Capitol quotes: November 4, 2011
This week's most outstanding quips, utterances and gibes.
Brewer not ruling out ouster of IRC Dems
Gov. Jan Brewer might still seek the removal of the two Democratic members of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. Matthew Benson, a spokesman for the governor, said Brewer still has concerns about the actions of Democratic commissioners Jose Herrera and Linda McNulty, whom he said committed misconduct in coordination with ousted Chairwoman Colleen Mathis.
Mathis asking courts to block removal
Colleen Mathis’ tenure as chair of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission won’t end with her historic ouster by the Senate and governor – if her attorneys have anything to say about it.
Business interests, Brewer push for implementation of health care exchange
Arizona’s policymakers clashed with members of the business community and insurance industry Nov. 2 over whether to implement a key component of the federal health care overhaul. Under the federal law, states have the option to run their own health insurance exchange, which will ultimately be a web portal where individuals and businesses can buy insurance. If states choose not to implement th[...]
Obama nominates Arizona Justice Hurwitz to Ninth Circuit
President Barack Obama is nominating Arizona Supreme Court Justice Andrew Hurwitz to serve on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Brewer wanted ouster of Dems, too, but Senate balked
In the hours leading up to the special session, Gov. Jan Brewer fought to remove more than just the chairwoman of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission – a proposal that a handful of Republicans seriously disagreed with, the Arizona Capitol Times has learned.
GOP-led Senate votes to oust redistricting chairwoman
In an unprecedented move that cast shadows of uncertainty over the state’s decennial remapping process, the Senate voted to remove Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission Chairwoman Colleen Mathis.
The Senate voted to oust Mathis on a party line 21-6 vote – three Democrats were absent – for “neglect of duty” and “gross misconduct in office.” The charges stemmed from [...]
Mesa chosen for Arizona Republican debate
A nationally televised Arizona debate for Republican president candidates will be held Nov. 30 in the Mesa Arts Center.
Gallardo: DOJ requested documents on IRC
Sen. Steve Gallardo, who has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to intervene in Arizona’s redistricting fight in order to protect the rights of minority voters, said the federal agency has asked him for more documents.
Redistricting review committee: maps are flawed
Republican legislators on Monday called the state redistricting commission's work fundamentally flawed as the panel said its independence had been undermined by Gov. Jan Brewer's accusations that it violated constitutional mapping criteria and legal processes.
Groups seek to block Arizona’s day labor rules
Groups opposing Arizona's immigration enforcement law have asked a federal judge to put a stop to a section of the statute that bans the blocking of traffic when people seek or offer day-labor services on streets.
Gallardo wants DOJ to intervene in redistricting fight
Sen. Steve Gallardo is asking the U.S. Department of Justice to intervene to protect minority voting rights and prevent the removal of Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission members.