Arizona Daily Independent
(Editor’s note: Posting opinion pieces does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rose Law Group.)
For the past few years, residents in Southern Arizona have asked the Arizona Legislature to investigate the Rio Nuevo TIF District. Last year, Senator Steve Pierce ensured that the legislature could make no move against it by placing powerful businessman and big campaign donor, Fletcher McCusker, in charge of the controversial TIF district.
According to highly placed legislative sources, Pierce’s appointment was safe from Senate President Biggs, who clung to the idea that if he left Rio Nuevo alone and did not replace McCusker with a watchdog member, Pierce would show him mercy and not have him removed from power.
Before being voted out as Senate president, Pierce removed Rio Nuevo’s watchdog Board members Jodi Bain and Rick Grinnell, and put McCusker and Chris Sheafe on the Board.
