A waste of public funds?
By Dustin Gardiner | The Republic
Taxpayers are picking up the tab for accused lawmakers’ legal costs as three Arizona state legislators face investigation for alleged sexual misconduct or harassment — to the tune of $300 per hour.
The Arizona House of Representatives will cover lawmakers’ legal bills for the first phase of the inquiries, Speaker J.D. Mesnard said last week.
The decision has drawn criticism from at least one legislator, who says it’s a waste of public funds.
But Mesnard, R-Chandler, said the decision is a “fairness issue” because House staff attorneys, who would ordinarily advise lawmakers, are all tapped to help oversee the investigations.
