The Arizona Legislature’s fight against tranparency took a bipartisan turn on Thursday as Democrats joined Republicans to kill Rep. David Stevens’ bill, HB2583, which would have required all public bodies to provide a complete audiovisual recording of all meetings. Had the bill passed it could have had a devastating impact on Arizona politicians who use the secrecy provided by closed-door executive sesions in which to make dubious deals.
Stevens, in his final term at the Legislature, has been a champion for transparency and and level playing field for all. On the floor, Stevens pleaded with his fellow lawmakers to reconsider their opposition to the bill. None would budge.
Although high quality recording devices can be purchased for less than $100, some representatives claimed that recording meetings would be cost prohibitive.
Arizona State Rep. Bob Thorpe stated, “I was surprised that it didn’t pass. I supported the bill and voted yes, although I was personally concerned about the cost and technical difficulties for small organizations, such as rural water districts, to implement an Internet enabled recording system.”
| Member Name | Vote | Member Name | Vote | Member Name | Vote |
| J. Christopher Ackerley | Y | John M. Allen | N | Lela Alston | N |
| Richard C. Andrade | N | Brenda Barton | N | Jennifer D. Benally | N |
| Reginald Bolding Jr. | N | Sonny Borrelli | Y | Russell “Rusty” Bowers | Y |
| Paul Boyer | N | Kate Brophy McGee | N | Noel W. Campbell | Y |
| Mark A. Cardenas | N | Heather Carter | Y | Ken Clark | N |
| Regina Cobb | Y | Doug Coleman | Y | Diego Espinoza | N |
| Karen Fann | Y | Eddie Farnsworth | N | Charlene R. Fernandez | N |
| Mark Finchem | Y | Randall Friese | N | Rosanna Gabaldón | N |
| Sally Ann Gonzales | N | Rick Gray | Y | Albert Hale | N |
| Anthony Kern | Y | Matthew A. Kopec | N | Jonathan R. Larkin | N |
| Jay Lawrence | Y | Vince Leach | Y | David Livingston | Y |
| Phil Lovas | N | Stefanie Mach | N | Debbie McCune Davis | N |
| Juan Jose Mendez | N | Javan D. “J.D.” Mesnard | N | Eric Meyer | N |
| Darin Mitchell | Y | Steve Montenegro | Y | Jill Norgaard | Y |
| Justin Olson | Y | Lisa A. Otondo | N | Warren H. Petersen | Y |
| Celeste Plumlee | N | Franklin M. Pratt | N | Rebecca Rios | N |
| Tony Rivero | Y | Bob Robson | N | Macario Saldate | N |
| Thomas “T.J.” Shope | N | David W. Stevens | Y | Bob Thorpe | Y |
| Kelly Townsend | N | Michelle B. Ugenti-Rita | NV | Ceci Velasquez | N |
| Jeff Weninger | N | Bruce Wheeler | N | David M. Gowan Sr. | Y |