Goldwater Institute

The Goldwater Institute is seeking a preliminary injunction on the deal that could keep the Coyotes in Glendale for the next 20 years and the judge has already issued a partial ruling.

The Phoenix Coyotes are having the best season of their short history. In April, they finished atop the National Hockey League’s Pacific Division. In the postseason, they beat the Chicago Blackhawks in six games and the Nashville Predators in five. Never before had the Coyotes advanced past the first round of the playoffs. At press time, they were skating in the Western Conference championship against the Los Angeles Kings, fighting for a berth in the Stanley Cup finals.

Glendale confirmed its reputation as the Valley city with the greatest disdain for transparency. In the process, it assured itself of more time in court and less trust from residents.

The city of Glendale may be working towards an agreement to keep the Phoenix Coyotes in Glendale, but the city may be working without all the facts, the Goldwater Institute said.

A judge this week ruled that the city of Phoenix can’t pay police officers to conduct union work. That, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper ruled, is a violation of the state Constitution. Specifically, of the part of the constitution that says you can’t make a gift of public money for private concerns.