Regent made tape of own Feb. tirade vs. legislator

The chairman of the Arizona Board of Regents had one of the most talkedabout dust-ups of the legislative session, reportedly belittling a rural lawmaker for his Western-style clothing during a private meeting this year.

But details of that February encounter and what prompted Greg Patterson’s personal attack on Rep. Mark Finchem weren’t known until now, thanks to a secret recording made by Patterson himself.

Near the end of the recording, Patterson grows frustrated with Finchem and Rep. Jill Norgaard, sponsors of a bill that would have greatly diminished the authority of the universities’ governing board. At that point, Patterson can be heard on the recording appealing to the Republican lawmakers’ partisan loyalty, dispensing unsolicited career advice and telling Finchem, “The costume doesn’t work. You know, trim

that down. Buy a suit.”

The 25-minute recording was obtained by The Arizona Republic through a public-records request.

Patterson’s remarks, as well as his decision to record the meeting, have stunned lawmakers and some of his colleagues on the Board of Regents. His tactics cost him an invitation from Gov. Doug Ducey to a bill-signing ceremony last month, according to the Governor’s Office. Regents President Eileen Klein, who was present for the exchange, acknowledged the episode could have longer-term consequences for regents’ relations with state lawmakers.

But Patterson said the February encounter was an example of how lawmakers wield their power and how most people defer to them. In this case, Patterson said it was important to stand up to what he called Finchem’s bullying, as he felt the lawmaker was trying to promote an unconstitutional bill.

Finchem, who is from Oro Valley, said that despite the failure of his bill, he is already drafting a “comprehensive restructuring” of the Board of Regents. In his view, the board has inadequately managed the university system.

The Board of Regents requested the meeting with Norgaard, of Phoenix, to discuss the bill and management of the universities. Klein and the regents’ lobbyist, Kody Kelleher, were to attend.

Patterson learned of the meeting and asked if he, too, could be present. He suggested Finchem be invited as well.

Much of the meeting was spent discussing the inner workings of the university system. Patterson was civil, arguing that the regents and universities have been fiscally responsible while fulfilling their constitutional obligations in the face of state funding cuts.

But he took a more contentious tone after Norgaard questioned growth in university administrative expenses in recent years. Patterson noted his own longtime loyalty to the GOP “revolution,” recounting that as a state lawmaker he had listened to audiotapes by former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

“So I would encourage you to decide which side of that revolution you want to be on,” Patterson told them.

Patterson later mocked Finchem, who is mustachioed and often sports a Sunday-go-to-meeting tie at the state Legislature: “I would start by saying the costume doesn’t work. You know, trim that down. Buy a suit. Decide where you want to be, but this isn’t it. OK.” Patterson then stormed out. Klein said after the lawmakers regained their composure, the meeting continued for another 30 minutes. “Representative Finchem ... I’ve always found to be a complete gentleman, even in that moment,” she said.

Republic reporter Ronald J. Hansen contributed to this article.