Runaway spending: ‘Dark money’ groups facing regulatory scrutiny
The amount of campaign cash that’s been spent by third party groups that don’t have to disclose their donors and have no spending limits — so called “dark money” — has reached an all-time high in 2014.
Republicans file 2 lawsuits challenging redistricting maps
Republican critics of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission will file two lawsuits that seek to force the redrawing of the commission’s approved legislative and congressional districts.
AZ Supreme Court: Recall laws meant to protect public, not politicians
The Arizona Supreme Court today said recall laws should be construed “liberally” because they’re written to protect the public’s right to remove an official — not for a politician’s benefit.
‘Baggage’ in hand, former IRC attorney takes on commission
Seven months ago, attorney Lisa Hauser was trying to land a job serving as the redistricting commission's Republican attorney, just as she did a decade ago.
But by the time Senate Republicans ratified Brewer’s decision to remove the commission's chair for what the governor described as “gross misconduct in office,” Hauser had taken on a new redistricting client — Brewer, who wil[...]
It’s all part of the plan
Late yesterday, the Supreme Court punted on the Pearce recall challenge, determining instead that the Court of Appeals was the proper venue for the appeal of a trial court judge’s ruling that the recall petitions are valid.
Better than a matinee
The courtroom was packed, and reporters had to sit in the chairs typically reserved for the jury in order to allow for more seating.
Judge presses Pearce allies; ruling expected this week
A judge who is weighing arguments in a lawsuit that seeks to stop the recall election against Senate President Russell Pearce gave no indication today how he would rule, but he fired off more questions to the side looking to stop the historic special election.
Pearce allies tell court that recall wording is unconstitutional
The lawyer who wants to stop the recall of Senate President Russell Pearce insisted in a legal filing Tuesday that the petition should be thrown out because its wording did not comply with the Arizona Constitution.
Hauser: Records lawsuit over IRC not likely
State procurement records show attorney Lisa Hauser received an evaluation from one Independent Redistricting Commission member that pushed her overall scores down far enough to place her third in contention for the job of IRC attorney.
Redistricting commission’s attorney selection prompts criticism from Republicans
Arizona’s Independent Redistricting Commissioners split along party lines Friday over who will serve as the group’s legal counsel, with the commission’s independent chair siding with the Democrats to select the firms Ballard Spahr and Osborn Maledon.
Commission selects 9, including Hauser, for Supreme Court interviews
A commission charged with choosing nominees for the next Arizona Supreme Court justice pared its list of candidates to nine on Sept. 13. Among those making the cut was Lisa Hauser, who ruffled feathers by meeting with several commissioners to lobby for her.