Arizona IRC may get some $
The Arizona Daily Sun reports,
A House panel took the first steps Wednesday to giving some money to the Independent Redistricting Commission to defend the congressional and legislative boundaries it crafted. On a 10-3 margin the House Appropriations Committee voted to give the commission $1.7 million. The measure now goes to the full House.That is far less than the $4.2 million that commission Chairman Steve Lynn said may eventually be necessary on top of the $6 million it already has spent.
But Lynn said it should at least pay for the costs of the lawsuit and a likely appeal.
The need for legislative action -- and quickly -- became more apparent as the Arizona Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to even consider whether the commission is entitled automatically to more money.
Without comment the justices brushed aside arguments by Hauser that because the commission is given duties in the state Constitution it cannot be hobbled by the failure of the Legislature or governor to provide the funds.
(Disclosure: I represent the plaintiffs in the suit against the Independent Redistricting Commission over its Congressional plan.)