Arizona State Senate
1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007
Pres. Russell Pearce, R-18
Senate President
602-926-5760
Sen. Andy Biggs, R-22
Majority Leader
602-926-4371
Sen. Steve Pierce, R-1
Majority Whip
602-926-5584
Press Release
November 4, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mathis’ unconstitutional acts continue even after removal from office
(Phoenix, State Capitol) ---The chair of the Independent Redistricting Commission has been removed from office, but her unconstitutional acts are still affecting the work of the Commission.
The IRC is in gridlock because Colleen Mathis made the head-scratching suggestion to select two vice-chairs for the Commission. That is a blatant violation of the Arizona Constitution.
Article 4 Part 2 of the Constitution reads:
The five commissioners shall then select by majority vote one of their members to serve as vice-chair.
At the time of the vote to select two vice-chairs, the IRC was made aware of the unconstitutional decision, and Ms. Mathis chose to ignore advice to follow the Constitution. Not only was this unconstitutional, but Mathis’ act has had the predictable impact on the IRC. With two vice-chairs, it will be almost impossible for the IRC to act on anything.
The Governor and Senate realized evidence was overwhelming that Ms. Mathis had committed “gross misconduct” and “substantial neglect of duty”. What they perhaps didn’t realize was the impact her unconstitutional reign would have even after she left the IRC.
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For more information contact:
Mike Philipsen, Communications Advisor
Arizona Senate Republican Caucus
Office: (602) 926-3972 Cell: (602) 904-2070
Email mphilipsen@azleg.gov
To put this in proper perspective, Mr. Philipsen is NOT a judge, judicial officer of any kind or even a lawyer. He is a spin doctor.
In this case, knowing that a political firestorm has been ignited by Gov. Jan and Philipsen's employers, he's hoping to deflect attention by declaring judgment on a completely unrelated act/decision made by AIRC CHAIR Colleen Mathis.
If spin doctors had to be licensed practitioners, Philipsen would face professional discipline for unprofessional conduct regarding this lame attempt to rehabilitate his client's image.
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I attempted to reach Philipsen at both of the numbers listed above. He did not answer and did not respond to my request that he call me back.
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