Arizona Republicans exempt lawmakers from the state's open-records law

[iemanja]

Source: Washington Post

PHOENIX — Arizona Republicans shielded legislators from the state’s open-records law this week — a move that comes months after the release of thousands of documents detailing extensive efforts to undermine Joe Biden’s victory here in the 2020 presidential election.

Documents that have surfaced over the past two years include correspondence describing the inner workings of a partisan review of the 2020 election by the Cyber Ninjas, as well as emails by Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, urging lawmakers to overturn President Donald Trump’s narrow defeat in the state.

The new rules will greatly limit the public release of lawmakers’ communications. State senators will not have to disclose any text messages sent on personal devices, even when dealing with state business. For lawmakers in both the Senate and the House, emails and other documents will be destroyed after 90 days — in many cases, well before members of the public know to ask for them.

“I think it is petty, vindictive and contrary to the plain interests of transparency and government accountability in Arizona,” said David Bodney, a lawyer who has represented the Arizona Republic in open-records litigation over the 2020 election review.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/01/26/arizona-legislature-transparency-open-records-law/

[Marthe48]

1. What else do they have to hide?

foul, loathesome gangsters.

[Evolve Dammit]

2. deplorable.

[OAITW r.2.0]

3. This is what the Organized Crime Party does.

We should stop calling them the Republican Party and call them the Organized Crime Party. Maybe Republican voters will get the message....

[yankee87]

4. Not free article

I can't open article, so can't the governor veto the law? How can they away with that? What next, exemptibg them from all laws?

[iemanja]

5. This is LBN

I didn't think archived articles were allowed. You can easily use the link to search for one at https://archive.ph/

[NullTuples]

11. A few other sources:

"Republican lawmakers vote to destroy some public records more quickly, eliminate others"
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/legislature/2023/01/26/arizona-legislature-to-eliminate-public-records-faster-under-republican-plan/69842493007/

"Arizona Legislature exempts itself from state public records law"
https://theweek.com/arizona/1020435/arizona-legislature-exempts-itself-from-state-public-records-law

"Arizona’s GOP legislators vote to shield themselves from public records laws
The new rules adopted by both GOP-led chambers of the state Legislature effectively make investigations into any potential wrongdoing far more difficult."
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/arizona-gop-lawmakers-vote-shield-public-records-laws-rcna67698

[ificandream]

6. Drain the swamp.

[BOSSHOG]

7. Alas, Arizona republicans

Have conservative values. Pass the word. It’s more fun to do it this way then use the generic republicans have conservative values even though it’s all true. Try it in your state or city. See if they’ll disagree with you.

[SouthernDem4ever]

8. Fascism takes hold in Arizona

Repugs there like to lie, cheat and steal with impunity.

[TigressDem]

9. Letting criminals destroy evidence.

Grate.

Yeah, not a misspelling.

It grates on my nerves that they can shield themselves like this and get away with it.

[Fullduplexxx]

10. prepping for 2024

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

12. Of course they do

[machoneman]

13. As the AZ SC is stocked with only R judges, it's doubly sad the U.S. Supreme Court may not....

...be able to step in even if a lawsuit is filed. IIRC, state legislatures do have a right to shield communications.

[barbtries]

14. huh.

“I think it is petty, vindictive and contrary to the plain interests of transparency and government accountability in Arizona,” said David Bodney, a lawyer who has represented the Arizona Republic in open-records litigation over the 2020 election review.

It seems pretty transparent to me. They're up to no good and they aren't going to let you know it.

i hate republicans

[OverBurn]

15. The GOP crime party covering their crimes. Disgusting, democracy is dying.

[Martin68]

16. I hope this is challenged in court. Legislators hiding their anti-democratic mis-deeds behind

a wall of secrecy in contradiction of the open-records law.

[ChazInAz]

17. Ah....memories!

The legiscritters are feeling nostalgic for the Good Ole Days of AZScam and AltfuelsScam.
They would've gotten away with those, too, if it hadn't been for those nosy reporters.