FAIR game? How GOP politicians are trying to secretly influence the IRC

How GOP politicians are trying to secretly influence the IRC

Reports filed, but mysteries remain

The recall election targeting Pearce is turning out to be one of the most expensive legislative races in recent history. Groups that spearheaded and fought the recall effort raised and spent about $215,000.

IRC will hire attorneys for Brewer inquiry

The embattled Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission will hire attorneys for three members in response to Gov. Jan Brewer’s demands for information about allegations of serious misconduct.

GOP staffer claims IRC gerrymandered maps; Dems promise complaint

A Republican legislative attorney claimed today that the state’s redistricting commission gerrymandered its maps to benefit certain Democratic incumbents and harm GOP politicians.

Democratic leadership from both chambers of the Legislature promised to file a complaint that the testimony to the committee represents a violation of the prohibition against state employees being involved in pa[...]

Horne disqualified from investigating IRC

Attorney General Tom Horne will no longer be able to pursue an open meeting law investigation into members of the Independent Redistricting Commission, as a Maricopa County Superior Court judge has ruled the attorney general is saddled with an existing conflict of interest.

Pearce’s $230K smashes challengers’ modest fundraising

Senate President Russell Pearce collected an impressive $230,000 in contributions in his fight to keep his legislative seat. His spending alone dwarfed his challenger’s modest fundraising total. Pearce also had... […]

Brewer lofts ‘nuclear’ option, setting off redistricting turmoil

Republicans are nearly unanimous in their belief that something must be done about the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. As legislators prepare for a possible special session, however, they are divided on the next step.

Gov. Jan Brewer invoked the so-called nuclear option on Oct. 27 when she sent a letter to the IRC’s five members demanding explanations for handful of alle[...]

… Or go to the ballot in February

Rather than pursue removal of the redistricting commissioners, many senators seem keener on asking voters to revamp the redistricting process – potentially through a proposition on the Feb. 28 presidential preference primary ballot.

An electoral reform blueprint

Arizona election law is outdated and needs reform. A few issues in the current system receive perennial attention in the media. For example, liberal groups commonly cite anonymous funding of political speech as a major defect in our system, while conservative activists frequently question the constitutionality of the state’s extraordinarily low contribution limits. Many other gaps in Arizona ele[...]

Capitol Quotes: Oct. 28, 2011

This week's most outstanding quips, jibes and utterances.

Independent groups spend $70K in recall election

The recall targeting Senate President Russell Pearce has riveted the state and attracted nationwide interest — and it’s also quickly turning out to be an expensive race.

But it is not breaking any records — at least not yet.

GOP congressmen pushing IRC impeachment

Republican members of Arizona’s congressional delegation have been calling state senators urging a special session to remove at least one member of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.