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House takes first step toward district boundaries drawn entirely by Republicans
A House panel approved a change in the redistricting process that, if ratified by voters, could have the lines for future legislative and congressional elections drawn only by Republicans.
U.S. Supreme Court to determine legality of legislative map
The fate of Arizona’s legislative map will hinge on whether the U.S. Supreme Court believes the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission was justified in underpopulating most Democratic districts or overpopulating Republican ones.
IRC reform sputtered out, but other efforts are in the works
When passions ran high over the controversy surrounding Arizona’s decennial redistricting process in 2011, the air was laden with talk of reforms. But in the four years since the controversy erupted, the Legislature has made no move to ask voters for reforms.
IRC ruling dashes GOP hopes, sets 2016 campaigns in motion
As current Speaker of the House David Gowan and former Speaker Andy Tobin stood on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court in early March, their attorneys having just delivered compelling testimony during oral arguments in their big case, Arizona Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, things were looking up for the two congressional wannabes.
Redistricting panel urges US Supreme Court to reject challenge from state lawmakers
A bid by state lawmakers to take back the power to draw congressional lines is legally flawed and should be rejected, the lead attorney for the Independent Redistricting Commission told the nation’s high court.
Senate panel advances spending bills, including $6.86 million for child welfare
The bulk of the funding, $6.86 million, would be used to hire caseworkers and other child welfare aids in an effort to resolve the backlog of 6,554 cases that went uninvestigated by Child Protective Service, a gross oversight that caused Gov. Jan Brewer to abolish the agency at the outset of the 2014 Legislative Session in favor of a new department that reports directly to the Ninth Floor.
Splitting the House
Shope eyes smaller districts for state representatives
Rep. T.J. Shope wants to cut Arizona’s massive House of Representatives districts in half.
The first-term lawmaker hasn’t completed his plans yet, but is strongly leaning toward a proposal that would split the House districts in half. Rather than have each legislative district elect two House members at large[...]
Three nominees chosen for redistricting commission vacancy
The Commission on Appellate Court Appointments has completed its work and today sent three nominees to Rep. Chad Campbell, who, as the House Minority Leader, will pick one to fill a vacancy on the Independent Redistricting Commission.
Brewer OKs extra redistricting commission funds
Gov. Jan Brewer has signed a bill providing yet another supplemental appropriation for the commission that drew up new legislative and congressional districts following the 2010 Census.
Legislature considers a new infusion of money into the IRC
Arizona lawmakers are introducing another supplemental appropriation for the Independent Redistricting Commission, providing an infusion of new funding to the maligned agency as it tries to pay its bills for the remainder of the fiscal year. The Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senate President Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, voted today to allow the late introduction of a bill to provide $635,226 to th[...]
Final briefs filed in redistricting lawsuit
Attorneys for the Independent Redistricting Commission and Republican voters filed their final written briefs Wednesday in a lawsuit to determine whether Arizona’s legislative map should be redrawn.
Democrats deny Republican allegations that redistricting process was rigged
The future of Arizona’s legislative map is in the hands of three federal judges, who wrapped up four days of trial testimony March 28 and heard pointblank denials from Democrats that they gerrymandered the districts.
