May 29, 2012 •
Redistricting in the News
Keep up with the latest redistricting articles from five states.
Arizona: “Dismissal of Arizona redistricting lawsuit requested by commission” by The Associated Press in the Arizona Capitol Times.
Kansas: “Remove politics, and redistricting map falls in line” by Scott Rothschild in the Lawrence Journal World.
Kansas: “Redistricting hearings begin in Kansas City” by Andy Marso and Aly Van Dyke in the Topeka Capitol-Journal.
Missouri: “Missouri’s U.S. House and statehouse districts will remain, court rules” by Elizabeth Crisp in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
North Carolina: “N.C. group: Panel, not lawmakers, to draw districts” by the Associated Press in the Greensboro News & Record.
Texas: “Redistricting concerns remain in Texas” by Paul J. Weber in the Daily Oklahoman.
May 22, 2012 •
Today’s Redistricting News Roundup
We have news on redistricting issues from five states:
Alabama: “Redistricting bill stalls in Senate” by Sebastian Kitchen and Brian Lyman in the Montgomery Advertiser.
Alaska: “Haines Borough challenges latest redistricting plan” by Becky Bohrer in the Anchorage Daily News.
Arizona: “Ariz. redistricting headed to two courts” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Daily Sun.
California: “In Calif. redistricting experiment, how much better off will Democrats be?” by Tom Curry on MSNBC.com.
Kansas: “Court allows lawmakers, voters to intervene in redistricting suit” by John Hanna of the Associated Press and Brent D. Wistrom of the Eagle Topeka bureau in the Kansas City Star.
May 14, 2012 •
Monday’s News Roundup
Keep up with the latest campaign finance, ethics, and redistricting news:
Campaign Finance
“FEC to Congress: Expand ban on personal use of political committee funds” by Rachel Leven in The Hill.
Ethics
Arkansas: “Group throws financial weight behind ethics reform initiative” by Rob Moritz in Arkansas News.
Florida: “Gov. Rick Scott’s chief of staff draws ethics complaint for using state staff to apply for a job” by May Ellen Klas in The Miami Herald.
Florida: “Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s Chief of Staff Resigns Amid Scrutiny of State Contracts Awarded Friends” by Mary Ellen Klas in Governing.
Redistricting
Alaska: “State redistricting board will meet Monday to address supreme court concerns in SE Alaska” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Arizona: “Clean Elections Commission weighs in on redistricting suit” by Mary Jo Pitzl in the Arizona Republic.
Kansas: “Kansas redistricting fight may navigate to the courts” in the Kansas City Business Journal.
May 4, 2012 •
Legislative Sessions Adjourn in Three States
Arizona, Hawaii, and Mississippi
Arizona: The Arizona Legislature adjourned its session sine die on May 3. Governor Jan Brewer has 10 days to sign or veto legislation transmitted to her, or the legislation becomes law automatically.
Hawaii: The Hawaii Legislature adjourned sine die yesterday, May 3, 2012.
Mississippi: The Mississippi Legislature adjourned ahead of schedule on May 3, 2012.
Thank you to Research Associates George Ticoras, Shamus Williams, and Jen Zona for providing us with this legislative session information.
April 24, 2012 •
Keep Up with the Latest Redistricting News
Today we have items from seven states:
“Redistricting takes some of the ‘swing’ out of House fights” by Susan Davis in USA Today.
Alaska: “It may be too late for another legislative redistricting plan” by Becky Bohrer in the Anchorage Daily News.
Arizona: “State Supreme Court reaffirms that governor shouldn’t have fired redistricting chair” by Howard Fischer in the East Valley Tribune.
Kansas: “Kobach warns of redistricting crisis” by John Hanna (Associated Press) in the Lawrence Journal-World.
Mississippi: “Mississippi lawmakers tackle redistricting” by Phil West in The Commercial Appeal.
Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania’s new map pits incumbent Democrats in primary” by Sean Lengell in The Washington Times.
