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Retired Justice Ryan dies
Retired Arizona Supreme Court Justice Michael Ryan, who as a trial judge presided over some of the state’s most famous political cases, died of a heart attack Monday. He was 66.
Separate reports praise Arizona for its school-choice programs
Arizona earned high marks for its school-choice policies this week in separate reports from two national organizations, which had particular praise for the state’s education savings account program.
Bill would allow police to sue people who injure them on the job
A police union is pushing for a new law that would overturn years of legal precedent by allowing cops to sue people who caused them injuries on duty.
The proposed provision, found in SB1186, would end the state’s use of the “fireman’s rule,” a long held legal doctrine built on the premise that first responders such as police, firefighters and medics can’t sue the people who ca[...]
Redistricting redux? Tobin wants special election on new district maps
Republican lawmakers’ dormant war with the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission is flaring up anew, as House Speaker Andy Tobin has introduced a host of measures that would set a special election so voters could decide whether to use legislative and congressional maps drawn by the Legislature instead of those approved last month by the volunteer panel.
Arizona redistricting commission OKs legislative, congressional maps
Arizona's redistricting commission members divided along party lines Tuesday as they approved maps of new congressional and legislative districts by identical 3-2 votes.
Condemned prisoners use separation of powers argument in appeal
Three prisoners took their case to the Arizona Court of Appeals Friday, arguing that the statute governing lethal injection violates the separation of powers doctrine because the Legislature delegated its authority over executions to the executive branch. They also argue that they aren’t left with any legal recourse if the Department of Corrections changes its execution procedures.
State high court issues 2 death warrants
The Arizona Supreme Court decided today to issue a warrant of execution for a death-row inmate who underwent open-heart surgery in September.
JLBC requests redistricting budget documents
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee is seeking budget documents from the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission for an audit requested by House Speaker Andy Tobin.
Prisoner asks state’s high court for immediate decision on death warrant
A death row prisoner who is next in line for execution asked the Arizona Supreme Court Dec. 30 to either reject the state’s motion for his death warrant or postpone its decision until after a federal civil rights lawsuit involving other condemned inmates is resolved.
State Supreme Court to consider Medicaid cuts lawsuit
The Arizona Supreme Court will decide on Feb. 15 whether to hear a case challenging $1.6 billion in cuts to the state Medicaid system.
Court records say executioner, Corrections director disregarded lethal injections procedures
Doses of three chemicals injected into Jeffrey Landrigan on Oct. 26, 2010, had done the job in executing him, but there was a set of unused, filled syringes left over.
IRC properly considered factors mandated by voters
Gov. Jan Brewer has wisely chosen not to challenge the Arizona Supreme Court ruling that restored Colleen Mathis as the chair of the Independent Redistricting Commission. Nonetheless, the governor maintains the court erred, and that the IRC drew the draft congressional boundaries in a manner that ignored its constitutional mandate. Our bipartisan think tank’s board members come from diverse back[...]
