Justice Department approves congressional redistricting plan
The U.S. Department of Justice today announced it has approved Arizona’s proposed congressional redistricting plan, despite a last minute appeal by some Republicans who said minority voting rights could have been strengthened.
GOP lawmakers raise voting rights concerns with DOJ
In a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice, two Republican lawmakers said the congressional and legislative maps approved by the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission fall short in protecting minority voting strength.
Senate Appropriations approves $1 in funding for IRC
With the cash-strapped Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission on the verge of going broke and the threat of yet more legal action looming, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted Tuesday to give the remapping panel just a single dollar in funding for the rest of the fiscal year.
Lawmakers to consider funding for redistricting commission
A proposal to provide Arizona's nearly broke redistricting commission with more money gets its first legislative hearing Tuesday.
Senate Oks measure eliminating independent redistricting panel
Arizona Senators have advanced a proposal to allow voters to decide whether to return redistricting power to the Legislature.
Arizona schools ask for waiver from some federal No Child Left Behind mandates
Arizona officials have asked to replace federal standards under the No Child Left Behind act with state-level student performance standards and a school accountability system that they say will be more efficient and less burdensome.
State submits redrawn legislative maps to Justice
Newly drawn legislative district maps have been submitted for approval to the U.S. Department of Justice.
IRC estimates it will be flat broke by March
IRC Executive Director Ray Bladine responded late yesterday to the tone and content of the Feb. 17 letter from OSPB Director John Arnold that was mentioned in an item in yesterday’s report.
I just remembered!
Redistricting commission attorneys may have been happy to have their congressional maps submitted to the Justice Department for review, but it turns out they forgot to include a few things.
Tobin’s redistricting plan running into roadblocks — and out of time
House Speaker Andy Tobin is trying to keep alive his proposal that would ask voters to accept alternate redistricting maps, but the special election plan he is considering appears dead on arrival thanks to logistical and legal roadblocks — and a lukewarm reception from some of his Republican colleagues.
Don’t give redistricting back to the Legislature
Five pieces of new legislation introduced by House Speaker Andy Tobin have taken power-grabbing to a whole new level, and would set redistricting back to a time of shadowy legislative deals. We could start by asking the now worn-out phrase, “What part of independent does the Arizona House not understand?”