AZ Lege adjourned Sine Die; and about that Redistricting Vacancy

After following the drama closely the previous night regarding FY2014 state budget and Medicaid restoration, I wasn't up on the specifics of the bills voted on in the final hours of the first regular session of the 51st Arizona Legislature.

But I am VERY glad they have adjourned the session and therefore cannot cause any more mischief with changes to Arizona Revised Statutes or by putting any more troublesome measures on the 2014 general election ballot. At least not until the next regular session starts in January. Unless Gov. Brewer calls them into special session for any pressing matter that cannot wait until 2014.

One piece of legislation just now on its way to Brewer is a voter suppression bill, HB 2305. There appears to NOT be a summary/fact sheet posted for the Conference Committee adopted amendments to the bill. I suspect this to be a problematic piece of legislation. Passed in the final hours of the session. As predicted. So, that will require additional analysis and, if Brewer declines to veto it, may become subject to litigation and a protest pursuant to the Voting Rights Act. Lots of variables but most certainly an important situation to sort out.

If there is anything else that comes up regarding legislation passed this week, I'll try to post about it as soon as I can. In the meantime, there is the matter of 13 applicants hoping to become redistricting commissioners.

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I have skimmed through the 13 applications and did see some promising candidates. Only two are from outside of Maricopa County. There are several women, several Hispanics and Blacks, and a couple of old white guys. The old white guys are a retired Maricopa County Superior Court Judge and a chief of staff under former Arizona Gov. Bruce Babbitt. All 13 are and have been registered to vote as Democrats for the last three years in Arizona. Or so they say. That is one thing that can be checked relatively easily.

Someone asked me a few days ago if any of the candidates might be "ringers." Depending on how one might define the word "ringer," I'd say it's possible that a couple of them may.  I'll try to post a brief description of each in the next day or so.

The Appellate Court Commission on Appointments meets on Monday, June 17 at 12:30 pm at the State Courts Building, 1501 W. Washington St., Room 345, in Phoenix. The applicants will be interviewed at that public meeting. If you would like to send comments about any of the applicants to the commission ahead of time, you may call Vanessa Haney at 602-452-3098 or e-mail vhaney@courts.az.gov.