Vermont: “Vermont Senate endorses redistricting plans” by Nancy Remsen in the Burlington Free Press.
Wyoming: “State: Redistricting plaintiffs have no standing to file suit” by Trevor Brown in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
March 28, 2012 •
The Latest Redistricting News
Today we have news on redistricting issues from nine states:
Alaska: “Alaska Redistricting Board says it has adopted new election districts” by Matt Buxton in the Fairbanks Daily News Miner.
Arizona: “Brewer signs bill to keep Arizona redistricting commission going while new maps are pending” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Florida: “Redrawn Senate map passes House, scramble for seats begin” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida: “Legislature ends redistricting session, new Senate map approved” by Mary Ellen Klas in The Miami Herald.
Idaho: “Redistricting will shake up Idaho Legislature” by Sean Ellis in the Capital Press.
Kansas: “Kan. House to debate congressional remap bill” by The Associated Press in the Salina Journal.
Maryland: “Group seeks referendum on new Md. congressional map” by Annie Linskey in The Baltimore Sun.
Missouri: “Missouri Supreme Court upholds House districts” by Elizabeth Crisp in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
West Virginia: “W.Va. lawmakers seek OK of congressional districts” by Eric Eyre in the Charleston Gazette.
Wisconsin: “Judges: Collaboration needed on Wis. voting maps” by The Associated Press on Madison.com.
Wisconsin: Opinion piece “Redistricting decision offers important lesson” by Christine Neumann-Ortiz in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
March 22, 2012 •
Stay on Top of Redistricting News
Here is a roundup of the latest articles from four states:
Arizona: “Arizona lawmakers OK money for redistricting panel” by The Associated Press in the Arizona Daily Sun.
Arizona: “Arizona redistrict panel to get more cash” by Mary Jo Pitzl in the Arizona Republic.
Florida: “Down to the wire, Senators propose last-minute changes to new Senate map” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.
Florida: “Florida Senate panel approves redistricting plan” by The Associated Press in the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Florida: “Fla. Senate panel approves redistricting plan” by Bill Kaczor in the Deseret News.
Kansas: “Kan. Senate delays vote on redistricting bill” by The Associated Press in the Salina Journal.
Kansas: “Kansas House votes down latest redistricting bill” by Fred Mann in the Wichita Eagle.
New York: “Between the Lines: Map Complete, Time to Sort Out Who’s Running” by Joshua Miller in Roll Call.
February 24, 2012 •
Arizona Lobbying Disclosure Bill Passes
Without the ALEC disclosure measure
The Arizona House of Representatives passed House Bill 2642, which will require more disclosure for local governments who lobby the state lawmakers. Two amendments were not added to the bill – one requiring American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) disclosure and another that would remove the one year “revolving door” waiting period for lawmakers to become lobbyists.
To find out more about the details of the new lobbying law (and what did not pass with it), be sure to read:
“Insider: Lobbyist bill passes without extras” by Mary Jo Pitzl in The Arizona Republic.
“Lawmakers OK more disclosure on lobbying” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Daily Sun.
Photo of the Arizona House of Representatives Chamber by Willem van Bergen on Wikipedia.
February 15, 2012 •
Latest News in Ethics Oversight
Here is a look at what has appeared in the last few days from the state ethics commissions:
Arizona: “Ariz. lawmakers want elected officials to disclose use of public funds” by Howard Fischer in the East Valley Tribune.
Georgia: “Advocates push for ethics funding” by Charles Edwards on WABE News.
“Watchdog groups demand more money for ethics board” by in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Maryland: “Maryland Ethics Panel Suggests Reducing Local Disclosure” by Brian Witte (Associated Press) on NBC Washington.
“Bill would require online disclosure” by Michael Dresser in the Baltimore Sun.
Minnesota: “Lobbying violations vex understaffed Minnesota regulator” by Brad Schrade in the Star Tribune.
