Earlier this year, AZ Democratic state legislators held several townhalls around the state on the subject of budget cuts.
These were free. Zero money down. Absent cost to attend.
On Thursday, the Maricopa County GOP hosted a Budget Townhall for state legislators. This event, open to the public,
charged a $5 donation to the GOP at the door.
From above link:
Maricopa County Republican Committee will be conducting a Town-hall to discuss the State Budget at 5:45 p.m., April 16 in the Scottsdale Civic Center Library Auditorium, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale.
The panel, consisting The of confirmed speakers Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Russell Pearce, House Appropriations Committee Chairman John Kavanagh, President Pro Tempore Senator Thayer Verschoor, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Gray and others yet unconfirmed, will address budget problems and possible solutions.
Topics will include the impact of illegal immigration, alternative solutions to raising taxes, why the Democrats plans will hurt taxpayers, and others.
...
A $5 donation will be taken at the door. The meeting is open to the public.
Republican state legislators, discussing the budget, in a townhall open to the public, IF said public gives to the GOP--not a sponsoring group, but the party--AT THE DOOR.
No word on what happened if one didn't have the $5 but still wanted to give input to one's legislators in a public meeting. I'm sure it had nothing to do with influencing who attended.