Arizona Legislature

A unanimous Supreme Court says an Arizona commission did not violate the principle of one person, one vote when it redrew the state's legislative districts in a way that created some with more residents than others and improved the prospects for Democrats.

The justices on Wednesday rejected a challenge from a group of Republican voters who claimed the state's Independent Redistricting Commission illegally packed GOP voters into some districts while leaving other Democratic-leaning districts with smaller populations.

The Arizona attorney general's office has opened an investigation into House Speaker David Gowan to determine if he misused state resources while campaigning for Congress.

Spokeswoman for the attorney general Mia Garcia confirmed the investigation Thursday but would not go into detail because the investigation is ongoing.

Gowan requested the attorney general look into the issue after the Arizona Capitol Times published an analysis of the Sierra Vista Republican's use of rented state vehicles and his claims for daily per diem payments.

The Arizona Senate has given initial approval to a bill opponents say is designed to make it easier to cut off Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood Arizona and other abortion providers.

House Bill 2599 passed on a voice vote Tuesday and awaits a formal vote. The House passed the bill last month with only Republicans in support.