work for House Speaker Calvin Say. Azama serves as chief of staff, while Takeshita is special assistant, according to Say’s profile in a directory of legislative leaders published last year.

So it appears the group is sort of a leadership PAC supported by the House Speaker through his top staff, and is stepping up to add support for Democratic candidates in the general election.

As of September 18, the group reported raising $88,247.99 during this election cycle, spending $37,570.99, and ending up with $169,185.96 in the bank.

It’s last major fundraiser was in March 2009, when it took in $69,250 in amounts of $100 or more. The contributors list is heavy on lobbyists, lawyers, and PACs.

But Citizens for Responsive Government had not made any contributions directly to candidates or spent money on independent campaign activities in this election prior to the September primary, staying aloof from primary fights.

The next campaign spending report isn’t due until next Monday, October 25.

That’s just a week before election day, and a week after early voting started. This means that many voters will not have an opportunity to be informed by the patterns of money flowing in the month since the primary before casting their vote.

If we are encouraging early voting, which seems to be the growing policy, then the legislature needs to adjust the administrative deadlines so that the voting public has access to the most current information before they actually cast their votes.