County attorney predicts citizen lawsuits against IRC
Frustrated by a judge’s ruling that state and county prosecutors don’t have the authority to investigate alleged open meeting law violations by the state’s redistricting commission, Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery predicted today that private citizens may pick up where he left off.
House members want Holder to resign over handling of ‘Fast and Furious’
A group of House members Tuesday demanded that Attorney General Eric Holder step down for his handling of the controversial Operation Fast and Furious.
Judge hears arguments in AZ redistricting case
Attorneys leading an investigation into whether Arizona's redistricting commission violated open meeting law in hiring a mapping consultant withdrew one of their top claims as a judge heard arguments Wednesday over whether to end or revitalize the civil probe.
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.
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[...]
Bennett warns groups to disclose election spending
Secretary of State Ken Bennett today warned groups that are spending money to influence the Phoenix mayoral race and the Senate recall election they can’t hide behind a U.S. Supreme Court ruling giving corporations and labor unions the same speech rights as individuals.
Arizona AG asked to start campaign-finance probe
Arizona's secretary of state has asked Attorney General Tom Horne to start a campaign-finance probe.
IRC completes rough draft of legislative map
After a pair of rare weekend meetings, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission completed a rough outline of 30 “placeholder” legislative districts and is hopeful that it will vote on a final draft map today.
Dems fire back at GOP criticisms of IRC by filing records request with Horne’s office
The Arizona Democratic Party today filed an extensive records request with Attorney General Tom Horne’s office, hoping to find evidence that his investigation into possible open meeting law violations by the state’s redistricting commission is part of a coordinated Republican effort to besmirch the group and its work.
AG Holder answers critics on gun-smuggling issue
Attorney General Eric Holder said Friday that his testimony to Congress about a controversial gun-smuggling probe was truthful and accurate and that Republicans are engaging in political posturing when they say otherwise.
ATF’s new director shakes up agency
The new acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has made 11 major personnel changes as he tries to move his agency beyond a controversial operation against gun-smuggling.
Legislative map now focus of redistricting commission
Arizona's redistricting commission starts work in earnest Wednesday on a draft legislative map.