Redistricting -- Oral Arguments audio; IRC meeting on Monday

Friday afternoon, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission issued notice that it will meet on Monday, December 14 at 5:15 pm. The AIRC new office location (and the meeting place for this event) is 4000 N. Central Ave, Suite 1150, Phoenix. Google maps pinpoints the building, but Mapquest does not. AIRC staff sent this map to assist with locating the office AND parking. It is also roughly a block away from the Indian School Rd Light Rail terminal.

The agenda is as follows,

The Commission may [certainly will, in this case... this is my interpretation] vote to go into executive session, which will not be open to the public, for any item listed on the agenda, for the purpose of obtaining legal advice (A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(3) and (4)). One or more of the members may participate via telephone or video conferencing. 

All matters on the agenda may be discussed, considered and are subject to action by the Commission. 

The agenda for the meeting is as follows:

I. Call to Order.

II. Legal briefing, discussion and possible action relating to pending litigation in Leach v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, No. CV 2012-007344, including authorization of expenditures pursuant to A.R.S. 38-431.07(B). The Commission may vote to go into executive session, which will not be open to the public, for the purpose of obtaining legal advice and providing direction to counsel. (A.R.S. §38-431.03(A) (3) and (4)). (Estimated Time 30 minutes)

III. Executive Director’s Report (Estimated Time 10 minutes)

IV.Public Comment (Estimated Time 15 minutes)

V.Adjournment

The meeting will not be live streamed online. All or most of the commissioners are likely to attend telephonically.

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Given that the Arizona Legislature has, from the start of this redistricting cycle, demonstrated substantial animus toward the IRC and since from that start it has been reluctant to provide taxpayer funds for necessary operation of the commission, especially regarding defending the maps in litigation, perhaps NOW is the time to call out the lead plaintiff in Leach.

That would be current state Rep. Vendon (Vince) Leach (R-LD11/Saddlebrooke). Mr. Leach touts his (meager?) political accomplishments on his House bio page, taking credit for passage of two pieces of legislation in 2011. He first became a member of the House in January 2015.

Nevertheless, shouldn't GOP legislative leadership tell him to end this unnecessary and divisive litigation? Perhaps it's time for us to call this matter to the attention of voters AND lawmakers concerned with frittering away taxpayer funds.

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You may now listen to or download the audio recording of the Harris oral arguments at SupremeCourt.gov.