Tolleson Union High School District has declined a request from the Arizona Legislature for access to financial transaction records, marking a first in the state’s history. During a Joint Legislative Audit Committee hearing on July 21, Co-Chairman Matt Gress asked for two years of financial records, including purchase orders. The request was made on August 26.
Instead of complying, the district is demanding over $26,000 in fees, which it acknowledges are meant to discourage such requests. State law permits fees only for copying or mailing costs, not for producing electronic files or deterring oversight. Representative Gress followed up with a letter on September 17 to clarify his request but encountered resistance.
“In my experience, it is unprecedented for an Arizona public entity to demand that the State pay for public records or to assert that it can withhold electronic records,” said Representative Gress. “Exporting purchase orders from financial software is simple, and other districts have complied quickly.”
Gress expressed concern about the district’s attempt to involve the Attorney General’s Office. He noted that Attorney General Mayes had previously provided records when her office was under review. “It would be deeply troubling for her office to advise a district to withhold documents from legislative oversight,” he added.
Gress’s letters dated August 26 and September 17 are available online: https://www.azleg.gov/press/house/57LEG/1R/250925Gress.pdf
Arizona State Rep. Matt Gress (R-Central City) was elected in 2023, representing the state’s 4th House District.
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