Local Politics · Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Corporation Commission Votes to Redact Public Meeting Record on Firing Debate
The Arizona Corporation Commission voted unanimously to retroactively redact references to former policy advisor Laurie Woodall from a public meeting transcript and video, after Executive Director Doug Clark fired her without notifying Commissioner Lea Márquez Peterson. General Counsel Tom Van Flein advised the discussion should have occurred in executive session, prompting commissioners to deem mentions of Woodall private content. First Amendment attorney David Bodney called the redaction contrary to Arizona's open meeting laws, noting the agenda also failed to list specific matters discussed. The Attorney General's Office confirmed awareness but had not received an open-meeting-law complaint. The commission approved a motion to seek outside legal counsel on whether the firing was justified.