Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon got more bad news today when Phoenix City Attorney Gary Verburg issued his opinion that the mayor does not have the authority under Phoenix city law to unilaterally cause Phoenix to start a lawsuit.  Mayor Phil wants Phoenix to sue the State of Arizona to overturn the new Arizona immigration law, but he cannot get a majority of the city council to approve the lawsuit.  The City Attorney said that only the city council has the power to cause Phoenix to file a lawsuit.  Mayor Gordon’s new plan is to join with other plaintiffs in a lawsuit to overturn the new law.  Since a number of lawsuits challenging the new law have already been filed with more sure to follow, you’ve got to wonder why Mayor Phil needs to join the fray.  Perhaps it’s just politics and he is pandering to his political base.