FRIDAY FULL HOUSE: REDISTRICTING EXPERTISE

posted by Michael Chihak

Arizona is setting the tone for its political future, at least for the next decade. And so far, that tone is one of rancor and bitterness.

It is all about how nine congressional and 30 legislative district boundaries are drawn. The Arizona Constitution puts that task in the hands of the Independent Redistricting Commission, with an emphasis on "independent."

However, it's been anything but independent, with both Democratic and Republican officeholders and partisans trying to influence the outcomes.

The latest effort, of course, was Tuesday's ouster of commission chair Colleen Mathis on a vote by all 21 Republicans in the state Senate. That followed Republican Gov. Jan Brewer's declaration that Mathis had violated the state Open Meeting Law and committed "gross negligence" in the drawing of district lines.

To summarize the week's events and look ahead to what could happen next, Arizona Week on Friday is gathering several experts.

First, Arizona Week reporter intern Melanie Huonker will review the news events of the week.

Following her, Arizona State University political scientist Jennifer Steen will look at how the process is working constitutionally and where it may end up.

Finally, journalists who have been covering the issues will comment and analyze what happened, where the situation is now and what might occur. Joining us will be the Arizona Republic's Mary Jo Pitzl, the Arizona Capitol Times' Evan Wyloge and Arizona Public Media's Christopher Conover.

Watch Friday at 8:30 pm MSTY on PBS-HD-6 or at azweek.com.