Ariz. gov: No problem with political associates’ work on payday loan reauthorization issue

Ariz. gov: No problem on backers’ payday loan work

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer says it’s not inappropriate that some of her political associates are doing work for the payday loan industry that could result in controversial legislation reaching her desk.

Those associates include Chuck Coughlin, president of the HighGround political and public affairs firm. Coughlin’s firm is among the political hired guns being retained by the payday loan industry to help keep it authorized under state law past mid-2010. He’s also a top re-election campaign adviser to Brewer.

Asked Monday about the dual roles of some of her political associates, Brewer says she doesn’t “see a problem with it” and that they haven’t talked to her about the reauthorization issue.

Brewer says policymakers “will do what’s right for the people of Arizona.”