Redistricting and beyond

It's not quite Buzz Lightyear, but the meat and potatoes aspect of Arizona's legislative and Congressional redistricting process is winding down and may be completed with a single vote in the morning.

Many have wondered what the Arizona Eagletarian will be up to now.

There are certainly going to be a number of very interesting election campaigns and races in 2012. But without examining the public policy decisions at stake -- actual legislation, those races carry little to no meaning other than symbolic fodder for discussion or arguments with friends, relatives or larger audiences.

There are a number of issues that will be crucial and up for consideration during the regular session now underway at the state Capitol. Based on last year's AIRC controversies and last week's rantings on Tucson's public broadcasting station by Gov Brewer, we can expect efforts to undermine the state judiciary. I will look for bills and resolutions that may impact that very important branch of our state government. So-called tort reform is already on the agenda and we likely will see efforts to change the way judges are selected.

Just within the last 24 hours, I viewed a very important documentary that I strongly recommend to every consumer throughout the state and the entire country. HOT COFFEE examines tort reform myths, the concept of mandatory arbitration and selection of judges. It shows how corporate interests have hoodwinked Americans and usurped Constitutional and statutory protections in many ways. The best remedy for these corporate attacks on our freedoms as American consumers is sunlight. HOT COFFEE shines a very bright light and I intend to focus that light on those attacks going on at the Arizona Capitol.




Stay tuned because I will explore issues that will demonstrate why the monied interests were fighting to prevent the AIRC from drawing competitive districts. And why they do not want the GOP supermajority in the state legislature put in jeopardy.