North Carolina: “Dome: Few ethics complaints probed, report shows” by John Frank in The News & Observer.
February 13, 2012 •
Redistricting in the News
Here is a selection of redistricting news items from around the nation.
Arizona: “Arizona submits congressional map to US for review” by The Associated Press in the Arizona Capitol Times.
Colorado: “Political insiders in Colorado organized nonprofits to fund redistricting efforts” by Lois Beckett in the Denver Post.
Florida: “Redistricting maps will spur big changes in Central Florida” by Aaron Deslatte in The Orlando Sentinel.
Missouri: “Missouri Supreme Court to consider redistricting fight” by The Associated Press in The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
New York: “Campaigns on hold awaiting remap” by Bob McCarthy in the Buffalo News.
Pennsylvania: “With Pa. redistricting plans up in the air, candidates use 2001 maps” by Jennifer Fitch in the The Herald-Mail.
Texas: “In Fight Over Redistricting Maps, Sometimes It’s Where They Play the Game” by Ross Ramsey in The New York Times.
Wyoming: “Wyoming redistricting expected to be contentious” by Joan Barron in the Casper Star-Tribune.
February 7, 2012 •
State Legislatures in the News
Legislative sessions and other news items today from state Legislatures:
Alabama: “Alabama lawmakers return for 2012 regular session” by Bob Johnson (Associated Press) in the Montgomery Advertiser.
Arizona: “Monday is deadline to introduce bills in AZ House” by The Associated Press in the Arizon Capitol Times.
California: “Initiative would make Legislature part time, slash its pay” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.
“California Legislators Turn in Keys to their Cars” by Karl Kurtz on NCSL’s blog The Thicket.
Oklahoma: “Okla. State Legislature Begins 2012 Session” by Homa Quazilbash on KTUL.com
Oregon: “Oregon Politics: Legislative session starts with big concepts and some lawmakers under scrutiny” by Jeff Mapes in The Oregonian
Virginia: “Va. legislators accepted $246,000 in gifts last year” by Anita Kumar in the Washington Post.
January 17, 2012 •
Arizona Bill Removes Entertainment Exception for Lobbyists
School Sporting Events Exception
Arizona Senator David Schapira has introduced a bill removing the lobbyists gift exception for entertainment and for some athletic events.
The Democratic Minority leader’s bill, SB 1068, amends the current law by removing the exception for expenditures of entertainment and athletic events provided to officials by lobbyists.
Sporting events would still be a permitted expenditure if the event is sponsored by a school district governing board, a community college district governing board, or any institution under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents.
Photo of Arizona Senator David Schapira by DShippy on Wikipedia.
November 23, 2011 •
Lawsuit Brought against Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission
Suit alleges the commission used funds to promote itself.
The Arizona Republic reports that the group No Taxpayer Money for Politicians has brought a lawsuit against the Citizens Clean Elections Commission in Arizona.
Former state Sen. Jonathan Paton is quoted in the article as saying, “They’re using this [public money] for electioneering purposes and not for educating voters.”
The commission’s Executive Director Todd Lang called the suit a “wrong-headed” attempt to eliminate the agency’s education fund.
For the full story, read the article “Suit: Clean Elections agency misused tax dollars” by Mary Jo Pitzl.
November 2, 2011 •
Arizona Special Session Impeaches Independent Chairwoman
Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission
A one-day special session of the Arizona Legislature was called by Governor Jan Brewer yesterday to impeach the chairwoman of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.
The Senate vote to impeach Chairwoman Colleen Coyle Mathis passed with the required two thirds majority. The chairwoman, a registered independent, was ousted with a party line vote of 21 Republican senators in favor of the removal and 6 Democratic senators opposed.
Governor Brewer alleges gross misconduct by Chairwoman Mathis in her role in the independent commission, which also has two democratic members and two republican members.
Photo of the Arizona State Capitol building by 2candle on Wikipedia.
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