Nobody would call 2011 a dull year for Arizona politics.

The soap opera fans got Sen. Scott Bundgaard’s side-of-the-road scuffle, the conspiracy theorists had their hands full with the Independent Redistricting Commission, and those who delight in schadenfreude watched the fall of Senate President Russell Pearce.

January “Though I have nothing against our current system of succession for the secretary of state to become governor, I can tell you from experience that there’s nothing like an election to make the office feel a whole lot better.” — Gov. Jan Brewer, in her Jan. 3 inauguration speech. Brewer, who succeeded to the [...]

Politicians sometimes say the ‘darndest’ things, and 2011 didn’t disappoint.

Whether deliberate or inadvertent, some comments by Arizona’s lawmakers outraged, inflamed or simply stoked people’s imaginations.

Here are some comments and moments that left many scratching their heads, hopping mad or laughing out loud. If they proved anything, it’s

this: The state Capitol can be a merry little box of chocolates. You just don’t know what you’re going to get.

Last week’s announcement from Pierce and Biggs that they would work next year to roll back an increase in state employee retirement contributions caught most observers off guard.

Consumers in Arizona spent more money in October on automobiles, clothes and other goods than in that same month a year earlier.

The Arizona Republic reports that that state records show that shoppers spent $3.8 billion on retail goods during October.

TUCSON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, other survivors of the Tucson shooting rampage and numerous others will come together in the close-knit southern Arizona city on Jan. 8 to commemorate the one-year mark of that tragic day and remember those who died.

A number of events are planned that Sunday, although it remained unclear Thursday which Giffords will attend or whether she will make any public statements.

Labor unions are not only seeking pay raises but additional perks for union-covered Phoenix workers.

The Arizona Republic reports labor groups want better health coverage, more vacation days and more protection for employees’ rights.

Robes and gavels were a large part of Arizona’s political scene in 2011.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on a landmark election law case that came out of the state and agreed to hear SB1070.

The state Supreme Court resolved conflicts involving the Independent Redistricting Commission and trial courts were busy with lawsuits contesting cuts to Medicaid and the candidacy of a Mesa woman in the recall election of former Senate President Russell Pearce.

A death row prisoner who is next in line for execution asked the Arizona Supreme Court Dec. 30 to either reject the state’s motion for his death warrant or postpone its decision until after a federal civil rights lawsuit involving other condemned inmates is resolved.